Hydraulic Research Laboratory - Irrigation Department

Lot 34, Jawatta Road, Colombo 05, Srilanka

Emergence of Hydraulics Research

Laboratory

The hydraulic laboratory was officially

opened by His Excellency Governor

Sir Andrew Caldecott on May 21,1938

Hydraulic Research Laboratory consist of Hydraulics Scalar model laboratory

Instrument Section

Workshop

Photography Section

Functions of Hydraulics Research Laboratory

1. Construction of hydraulic scalar models including

installation of measuring apparatus and scientific

equipment and carrying out model tests, tabulating test

results , preparing diagrams and reporting.

2. Seepage studies in canal distribution systems.

3. Monitoring sea-outfall behavior.

4. Collection of sediment transport data from canals,

streams and rivers.

5. Calibration of sluices/outlets and providing rating

curves.

6. Fabrication, installation and calibration of

measuring devices for flow measurement.

About the Hydraulic Research Model Laboratory

- The Hydraulic research Laboratory has been in continuous operation since it was

established in 1938 by Irrigation Department. The Laboratory was moved to its

present location at No.34, Jawatta Road, Colombo 5 in 1940.

- The infrastructure available includes

- Concrete flume for sectional model (25m x1.5m x1.5m),

- Tiltable glass flume (12 m test length) with separate water circulation system

- 2 buildings for the flumes

- Constant overhead tank (8.5 m above ground) with incorporated pump house (4 electric

pumps and 1 diesel pump (Stand –by installation)

- a sub-surface tank.

- Electrical Sub Station (250 kVA) and Electrical installation for test facilities.

- Instrumentation

-

- All the instruments required to carry out model studies are available with the

laboratory. These include Discharge measuring weirs, point gauges, bridges, current

meters, manometers etc. The workshop and instrument division which is under the

Hydraulics Laboratory provides repair facilities for all these instruments.

-

A non-interruptive flow water supply and ample land area makes the laboratory unique

among hydraulic laboratories in the island. The laboratory occupies 12,500 m2 of open land

with necessary water supply system consists underground pressure pipe lines with hydrant

chambers. Water for experiments is drawn from ground water at rates from a trickle flow up

to 760 liters per second.

The laboratory has had a major impact on irrigation and water conservation engineering and

is recognized nationally as a significant contributor of sound design criteria for irrigation and

water conservation structures and channels.

Mission Statement

The Hydraulic Research Laboratory conducts research to:

Develop criteria for design and analysis of safe, economical structures and channels

for the conveyance, storage, disposal, and measurement of runoff water;

Develop basic knowledge of the hydraulics of surface water flows for use in planning

measures needed for environmentally appropriate control of runoff water and/or

assessing the safety and efficiency of existing measures; and

Determine the ability of vegetation, riprap, and/or various stilling basins to protect

hydraulic structures and channels from erosion.

Some research is oriented to specific studies, but the primary goal is to conduct generalized

research that can be applied nationally by both public and private agencies without further

testing.

Model study at Giritale Scheme

Model Study for Kaluganga Spill

Model Study for raising of Minipe anicut

Services Offered by the Hydraulics Research Laboratory,

Irrigation Department, Sri Lanka

Year Client Consultant Description of work

2012 ID Hydraulic Model Studies for proposed Piono key

weir Spillway for Giritale tank.

2012 MCB Hydraulic Model Studies for proposed modification

to Minipe Anicut

2011 MASL Lahmeyer

International

GmbH

Hydraulic Model Studies for proposed Kalu ganga

Radial gated Spillway.

2010 ID - Hydraulic Model Studies for Spillway cum

hydropower intake for Deduru Oya Project.

2010 ID - Hydraulic Model Studies on 02 Nos Radial Gated

Spillway for Rambukkan Oya Project.

2010 ID - Hydraulic Model Studies for Spillway cum

hydropower intake and fish ladder for Deduru Oya

Project.

2008 BOI - Hydraulic Model Investigation on the Intake –

Kelani Ganga at Seethawaka Industrial Park.

2008 ID - Radial Gated Spillway for Weheragala Reservoir

Project

2005 ID - Hydraulic Model Investigation of Morning Glory

Spillway for Kekiriobada Reservoir Project.

2004 ID

Hydraulic Model Study for Modified Power Intake

Upper Kotmale Hydropower Project.

ID

Hydraulic Model Investigation of Radial Gated

Spillway for Mau Ara Project.

1998 ZPC Delgodaganga MiniHydro Power Project

1995 CEB Joint Venture

cnec (CKC-NK-

EPDCI-CECB)

Hydraulic Model studies to confirm the suitability of

the geometrical shape of the main structures and their

behaviour of Upper Kotmale Hydropower Project.

