ABSTRACT
Optimizing freeboard at dams, became more and more relevant for operators of dams due to climate change, the assurance of flood retention, or the adjustment of the design water levels. The wave run-up represents the dominant portion of the freeboard at reservoirs and therefore deserves the most attention regarding optimizations. With the usage of wave deflection structures the safety of overtopping can significantly be increased. In contrast to coastal engineering overtopping as a result of the wave run-up with or without wave return walls in the adapted freeboard design at dams is generally not tolerated (zero overtopping). However existing design approaches for wave deflectors are currently always based on the overtopping rate, which therefore is greater than zero.
As part of independent investigations a hydrodynamic numerical model had been developed, calibrated and validated by using data obtained from physical hydraulic model tests. Based on performed simulations the general understanding of the redirection process of the wave run-up surge had been studied. Furthermore a data set, that specifies the required wave deflector size and the forces acting on the deflector at maximum (optimal) capacity utilization without overtopping was developed and used to build a dimensioning concept depending on the boundary conditions mentioned.
