Preface

Hydraulic structures such as dams, reservoirs, culverts, weirs, and spillways are engineering constructions designed and maintained for managing and utilizing water resources efficiently for the betterment of human beings and to save our environment. A dam is a very common structure, which is constructed across flowing water. It obstructs or directs or retards the water flow, commonly forming a reservoir. *Hydraulic Structures: Theory and Applications* conveys a broad understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of various hydraulic structures. Emphasis is given to the analysis and design of different types of hydraulic structures. Various applications of hydraulic structure analysis are also incorporated.

This book introduces advanced ideas on hydraulic structures: theory and applications to the international community. It includes five advanced and revised contributions, and covers (1) an introductory chapter on hydraulic structures, (2) the operation and maintenance of hydraulic structures, (3) a bottom discharge conduit for dams, (4) a review of methods of measuring streamflow using hydraulic structures, and (5) geotechnical engineering applied to earth-rock dams. The aim of the book is to provide a text for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Researchers, designers, and operators of hydraulic structures will find the text of interest and a stimulating up-to-date reference source.

Readers of this book will appreciate the current issues on hydraulic structures in different aspects. The approaches are applicable to various industrial purposes as well. The advanced ideas and information described here will be fruitful for readers to find a sustainable solution to problems encountered by an industrialized society.

The editor of this book would like to express sincere thanks to all authors for their highquality contributions and in particular to the reviewers and assistants for reviewing/ revising the chapters.

The editor would also like to express appreciation to all who have helped to prepare this book, especially Author Service Manager Ms. Dolores Kuzelj, Commissioning Editor Ms. Anja Filipovic and IntechOpen publisher.

Gratitude is expressed to Mrs. Ahsan, Ibrahim Bin Ahsan, Marium Binti Ahsan, Yahya Bin Ahsan, Yusuf Bin Ahsan, and my mother, father, mother-in-law, father-in-law, brothers, and sisters for their endless inspiration, mental support, and also necessary help whenever any difficulty arose.

> **Amimul Ahsan** Department of Civil Engineering, Uttara University, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia

**1**

**Figure 1.**

*Typical forces acting on gravity dam [1].*

**Chapter 1**

**1. General**

**2. Hydraulic structures**

Introductory Chapter: Hydraulic

This book (*Hydraulic Structures: Theory and Applications*) conveys a broad understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of various hydraulic structures. The emphasis is given on analysis and design of different types of hydraulic structures. Various applications of the hydraulic structures analysis are also incorporated in this book. The aim of the book is to provide a text for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Researchers, designers, and operators of hydraulic structures can find

Hydraulic structures such as dam, reservoir, culvert, weir, and spillways are engineering constructions designed and maintained for managing and utilizing water resources efficiently for the betterment of human being and to save our environment. A dam is a barricade across flowing water that obstructs or directs or retards the water flow, commonly forming a reservoir [1–3]. **Figure 1** represents the typical forces acting on gravity dam. **Figure 2** shows the plan and longitudinal section of a rectangular culvert and a trapezoidal weir. **Figure 3** shows the hydraulic

In general, a lake is an area that is filled with water and enclosed by soil, and it may have inlet(s) and outlet(s). An artificial lake can be a reservoir that is created

the text of interest and a stimulating up-to-date reference source.

Structures for Managing Water

Resources Efficiently

*Amimul Ahsan and Monzur Imteaz*

scheme and cross-section of a trapezoidal weir.

#### **Chapter 1**
