Research and Development Office

Gate Design Optimization and Composite Gate Lab Scale Testing

Project ID: 20200
Principal Investigator: Bobbi Jo Merten
Research Topic: Condition Assessment
Funded Fiscal Years: 2020
Keywords: None

Research Question

Reclamation has been using the same design techniques for gate design for more than 60 years. Building scale gate models and performing scale load and hydraulic testing in the lab will allow for improved gate design and reduce cost for gate fabrication and gate installation.

Need and Benefit

This opportunity can be used to build gates made of composite materials and perform similar testing for comparison purposes. Composite gates offer benefits of reduced fabrication costs and potentially increased service lives, but mechanical and lifecycle properties of composite gates need to be understood prior to field installations. Work would involve collaboration with U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Engineering Research and Development Center.

Contributing Partners

Contact the Principal Investigator for information about partners.

Research Products

Please contact research@usbr.gov about research products related to this project.

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