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IS 11485 (1985): Criteria for hydraulic design of sluices

in concrete and masonry dams [WRD 9: Dams and Spillways]

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( Reaffirmed 2004 )

IS : 11485- 1985

Indian Standard
CRITERIA FOR
HYDRAULIC DESIGN OF SLUICES IN
CONCRETE AND MASONRY DAMS
Spillways

Including

Energy

Dissipators

Sectional

J. F. MISTRY

BDC

54

Rcpresen t ing

Chairman
SRRI

Committee,

Irrigation
Department,
~Gandhinagar

Government

of

Gujarat,

Members
DR A. S. CRAWLA
CHIEF ENGINEER ( DAM DESIGN )

University of Roorkee ( WRDTC ), Roorkee

Irrigation
Department,
Government
of Uttar
Pradesh, Lucknow
SHRI LAX~I NARAYAN ( Alternate )
CAIEF ENGINEER, CD0
Irrigation
Department,
Government
of Andhra
Pradesh, Hyderabad
SUPERINTENDINGENGINEER
( DAMS ) ( Alternate )
CHIEF ENGINEER AND DII~EGTOR Maharashtra EngineeringResearch
Institute, Nasik
SHRI K. A. GRAMPUROHIT ( Alternate )
CHIEZ ENGINEER ( PWD )
Irrigation Department,
Government of Karnataka,
Mysore
SWERINTENDIN~ ENGINEER
ESIGNS) ( Alternate )
CHIiFD
ENGINEER/R- UM- Irrigation
& Power Research Institute, Punjab,
DIRECTOR
Amritsar
CHIEF ENGINEER, THEIN DAM Irrigation
Department,
Government
of Punjab,
DESIGN
Chandigarh
DII~ECTOR ( SPILLWAYS &
POWER PLANT ) ( Alternate )
CHIEF ENQIN~ER & DIRECTOR, Irrigation Department, Government of Tamil Nadu,
INSTITUTE OF HYDRAULICS &
Madras
HYDROLOOY POONDI
DEPUTY DIRECTOR ( HYDRAULICS ) ( Alternate)
SHRI M. L. Dns
Irrigation and Power Department, Government of
Orissa. Bhubaneswar
SHRI B. DASS
Irrigation and Waterways Directorate,
Government
of West Bengal, Calcutta
DIRECTOR
Central Water and Power Research Station, Pune
SHRI R. M. K~ATSURIA ( Alternate )
( Continued on page 2
@ Cqyright

1986

INDIAN STANDARDS
INSTITUTION
This publication is protected under the Indiun Copyright Act ( XIV of 1957 j and
reproduction in whole or in part by any means except with written permission of the
I publisher shall be deemed to be an infringement of copyright under the said Act.

IS:11485-1985
( Continues from page 1 )
Representing

Members

Central Water Commission, New Delhi

National Hydroelectric
Power Corporation
Ltd,
New Delhi
j
Consulting Engineering Services ( India ) Pvt Ltd,
SRRI K. K. FRAMJI
New Delhi
PROF HARI KRISHNA ( Alternate )
Institution of Engineers ( India ), Calcutta
DR JAQDISH NARAIN
Bhakra Beas Management Board, Nangal Township
SHRI S. P. JAIN
SRRI J. C. BASUR ( Alternate )
Jaiprakash Associated Pvt Ltd, New Delhi
Snnr D. G. KADKADE
SHRI A. B. ODAK ( Alternate )
Irrigation
Department,
Government of Haryana,
SRRI H. K. KHOSLA
-Chandigarh
SRRI M. L. GUPTA ( Alternate )
Irrigation
Department,
Government
of Gujarat,
SHRI M. U. PURO~IT
Gandhinagar
SHRI N. B. DESAI ( Alternate )
Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd, Bangalore
SHRI M. S. RAMA RAO
The Hindustan Construction Co Ltd, Bombay
SHRI D. M. SAVU~~
SHRI
M. V. S. IYENGAR ( Alternate )
Irrigation Department, Government of Maharashtra,
SUPERINTENDINO ENO~NEER
Bombay
(MD)
SHRI V. N. PENDSE ( Alternate )
KUMARI PRATIMA NAIDU ( Alternate )
Gujarat Engineering Research Institute, Vadodara
SHRI C. D. TRATTE
SHIZI B. K. RAO ( Alternate )
Irrigation Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh,
DR R. S. VARSHNEY
Lucknow
Director General, IS1 ( Ex-ojicio Member )
SHRI G. RAMAN,
Director ( Civ Engg )
DIRECTOR(CMDD-I)
KUMARI E. DIVATIA

Secretary
SHRI K. K. SHARMA
Joint Director ( Civ Engg ), IS1

IS:11485- 1985

Indian Standard
CRITERIA FOR
HYDRAULIC DESIGN OF SLUICES IN
CONCRETE AND MASONRY DAMS

0.

