REPORT

DESIGN CRITERIA OF SARDA FALL

CEN-421

SUBMITTED TO:- MD. ALAM

SUBMITTED BY:- RAJ ABHISHEK SINGH
SID: 16102128
Table of Contents
Introduction _____________________________________________________ 4
1.1 What is Canal Fall? ___________________________________________ 4
1.2 Location of Canal Falls ________________________________________ 5
Location of canal fall depends upon the following factors _______________ 5
1. Topography of canal __________________________________________ 5
2. Economy of excavation or filling ________________________________ 5
1.3 Components of a Fall Structure: _________________________________ 5
1.3.1 Referring Fig. is meaning of alphabetical dimensions which are not
very commonly used are as follows: ______________________________ 6
2.0 Selection of Type of Fall ________________________________________ 7
2.1 The main considerations in selection of a type of fall are _____________ 7
3.0 Types of Canal Falls and their Importance __________________________ 8
3.1 Ogee Canal Falls _____________________________________________ 9
3.2 Rapid Canal Falls ____________________________________________ 10
3.3 Stepped Canal Falls __________________________________________ 11
3.4 Well Type Canal Falls ________________________________________ 12
3.5 Simple Vertical Drop Falls (Sarda Type fall) _______________________ 13
3.6 Straight Glacis Canal Falls _____________________________________ 13
3.7 Montague Type Canal Falls ____________________________________ 14
3.8 English or Baffle Canal Falls ___________________________________ 15
4.0 Design Criteria for Sarda Type ___________________________________________________ 16
Design Principles for Sarda Type Fall: ____________________________________________ 16
Figure 1: Canal Fall __________________________________________________________________________ 4

Figure 2: Components Of A Fall Structure ________________________________________________________ 6

Figure 3: Ogee Fall___________________________________________________________________________ 9

Figure 4: Construction Of Ogee Fall _____________________________________________________________ 9

Figure 5: A picture Of Rapid Canal Fall __________________________________________________________ 10

Figure 6: Rapid Canal Fall ____________________________________________________________________ 10

Figure 7: Stepped Canal Fall __________________________________________________________________ 11

Figure 8: A Picture Of Stepped Canal Channel ____________________________________________________ 11

Figure 9: Well Type Canal Fall _________________________________________________________________ 12

Figure 10: Montague Type Canal Fall __________________________________________________________ 14

Figure 11: Sarda Type Fall ____________________________________________________________________ 16

Figure 12: Sarda Fall ________________________________________________________________________ 19

Introduction

1.1 What is Canal Fall?

Canal fall is a solid masonry structure which is constructed on the

canal if the natural ground slope is steeper than the designed channel
bed slope. If the difference in slope is smaller, a single fall can be
constructed. If it is of higher then falls are constructed at regular
suitable intervals.

Figure 1: Canal Fall

1.2 Location of Canal Falls

Location of canal fall depends upon the following factors

1. Topography of canal
2. Economy of excavation or filling

The above two will decide the location of canal fall across canal. By
understanding topographic condition. we can provide the required
type of fall which will give good results. At the same time, the provided
falls is economical and more useful. So, economical calculation is also
important. Unbalanced earth work on upstream and downstream
result the project more uneconomical.

1.3 Components of a Fall Structure:

Irrespective of a type of fall, a typical fall structure can be said to

consist of the following main parts as shown
 U/s approach
 Throat/crest/body wall
 D/s glacis/cistern
 D/s expansion
 Energy dissipators
It is clear that every fall does not necessarily require all
components mentioned above because provision of a particular
component depends upon the type of fall adopted, available site
conditions and design criteria. However, Next Fig. gives good
understanding about the way various parts of the fall are provided
1.3.1 Referring Fig. is meaning of alphabetical dimensions which are not very
commonly used are as follows:

Figure 2: Components Of A Fall Structure

Bt = Clear throat width

d2 = Hypercritical depth at formation of hydraulic jump

dx and d = Subcritical depth in the canal d/s after formation of

hydraulic jump

E = Depth of crest below u/s TEL = (H + ha)

H = Depth of crest below u/s FSL

D1 = Difference of crest level and d/s floor level.

D2 = Depth of cistern below d/s bed level
Ef2 = Energy of flow after formation of hydraulic jump
h – Height of crest above u/s bed level.

hb = Height of baffle wall

HL = Loss of head = u/s TEL – d/s TEL
= u/s FSL – d/s FSL

La = Horizontal length of u/s glacis

Lt = Length of crest (along axis of the canal)
Lb = Length of baffle platform
Lf = Length of cistern/horizontal impervious floor
q = Discharge intensity over crest. = Q/B2

2.0 Selection of Type of Fall

2.1 The main considerations in selection of a type of fall are

(i) The height of drop, and

(ii) The discharge passing over the fall. In other words, the amount of
energy to be dissipated dictates the type. The type which dissipates energy
most satisfactorily should be selected.

