Author(s): Fatna Oukaili; Clara Hawkins; Yvan Bercovitz; Thomas Fonty
Linked Author(s): Yvan BERCOVITZ, Fatna Oukaili
Keywords: Overflow spillways Hydraulic optimisation Weir resilience Multi-objective optimisation Sensitivity analysis
Abstract: Overflow spillways are crucial for ensuring dam safety by managing floodwater discharge. In previous research, Oukaili et al. (2023) introduced a novel spillway design featuring weirs with varying profiles, aimed at enhancing flow discharge coefficients while mitigating the risk of concrete weir damage from cavitation and improving resilience by limiting the occurrence of negative pressure values. Leveraging a multi-objective shape optimisation strategy that utilises a surrogate model based on Kriging, the shape of these new weirs was optimised by considering three design criteria: maximising water discharge flow rate, minimising negative pressure values, and reducing lower nappe detachment. In this study, we reviewed the design of these new geometries by conducting a comprehensive sensitivity analysis. This study focused on design parameters to assess their effect on the three design criteria. Further analysis of relative pressure distributions revealed key geometric factors influencing pressure profiles. This work underscores the potential of this novel design approach, with enhanced weir efficiency, improved resilience, and reduced computational costs, providing new insights into spillway optimisation.
Year: 2025