Recommendations for Determining Debris Loads for Tainter Gates

Abstract

This article compares the current estimated debris line-load value of 6.78 kN/m (5 kips/ft) on Tainter gates within engineering manuals and technical letters to recent research findings on impact loads. The intent of this study was to investigate, modernize, and create a more defendable methodology for applying debris loads to Tainter gates. This study combined multiple references to create a range of loading values for use by designers in regions that see low, moderate, or severe concentrations of debris. Guidance and recommendations have also been provided for special debris-loading conditions sometimes encountered by design engineers. The findings of this study show that the current recommend debris load, although appropriate and conservative for certain types of debris, may lack flexibility.