Hydraulic Modeling of Stepped Structures with Screens as Dissipation and Damping Structure

Abstract

Drainage systems are important for sanitation, mobility, quality of life and urban development, due to their role in the collection, conduction and evacuation of runoff waters. Based on the topography and upstream conditions of the basin, designing urban drainage in high slope areas is a challenge for handling high flow rates, rapid transit of downstream flow and sediment entrainment. This can lead to stability or functionality problems of urban infrastructure works, risks for citizens and cost competitiveness for cities. In order to mitigate these potential problems, piping and control work projects are presented as energy dissipators. A significant number of Colombian cities were built in mountainous areas, which reveal the need for those types of structures. Thus, it is important to identify the hydraulic works that can be used and learn about their behavior. This paper presents the hydraulic characteristics and description of a structure consisting in stepped structures with screens, which would allow considerable level transitions over short distances and dampening the flow passing through the structure