Research Articles
Dynamic behavior of fluid flow through a downscaled model of Bissokotuwa of the ancient reservoirs in Sri Lanka
Authors:
D. C. Maddumage,
University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400
About D. C.
Department of Physics, Faculty of Science
Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, 20400
B. M. K. Pemasiri
University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400, LK
About B. M. K.
Department of Physics, Faculty of Science
Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, 20400
Abstract
Artificial lakes were designed in Sri Lanka from ancient times to harvest rainwater and to detain floods. First, a network of smaller lakes was constructed, but with technological sophistication, later on medium to large lakes were reconstructed to cater the increasing human population. The Bissokotuwa technology was introduced to large lakes in order to channel water from the bottom of the lake, since techniques used for small and medium lakes are not sufficient to sustain the large static pressure of releasing flumes. The sluice gate of the Bissokotuwa is made of wood and outflow is regulated by a lever mechanism. This project investigated the kinetic energy (KE) losses inside Bissokotuwa and compared it with water channeling through a direct sluice with the aid of a scaled-down prototype model. The prototype model exhibited KE loss of ~43.5% due to Bissokotuwa and it was independent of the reservoir head. The motion of inflow confirmed subjecting to serve velocity gradient and turbulence inside the Bissokotuwa. This suggested forming shear stress within the water by reducing its pressure. Poiseuille’s law supported justifying inflow and outflow are laminar for the prototype model; however, the same behavior cannot be expected for a real scenario according to terms in the Reynolds number formula.
How to Cite:
Maddumage, D. C., & Pemasiri, B. M. K. (2023). Dynamic behavior of fluid flow through a downscaled model of Bissokotuwa of the ancient reservoirs in Sri Lanka. Ceylon Journal of Science, 52(1), 63–69. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/cjs.v52i1.8105
Published on
01 Mar 2023.
Peer Reviewed
Downloads
