Water Resources Engineering

Komar University of Science and Technology

Department of Civil Engineering

Lecture 3
Design of open channels
Dr. Yaseen A. Hamaamin Fall 2016

Dr. Yaseen A.Hamaamin(Fall16) KUST/Water Resources Engineering 66

Open channels

An open channel is a conveyance system in which

water flows with a free surface at the water
atmosphere interface.
The channel may be either a natural stream or an
artificial engineered conveyance.

Dr. Yaseen jon.sdsu.edu

A.Hamaamin(Fall16) KUST/Water Resources Engineering www.dmanderson.com 67
Flow in open channels
Open channel flow is classified into many types based upon
how the flow varies spatially and temporally.
Steady flow is defined as a constant flow rate producing a
constant depth of flow at a given point in a channel with time.
unsteady flow occurs when the flow conditions such as depth
change with time.
In most open channel design problems, only steady flow
conditions are considered.
Uniform flow is often considered if the flow depth is the same
at every point along the channel.
nonuniform where it is spatially varied or discontinuous
( discharge varies or other flow conditions change along the
course of flow).
Uniform flow may be steady or unsteady (depending on whether
or not the flow conditions change with time).
Dr. Yaseen A.Hamaamin(Fall16) KUST/Water Resources Engineering 68
Flow regimes
Flow in an open channel is governed by the effects of
viscosity and gravity relative to the inertial forces of the flow.
The effect of gravity on the state of flow is represented by a
ratio of inertial forces to gravity forces called Froud number
(F or Fr ).
or

where V is the mean velocity (m/sec), g is the acceleration of

gravity (m/sec2), and y or d is the hydraulic depth (m), y=A/T
which is the cross sectional area of the water A (sq
m), divided by the width of the free surface T (m).
When F =1, the flow is in the critical state.
If F <1, the flow is subcritical and gravity forces dominate.
When F >1, the flow is supercritical and inertial forces
predominate.
Dr. Yaseen A.Hamaamin(Fall16) KUST/Water Resources Engineering 69
 Manning's Equation

where:
V = Mean velocity, m/s (ft/s)
Ku = Units conversion factor equal to 1 (1.49 in English
units)
n = Manning's coefficient of channel roughness
R = Hydraulic radius, m (ft), (R= cross area/wetted
parameter)
S = Energy slope (grade), m/m (ft/ft).

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Manning's roughness coefficient (n) for Channels

serc.carleton.edu
Dr. Yaseen A.Hamaamin(Fall16) KUST/Water Resources Engineering 71
Factors to be considered in designing open channels

Erodible or non-erodible channel (type of channel)

Type of material (roughness coefficient)
The minimum allowable velocity (avoid siltation)
The channel bottom slope (longitudinal slope or
grade)
Channel side slopes (check for stability)
Freeboard (enough depth for safety)
Cross section dimensions ( calculation of channel
dimensions)
Dr. Yaseen A.Hamaamin(Fall16) KUST/Water Resources Engineering 72
Example
Calculate discharge through a
trapezoidal earth channel B = 2 Bo

m, side slope 1V:2H, S = 0.003

m/m, normal depth y = 0.5 m, n =
0.02.

V = (1/0.02) (0.352/3) (0.0031/2) = 1.36 m/s

Q = V A =1.36 (2(0.5) + 2(0.5)2) = 2.0 m3/s

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Total energy in open channels

Dr. Yaseen A.Hamaamin(Fall16) KUST/Water Resources Engineering 74

Critical depth (yc) calculations =
Where Q is discharge,
b is the width of the channel
and g is the gravity
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 Specific energy curve (flowing energy curve)

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Suggested freeboards for channels

As a rough estimate, the following formula, suggested by the U. S. Bureau of

Reclamation, may be used:

Where y is depth of flow , k is a constant varies between 0.8 for flow <0.5 m3/s to k= 1.14 for
flow >85m3/s

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Channels efficient cross section
A section that gives maximum section factor, AR2/3, for a specified flow
area, A, is called the most efficient hydraulic section or best hydraulic
section. Since Q is proportional to AR2/3 for a given channel (i.e., n and
So are specified) and R = A/P, we can say that the most efficient
hydraulic section is the one that yields the minimum wetted perimeter, P
for a given A.
The most efficient hydraulic section yields the most economical channel.
1- For rectangular channel:

Bo

For efficient cross section

Dr. Yaseen A.Hamaamin(Fall16) KUST/Water Resources Engineering 78

Channels efficient cross section
2- For trapezoidal channel:
1
y
s

Bo

For efficient cross section , which yields

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Table 3
Suggested side slopes for open channels (H:V)

(H:V)

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 Table 4
Max. Permissible velocity for different channel materials

Soft sandstone

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 Design of open channels
The channel design can be divided into two categories, non-erodible
and erodible boundaries.

