Characterization of the dynamic actions and scour estimation downstream of a dam

© 2015 Taylor & Francis Group, London. The study analyzes the expected changes in the Paute River, located in Ecuador, as a result of the construction of the Paute-Cardenillo Dam (owned by Celec Ep-Hidropaute). The dam will integrate the National Electric System of Ecuador with a total electricity installed capacity of 600 MW which will produce 13000 GWh per year. To evaluate the stability and safety of the structure, it is necessary to ascertain the shape and dimensions of the scour generated downstream from the dam. The scour, due to the operation of the spillway and outlets, is studied with three complementary procedures: empirical formulae obtained in models and prototypes, semi-empirical methodology based on pressure fluctuations-erodibility index and computational fluid dynamics simulations.