Preliminary investigation of culvert outlet baffle block geometry and energy dissipation

One method used to attenuate high-energy flow at culvert outlets, is the construction of baffle blocks. Baffle blocks are devices, generally of simplistic geometry, that impact the flow and reduce energy. The current baffle design used by the WVDOH has in some instances experienced problems with excessive sedimentation to the extent of causing culvert failure. The purpose of this investigation was to construct a testing device to allow for the testing of physical culvert and baffle block models and produce a preliminary design that would perform more efficiently than the current design. The new design would need to meet the following criteria: (1) Reasonable construction on site; (2) Economically feasible; (3) Applicability to various culvert sizes and flowrates; (4) Self cleaning and low maintenance; and (5) Re-establish natural flow conditions downstream of the outlet.;Several models were constructed and tested. This thesis reviews the construction of all experimental equipment and the development of a preliminary design.

Name thesis:degree_name

MS

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Year dc:date.available

2000

Author dc:creator

• Baston, Conrad Russell

Contributors dc:contributor

• Robert N. Eli.

• Civil engineering

Identifier

https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/1012

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:researchrepository.wvu.edu:etd-2015