Calculation of Head Losses and Analysis of Influencing Factors of Crossing Water-Conveyance Structures of Main Canal of Middle Route of South-to-North Water Diversion Project

Abstract

The main canal of the middle route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project has the risk of excess head loss in crossing water-conveyance structures, but the assessment of this risk faces difficulties such as the lack of sufficient monitoring points inside the structures, the current water-conveyance flow rate being lower than the design maximum flow rate, and the lack of verification of monitoring data. Monitoring data of the main canal were collected in 2022, prototype observations were carried out, the monitoring data were verified, and a method for calculating the head loss using the combined head loss coefficient was proposed. The assessment of 143 structures showed that 40 structures had excess head losses, including 31 inverted siphons, four aqueducts, four underdrains, and one culvert. The 143 structures had a total residual head of 3.05 m, accounting for 9% of the distributed head. In addition to natural aging, freshwater mussel and algal attachment, sediments, and undesirable flow regimes were all important influencing factors that caused the head loss to increase. It is recommended to take measures such as regular removal of sediments and algae and freshwater mussel attachments, optimization of inlet and outlet shapes, and application of roughness-reducing materials.