Application of CFD to predict the sluice gate jammed

AbstractThe problem of sluice gate jamming in moving water occurs frequently in engineering practice. In this study, the reason for gate jamming is investigated by using computational fluid dynamics and verified by model tests with variable friction coefficients. The results show that the gate geometry is reasonable and the downpull force of the sluice gate can be fully utilized. Due to being submerged in water for many years, high friction coefficient is the main reason for the non-closure of a sluice gate. The permissible friction coefficient is related to the submerged weight, available areas of panel and beam, and water level difference. Decreasing the guide vane opening and lowering the water level difference to decrease the average pressure head are feasible ways to promote the gate closure in an emergency. Adding a convex bottom edge and dividing the whole gate into two sections to increase the permissible friction coefficient are effective ways to achieve complete closure in the modification stage.Keywords: CFDfriction coefficientgate closuremodel testsluice gate jammed Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).NotationA=guide vane opening ratio (–)A1=available area of the panel (m2)A2=available area of the beam (m2)A2’=available area of the beam with a convex edge (m2)e=gate opening (m)e0=tunnel height (m)E=gate opening ratio (–)Fb=downpull force (kN)Fp=pulling force (kN)Fn=horizontal force (kN)Gg=submerged weight force (kN)h=average pressure head (m)hb=average pressure head on beam (m)hp=average pressure head on panel (m)H=pressure head ratio (–)ΔH=water level difference between the upstream and downstream (m)ΔH0=original water level difference (m)ΔHr=water level ratio (–)l=length of the convex edge (m)Lr=convex edge length ratio (–)P=fluid pressure (Pa)Pback=pressure of back surface (Pa)Pfron=pressure of front surface (Pa)Plower=pressure of lower surface (Pa)Pupper=pressure of upper surface (Pa)Sr=height ratio (–)Ss=height of the water seal (m)Su=height of the upper gate (m)t=time (s)Tb=width of the beam (m)ui, uj=horizontal and vertical velocity components (m s−1)ui’, uj’=horizontal and vertical velocity fluctuation component (m s−1)v=flow velocity (m s−1)vmax=the maximum flow velocity (m s−1)Wb=span of the beam (m)Ws=span of the water seal (m)η=turbulent (eddy) viscosity (Pa s)µ=friction coefficient (–)µp=permissible friction coefficient (–)τij’=turbulent stresses (Pa)υ=dynamic viscosity coefficient (Pa s)Additional informationFundingThis work was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China [grant 2018YFC15084], National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Foundation for Innovative Research Groups of the Natural Science Foundation of Heibei Province China, the Foundation for Innovative Research Groups of the Natural Science Foundation of Heibei Province [grant U20A20316 and E2020402074], and Science and Technology Development Projects of Wuqing [grant WQKJ202033].