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Current hydraulic design/analysis literature for labyrinth weirs is limited to headwater ratio (total upstream head/height of weir) values less than 1.0. This study utilized physical and numerical models to expand the current hydraulic performance theory of headwater ratios up to 2.0 for labyrinth weirs. The physical and numerical data provide practical design guidance for high headwater ratios and indicate that the empirical discharge coefficient design curves developed by Crookston may be acceptable for headwater ratios up to 2.0 or more. This was accomplished by evaluating the effects of higher upstream heads for a labyrinth weir with a 15° sidewall angle. Physical modeling was conducted in a rectangular flume under controlled laboratory conditions using two geometrically similar labyrinth models. A total of 120 data points were collected over a range of upstream heads. In addition, a numerical model of one of the physical model geometries was conducted using commercially available computational fluid dynamic (CFD) software. Seven upstream heads were tested and compared with the experimental results; excellent agreement was found, particularly at higher heads. In addition, several turbulence closure methods were evaluated, showing that computed discharge was relatively independent of the turbulence model.
Savage et al. (Wed,) studied this question.