Location:
Washington, DC

Client:
DC Water

Partners:
Auburn University, University of Michigan

Our Expert:

LimnoTech, and partners, developed and applied a hydraulic transient model to support the design of a large storage tunnel in Washington DC for DC Water. Potential problem scenarios and control alternatives were evaluated to improve tunnel performance, ensure safety, and prevent damage to infrastructure.

The Challenge

Large storage tunnels are popular for combined sewer overflow (CSO) control across the United States, and in Europe, and are often preferred in urban settings because they are less disruptive when compared to surface storage facilities. However, large tunnels create unique challenges for design engineers. As tunnels rapidly fill, tremendous forces are unleashed. These forces can create violent hydraulic surges, elevated hydraulic grade lines, geysering caused by trapped air, and even water hammer.

DC Water is designing and implementing a large tunnel storage system for flood control and capture and storage of combined sewage for treatment. Understanding the dynamics of filling for this large and complex tunnel system is important to prevent accidental discharge of captured sewage, ensure the safety of tunnel operators and the public, and prevent damage to sewer system and tunnel infrastructure.

The Solution

LimnoTech collaborated with researchers at the University of Michigan and Auburn University to develop and apply a sophisticated and innovative model called Surge and Hydraulic Analysis for Tunnels (SHAFT), which can simulate all stages of the highly dynamic tunnel filling process. For the DC Water system, the SHAFT model was used to predict the formation and movement of both open-channel and pipe-filling bores during rapid filling events, to evaluate the risk of extreme surges. The model also identified locations where pockets of air would potentially be trapped, which can lead to geysers or other potentially hazardous phenomena. A suite of SHAFT models was developed for numerous alternative tunnel geometries, using a variety of tunnel-filling and -dewatering scenarios. Based on these simulations, and by working interactively with the design engineering team, we identified potential transient surge problems, evaluated a range of modifications to the tunnel geometry, recommended a change in tunnel slope, and estimated air release requirements to support tunnel design.

With the first phase of the tunnel system now under construction, the SHAFT model continues to be used to evaluate surges, transients and pneumatics of other tunnel phases as their designs move forward. SHAFT model results are being used to design surge protection infrastructure for the proposed Potomac River Tunnel, as well as certain individual tunnel drop shafts still at risk in the tunnel-filling process, and to provide estimates of tunnel venting for filling events of various intensities.

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