Optimised multi-objective design of weir structures

Abstract

Diversion head works, also called weirs or barrages, are structures constructed across rivers or canals to store water or raise the water level. The design of diversion weir structures involves calculating the depth, length and thickness of the horizontal and sloping aprons and sheet pile cut-offs. The design parameters of a diversion weir structure, which have complex non-linear relationships, are traditionally determined using empirically derived recommendations and iterations to achieve structural stability against failures due to scour, uplift, sliding, piping and overturning. However, current design approaches do not explicitly explore the trade-offs between the many relevant design objectives and thus fail to reveal possibly superior designs. A multi-objective optimisation design approach for a diversion weir structure is proposed in this article. A free and open-source code that can be used as a design tool is also provided. The method is demonstrated on a stylised design problem. The results show that the method reveals solutions with diverse balances of stability metrics and cost, with the optimal relationships of parameter values of components also varying based on the relative cost of the construction materials for sheet piles and aprons.