Utilising Physical Model for Design Assessment: Proposed Alterations of Batu Dam, Malaysia

Abstract—Physical model was utilised to make an assessment of Batu Dam spillway, as well as to make informed recommendations of its hydraulic performance and proposed alterations. A scale of 1:25 was chosen for the model for optimum configuration. Simulations with respect to various reservoir levels and discharges to investigate effects of the varied flow conditions were performed. The experiments were run at ten discharge flows under two different conditions, with and without the proposed overflow weir at the inlet. It was found that the transition portion and the spillway chute are adequate for the proposed design discharge but the energy dissipater is insufficient to cater for the high discharge. The proposed overflow weir was not found to have any benefits in terms of controlling high flows equivalent or greater than 64 l/s as there is no significant difference in the results when compared to test conditions without the overflow weir installed.