Dropshaft Cascades in Roman Aqueducts

Chanson, Hubert (1999). Dropshaft Cascades in Roman Aqueducts. In: , Proceedings of 28th IAHR Congress. 28th IAHR Congress, Graz, Austria, (). August, 1999.

Document type: Conference Paper
Collection: School of Civil Engineering Publications
 
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Author(s) Chanson, Hubert
Title of paper Dropshaft Cascades in Roman Aqueducts
Conference name 28th IAHR Congress
Conference location Graz, Austria
Conference dates August, 1999
Proceedings title Proceedings of 28th IAHR Congress
Place published Graz, Austria
Publisher Technical University Graz
Publication date 1999
Volume number B12
Total pages 6
Collection year 1999
Language eng
Abstract/Summary In Roman aqueducts, series of vertical dropshafts (i.e. dropshaft cascade) were used to dissipate the kinetic energy o the flow. Up to recently, it was thought that the dropshafts acted also as sediment traps. A new re-analysis of Roman dropshaft hydraulics was conducted with physical model tests performed at the University of Queensland. The results demonstrate that the vertical dropshafts could be very efficient energy dissipators and re-oxygenation structures, under appropriate flow conditions. The optimum operation of dropshaft is discussed and an analytical model is developed to predict these conditions. In addition, the performances of aqueduct dropshafts are compared with modern dropshaft designs. Dropshaft cascades were used successfully for centuries. The Roman engineers built sound dropshaft designs which were most efficient dissipators and aerators.
Subjects 290802 Water and Sanitary Engineering
E1
Keyword(s) Aqueducts
Cascades
Dropshaft cascades
Energy dissipation
Flow aeration
Hydraulics - history
Additional Notes Paper presented at Session B12.
 
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