Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Simple ways to save dams
One of the most common forms of erosion you encounter in the paddocks of Australian farms is that around the farm dam. Its always nice to be able to help . The reason I posted this item is because, yet again this old SCA design has solved yet another fairly simple but personally perplexing problem for a farmer . Instead of one of two outlets make 3 including a small economical PVC based pipe outlet .
How big should the pipe? be they always ask.As if only one pipe is best . usually not as natural channel flows are flat and wide . The wonder of our work on farms was that pipe flows are simple compared to designing for surface and channel flows. The pipe through the wall only makes the hydraulic challenges on the flood bypass simpler-- in his case $1000 's of dollars simpler . For a conservationist its always good to leave a smile on the farmers face.
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Rather than try and fit an energy dissipator onto a pipe use the inside of the pipe when pipes only working half full ( see road culvert picture )Make sure the pipe is secure otherwise it ma pull out ( eg concrete road culverts ) Ask for more detailed designs )
Farmer friend from Casterton reminded me a few months ago of the great work and association he had with that office. Instead of spending thousands his dam now works with a simpler 2 stage flow system . How many dams still need this simple design?
Other design stories at http://designwithnature.blogspot.com
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