Chapter: 3 CRITICAL FLOW

PROPERTIES OF CRITICAL FLOW

The analysis of critical conditions in rectangular and non-
rectangular channels is dealt separately.

RECTANGULAR CHANNEL
In this section, we will discuss different properties of critical
flow in a channel having a rectangular cross section.
Specific Energy

The specific energy for a rectangular channel having

hydrostatic pressure distribution and uniform velocity may be
written as follows:
V2
E y  (1)
2g
Eq. (1) can also be written as
q2
E y 2
 (2)
2 gy
For E is to be minimum or maximum, differentiating it w.r.t.
y and equating to zero
dE q2
 1  3  0  (3)
dy gy
1
q 
2 3
yc     (4)
 g 
For E to be minimum, d2E/dy2 should be +ive, so
differentiating equation (3) again
d 2 E 3q 2
2
 4  (5)
dy gy
Substituting value of „y‟ from equation (4)
 d 2E 3q 2
2
 2
dy g( q )y
g c
d 2E 3
2
  (6)
dy yc
The RHS of this equation is always +ive. Hence E is
minimum at y = yc, for given value of q.
Three important properties of critical flow
We will derive in the following paragraphs three important
properties of critical flows.
(1) Velocity head in critical flow is one-half of the
critical depth
From equation (4)
q2
yc 
3

g
q 2  gyc  (7)
3

Vc  yc  gyc
2 2 3

Vc 2 yc
  (8)
2g 2
(2) Critical depth is equal to two-third of the specific
energy
Substituting equation (8) in equation (1), we get
y
E  yc  c
2
3
E  yc
2
2
yc  E  (9)
3
(3) At critical flow, Froude number (Fr) is equal to
unity
 From equation (8)
Vc 2 yc

2g 2
Vc 2
1
gyc
Vc
Or Fr   1  (10)
gyc
Unit Discharge
In order to investigate the variation of unit discharge q with
y for a specified value of E, consider equation (2)
q2
E y
2gy 2
Or q 2  2 gy 2 ( E  y)
q 2  2 gEy 2  2 gy 3  (11)
For „q‟ is to be maximum or minimum, differentiating
equation (11) w.r.t. „y‟ and equating to zero.
dq
2q  4 gEy  6 gy 2
dy
dq
q  2 gyE  3gy 2  (12)
dy
dq g
 y (2 E  3 y )  0
dy q
y(2E  3 y)  0  (13)
Either y = 0 or 2E – 3y = 0
Since depth cannot be equal to zero therefore (2E – 3y) must
be equal to zero, i.e.
2E  3 y  0
 2
y E
3
This is the relation for critical depth. , hence at critical depth
discharge is either maximum or minimum. To verify this,
differentiating equation (12) w.r.t. „y‟ again q dq  2 gyE  3gy  (12)
2

dy

d 2 q dq  dq 
q 2     2 gE  6 gy
dy dy  dy 
2
d 2 q  dq 
q 2     2 gE  6 gy  (14)
dy  dy 
dq 2
Now substituting dy  0 and y  E
3 , we get
d 2q
q 2  0  2 gE  4 gE
dy
d 2q 2 gE
   (15)
dy 2 q
-ive sign shows that „q‟ is maximum at y = y c so for qmax,
2
substituting y  E into Eq. (11) q  2 gEy  2 gy  (11)
2 2 3

3
4 8
(qmax ) 2  2 gE ( E 2 )  2 g ( E 3 )
9 27
8 16 3
(qmax ) 2  gE 3  gE
9 27
8
(qmax ) 2  gE 3  (16)
27
Based on the preceding information, a typical q-y curve for a
specified E may be plotted as shown in the following figure.
The q-y curves for two other values of specific energy, such
that E1  E  E2, are also shown in the figure.
Specific Force
The specific force for a rectangular channel is given by
Q2
Fs   zA
gA
q2 B2 y
Fs   ( ) yB
gBy 2
q2B y2
Fs   ( )B
gy 2
The specific force per unit width is given
q2 y2
Fs    (17)
gy 2
In order to find maxima and minima for Fs-y curve,
differentiating equation (17) w.r.t. „y‟ and equating to zero
dFs q2
  2  y  0  (18)
dy gy
q2 y
  
2 gy 2 2
 V2 y
  (19)
2g 2
To determine whether Fs is maximum or minimum at y = yc,
differentiating equation (18) again dF

q 2
 y  0  (18)
s
dy gy 2

d 2 Fs  q2 
2
 1    2 3 
dy  gyc 
d 2 Fs 2q 2
 1 3
 (20)
dy 2 gyc
Since right hand side of equation (20) is always +ive, specific
force is the minimum at critical depth.

Wave Celerity
Another significant parameter of great importance in free-
surface flows is the celerity of a small wave. The celerity is
defined as the wave velocity with respect to the velocity of the
medium in which the wave is traveling.

