Hydraulics and Water Resources

(CEE 340)
(Topic 3)
Open Channel Flow
(Part III)
Text: P192-199 (Section 4-3)
Dr. Xixi (Jack) Wang, P.E.

Steady Gradually Varied Flow: Governing Equation

V2

V2

1
2
Energy Equation: z1 + y1 + 2 g = z 2 + y 2 + 2 g + h f

Usually, S0 is small

y = y 2 y1

z1 z 2 S0 x

h f Sf x

Steady Gradually Varied Flow: Governing Equation

(S0 Sf ) x y =

V2
2g

Divide the two sides by x:

(S0 Sf ) y =

When x

V2
2g
x

0:

(S0 Sf ) dy =

dx

V2
2g
dx

Steady Gradually Varied Flow: Governing Equation

V2
Q2
=
2 g 2 g A2

For steady flow, Q is constant

d

V2
2g
dx

d
=

Q2
2 g A2

Q2
Q
=
g A3
A

dx
2

Q 2 d (A 2 )
Q 2 dA

2 g dx
g A 3 dx

1
V2
V2 1
1
=
=
= Fr2
gA g yB g y B
B
Channel width

dy
dA d( y B)
=
= B
dx
dx
dx

Steady Gradually Varied Flow: Governing Equation

d

V2
2g
dx

Q 2 dA
1
dy
dy

= Fr2
B
= Fr2
g A 3 dx
B
dx
dx

(S0 Sf ) dy =

dx

V2
2g
dy
= Fr2
dx
dx

Rearrange it to get the governing equation for steady gradually varied flow:
dy + d
dx =

V2
2g

S0 Sf

V22
V2
1
2g 2g

( y 2 y1 ) +
=

S0 Sf

( y1 +
=

V12
V2
) y2 + 2
2g
2g
Sf S0

E1 E 2
S f S0

dy S0 Sf
=
dx 1 Fr2

Depth change along

flow direction

Computation of Water Surface Profile

A river reach is subdivided into a number of subreaches
Each subreach is assumed to have uniform bed slope S0 and energy gradient Sf
Each subreach is analyzed by solving the governing equation
The equation cab be solved by one-step or multi-step numerical methods
The one-step method treats a subreach as one basic analysis unit
The multi-step method further subdivides a subreach into a number of subsubreaches, and treat each of the sub-subreaches as one basic analysis unit
Subreach 1

Sf,1

Subreach 3

Sf,2

S0,1

S0,2

x1
1

Subreach 2

x2
2

Subreach 4

Sf,3

Sf,4

S0,3

S0,4

x3
3

x4
4

River reach

EL
channel bed
5

Computation of Water Surface Profile

The one-step method: for a subreach

Based on Manning equation: Sf =

nV
KR

2
3

V=

V1 + V2
2

R=

R1 + R 2
2

K = 1.486 for English units

K = 1.0

for SI units

The finite-difference format of the governing equation is:

y1 +
x =

V12
V2
y2 + 2
2g
2g
E E2
= 1
Sf S0
Sf S0

x > 0, y2 is at downstream of y1
x < 0, y2 is at upstream of y1

Computation of Water Surface Profile

[Exam 1] A rectangular open channel (n = 0.013, S0 = 0.002, b = 10 ft) carries
250 cfs. At a particular point I, the water depth is 4.2 ft.
(1) What is the normal depth yn?
(2) At the point I, is the flow subcritical, critical, or supercritical?
(3) How far away from the point I will the water depth be 4.0 ft? Upstream or
downstream of the Point I?

y1 = 4.2 ft
I

S0 = 0.002

[Solution] n = 0.013, S0 = 0.002, b = 10 ft, Q = 250 cfs, y1 = 4.2 ft

(1) The normal depth yn is the water depth when assuming a uniform flow in
the channel. Using S0 in Manning equation, we can compute yn.
The flow area is:

A = b y n = 10 y n

Computation of Water Surface Profile

[Solution] The wetted perimeter is:

P = b + 2 y n = 10 + 2 y n
The hydraulic radius is:
R=

A
10 y n
=
P 10 + 2 y n

Based on Manning equation, we have:

Q = 250 ft 3 / sec =

K
A R 3 S02
n

10 y n
1.486
=
(10 y n )
10 + 2 y n
0.013

2
3

0.002 2

Using trial-and-error method or Excel Solver, yn = 3.15 ft

Computation of Water Surface Profile

[Solution] (2) For the rectangular channel, the critical depth yc can be
calculated as:

Q2
yc =
g b2

1
3

(250ft

/ sec)
=
2
2
32.2 ft/sec (10 ft)
3

1
3

= 2.69 ft

At the point I, y1 = 4.2 ft > yc = 2.69 ft, thus the flow is subcritical.

