Momentum Applications in Open

Channel Flow

Momentum
Basic relationship in mechanics:
Change in momentum in
the s direction

Fs mvs
mass
Sum of forces in the
s direction

Velocity in the s
direction

Momentum cont.
For a constant mass and a per unit width
consideration: (rectangular channel)

mvs q v2 v1

Momentum forces Open Channel

Application
L

P1

Wsin

v1

v2

P2

Rf

Fs

P1 W sin P2 R f

Momentum Forces cont.

Rf is the frictional resistance.
P1 and P2 are pressure forces per unit width given
by:

y
P
2

Momentum contd.
Combining terms we get:

y
y

W sin R f q ( v 2 v1 )
2
2
2
1

2
2

Momentum cont.
Considering a short section so that Rf is negligible
and the channel slope is small so that sin is near
zero the equation can be written as:

y
y
qv1
qv 2
2
2
2
1

or

2
2

2
1

2
2

y qv1 y qv 2

M
2
g
2
g

Momentum cont.
M is called the momentum function or the
specific force plus momentum.
For a constant q, M can be plotted against
depth to create a curve similar to the
specific energy curve.
Under steady conditions, M is constant
from point to point along a channel reach.

Specific force plus momentum

curve.
y

q1
q2

y2

y = yc

yc
y1

Mc

Momentum cont.

q = q 1 = q2

y1
v1

y2
v2

y12 qv1 y 22 qv 2

M
2
g
2
g

Hydraulic Jump as an application of

Momentum Equation (p. 458-465 text)

Lab Jump in Flume (Right to

Left)

Hydraulic Jump in a Sink?

http://www.eng.vt.edu/fluids/msc/gallery/waves/sink.htm

hydrojump.mov

Hydraulic Jumps
Occurs when there is a sudden transition
from supercritical (y < yc) to subcritical (y >
yc) flow.
Examples of where this may occur are :
At the foot of a spillway
Where a channel slope suddenly turns flat.

 In analyzing hydraulic jumps we assume

there is conservation of momentum, i.e. :
y12 q 2
y 22 q 2

2 gy1 2 gy 2
We can algebraically manipulate this to find:

y2 1

1 8F12 1
y1 2
y1 1

1 8F22 1
y2 2

 y1 is known as the initial depth and is < y c

(supercritical flow).
y2 is known as the sequent depth and is > y c
(subcritical flow).
The energy loss in a hydraulic jump can be
found by:
E1

y 2 y1

4 y1 y 2

y1
y1

y2

2
2

2V1 y1

Example
Example 3.18, Streeter, et al.
If 12 m3/sec of water per meter of width flows down a
spillway onto a horizontal floor and the velocity is 20
m/sec, determine (a) the downstream depth required to
cause a hydraulic jump, (b) the loss in energy head, and
(c) the losses in power by the jump per meter of width.

Solution for depth, losses, power

lost
2(20 2 )(0.6)
0.3 0.3
6.7 m
9.806
(6.7 0.6) 3
losses
14.1mN / N
4(0.6)(6.7)
power / m Q(losses ) (9806 N / m 3 )(12m 3 / sec)(14.1m) 1659kW
2