Experimental results are presented for trashracks placed in an open water channel with different bar shapes, spaces between bars and screen inclination angles. The numerous configurations provided results on head losses and on changes in velocity along the rack for a large range of situations, including fish-friendly trashracks. A new head-loss equation is proposed that takes into account the effect of the different tested parameters and demonstrates the need to separate the effect of the trashrack bars, which is directly related to the inclination of the trashrack, from the effect of the transversal elements such as spacer rows whose effect on the flow is not altered by rack inclination. Velocity measurements also adduce rules for efficient water intakes complying with fish-friendly criteria.

Experimental results for fish-friendly trashracks placed in an open water channel are presented. Model trashracks with different bar shapes, spacing and angles were tested. The numerous configurations provided results on head losses and on changes in velocity along the rack for a large range of situations, including fish-friendly trashracks. Previous head-loss equations found in the literature were applied to these configurations and were compared with measurements. A new head-loss equation is proposed that takes into account the effect of the different tested parameters. Velocity measurements provided new results and answers concerning downstream-migration aspects such as admissible approach velocities and guidance efficiency as a function of the trashrack angle.

The mean flow in a nature-like fishpass can be highly modified by the Froude number. It is important to understand this evolution to correctly design the structure. The studied configuration is an emergent staggered arrangement of obstacles. The hydraulic resistance of a fishpass is experimentally investigated that depends on several geometric parameters: block shape, ramp slope, block density, and bed roughness. An analytical model based on the balance momentum allows one to quantify the influence of each hydraulic parameter. The bed roughness has a weak influence, whereas the block shape and the Froude number are significant. The variation of the drag coefficient was analyzed to improve the stage-discharge relationship. To this end, a correlation with the block diameter and water level is proposed. The maximal velocity reached in the fishpass can also be estimated. These results have to be compared with the fish swimming ability to assess the fishpass passability.

OATAO is an open access repository that collects the work of some Toulouse researchers and makes it freely available over the web where possible.