1993 CEB NiponKoiz and

Electrowatt

Model study on weir, Intake and Sand Trap of

Kukule Ganga Hydropower Project.

1992 ID/CECB

Hydraulic Model Studies on Menik Ganga Diversion

to Kirindioya Reservoir

1991 ID

Hydrualic Model studies on Dolukanda, Mallipotha

Chute Spillway.

1991 RDA

The Road Embankment Protection at Kohilawatta –

Kelani Ganga

Year Client Consultant Description of work

1991 ID

Hydraulic Model Studies on Senanayake

Samuddraya Intake

1991 MASL

Hydraulics Model Studies on Polgolla Strucutre,

Siltation Problem at Intake.

1990 ID Hydraulic Model Studies on Bomburalla Morning

Glory Spillway

1990 ID

Hydraulic Model Studies on Automatic Collapsible

Gate in Randaviibendi Ela to evaluate design

Criteria.

1990 ID

Hydraulic Model Studies on Muruthawela Drop

Structure, Iranamadu Spillway

1990 NWS&DB Soil and Water

Consulting

Engineers,

HELSINKI,

Finland

The Intake at Peradeniya, Mahaweli Ganga under

Kandy District water Supply and Sanitation Project

(KDWSSP).

1989 CEB Sir Alexander

Gibb and

Partners

Radial Gated Spillway of Samanalawewa Hydro-

Electric Project.

1987 ID

Nalanda (Concrete) dam Investigation of the cause of

Horizontal cracks.

1987 ID

Model Studies on Kantale Drop Structure to evaluate

Hydraulic design criteria.

1986 ID

Calibration of Sluice in Handapanagala Reservoir.

1986 ID

Calibration of Board Crested weirs in Major

Irrigation and Rehabilitation Project.

1986 ID

Field Studies on Seepage in Canals in Kirindi Oya

Scheme.

1986 ID

Mathematical Model Studies on Flood levels in

Kirindi Oya Reservoir.

1986 ID

Hydraulic Model Studies on Handapanagala Silt

Exclusion Studies.

1986 ID

Hydraulic Model Investigations on Kelani Ganga

Erosion Protection at Pethiyagoda

1985 ID

Hydraulic Model Studies on Kaudulla Spillway

Energy Dissipation Studies.

1985 ID

Hydraulics Model Studies on Silt Exclusion at

Batalagoda Intake.

1984 ID

Study of formation of a sand bar across the mouth of

Kepu Ela.

Year Client Consultant Description of work

1984 MASL

Hydraulic Model Studies on Silt Exclusion in Minipe

Anicut.

1984 CECB

Hydraulic Model investigations on Bottom Outlet

and Surge Shaft in Kotmale Hydropower Project.

1984 ID

Model Investigations of Kirindi Oya Spillway.

1982-

1983

MASL

Field observations on water losses between the

feeder canal and the diversion tunnel intake of

Kotmale Reservoir.

1982-

1983

LR&DC

Field investigations on salt water intrusion and

ground water table behaviour in Muthurajawla

1982-

1983

Ministry of

Fisheries

Monitoring of Panadura sea out fall

1982-

1983

MDB

Model studies on Mundan Kumaraveli Aru – Silting

of flood diversion canal.

1982-

1983

CECB

Model study on Evaluation of Hydraulic Design

Criteria for Kotmale Spillway.

1982 CDR&DB

Puttalam District Flood Control and Drainage

Project. Field investigations were done to study the

behaviour of sand bar formation, effectiveness of

groynes, variation of ground water table.

1981 MDB

Model studies on Evaluation of Hydraulic Design

criteria for Rantambe Spillway

1981 MDB

Model studies on Evaluation of Hydraulic Design

criteria for Randenigala Spillway

1977 ID

Hydraulics Model investigations for Bomurella

Sluice Stidies

1972 ID

Model Investigation for Dhun Oya Drop Structure at

Ukuwela

MCB- Mahaweli Consultancy Bureau

MDB - Mahaweli Development Board

ZPC – ZYREX Power Company Ltd.

LR&DC - Land Reclamation and Drainage Corporation

MASL - Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka

ID - Irrigation Department, Srilanka

RDA - Road Development Authority of Srilanka

CEB - Ceylon Electricity Board, Srilanka

CECB - Central Engineering and Consultancy Bureau

NWS&DB - National Water Supply and Drainage Board

BOI- Board of Investment.

CKC - Chuo Kaihatsu Corporation, Tokyo, Japan

NK - Nippon Koei Co, LTD. Tokyo, Japan

EPDCI - EPDC International Ltd, Tokyo, Japan

Instrument Section

The Instrument Section commenced functioning in 1955 with a small staff. Activities then

were mainly confined to the repair and maintenance of Survey Instruments.

