Enhanced energy dissipation in stepped chutes

Energy dissipation by vertical steps in chutes and spillways can be enhanced by designing the steps to induce alternating lateral flow deflection, thereby causing collision between flow jets and side walls. Small-scale laboratory experiments using V-shaped step edges have shown that energy dissipation can be increased substantially in this way. The increase is proportional to the flow deflection induced, and is especially effective for transitional and skimming flow in steep stepped chutes.