| Abstract: |
Hydraulic structures such as barrages, weirs, and diversion dams are critical components of water resource infrastructure, and their long-term performance depends on both structural integrity and resistance to hydraulic failure mechanisms such as piping and uplift pressure. This paper presents an integrated approach combining Khosla's theory of independent variables for seepage and uplift pressure analysis with finite element-based structural assessment using ANSYS, supplemented by a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework to evaluate the sustainability of hydraulic infrastructure over its service life. The study examines exit gradient, uplift pressure distribution, and floor thickness requirements using Khosla's method, while ANSYS simulations provide stress, deformation, and factor-of-safety data under varying hydraulic loading conditions [1][2]. Five analytical datasets are presented covering uplift pressure variation, exit gradient safety factors, floor thickness optimization, ANSYS stress-strain results, and embodied carbon/LCA indicators. Results indicate that combining classical hydraulic design theory with modern computational structural analysis produces more reliable and materially efficient designs than either method used independently. The paper concludes that integrating Khosla's analytical rigor with ANSYS-based structural verification and LCA-driven material optimization offers a comprehensive pathway toward sustainable, durable, and economically viable hydraulic infrastructure. |