Computation of Water Surface Profile

[Solution] (3) At the point I: y1 = 4.2 ft
A1 = 4.2 ft 10 ft = 42 ft2
P1 = 10 ft + 24.2 ft = 18.4 ft
R1 = (42 ft2)/(18.4 ft) = 2.28 ft
V1 = (250 ft3/sec)/(42 ft2) = 5.95 ft/sec
E1 = 4.2 ft + (5.95 ft/sec)2/(232.2 ft/sec2) = 4.75 ft
At the unknown point: y2 = 4.0 ft
A2 = 4.0 ft 10 ft = 40 ft2
P2 = 10 ft + 24.0 ft = 18 ft
R2 = (40 ft2)/(18 ft) = 2.22 ft
V2 = (250 ft3/sec)/(40 ft2) = 6.25 ft/sec
E2 = 4.0 ft + (6.25 ft/sec)2/(232.2 ft/sec2) = 4.61 ft

Computation of Water Surface Profile

[Solution] For the subreach between the point I and the unknown point:
V=

V1 + V2 5.95 + 6.25
=
ft / sec = 6.10 ft/sec
2
2

R=

R 1 + R 2 2.28 + 2.22
=
ft = 2.25 ft
2
2

Based on Manning equation, the average energy gradient for the reach is:
Sf =

nV
2

KR 3

0.013 6.10 ft/sec

2

1.486 (2.25 ft )3

= 0.0009659

The distance between the unknown point and the point I is:
x =

E1 E 2
4.75 4.61
=
= 135.4 ft
Sf S0 0.0009659 0.002

Thus, the unknown point is located at 135.4 ft upstream of the point I.

Computation of Water Surface Profile

[Exam 2] A concrete rectangular channel (n = 0.015) is 20 ft wide and carries a
discharge of 1,000 cfs. The slope of the channel changes from 0.001 (mild) to
0.01 (steep). Critical depth occurs where the channel slope changes from
mild to steep. Compute the water surface profile both upstream (subcritical
flow) and downstream (supercritical flow) of the break in channel slope.

Computation of Water Surface Profile

[Solution] n = 0.015, S0,1 = 0.001, S0,2 = 0.01, B = 20 ft, Q = 1,000 cfs
Because this is a rectangular channel, the critical depth is:

yc =

Q
g B2

1
3

(1,000 ft

/ sec
2
32.2 ft/sec (20 ft )

1
3

= 4.26 ft

Determine the normal depth for the upstream reach (subcritical flow), yn,1:

A1 = B y n ,1 = 20 y n ,1 (ft 2 )
P1 = B + 2 y n ,1 = 20 + 2 y n ,1 (ft )
R1 =

20 y n ,1
A1
=
(ft )
P 20 + 2 y n ,1

20 y n ,1
1.486
Q = 1,000 ft 3 / sec =
(20 y n ,1 )
0.015
20 + 2 y n ,1

2
3

0.0012

Computation of Water Surface Profile

[Solution] Use trial-and-error method or Excel Solver, yn,1 = 6.43 ft
The water depth for the mild reach is between 4.26 and 6.43 ft.
Determine the normal depth for the downstream reach (supercritical flow), yn,2:

A 2 = B y n ,1 = 20 y n , 2 (ft 2 )
P2 = B + 2 y n , 2 = 20 + 2 y n , 2 (ft )
R2 =

20 y n , 2
A2
=
(ft )
P 20 + 2 y n , 2

Q = 1,000 ft 3 / sec =

20 y n , 2

1.486
(20 y n , 2 )
20 + 2 y n , 2
0.015

2
3

0.012

Use trial-and-error method or Excel Solver, yn,2 = 2.93 ft

The water depth for the steep reach is between 2.93 and 4.26 ft.

