Experimental Investigation on the Change of Water Discharge Capability of Sluice Caisson for Tidal Power Plant Placed on the Rubble Mound

The change of water discharge capability of sluice caisson for tidal power plant according to installation of the rubble mound was investigated by performing laboratory experiment. The experiment was carried out in an open channel flume with a great care to measure flow rate and water level in the flume accurately. Eight different sluice caisson models were used in the experiment. The water discharge capabilities of seven sluice models decreased with respect to the placement of the rubble mound, while increased for only one sluice model. On average, the values of discharge coefficient decreased by approximately 10% when the sluice models were placed on the rubble mound. It is concluded that the shape of the rubble mound can affect the water discharge capability of the sluice caisson, so that its shape should be significantly considered in the design of the sluice caisson, especially when it is deployed in a site of relatively deeper depth.