When full energy dissipation does not take place on the masonry structure
of the fall, the issuing jet still possesses higher velocities than what the soil
can withstand. In these circumstances provision of baffle becomes
obligatory.

Where the bed material is hard enough to withstand scouring action of the
strong current, the type of fall that envisages dissipation of just surplus
energy could be adopted. For un-flumed conditions the baffle design is well
suited under clear over fall conditions especially where the soil is easily
erodible.
For flumed conditions vertical type is not suitable because effective
dissipation is difficult and harmful scouring is always expected. In such
cases the glacis fall either with straight sloping floor or with baffle wall may
prove useful.

In drowned fall conditions fall structure with a baffle may not be necessary
and straight glacis with 3 to 4 rows of friction blocks and a deflector may
be adopted for a flumed condition and a vertical fall for un-flumed
condition may be adopted. For canals with discharges below 8 cumec the
choice may be based on cost consideration alone.

3.0 Types of Canal Falls and their Importance

The important types of falls which were used in olden days and those
which are being used in modern days are described below:
 Ogee falls
 Rapids
 Stepped falls
 Trapezoidal notch falls
 Well type falls
 Simple vertical drop falls
 Straight glacis falls
 Montague type falls
 English falls or baffle falls
3.1 Ogee Canal Falls

Ogee curve is the combination of convex and concave curves. So, Ogee
fall consists of both convex and concave curves gradually. This gradual
combination helps to provide smooth transition of flow and also
reduce the impact. If the canal natural ground surface is suddenly
changed to steeper slope, ogee fall is recommended for that canal.
Stone pitching is provided in the upstream and downstream of the fall

Figure 3: Ogee Fall

Figure 4: Construction Of Ogee Fall

3.2 Rapid Canal Falls

Rapid fall consists a long sloping glacis. It is constructed if the available

natural ground surface is plane and long. For this, a bed of rubble
masonry is provided and it is finished with cement mortar of 1:3 ratio.
To maintain the slope of bed curtain walls are provided at both
upstream and downstream. Rapid falls are high priced constructions.

Figure 5: A picture Of Rapid Canal Fall

Figure 6: Rapid Canal Fall

3.3 Stepped Canal Falls

As in the name itself, stepped fall consist vertical steps at gradual

intervals. Stepped fall is the modification of rapid fall. It is suitable
for the canal which has it upstream at very high level as compared to
downstream. These two levels are connected by providing vertical
steps or drops as shown in figure

Figure 7: Stepped Canal Fall

Figure 8: A Picture Of Stepped Canal Channel

3.4 Well Type Canal Falls

Well type falls are also called as syphon drop falls. In this case, an inlet
well with pipe at its bottom is constructed in upstream. The pipe
carries the water to downstream well or reservoir. If the discharge
capacity is more than 0.29 cumecs then downstream well is preferred
otherwise reservoir is suitable

Figure 9: Well Type Canal Fall

3.5 Simple Vertical Drop Falls (Sarda Type fall)
Simple vertical drop fall or sarda fall consists, single vertical drop
which allows the upstream water to fall with sudden impact on
downstream. The downstream acts like cushion for the upstream
water and dissipate extra energy. This type of fall is tried in Sarda
Canal UP (India) and therefore, it is also called Sarda Fall

Figure 9: Simple Vertical Drop Fall

3.6 Straight Glacis Canal Falls

This is the modern type of construction, in which a raised crest is
constructed across the canal and a gentle straight inclined surface is
provided from raised crest to the downstream. The water coming
from upstream crosses the raised crest and falls on inclined surface
with sufficient energy dissipation
 Figure 10: Straight Glacis Canal Fall

3.7 Montague Type Canal Falls

Montage fall is similar to straight glacis fall but in this case the glacis is not
straight. It is provided in parabolic shape to introduce the vertical component of
velocity which improves the energy dissipation to more extent.

Figure 10: Montague Type Canal Fall

3.8 English or Baffle Canal Falls

In this case, straight glacis fall is extended as baffle platform with baffle wall.
This is suitable for any discharge. The baffle wall is constructed near the toe of
the straight glacis at required distance in designed height. The main purpose of
the baffle wall is to create hydraulic jump from straight glacis to baffle platform.
4.0 Design Criteria for Sarda Type

Design Principles for Sarda Type Fall:

This type of falls are constructed on Sarda canal in Uttar Pradesh. It is a fall with
raised crest and with vertical impact. The soils in Sarda command comprised
sandy stratum overlain by sandy-clay on which depth of cutting was to be kept
minimum. This made it obligatory to provide number of falls with small drops.
In Sarda type falls (q) discharge intensity varied from 1.6 to 3.5 cumec/m and
drop varied from 0.6 to 2.5 m.

