A three-dimensional study of flow characteristics over different forms of stepped–labyrinth spillways in the skimming flow regime

To improve the performance of stepped spillways, their combination with labyrinth spillways is an interesting topic. In this study, several labyrinth configurations of stepped spillways were presented. Validation of the numerical model was done using the results of the previous physical models. After that, three configurations including: conventional stepped, trapezoidal-labyrinth, and rectangular-labyrinth were modeled using the OpenFOAM model for the skimming flow regime. For simulation, InterFOAM solver and RNG k–ε turbulence model were used. The results showed an increase of 34.7 and 21.1% in energy dissipation in the trapezoidal and rectangular stepped–labyrinth spillways compared to the conventional stepped type, for dc/h = 1.45 (the range of dc is between 8 and 14.5 cm). The flow velocity in the end step of the trapezoidal- and rectangular-labyrinth configuration is reduced by 50.5 and 31.1%, respectively. Furthermore, in the trapezoidal configuration, a 14.7% reduction in flow velocity has been achieved compared to the rectangular stepped–labyrinth configuration. The results showed that the minimum pressure on the vertical faces of the steps occurred in their upper half and the rectangular configuration has resulted in the highest amount of negative pressure. The turbulence kinetic energy, especially in trapezoidal configuration, has increased toward the downstream.