FOREWORD

0.1This

Indian
Standard
was adopted
by the
Indian
Standards
Institution
on 20 November
1985, after the draft finalized
by the
Spillways Including
Energy Dissipators Sectional
Committee
had been
~approved by the Civil Engineering
Division Council.
0.2 Sluices
are provided
in the body of the dam to release regulated
supplies of water for a variety of purposes which are briefly listed below:

4
b)

River

diverson;

Irrigation;

c>Generation
4
4
f)

Water

of hydro-electric

supply

for municipal

To pass the flood discharge

power;
or industrial
in conjunction

Flood control regulation to release water

flood control storage space or to evacuate
tion of flood inflows;

Depletion
reservoir
remedial

h)

To furnish
necessary
stream; and

j>

For
maintenance
of a live stream
for
polation, preservation
of aquatic life, etc.

uses;
with the spillway;
temporarily
stored in
the storage in anticipa-

of the reservoir in order to facilitate inspection of the

rim and the upstream face of the dam for carrying
out
measures, if necessary;
flows

for satisfying

prior right uses downabatement

of stream

0.3 The flow through a sluice may be either pressure flow or free flow
along its entire length or a combination
of pressure flow in part length
and free flow in the remainder
part.
0.4 In the formulation
of
International
co-ordination

this standard due weightage has been given to

among standards and practices
prevailing
in

IS:11485-1985
different
countries
in addition
in this country.
This has been
following publication:

to relating it to the practices in the field

met by deriving
assistance
from the

EM-1 110-2-1602
Hydraulic
Army ,Corps of Engineers.

design

of

reservoir

outlet works, U.S.

1. SCOPE
1.1 This standard

lays down the criteria

and masonry dams.

in concrete
1.2

It does not cover the hydraulic

2. TYPES

2.1 Sluices
hydraulic
described
classified

for hydraulic

design

design of openings

of sluices

for penstocks.

OF SLUICES
may
be classified
depending
upon
their purpose,
their
operation or their alignment.
The first two types have been
in 0.2 and 0.3.
Based upon their alignment,
sluices may be
as under.

2.1.1 Straight Barrel Sluice - The barrel of this sluice is kept nearly
horizontal
between
the entry and exit transitions ( see Fig. la).
This
sluice has the advantage
of having minimum length due to which lesser
friction losses take place.
2.1.1.1
conditions:

Horizontal

a) When

sluices

are

generally

the sluices are drowned

used

under

the following

at the exit; and

b) When
they have to be located at or near the river bed level,
example,
in construction
sluices for river diversion.
2.1.1.2
throughout

The width of the sluice barrel

is generally
the length except in the entry transaction.

kept

for

uniform

2.1.1.3
If the sluice is designed for pressure flow conditions then the
top profile of the sluice may be given a slight constriction in accordance
with 3.4.1.
On the other hand, if free flow conditions
prevail
then no
such constriction
is required.
barrel
of this sluice is generally
2.1.2 Trajectory Type Sluice - The
kept horizontal downstream
of the entry transition
up to the service gate
Beyond the service gate the bottom of
to facilitate resting of the latter.
the sluice conforms to the parabolic path of the trajectory
and meets the
downstream
face of the dam section tangentially
( see Fig. 1 ).
4

IS : 11485- 1985
OoWNSrREAM
FACE
OF SPILLWAY/NON-OVERFLOW

RGENCV

UPSTREAM
OF DAM

GATE

IA

Straight

1B

Trajectory

FACE

FIG. 1
2.1.2.1
shall be:.

