Hydraulics Prof. B.S.

Murty

38.1 Surge Computation

Hydraulic jump - Steady state

Type - I Type - II Type - III

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
SURGES - MOVING (TRAVELLING FRONTS)
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 waves is caused by
sudden increase of the discharge
such as opening of Gates or
Dam break

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

Vw
V2 y2
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,

ρ A 2 ( V2 − Vw ) − ρ A1 ( V1 − Vw ) = 0 ( 38.1)
in which, ρ = density of water; A2 = flow area behind the wave and A1 = flow area

ahead of the wave. Since ρ is a constant, Eq. (38.1) may be written as

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

A1 ( V1 − Vw )
V2 = + Vw ( 38.3)
A2
Another way of writing the continuity equation is

A 2 V2 − A1V1
Vw = ( 38.4 )
A 2 − A1

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

Net force = ρ A1 ( V1 − Vw )( V1 − Vw ) − ρ 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

ρ gy 2 A 2 - ρ gy1A1 = ρ A1 ( V1 − Vw )( V1 − Vw ) − ρ 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 ) ⎤
g ⎣⎡ y 2 A 2 - y1A1 ⎦⎤ = A1 ( V1 − Vw ) ⎢ V1 − Vw − 1 1 ⎥ ( 38.8)
⎣ A2 ⎦
A
= 1 ( A 2 − A1 ) ( V1 − Vw )
2

A2

wave is propogating in the downstream direction.

Therefore, Vw should be greater than V1.

Vw − V1 =
(
gA 2 y 2 A 2 − y1A1 ) ( 38.9 )
A1 ( A 2 − A1 )
or

Vw = V1 +
gA 2
A1 ( A 2 − A1 )
(
y 2 A 2 − y1A1 ) ( 38.10 )

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

A A ( V − V2 )
2

( )
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.

gy 2 ( y 2 + y1 )
Vw = V1 + ( 38.12 )
2y1
or
g ( y1 − y 2 ) ( y12 − y 22 )
( V1 − V2 ) = ( 38.13)
2

2y1y 2

Indian Institute of Technology Madras