Computation of Water Surface Profile

[Solution] To determine the water depth for the mild reach, assume y between
4.26 and 6.43 ft. Calculate:

x =

E1 E 2
Sf ,1 S0,1

To determine the water depth for the steep reach, assume y between 2.93 and
4.26 ft. Calculate:

x =

E1 E 2
Sf , 2 S0 , 2

Computation of Water Surface Profile

Upstream of the break in channel slope
(ft2)

y (ft)

4.26

85.20

P (ft) R (ft) V (ft/sec) E (ft) E1 -E2 (ft)

28.52

2.99

11.74

R (ft)

V (ft/sec)

Sf

Sf - S0

X (ft)

X (ft)

6.40

0.00

4.36

87.20

28.72

3.04

11.47

6.40

0.00

3.01

11.60

0.00315

0.00215

-1.39

-1.39

4.46

89.20

28.92

3.08

11.21

6.41

-0.01

3.06

11.34

0.00295

0.00195

-4.85

-6.24

4.56

91.20

29.12

3.13

10.96

6.43

-0.02

3.11

11.09

0.00276

0.00176

-8.71

-14.95

4.66

93.20

29.32

3.18

10.73

6.45

-0.02

3.16

10.85

0.00259

0.00159

-13.04

-27.99

4.76
4.86

95.20
97.20

29.52
29.72

3.22
3.27

10.50
10.29

6.47
6.50

-0.03
-0.03

3.20
3.25

10.62
10.40

0.00243
0.00229

0.00143
0.00129

-17.91
-23.43

-45.90
-69.33

4.96
5.06

99.20 29.92
101.20 30.12

3.32
3.36

10.08
9.88

6.54
6.58

-0.03
-0.04

3.29
3.34

10.18
9.98

0.00216
0.00204

0.00116
0.00104

-29.72
-36.95

-99.05
-136.01

5.16

103.20 30.32

3.40

9.69

6.62

-0.04

3.38

9.79

0.00192

0.00092

-45.33

-181.33

5.26

105.20 30.52

3.45

9.51

6.66

-0.05

3.43

9.60

0.00182

0.00082

-55.13

-236.47

5.36

107.20 30.72

3.49

9.33

6.71

-0.05

3.47

9.42

0.00172

0.00072

-66.74

-303.21

5.46

109.20 30.92

3.53

9.16

6.76

-0.05

3.51

9.24

0.00163

0.00063

-80.70

-383.91

5.56

111.20 31.12

3.57

8.99

6.82

-0.05

3.55

9.08

0.00155

0.00055

-97.75

-481.66

5.66

113.20 31.32

3.61

8.83

6.87

-0.06

3.59

8.91

0.00147

0.00047

-119.04

-600.70

5.76

115.20 31.52

3.65

8.68

6.93

-0.06

3.63

8.76

0.00140

0.00040

-146.34

-747.03

5.86

117.20 31.72

3.69

8.53

6.99

-0.06

3.67

8.61

0.00133

0.00033

-182.55

-929.58

5.96

119.20 31.92

3.73

8.39

7.05

-0.06

3.71

8.46

0.00127

0.00027

-232.84

-1162.42

6.06
6.16

121.20 32.12
123.20 32.32

3.77
3.81

8.25
8.12

7.12
7.18

-0.06
-0.07

3.75
3.79

8.32
8.18

0.00121
0.00115

0.00021
0.00015

-307.31
-428.77

-1469.74
-1898.50

6.26

125.20 32.52

3.85

7.99

7.25

-0.07

3.83

8.05

0.00110

0.00010

-661.84

-2560.35

6.36

127.20 32.72

3.89

7.86

7.32

-0.07

3.87

7.92

0.00105

0.00005

-1290.24

-3850.59

6.43

128.60 32.86

3.91

7.78

7.37

-0.05

3.90

7.82

0.00101

0.00001

-3389.03

-7239.62

Computation of Water Surface Profile

Downstream of the break in channel slope
y (ft)

A (ft2)

P (ft)

R (ft)

V (ft/sec)

E (ft)

4.26

85.20

28.52

2.99

11.74

6.40

4.16

83.20

28.32

2.94

12.02

6.40

E1 -E2 (ft)

R ( ft)

V (ft/sec)

Sf

Sf - S0

0.00

2.96

11.88

0.00338

-0.00662

X (ft)

X (ft)

