Pressure fluctuations beneath hydraulic jumps potentially endanger the stability of stilling basins. This paper deals with the mathematical modeling of the results of laboratory-scale experiments to estimate the extreme pressures. Experiments were carried out on a smooth stilling basin underneath free hydraulic jumps downstream of an Ogee spillway. From the probability distribution of measured instantaneous pressures, pressures with different probabilities could be determined. It was verified that maximum pressure fluctuations, and the negative pressures, are located at the positions near the spillway toe. Also, minimum pressure fluctuations are located at the downstream of hydraulic jumps. It was possible to assess the cumulative curves of pressure data related to the characteristic points along the basin, and different Froude numbers. To benchmark the results, the dimensionless forms of statistical parameters include mean pressures (P*_m), the standard deviations of pressure fluctuations (σ*_X), pressures with different non-exceedance probabilities (P*_k%), and the statistical coefficient of the probability distribution (N_k%) were assessed. It was found that an existing method can be used to interpret the present data, and pressure distribution in similar conditions, by using a new second-order fractional relationships for σ*_X, and N_k%. The values of the N_k% coefficient indicated a single mean value for each probability.

Hydraulic jumps, frequently present in energy dissipation structures, have been thoroughly investigated over the past $70\mathrm{years}$ . However, studies have focused primarily on the more common and more stable cases of large Froude number jumps. Investigations on low Froude number jumps, usually called transition jumps, are scarce, although they are used in a significant number of run-of-the-river, high-discharge, and low-head dams. This paper addresses the characterization of hydrodynamic pressures of low Froude number jumps. A two-dimensional experimental facility was used for that purpose. Results were compared with those from published studies covering transition jumps and stabilized jumps, to identify differences and similarities between them. The analysis considered common dimensionless statistical parameters, duly nondimensionalized. It was found that, for most of these parameters, low Froude number jumps behave differently from stabilized jumps. This can be attributed mainly to the hydraulic jump’s oscillating jet formed under the surface macroturbulent roller, as well as to the partially developed boundary layer of the incoming flow in low-head spillways.

Extreme pressures in the hydraulic jump are associated with risk of damage to the flow discharge system of dams by a series of mechanisms. Therefore, understanding and predicting these efforts are crucial for the safe and economical design of discharge systems. Thus, this paper aims to validate an existing pressure forecasting methodology for estimating the extreme pressure in the hydraulic jump with low Froude number (below 4.5). Results have shown that the method may be used for this situation on a preliminary basis. Further studies are recommended to refine the technique and to achieve results that are more precise.

Although sloping hydraulic jumps are frequent in energy dissipators, there are few studies regarding this type of phenomenon. Since the jump is accompanied by violent impacts and sudden variations of velocity and pressure, it is important to know the region where the phenomenon will occur, in order to make a safe and economic design possible. In this paper, a methodology for the determination of the start position of the sloping jump along a Creager spillway is introduced. It was verified that this position is a function of both the incident Froude number and the submergence factor.

Turbulent flow is responsible for a significant portion of damages and failures in dams. This paper sought to introduce novel approaches to the estimation of typical parameters used in the design of stilling basins. The standard deviations of pressure samples of 24 hydraulic jumps were analysed throughout the stilling basin longitudinal centreline, and the positions of maximum pressure fluctuation were identified. Next, mean and extreme pressures occurring at this position were calculated. Finally, these parameters were plotted against the inflow Froude number and curves were adjusted to the data. The position where maximum turbulence of undular, weak and oscillating jumps occurs varies according to the Froude number. Steady and strong jumps are more likely to induce negative pressures on the stilling basin. The findings of this paper broaden the knowledge on which regions of the stilling basin must receive special attention, and on how to minimize the chances of damages.