Hydraulics

Prof. B.S. Murty

38.1 Surge Computation

Hydraulic jump - Steady state

Type - I Type - I is caused by a sudden reduction of the flow in a channel when gate is closed or discharge is reduced. The front becomes less marked as it progresses away from the Gate and finally dies out in a series of Cnoidal waves

Type - II Type - II waves is caused by sudden increase in depth at the downstream end of flow similar to the rising tide into an estuary. This is known as Moving hydraulic jump or Bore

Type - III Type - III waves is caused by sudden increase of the discharge such as opening of Gates or Dam break

SURGES - MOVING (TRAVELLING FRONTS)

As defined earlier, a surge is a moving wave front which results in an abrupt change of the depth of flow. It is a rapidly varied unsteady flow condition. For example, consider the movement of a positive surge wave in x-direction in an open channel having an irregular cross section as shown in figure 38.1. Here, as the surge moves with an absolute velocity, Vw, flow depth becomes equal to y2 behind the surge. Undistributed flow depth ahead of the surge is y1. The corresponding flow velocities behind and ahead of the slope front are V2 and V1 respectively. The surge has been created due to a sudden change of flow rate from Q1 to Q2. In this context, the problem definition for surge computation is: given Q1,y1,Q2 and channel slope parameters, determine the surge wave velocity, Vw and the surge height, y2-y1. Equations for computing the above are based on the basic principles of conservation of mass and momentum. Following assumptions are made in the derivation.

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Hydraulics

Prof. B.S. Murty

V2

y2

Vw y1 V1 Bed

Figure 38.1 - Definition sketch for surge movement

38.1.1 Assumptions
Channel is horizontal and frictionless; Pressure distribution is hydrostatic at locations away from the front; Velocity is uniform within the cross section, at location away from the front; Change in the flow depth at the front occurs over a very short distance; wave shape, height, and wave velocity do not change as the wave propogates in the channel; water surfaces behind and ahead of the wave front are parallel to the bed.

38.1.2 Derivation of Equations

We first choose a control volume encompassing the wave front. This control volume can be made stationary by superimposing a constant velocity, Vw (equal to the absolute velocity of surge wave) in the negative x-direction. Thus the unsteady flow of Fig. 38.1 may be transformed to steady flow fig. 38.2, and the principles of conservation of mass and momentum can be applied to a steady flow situation.

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Hydraulics

Prof. B.S. Murty

Control Volume

V2 - Vw

y2

y1

V1 - Vw

Fig. 38.2: Surge movement viewed as steady flow

Applying continuity equation to the control volume of fig. 38.2,

A 2 ( V2 Vw ) A1 ( V1 Vw ) = 0

( 38.1)

in which, = density of water; A2 = flow area behind the wave and A1 = flow area ahead of the wave. Since is a constant, Eq. (38.1) may be written as

A 2 ( V2 Vw ) = A1 ( V1 Vw )
Equation (38.2) can also be written as

( 38.2 )
( 38.3)

V2 =

A1 ( V1 Vw ) + Vw A2

Another way of writing the continuity equation is

Vw =

A 2 V2 A1V1 A 2 A1

( 38.4 )

Applying momentum equation to the control volume of Fig. 38.2,

Net force = A1 ( V1 Vw )( V1 Vw ) A 2 ( V2 Vw )( V2 Vw )

( 38.5 )

The channel is prismatic, horizontal and frictionless. Therefore, the only force acting on the control volume is pressure force. Pressure force acts in the positive x - direction at the inlet section and in the negative x - direction at the outlet section. Equation (38.5) can be written as

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Hydraulics

Prof. B.S. Murty

gy 2 A 2 - gy1A1 = A1 ( V1 Vw )( V1 Vw ) A 2 ( V2 Vw )( V2 Vw )

( 38.6 )

in which y 2 = depth to the centroid of inlet section of the C.V., and y1 = depth of the centroid of outlet section.

Substitution of Eq. (38.2) in Eq (38.6) leads to

g y 2 A 2 - y1A1 = A1 ( V1 Vw ) ( V1 V2 )

( 38.7 )

Substitution of Eq. (38.3) in Eq. (38.7) and subsequent simplification leads to

A ( V Vw ) y 2 A 2 - y1A1 = A1 ( V1 Vw ) V1 Vw 1 1 g A2 A 2 = 1 ( A 2 A1 ) ( V1 Vw ) A2
wave is propogating in the downstream direction. Therefore, Vw should be greater than V1.

( 38.8)

Vw V1 = or Vw = V1 +

gA 2 y 2 A 2 y1A1 A1 ( A 2 A1 )

) )

( 38.9 ) ( 38.10 )

gA 2 y 2 A 2 y1A1 A1 ( A 2 A1 )

Now, substitution of Eq. (38.4) in Eq. (38.7) and subsequent simplification leads to

A A ( V V2 ) y 2 A 2 y1A1 = 1 2 1 g ( A 2 A1 )

( 38.11)

Equations (38.10) and (38.11) can be used to determine the surge wave velocity and the surge height, if we know the values of undisturbed flow depth, y1, flow rate before the surge, Q1, and the flow rate after the surge, Q2. Equations (38.10) and (38.11) are

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Hydraulics

Prof. B.S. Murty

non-linear equations. They can be solved by an appropriate numerical technique. For rectangular channels, Eqs. (38.10) and (38.11) simplify to the following.

Vw = V1 + or

gy 2 ( y 2 + y1 ) 2y1
2 2 g ( y1 y 2 ) ( y1 y2 )

( 38.12 )

( V1 V2 )

2y1y 2

( 38.13)

Indian Institute of Technology Madras