A Proposed Framework in Dealing with Uncertainties in the Design and Operations of Energy Dissipating Structures

Uncertainty is an unavoidable component affecting the behavior of systems and more so with respect to their limits of operation. Researchers have attempted to estimate the maximum depth and location of local scour and scour patterns but not much research was carried out on the deterministic design of energy dissipating structures in which the hydraulic parameters involve uncertainties. Energy dissipating structures reduce the kinetic energy of flow thus likely to lessen the local scour that may occur due to the impact downstream. Thus, some common energy dissipating structures like the baffle blocks are provided to reduce the local scour at the downstream of hydraulic jumps that converts the flows from supercritical to sub critical. This research intent to identify the problems associated with local scours of an existing Pergau Pond model. Scour parameters which involved uncertainties will be collected from the experiments and later applied in a proposed optimization method. The aforesaid methodologies would optimize the size and arrangement of the baffle blocks in controlling local scours. This research could also suggest better management procedures to ensure continuous operations of a hydropower station. This paper presents a framework in dealing with uncertainties encountered in the designs and operations of energy dissipating structures.