Hydraulic Regimes and Downstream Scour at the Kama Hydropower Plant

Abstract

The article gives the results of investigating the hydraulic regime downstream of the concrete armoring of the lower pool combined with the surface spillways of the powerhouse of the Kama HPP. The investigations were carried out on physical and mathematical models as well as directly on-site. The investigations established the conditions under which occur the most unfavorable effects on elements of the riprap riverbed armor beyond the apron cutoff wall, at the base of the foundation slab of the right-bank abutment, and in the base of the right-bank slope of the tailrace channel, highest near- bottom flow velocities and wave heights during idle discharges, and characteristics of the eddy zone near the right bank. Recommendations on providing further safe operation of the HPP are given.