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Simplified methods are useful alternatives for prior analysis of the effects of dam rupture and can guide the decision-making process for carrying out more complete studies. In this context, a new simplified approach is presented, which enables the analysis of aspects from dam rupture of earthen dams that failed due to overtopping, considering dam height and reservoir volume as input data. Hypothetical cases were analyzed applying dam-break hydrodynamic simulations, which results allowed the development of equations capable of estimating peak flow attenuation and peak discharge arrival time along the downstream valley. The proposed approach was applied in a hypothetical case study (15 m high dam and 17 hm3 reservoir volume), obtaining results close to those achieved through other methods, especially in case of estimating the maximum discharges throughout the downstream valley, where the average differences between the results of the methods were of the order of 15%.

ABSTRACT Stepped spillways aim to dissipate part of the upstream energy during the flow passage by the chute. However, the use of these structures is limited to a restrict range of specific discharges due to the risk of cavitation damage. As the air entrainment into the flow assists the concrete protection against the aforementioned damages, a possible solution by aerators installed along the chute, already disseminated to smooth chutes, is being studied to be used also in stepped spillways. The purpose of the present paper is to characterize a flow over a stepped chute with induced aeration by deflector and air supply by an airtight chamber trough tests conducted on a reduced scale physical model. The main regions observed during the tests are presented and were developed four equations that allow to approximately predict the location of the main regions for a given spillway.

The possibility of damage due to the phenomenon of cavitation leads the design of stepped spillways considering maximum specific discharges of 15 to 30 m2/s, a limit considerably lower than that practiced on smooth chutes. Aerators promote the insertion of air in the flow, allowing for the increase of specific flow rates. This work analyzes the pressures on the vertical faces of the steps and the air entrainment coefficient in the flow, through an experimental study in a physical model with a stepped chute angle of 53.13o, considering the installation of aerators in different places of the channel. Comparing the tested conditions with the natural aeration, it is concluded that the installation of the aerator does not change the magnitude of the minimum extreme hydrodynamic pressures, but anticipates the beginning of the flow aeration. A new equation is proposed to estimate the air entrainment coefficient, as well as a methodology for forecasting extreme pressures on the vertical faces of the steps, both valid in the range 3.0 ≤ Fr ≤ 6.0.

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During floods, stepped spillways have the purpose of dissipating energy over the flow passage through the chute, minimizing stilling basins dimensions. However, stepped spillways have their utilization frequently limited to unit discharges of approximately 15 m³/s/m, due to the risk of cavitation damage. In order to increase the specific yields endured by these structures avoiding cavitation damages, some aeration elements are being studied. These elements allow a jet formation and the air can be introduced through the lower portion, in addition to the surface aeration. The present paper has the purpose of analyze the medium pressures behavior and the jet formation in a flow over stepped spillway through measures conducted on a scale reduced physical model. It was possible to notice that the jet reaches the 7 th step for the higher flows and the 9 th step for the lower. Furthermore, it was observed that, upstream of the jet impact location, the mean pressures were close to zero. These pressures were lower than the same measured at a stepped chute with natural aeration (without aerator elements) for the horizontal faces of the steps and higher for the vertical faces of the steps. Near the jet's impact location, for both faces of the steps, a peak of positive pressures was observed, exceeding the same values on a chute with natural aeration. Downstream of this location, the pressures tend to the values acquired with natural aeration.

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