0.62

0.62

0.00

4.06

81.20

28.12

2.89

12.32

6.42

-0.01

2.91

12.17

0.00363

-0.00637

1.86

2.48

3.96

79.20

27.92

2.84

12.63

6.44

-0.02

2.86

12.47

0.00390

-0.00610

3.35

5.83

3.86

77.20

27.72

2.78

12.95

6.47

-0.03

2.81

12.79

0.00420

-0.00580

5.16

10.99

3.76

75.20

27.52

2.73

13.30

6.51

-0.04

2.76

13.13

0.00454

-0.00546

7.40

18.39

3.66

73.20

27.32

2.68

13.66

6.56

-0.05

2.71

13.48

0.00491

-0.00509

10.23

28.62

3.56

71.20

27.12

2.63

14.04

6.62

-0.07

2.65

13.85

0.00533

-0.00467

13.93

42.55

3.46

69.20

26.92

2.57

14.45

6.70

-0.08

2.60

14.25

0.00579

-0.00421

18.92

61.47

3.36

67.20

26.72

2.51

14.88

6.80

-0.10

2.54

14.67

0.00631

-0.00369

26.02

87.49

3.26

65.20

26.52

2.46

15.34

6.91

-0.11

2.49

15.11

0.00690

-0.00310

36.89

124.37

3.16

63.20

26.32

2.40

15.82

7.05

-0.13

2.43

15.58

0.00757

-0.00243

55.52

179.90

3.06

61.20

26.12

2.34

16.34

7.21

-0.16

2.37

16.08

0.00833

-0.00167

94.71

274.61

2.96

59.20

25.92

2.28

16.89

7.39

-0.18

2.31

16.62

0.00919

-0.00081

229.33

503.94

2.93

58.60

25.86

2.27

17.06

7.45

-0.06

2.27

16.98

0.00982

-0.00018

333.70

837.64

Computation of Water Surface Profile

The computed water surface profile

break

Elevation (ft)

-8000 -7000 -6000 -5000 -4000 -3000 -2000 -1000

16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
-2
-4
-6
-8
-10

1000

Water Surface Profile Classifications

For a given
channel, depending
on the flow rate, it
could have a:
(1) mild slope, or
(2) Critical slope, or
(3) Steep slope

Water Surface Profile Classifications

Two types of special profiles:

Water Surface Profile Classifications

Example profiles:

Water Surface Profile Classifications

[Exam 3] Water discharges from under a sluice gate into a horizontal channel at
a rate of 1 m3/s per meter of width.
(1) What is the classification of the water surface profile?
(2) Quantitatively evaluate the profile downstream of the gate and determine
whether or not the profile will extend all the way to the abrupt drop 80 m
downstream. Make the simplifying assumption that the resistance factor f is
equal to 0.02 and that the hydraulic radius R is equal to the depth y.

Water Surface Profile Classifications

[Solution] q = 1 m2/s, y1 = 10 cm = 0.10 m
(1) The critical water depth is:

yc =

Q
g B2

1
3

q
g

1
3

1m /s
9.81 m/s 2

1
3

= 0.47 m

The channel bed is horizontal and y1 < yc, thus the water surface profile is
classed as type H3.
(2) Solving the governing equation to get the profile from just downstream of
the gate to the abrupt drop:

x =

E1 E 2 E1 E 2
=
Sf S0
Sf

Sf is calculated using Darcy-Weisbach equation as:

Sf =

f
V2

4 R 2g

Water Surface Profile Classifications

[Solution]
y (m)

R (m)

V (m/s)

E (m) E1 -E2 (m)

(m/s)

Sf

Sf - S0

0.10

0.10

10.00

5.20

0.14

0.14

7.14

2.74

2.46

0.12

8.57

0.15603

0.15603

15.74

15.74

0.18

0.18

5.56

1.75

0.22

0.22

4.55

1.27

0.99

0.16

6.35

0.06421

0.06421

15.38

31.12

0.48

0.20

5.05

0.03250

0.03250

14.77

0.26

0.26

3.85

45.89

1.01

0.26

0.24

4.20

0.01869

0.01869

13.86

0.30

0.30

59.75

3.33

0.87

0.15

0.28

3.59

0.01173

0.01173

12.59

72.34

0.34

0.34

2.94

0.78

0.09

0.32

3.14

0.00784

0.00784

10.90

83.24

(m)

X (m)

X (m)
0.00

At the abrupt drop, the water depth is still less than yc = 0.47 m. Thus, the
profile extends to the abrupt drop.

Water Surface Profile Classifications

[Solution]