Type selection of spillway and energy dissipator structure using expert systems

Energy, as a determinative factor for the level of development, increases the importance of the dams the spillways which are the most important element of dam safety. The spillways and energy dissipation structures which are the crucial parts of the dams may be built in many different types. However, many studies on hydraulic calculations of the spillways and energy dissipation structures have been constructed; there are very few studies in the literature related to factors affecting spillway type selection. On the other hand, information technologies and programming techniques have very rapid developments in nowadays. Especially in the last twenty years, expert systems which are artificial intelligence-based programs have attracted great interest. Expert systems using human knowledge to solve problems contain a language processor between user and computer to ensure the communication for the problem. In this study, the parameters affecting the type selection of the spillways and the energy dissipator structures are entered into the expert system as input and it is investigated whether the selection may be conducted with much simpler manner. As a result, the developing expert system is implemented and tested on data obtained from several dams built in Turkey. It is thought that the results of the study will be used for engineering education in university and hydraulic engineers in application.