CFD MODEL VERIFIES 30-YEAR-OLD PHYSICAL MODEL RESULTS

American Electric Power (AEP) is reviewing the hydraulic performance of the Smith Mountain
Dam spillways for overtopping flow during the probable maximum flood (PMF). The
principal interest is the trajectory of the flow and where it impacts in the spillway catch
chute. In 1960, when the project was conceived, Alden conducted a 1:60 scale physical
model study of spillway flows up to 50,000 cfs, the computed design flow at that time.

The probable maximum flood for Smith Mountain Dam was recently computed to be
118,700 cfs, significantly greater than 50,000 cfs design flow. The 1960 physical model
results did not provide data for flows over 50,000 cfs; therefore, AEP decided to conduct an
updated study using computational methods, to determine spillway performance and water
trajectory under the increased flow scenario.

A 3-D CFD model of a portion of the lake and

the projects dam and two spillways was
developed using FLOW-3D. Model
geometry was based on as-built construction
drawings and pre-construction topological
surveys. The computational grid used about
13,000,000 computational cells. For
validation, the results of the CFD model were
compared to results of the 1960 model
study. Comparisons included the stage
discharge rating curve and a visual
comparison of the free falling water with
photographs from the physical model.

FLOW-3D was successful in Stage Discharge Rating Curves

simulating the flow over the two

Smith Mountain Dam
814

spillways at Smith Mountain Dam.

Where validation was possible, CFD
812

results closely matched the 810

observations made in the physical 808

model. The computed trajectory of

Reservoir Water Level (ft)

806

the free falling jet and the point of 804

impact on the catch chute was found
to be consistent with physical model 802
Laboratory Results

results. The model was then used to 800

CFD Results
Lab Results corrected for scaling

predict the trajectory of the free 798

Corrected curve plus 5 percent

falling jet during the PMF. 796

Note:The spillway rating curve on sheet G-165374, based on model test results 5/20/1960 was estimated by Alden
Research Laboratory to under predict the discharge by approximately 3% for a given pool elevation.
794
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Discharge Capacity of 2 Spillways (cfs x 1e4)