Design of Hydraulic Structures

Dhrubajyoti Sen

Department of Civil Engineering

IIT Kharagpur

What are hydraulic structures?

• A structure that is constructed in rivers, generally

• Controls and/or regulates the river flow in some way

• Different from marine structures and structures for municipal water supply and disposal

Types of hydraulic structures

Storage (dams)

Types of hydraulic structures (contd.)

Diversion (diversion dams / weirs / barrages)

Types of hydraulic structures (contd.)

Conveyance structures (canals, aqueducts…)

Functions of hydraulic structures

• To store water, mainly excess water of the monsoon, and redistribute it (by diversion / conveyance) during periods of less flows

• Reduce effect of flooding

• Use the water potential to generate electricity

• To divert water into canals that convey water to irrigation fields or to hydropower stations.