The

Barrel Sluice

equation

Type Sluice

TYPE OF SLUICE

of the bottom

profile

after the service gate

x2 = k.H.y
where
k=

H=
x,y

coefficient ( A value of about 4 is generally used depending on the distance avaiIable to accommodate this curve
in the reach between the service gate and the downstream
face of the spillway/non-overflow section ).
head at the centre line of the gate opening.

= co-ordinates

of any point on the profik

5

( see Fig. lb ).

IS : 11485 - 1985
In case the trajectory
profile defined by the above ~equation would
not permit meeting the downstream
face tangentially,
the adjustment
of
pro&
may be effected
alternatively
by introducing
a small tilt in the
co-ordinate
axes through
a small transition
zone just downstream
of
service gate.
2.1.2.2
The width of the sluice is kept uniform
except in the entry transition.
2.1.2.3
stream
of
the sluce.

throughout

the length

The height of the sluice is gradually

reduced
from downthe service gate to the exit in order to ensure pressure flow in
The constriction
shall be in accordance
with 3.4.1.

3. DESIGN

CONSIDERATIONS

3.1 Fixation

of Size and Number

of Sluices - The size and number
of sluices required
to pass the desired
discharge
at a predetermined
reservoir
elevation
may be found based on the type of flow required to
be maintained
in the sluice, that is, either pressure flow or free flow or a
combination
of both.
The sluice dimensions shall be so proportioned
as
to provide
a minimum of two number of sluices but simultaneously
to
permit inspection and repair of the same.
3.1.1 Pressure Flow in the Sluice - For
following basic relation may be used:

pressure

flow

conditions,

the

HT = hL + hv
where

HT = total head needed

produce

hL = the cumulative
head;

hv == velocity

to overcome

various

head

losses

to

discharge;
losses of the system in terms

of velocity

and
head at the sluice exit.

For a free discharging

sluice Hr shall be measured from the reservoir
I~f the outflowing
water surface to the centre of the sluice at the exit.
jet is supported on a downstream
floor the head shall be measured to the
point of greatest contraction
and if the sluice is submerged
at the exit
The losses shall
then the head shall be measured to the tail water level.
consist of trashrock losses, entrance
losses, friction losses, gate or valve
They may be exlosses, bend losses, expansion and contraction
losses.
pressed in terms of velocity head. The above equation may be re-written
in a simplified form as follows:

HT = XL.---

LIZ

2g

IS : 11485- 1985
Then Q = al

2g HT
7
L

where

KL = constant,

which is obtained
losses in the system;

V-

velocity in the portion

sectional area is al;

after

considering

of the sluice

where

all the
the cross

al = cross sectional area of the sluice, where the velocity is V;

g = acceleration

due to gravity; and

Q = ~i~~~,g,essa~v~~rpe~~v~~i~~gh
.
3.1.2

the sluice at a predeter-

Frte Flow ( Open Channel Flow > in the Sluice

3.1.2.1 When
open channel flow is controlled by regulating
the following relation shall be used.
Q = --&/G

C.L. ( HI 312 -

gates,

Hi 313)

where

Q=
g=
L=
&Hz =
C=
TABLE

discharge

to be passed through the sluice;

acceleration

due to gravity;

width of the sluice;

heads ( including the velocity of approach
bottom and top of the gate, respectively; and
coefficient of discharge ( see Table

COEFFICIENT

OF DISCHARGE,

) up to the

1 ).

C, FOR CONDUIT

ENTRANCES

( Chzuu 3.1.2.1 )
COEBFICIENT OF DISCHARGE, C
c___--__--_*.--_-_-_--_-1--7
Average
Minimum
Maximum

PARTICULARS

Gate in thin wall-unsuppressed

contraction

Il.70

0.60

O-63

Gate in thin wall-bottom

sides suppressed

0.81

0.68

0.70

095

0.71

0.82

Gate
in
rounded

thin

wall-corners

and

IS:11485

- 1985

3.1.2.2 When there is high rail water either due to canal

water
supply level or downstream
ituences in the streambed,
the regulating
gate~opening
may be either partly
or entirely
submerged.
For the
unsubmerged
part of the gate opening the discharge
shall be calculated
according to 3.1.2.1.
However,
for the submerged
part of the gate opening discharge shall be calculated
by the following relation:
Q=

C.A. 1/ 2gH

where
Q =

discharge

through

submerged

portion

of the gate

open-

ing,

A = area of the submerged

H = difference

between

portion

upstream

of the sluice,
and downstrem

water levels,

and
C =

coefficient
of discharge
for submerged
orifice or tube
flow.
( Its value generally varies between 0.62 to 0.81).

