The variational principle of minimum curvature in the design of spillway piers

The paper describe application of the variational principle of minimum curvature in the development of a new method for design form spillway piers. Result of the study - new theoretical method was obtained for calculating the shape of a curvilinear piers noses with an equal effect on the carrying capacity, but having a smaller area and lower costs for building materials and construction of the structure. Analyze of the original calculation method shows that the widespread statement was found that, under equal boundary conditions, the profile constructed according to the shape of a circular arc has the smallest dimensions. Computer modeling was carried out and an analysis was made of the influence of the shape of the head of the support on the throughput of the structure.