Dynamic Characteristics of Truss-Type Lift Gate According to Installation Direction

Abstract

This study examined the dynamic characteristics of the gate to identify the optimal gate installation direction according to the installation direction. A 1:31 scale model was constructed for a 47.5m prototype gate using acrylic. The scaled weights were tuned by adding lead weights. The first step was to measure the natural frequencies of the model gates, and compare them with finite-element analysis of the prototypes as a calibration. The scaled model was tested in a 1.6 m wide concrete flume for two orientations to determine the effects of the gate orientation on structural vibrations. Vertical vibrations were measured under a range of operational conditions, including a range of bottom opening heights and different upstream and downstream water levels. For large bottom opening heights in the normal direction, relatively large vibrations were induced by vortices shed at the plate bottom that would strike the horizontal truss member. This phenomenon was avoided in the reverse direction. For small bottom opening heights in the normal direction, these vibrations were caused by a suction force that developed at the gate bottom. The gate model in the reverse direction was preferred because of its low overall vibrational response under general gate opening and flow level combinations.