3.1.3 For calculating

the size of the sluice and plotting the water
surface
profile
maximum
losses should
be
considered.
However,
minimum
losses shall be considered for the design of the energy dissipation arrangements
for the flow through sluices.
3.2 Shape
of Sluices - Generally
rectangular
gates are preferred.
Therefore,
the shape of sluices is also normally kept rectangular.
Generally
the height of the sluice is kept as 1.5 times the width. However,
circular
shapes may also be provided when small diameter openings ( less than
one metre ) are required to be regulated by valves.
3.3 Entry
Transitions
- The efficient functioning
of a sluice depends
to a great extent on the design of its entry transitions.
TO obtain the
best inlet efficiency, the shape of the entrance should simulate that of a
jet discharging
into air.
A bell mouth entrance
which conforms
to or
slightly encroaches
upon the free jet profile will provide the best entrance
shape.
Elliptical entrances have been found to be suitable.
3.3.1 For a rectangular
be defined by the following
_I

X2

02

or square
equation

sluice the entrance

__

( o.&q5

transition

may

= l

where D is the vertical height of the sluice ( downstream

of the entrance
curve ) for top and bottom curves and the horizontal width of the sluice
( downstream
of the entrance curve ) for the side curves.
8

1s : 11485- 1985
3.3.2 For _a rectangular
entrance
with bottom
placed
even with
upstream floor, the side curves at the entrance
may be defined
by the
above equation.
However,
the top contraction
curve may be given by
the following equation:

YZ

X2

02
where D is the vertical
transition.
3.3.3 For a circular
following equation:

height

is the diameter

D )2 = '

of the sluice

entrance

( O*5x;
where
tion.

(0.67

)Z +

the

entry

YZ
(015D)z

downstream
transition

of the sluice downstream

of

the entrance

is given

by

the

1
of the entrance

transi-

3.4 Exit of the Sluice - The exit of the sluice shall be tangential
to
either the downstream
face of the spillway/non-overflow
section or the
bucket or it may be upturned ( see Fig. 2 ).
3.4.1 In order to ensure the pressure
flow conditions
throughout
the
length of the sluice and to avoid negative pressures the section of the
sluice should be constricted
at the exit so as to give reduced
crosssectional area commensurate
with the increase in the velocity of flow.
A
constriction
of 10 to 15 percent in ilow area is generally
found adequate
by effecting constriction in the roof profile only.
3.4.2 When the exit of the sluices is not drowned, the top profile of the
sluices is given a small turn of about 1.0 to 1.5 metres normal to the
downstream
face of the spillway/non-overflow
section.
This helps in the
aeration of the sluice ( see Fig. 2 ).
3.4.3 In case of an upturned
exit, the shape and dimensions of the
profile may be best worked out on the basis of the model studies.
It has
to be used with caution
in spillway/non-overflow
sections
because
the
flow from the sluice may damage the energy dissipation arrangements
of
the spillway or the downstream
face of the spillway/non-overflow
section,
if it falls over them.
Alternatively,
a jet disperser
of suitable
shape,
based on model studies may be provided.
3.4.4 In case the sluices are located
in a spillway
section,
then no
separate
energy
dissipation
arrangements
are necessary.
However, if
they
are provided
in a non-overflow
section,
then separate
energy
dissrpation
arrangements
may have to be provided.
9

IS : 11485- 1985

TANGENTIAL
SPILLWAY

TO
PROFILE

i7

SLUlCE

___f

UPTURNED
SLUICE
__~
_
-\
\

FIG. 2

TYPESOF
10

SLUICE

EXIT

IS : 11485 - 1985
3.4.5 In case the spillway
and
eyebrow deflectors Mary be provided
be provided at the exit end.

sluice run together then either sluice

on the exit of the sluice or aeration

3.5 Control
Devices - The flow through sluices is controlled by either
gates or valves.
Generally,
two sets ~of gates, that is, emergency
and
service gates are provided.
In case of construction
sluices, the flow is
generally uncontrolled
and only stoplogs are provided
for the eventual
plugging of the sluices.
Where the construction
sluices are required
to
be closed under flowing
water,
provision of emergency
gates may be
considered.
3.5.1 The control ( service ) gates shall be located as far upstream
as
possible.
The
operation
and servicing
may be done from operation
galleries/chambers
in the dam (see Fig. 3 ).
In order to repair
the
gates without emptying the reservoir should they become inoperative,
the
usual practice is to install a guard or emergency
gate further upstream in
the sluices.
These emergency
gates may be placed either at the entrance
or inside the sluice and operated from galleries.

