Puit de chute, modélisation 3D

Studies

Hydraulic assessment of a drop shaft design using 3D CFD modelling

Issue

Why validate the hydraulic design of a drop shaft?

Drop shafts, either vortex or stepped, are generally implemented to convey flows when a project requires wastewater or stormwater to be dropped several metres. Proper hydraulic design is essential to ensure controlled flow between the two levels of the network.

An inappropriate choice of drop shaft type or geometry can lead to erosion, overflow, excessive pressures and other operational issues. However, design is often based on empirical rules that are difficult to extrapolate to specific cases due to the varying conditions of each project (drop height, flow range, etc.).

Investing in an optimised hydraulic design helps ensure reliable operation of the structure, while reducing maintenance costs and extending its service life.

Our solution

Preliminary analysis of the drop shaft drawings

3D EAU analyses the proposed drop shaft configuration based on the available literature and its accumulated experience. The objective is to identify and incorporate simple optimisations prior to the 3D modelling stage.

3D Modelling of the Drop Shaft

3D modelling then enables a more detailed assessment and allows the design of the drop shaft to be validated or further refined. 3D EAU extracts and analyses the model results to assess:

  • Air entrainment and transport;

  • Variations in flow paths, free-surface profiles and velocity fields;

  • Resultant forces.

If the results reveal performance issues with respect to the requirements specified in the design brief, the structure must then undergo a second optimisation phase. One or more additional iterations may be required.

Why choose 3D modelling to validate the design of a drop shaft?

1

Lower costs compared with a physical model

2

Early detection of potential issues before the detailed design phase

3

Easy simulation of cost-optimisation scenarios for construction or operation through simple adjustments to the civil engineering design

4

Storable results and reusable model

5

Access to every variable at any point in the model

A question · an information · a quote

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