Numerical modeling of the phenomenon of cavitation in peakoverflows using finite element method

Managing cavitation is a critical aspect of designing and optimizing dam spillways, particularly in highflowsituations. This study focuses on investigating how variations in discharge and surface roughnessinfluence cavitation on the spillway of the Zhan Dam, located in Lorestan Province. Initially, relevantdata were collected from available sources, including consultants, followed by an analysis based onsimulating the flood process in the dam’s overflow reservoir. After selecting the primary flow rate,additional control flow rates were identified for comparison. The dam structure was then modeled usingEnsys finite element software, specifically employing the Flotran module to assess the cavitationbehavior. The research commenced with a convergence test and model optimization to ensure accurateresults. Once the optimal model was established, further analyses were carried out, focusing on theimpact of varying discharge and surface roughness. The findings reveal that as discharge levels rise,cavitation becomes increasingly severe, posing critical risks to the spillway's integrity. However,increasing surface roughness was found to mitigate cavitation effects slightly, contributing to an overallimprovement in spillway conditions. This parametric analysis underscores the importance of carefullybalancing flow rates and surface textures in spillway design to minimize cavitation-related damage.

کلیدواژه ها:

Cavitation ، Spillway ، Discharge ، Roughness ، Optimization