Crest Dimensions:
This type of fall is not flumed.

For canal discharge 15 cumec and more

Crest length of fall = Bed width of the canal.

For distributaries and minors

Crest length of fall = Bed width + Depth of flow

Body wall: When the discharge of a canal is less than 14 m^/sec the section of
body wall is kept rectangular

Figure 11: Sarda Type Fall

When the discharge of a canal is more than 14 m3/sec the section of the body
wall is kept trapezoidal with upstream batter 1: 3 and downstream batter 1: 8.

For rectangular body wall:

Top width ‘b’ = 0.552 √d

Base width ‘B’ = H + d/√p

For trapezoidal body wall Top width b = 0.522 √(H + d)

The edges are rounded with a radius of 0.3 m.

Base width B is determined by the batter given to u/s and d/s sides.

Here H is depth of water above the crest of the fall in metres. (It includes
velocity of approach also).

d is the height of the crest above the downstream bed level in metres

Discharge Over Crest:

The discharge formula used in this type of fall under free fall condition is:

Q = CLH {H/b}1/6
where L is length .of crest in m and Q is discharge in cumec.

Value of C for trapezoidal crest is 2 and for rectangular crest 1.85.

For submerged flow conditions (above 33% submergence) neglecting velocity of

approach the discharge is given by the following formula

where Cd = 0.65
HL = drop in water surface
and h2 = depth of d/s water level over top of crest.

Crest Level:

The height of crest above the upstream bed level is fixed in such a way that the
depth of flow u/s of the fall is not affected. From the discharge
formula mentioned above since Q is known value of H can be calculated.
R . L of crest = F . S . L on the u/s – H.

The stability of body wall should be tested by usual procedure when the drops
exceeding 1.5 m are to be designed. In the body wall drain holes may be
provided at the u/s bed level to dry out the canal during closures for
maintenance, etc.

Cistern dimensions: Dimensions of the cistern may be fixed from the

Bahadurabad Research Institute formula given in article 19.17, i.e.,

LC = 5√E.HL and
X = ¼ (E.HL)2/3

Total Length of Impervious Floor:

As for any hydraulic structure total length of the impervious floor should be
designed on the basis of Bligh’s theory for small structures and Khosla’s theory
for other works. Maximum seepage head is experienced when on the u/s water
is upto the crest level of the fall and there is no flow on the d/s side.
Length of d/s impervious floor:

The maximum length of the d/s impervious floor is given by the

following relation.

Ld = 2D + 2.4 + HL in metres

The balance of impervious floor may be provided under the body

wall and on the u/s.

Cut-off:
A sufficient depth of cut-off below the floor should be provided at the d/s end
of the floor for providing safety against steep exit gradient. The depth of cut-off
may range from 1 to 1.5 m. Sometimes deeper cut-offs may be necessary to
reduce horizontal floor length to satisfy Khosla’s principle of exit gradient. For
falls having 1 m and above head on the crest should be provided more cut-offs.
Cut-off at u/s end of floor is also provided which may be smaller in depth.

Other Protective Works:

Provision of other accessories like upstream wings, staggered blocks on the
cistern floor, downstream wings, bed and side pitching is generally done
on the basis of thumb rules. For big structures, however, actual design
calculations may be done.

Figure 12: Sarda Fall

Upstream wing walls:
For small falls upto 14 cumec the upstream wings may be splayed at 1: 1. For
higher discharges u/s wing walls are kept segmental with a radius equal to 6 H
and continued thereafter tangentially merging into the banks. The wings may be
embedded into the bank for about 1 m.

Downstream wing walls:

For the length of the cistern the d/s wing walls are kept vertical from the crest.
Thereafter they are wasped or flared to a slope of 1: 1. An average splay of 1 in
3 for attaining the required slope is given to the top of the wings. The wings may
be taken deep into the banks.

Staggered blocks:
Staggered block of height dc should be provided at a distance of 1.0 dc to 1.5 dc
from the d/s toe of the crest for clear falls. In case of submerged falls the blocks
may be provided at the end of the cistern. A row of staggered cubical blocks of
height equal to 0.1 to 0.13 of depth of water should invariably be provided at
the end of the d/s impervious floor.

Bed and side pitching:

The d/s bed pitching with bricks 20 cm thick over 10 cm ballast is provided
horizontally for a length of 6 m. Thereafter for lengths up to 5 to 15 m for falls
varying from 0.75 to 1.5 m may be provided with down slope of 1 in 10. The side
pitching with bricks on edge with 1: 1 slope is provided after the return-wing on
the downstream. A toe wall should be provided between the bed pitching and
the side pitching to provide a firm support to the latter.