As years passed activities of the section increased. Installing, repair and maintenance of

Radio Transceivers repair, servicing and maintenance of hydrological equipment, typewriters,

clock mechanisms, Electrical Appliances became additional functions in the section.

The following Evaporimeter was designed and manufactured by Instrument

section of the Hydraulic Division.

EVAPORIMETER

The purpose of this instrument is to record

the water level in evaporation pan. The

water level is determined by means of a

hook gauge consisting of a movable scale

and vernier fitted with a hook enclosed in

a still –water chamber in the pan.

Specifications

Measuring range (main scale) - 150mm

Effective Measuring range - 110mm

Accuracy - 0.02mm

Stilling pipe height - 250 mm

Stilling pipe Diameter - 100 mm

Accuracy of leveling bubble - 60'/2mm

Material - Stainless Steel

Weight - 2 kg

Height of the Instrument - 500 mm

Operating Instructions

1. Paste 3 yellow pegs to form an

equilateral triangle in the bottom of

the evaporation pan at the centre such

that the yellow pegs should be aligned

with 3 foot screws of evaporimeter.

2. Install this Instrument at center

mounted yellow pegs and level up

using 3 Nos foot screws (Install red

mark on yellow peg aligned with red

mark on the instrument). Then

clamp 3 foot screw thoroughly by

tightening the nuts.

3. Turn the Main Knob (black 3"knob)

and adjust the hook gauge point to

correct water level (Avoid surface

tension).

4. Record Water level reading (Initial).

5. Remove the Instrument (Ensure that

there is no single drop of water inside

Stilling Pipe) and keep it secure place

for its safety.

6. Re-install the instrument in a required

time period. (Install red mark on the

yellow peg aligned with red mark on

the instrument).

7. Repeat step 3.

8. Record water level reading

9. Then calculate the water level

difference.

The Instrument was designed and manufactured by

the Instrument Section of Hydraulics Research

Laboratory, Irrigation Department, Sri Lanka.

A total of 42 instruments were made following a

request made by Irrigation & Water Management

Sub-Department with funds provided under local

budget. The cost of each unit worked out to

approximately Rs. 24,000.00.

Main knob

Vernier

Scale

Leveling

Bubble

Main Scale

Stilling Pipe

Yellow Pegs and

Red Mark

Foot Screws

Red Mark on the

Instrument

Clamping nut

Evaporation Pan

Evaporimeter

Handling the

Instrument

Reading the

Scale

3. Work Shop

The following Instruments were manufactured at the

workshop Hydraulic Research Laboratory, Irrigation Department, Sri Lanka

3.1 Fabrication of Hydrological and Hydraulic Instruments

3.1.1 Manual Rain Gauge

The rain gauge consists of a housing, base plate, collector mouth and a funnel.

The housing and the base plate are made out of iron. The housing is a 5inch

diameter iron pipe which is 39 cm in height. The collector mouth which is

made out of bronze rests on top of the housing. The funnel is made out of

copper.

33 numbers of such rain gauges were fabricated for Hydrology Branch of the

Irrigation Department on their request.

3.1.2 Multiple Well Type Manometer

3.1.2 Multiple well type Manometer

3.1.2 Multiple well type Manometer.

Multiple well type manometer is a versatile instrument used for laboratory data analysis. It

has 10 numbers of individual direct reading manometers enclosed in individual compact case

( single panel). The tubes are 10 mm diameter perspex tubes. The panel is a free standing

column with a level bubble. The measurable height is 1.5 m. This instrument can be used to

measure pressure, vacuum, differential pressure, flow or liquid level. Complex pressure

distribution or multiple pressure relationship can be easily observed.

4. Photography Section.

Maintaining the followings:

Small Photo Albums - 127 Nos

Photo Album Large - 16 Nos

Sinhala Films (16 mm) - 54 Nos

English films (16 mm) - 42 Nos

DVD Films (42 Films) - 06 Nos

Colour photos 4 R - 47 Nos

Colour photos 10x15 - 32 Nos

Stat file - 12529 Nos

35 mm black & white negatives

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Training and Other activities

Visit of Engineers from Afghanistan to the Hydraulic Laboratory

Visit of Irrigation Engineers to the Hydraulic Laboratory

Visit of consultants from Mahaweli Consultancy Bureau to the Hydraulic Laboratory

5. Exhibition and other publicity activities

DEYATA KIRULA NATIONAL EXHIBITION 2013 AT AMPARA

DEYATA KIRULA NATIONAL EXHIBITION 2013 AT AMPARA

DEYATA KIRULA NATIONAL EXHIBITION 2013 AT AMPARA