Idealized Automated Control of Sloping Canals

Abstract

An investigation of the automated, downstream control of sloping-top canals using an idealized controller is presented here. The case for an idealized formulation of canal control is given and a simplified, idealized control scenario is derived for use in this research. The investigation mainly includes (1) examination of canal control dynamics to determine a given pool's underlying, inherent controllability, and how one might then manipulate pool-end gates to meet canal control objectives; (2) derivation of an idealized-control methodology; and (3) examination of a canal's control opportunities given its inherent-controllability indices and implementation of the idealized controller. Comparisons are made with other downstream control methodologies. The transition to a field-worthy controller is considered. Application of the inherent-controllability indices and the idealized controller to a given canal offers an expedient, cost-effective means of obtaining insight into site-specific control options prior to further research, or to the design and deployment of a field-worthy controller.