Prediction of cavitation damage intensity on dam spillways

In the present paper, based on the nearest neighbor model, a method has been developed to predict cavitation damage intensity on spillways. The model was tested using data from the Shahid Abbaspour dam spillway in Iran. The level of spillway cavitation damage was predicted for eight different flow rates, using the nearest neighbor model. Moreover, based on the cavitation index, five different damage levels from no damage to major damage have been determined. Results showed that, the model predicted damage levels and locations close to the observed damages during past floods. Finally, the efficiency and precision of the model was quantified by some statistical coefficients. Appropriate values of the correlation coefficient, mean absolute error, root mean square error and coefficient of residual mass show the present model is suitable and efficient.

Keywords:

cavitation damage , cavitation index , nearest neighbor model , prediction , spillway