Parametric analysis of the ultimate scour and mean dynamic pressures at plunge pools

Studies to find out the actions at dam toes of impinging jets have been carried out using two different ways of research: the study of scour and the study of pressures. The instrumentation and measurement objectives have marked the difference between the two ways of research and “apparently” the type of formulation obtained. In this paper the general formulation of ultimate scour and ultimate pressures is presented. Their correspondence is outlined and reveals a unique type of formulation. A practical parameter, called the “incremental energy dissipation”, is presented in order to estimate the resistance of the plunge pool bottom that is necessary to withstand the power of the jet. This parameter also allows an analysis of the corresponding pressure fluctuations.