UPSTREAM
FACE
OF
OAM -.,

SLUICE
OPERATION
CHAMBER

1
-AIR

VENT

GATE

NOTE - The above dimensions

meet local requirements.

are

suggestive

only.

These

may be changed to

FIG. 3 A TYPICAL ARRANGEMENT WITH GATES OPERATION FROM

OPERATION CHAMBER ( DETAILS OF GATES AND HOBTS NOT SHOWN )
11

IS : 11485- 1985
3.5.2 Sometimes when the sluice have to be located at high levels near
the crest in the spillway
section, where it is not possible to provide a
the sluices may also be located
in thick
gallery for gates operation,
spillway
piers in which the gates are operated from the top of pier ( see
Fig. 4 ).

~SPILCWAY
PER
SiEC-flGklAL PLAN
FIG. 4

AA

TYPICAL DETAILS OF SLUICE LOCATED IN THICK SPILLWAY PIER

3.5.3 In case of high heads ( more than 30 m ) gate controls may also
be located near the downstream end of the sluice to minimize possibilities
of cavitation.
the
3.5.4 For better slot hydraulics,
practicable
and adequately
streamlined.
12

gate slots should

be as small as

IS : 11485- 1985
3.6 Air

Vents - Air vents of suitable size should

stream of the control gates to supply air and thereby
cavitation damages.
The air demand for calculating
may be calculated
from the following formulae:
i) For hydraulic

jump

formation

fi = 0.006

6 ( FI,

be provided downavoid or minimize

the size of air vent

in the conduit
-

1 )l*J

ii) For spray flow

p = 0.20 F,,
iii)

For free flow

p = 0.09 Fl,

where
p = air-demand
Fl,

= Froude
=

VlC -

cc

number

volume flow rate of air

volume flow rate of water

at Vena

contracta

1/ g he

Velocity

dl, = Depth
g =

ratio

of flow at the vena contracta

of flow at the vena contracta

Acceleration

due to gravity.

The size of air vents as determined

above assume that the maximum
air demand occurs at a gate opening of 80 percent
fully open and the
maximum
air velocity
in the vent does not exceed 50 m/s. Air vent
passages should use generous bend radi and gradual transitions
to avoid
The air vent intakes should be
losses and particularly
excessive noise.
so located that they are inaccessible
to the public and should be protected
by grills. The intake entrance average velocity should not exceed 10 m/s.
The air vent exit portal should be designed to ensure spread of air across
The air vent should terminate
into a
the full width of the conduit.
plenum
located
in the conduit roof and immediately
downstream
of the
gate. The plenum should extend across the full width of the conduit and
should be vaned so that the air flow is evenly distributed.
3.6.1 The size of the air vent should be such that the
downstream
of the gate does not normally exceed 2 m.
3.6.2 Hydraulic
jump
formation
in the sluice should
avoided.
When
unavoidable,
sufficient
clearance
shall
above the jump profile to avoid choked jump conditions.
3.6.3
operate

pressure

drop

normally be
be provided

Normally
a sluice located
in a spillway
section
should not
simultaneously
with the spillway.
However, if it is obligatory
13

IS : 11485 - 1985
to run the sluice in conjunction
with the spillway, proper aeration should
be ensured at the exit either by running the sluice partially
full or by
providing
a suitable air-vent at the exit of the sluice.
3.6.4 Sometimes
a steel liner may also be provided in the sluices near
the gates to avoid cavitation damages.
In case of control being located
at the exit end, the entire length of sluice shall be provided with steel
liner.
3.7 Made1 Studies - Hydraulic
model studies are desirable to test the
efficacy of the hydraulic
design of the sluice and to verify the airdemand.
They
should be done for the pre-determined
minimum
reservoir
elevation
at which the sluice is designed to pass the required
discharge and also for higher reservoir elevations under
the gate opening necessary to pass the same discharge.

14