Non-erodible (rigid-boundary) Channels

The channel cross section and size are selected such that the
required discharge is carried through the channel for the available
head with a suitable amount of freeboard.
Erodible Channels
If the channel bottom or sides are erodible, then the design
requires that the channel size and bottom slope are selected so
that channel is not eroded (flowing velocity is kept low, to prevent
boundaries erosion). Also minimum flow velocity should be such
that the material being transported is not deposited in the
channel.
Dr. Yaseen A.Hamaamin(Fall16) KUST/Water Resources Engineering 82
Design of rigid-boundaries channel
Steps for the design of non-erodible channels
1. Select a value of roughness coefficient n (Table1) for the flow surface
and select bottom slope So based on topography and other
considerations listed in the previous paragraphs.
2. Compute section factor from AR2/3 = nQ/(So0.5), in which A = flow
area, R = hydraulic radius, Q = design discharge.
3. Determine the channel dimensions and the flow depth for which
AR2/3 is equal to the value determined in step 2. For example, for a
trapezoidal section, select a value for the side slope s and compute
several different ratios of bottom width Bo and flow depth y for which
AR2/3 is equal to that determined in step 2. Select a ratio B /y that gives
a cross section near to the best hydraulic section.
4. Check that the minimum velocity is not less than that required to
carry the sediment to prevent silting.
5. Add a suitable amount of freeboard (Table2). The following example
illustrates this procedure.
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 Example
Design a trapezoidal channel to carry a discharge of 10 m3/s. The
channel will be excavated through rock by blasting. The topography in
the area is such that a bottom slope of 1 in 4000 will be suitable.

Solution:
For the blasted rock surface, n = 0.030 and the side slopes may be
almost vertical. Let us select a value for the side slope s as 1 horizontal
to 4 vertical.

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Since the channel section is almost rectangular, let us select Bo = 2y.

For efficient cross section : 0.25y

1
y
0.25
Bo

, Then R = 0.55y

1.518y2.67=18.97 , finally y = 2.57 m

Assume freeboard (Table 2)=0.75m

1 3.32m
Then depth of channel= 2.57+0.75= 3.32m
The base of channel=2*2.57= 5.14m 0.25
Side slopes = 4V : 1 H or 1V: 0.25H. 5.14 m
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Design of erodible channels
The steps for the design of a channel using permissible velocity method:
1. For the specified material, select value of Manning n (from Table1),
side slope s (from Table3), and the permissible velocity, V (from Table
4).
2. Determine the required hydraulic radius, R, from Manning
formula, and the required flow area, A, from the continuity equation, A
= Q/V.
3. Compute the wetted perimeter, P = A/R.
4. Determine the channel bottom width( Bo), and the flow depth( y) for
which the flow area (A) is equal to that computed in step 2 and the
wetted perimeter(P) is equal to that computed in step 3.
5. Add a suitable value for the freeboard (table2).
The following example illustrates this procedure.

Dr. Yaseen A.Hamaamin(Fall16) KUST/Water Resources Engineering 86

Example
Design a channel to carry a flow of 6.91 m3/s. The channel will be excavated
through stiff clay at a channel bottom slope of 0.00318.
Solution
For stiff clay, n = 0.025, suggested side slope, s = 1 : 1 (from Table 3), and the
permissible flow velocity (from Table 4) is 1.8 m/s.
Hence, A = 6.91/1.8 = 3.83 m2
Substituting values for V, n, and So into Manning equation,

Solving for R, R = 0.713

R=A/P, then P=A/R= 3.83/0.713= 5.37 m
For trapezoidal cross section,

We obtain 5.37= Bo+2.83y

3.83= (Bo+y)y
substitute Bo= 5.37-2.83y in equation 3.83=(Bo+y)y yields
3.83= (5.37-2.83y +y)y

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 3.83=5.37y-2.83y2+y2
1.83y2-5.37y+3.83=0
Solving the second degree equation using quadratic formula:

Then y=1.22 m is the depth of flow in the channel

Using Freeboard of 0.75
The depth of the channel= 1.22 + 0.75= 1.97 m use 2m
The width of the channel Bo= 5.37-2.83y
Bo= 5.37-2.83*1.22= 1.9 m
Use a trapezoidal channel with Bo of 1.9 and depth of 2m
Draw a section of the channel
Dr. Yaseen A.Hamaamin(Fall16) KUST/Water Resources Engineering 88
 section of the designed channel

1 2m

1.9 m

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Open Channels Lining
Most maintenance problems in channels are related to erosion and
scouring. Bank and Shore lining should be used to protect banks or shores
with flows greater than 50 ft3/s (1.415 m3/s) or subjected to wave action.
The two main types of open channel linings are flexible and rigid.
1. Flexible linings
a. Grasses or natural vegetation
b. Rubble riprap (broken stone or broken concrete)
c. Wire-enclosed riprap (gabions)
d. Turf reinforcement (non-biodegradable)
2. Rigid Linings:
a. Cast-in-place concrete or asphaltic concrete
b. Soil cement and roller compacted concrete
c. Grout filled mattresses
d. Partially grouted riprap

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 Wire-enclosed
riprap lining

Turf reinforcement lining

Riprap lining

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Mattress grout erosion protection Partial grout erosion protection

Roller compacted concrete

erosion protection

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Advantages of flexible lining compared to rigid lining

Flexible linings have several advantages compared to rigid linings.

They are generally less expensive.
permit infiltration.
Has no hydrostatic uplift problems
can be vegetated to have a natural appearance.
Flow in channels with flexible linings is similar to that found in
natural small channels.
Natural conditions offer better habitat opportunities for local
living organisms.
Rigid linings are useful in flow zones where high shear stress or
rapidly varied or turbulent flow conditions exist, such as at transitions
in channel shape or at an energy dissipation structure

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