Hydraulics of Circular Drop Manholes

Abstract

Circular drop manholes are widely employed in steep urban drainage systems. Drop manholes may lead to poor hydraulic conditions if their energy dissipation is inadequate. The dominant hydraulic features of drop manholes depend on the flow regimes, characterized in terms of the dimensionless impact parameter. Depending on the latter parameter, the energy dissipation can vary within large limits, affecting thereby the downstream flow features. Also, the water pool depth inside the manhole and the air entrainment have been studied in terms of both the hydraulic and geometric parameters. Moreover, the conditions for which a drop manhole generates flow choking at its inlet or outlet have been investigated. Empirical equations for practical manhole design are provided. The importance of suitable manhole aeration is highlighted.