Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2006KY60B

Feasibility of using 3D CFD Models in Simulating Hydrodynamics in Dam Design/Rehabilitation

Institute: Kentucky
Year Established: 2006 Start Date: 2006-03-01 End Date: 2007-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $5,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $10,182

Principal Investigators: Scott Yost

Project Summary: This work is a feasibility study using advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models to simulate the hydrodynamics of flow around structures. This approach is a much less expensive alternative to traditional methods of analysis using physical models. Ensuring new structures perform consistently with the old structure will help provide continuity in regulation, oversight and operation. Using an existing dam structure on the Kentucky River, a 3D computational mesh will be generated by using GAMBIT or TGrid grid generator. Local modification of grids will be made in FLUENT to adequately represent the geometry near the dam site and improve numerical accuracy. The 3D hydrodynamics will be simulated with FLUENT 6.0 and used to generate water surface elevation - discharge relationships. Preliminary calibration procedures will be investigated.