In order to derive an expression for the wave celerity, consider

a small wave in a horizontal, frictionless channel, as shown in
the figure. The wave is considered to be small if
y  y
Assume that this wave is traveling in the downstream
direction with absolute wave velocity Vw so due to this wave
motion, the flow velocity is changed from V to V + V.
By superimposing a constant velocity Vw in the upstream
direction, the unsteady flow shown in Fig. (a) Can be
transformed to the steady flow shown in of Fig. (b).
Let the thickness of the control volume perpendicular to the
paper be unity. Since the channel is horizontal, the component
of the weight of water in the control volume in the
downstream direction is zero. Similarly, there is no shear
force acting on the channel boundary, since the channel is
assumed to be frictionless. Thus, the pressure force on U/S of
the control volume is given by
1
F1  gy 2  (1)
2
Similarly the pressure force on D/S side of the control volume
is given by
1
F2  g ( y  y ) 2  (2)
2

Hence the resultant force acting on the control volume is

1
 
Fr  F1  F2  g y 2  ( y  y) 2  (3)
2

Now, Time rate of change of momentum =

 y(V  Vw )V  V  Vw   V  Vw   (4)
By equating the resultant force to the time rate of change of
momentum and dividing throughout by g, we get
y
g

1
2

(V  Vw)V  V  Vw   V  Vw   y 2  ( y  y) 2  (5)

y
g

(V  Vw)V    2 yy  (y) 2
1
2

Neglecting higher-order term, we get
(V  Vw)V   gy  (6)
The continuity equation may be written as
y(V  Vw )  ( y  y)V  V  Vw   (7)
Neglecting the higher-order terms and simplifying, we get
yV  (V  Vw )y  (8)
y
V  (V  Vw )  (8a)
y
Substituting in equation (6),
y
 (V  Vw ) 2   gy
y
(V  Vw ) 2  gy
V  Vw   gy
Vw  V  gy  (9)
Where gy  c , is called celerity or wave velocity relative to
the medium in which the wave is traveling, i.e. Vw  V  c

The Froude number, Fr, for critical flow is given by

V
Fr  c  1
gyc
Or Vc  gyc  (10)
Hence, on the basis of Eq. (9) and (10) we may write
Vc  c  (11)
Thus the celerity of a small wave is equal to the critical flow
velocity. Since V Vc in sub critical flows, it follows that Vc
in these flows, Similarly V  c in supercritical flows.

Three different flow situations for the propagation of a

disturbance are possible, depending upon the relative
magnitudes of V and c i.e., whether the flow is subcritical,
critical, or supercritical. These three cases are shown in the
following figure.
Case I
In sub critical flow, the wave travels in the upstream and
downstream directions at velocities (V - c) and (V + c)
respectively, since (V  c) as shown in Fig. (a).

Case II
In critical flow, since (V = c) the upper end of the wave
remains stationary, and only the downstream end travels in the
downstream direction at velocity (V + c) as shown in Fig. (b).

Case III
In supercritical flow, since (V  c), the upstream and the
downstream ends travel in the downstream direction at
velocities (V - c) and (V + c) respectively as shown in Fig.
(c). In other words, supercritical flow carries the wave
downstream and the wave does not travel in the upstream
direction.

The property, which defines the direction of travel of a

disturbance, may be utilized in the filed to determine the type
of flow as follows. Generate a small-amplitude disturbance on
the flow surface by throwing a small object and note the
directions in which this disturbance travels. If the disturbance
travels both in the upstream and in the downstream direction,
then the flow is sub critical. However, if the flow carries the
disturbance in the downstream direction, then the flow is
supercritical.
Whether the disturbance in a flow travels in the upstream
direction or not has some practical significance. For example,
since a disturbance does not travel in the upstream direction in
supercritical flow, it means that the flow upstream of a
specified location does not “know” what is happening on the
downstream side of that location. In other words, to change
the flow conditions at a section, flow conditions must be
changed at an upstream location. In hydraulics, this condition
is referred to as the supercritical flows have upstream control.
Similarly the sub critical flows have downstream control.

Is it possible to change flow conditions at a downstream

location in supercritical flow without affecting the flow
upstream of that location? The answer to this question
depends upon what happens to the flow upstream of that
location: If the flow changes to sub critical flow, then the
upstream flow is affected. However, if the flow conditions
remain supercritical, then the flow conditions do not change
upstream of that location.

Problem

If y1 and y2 are the alternate depths in a rectangular channel,

prove that
2( y1 y2 ) 2
y 3
c y1  y2
Solution:
As specific energy at alternate depths is equal in
rectangular channel for a specified discharge, i.e,
E1  E2
V12 V2 2
y1   y2  (1)
2g 2g
Q q
As q and V 
B y
Eq. (1) can be written as
q2 q2
y1   y2  (2)
2gy12 2gy 2 2
Rearranging Eq. (2)
q2 q2
  y2  y1
2
2gy1 2gy 2 2

q2 1 1
[  ] y 2  y1
2g y 2 y 2
1 2

q 2 y 2 2  y12
[ ]  y2  y1
2g y 2 y 2
1 2

q 2 y 2  y1
[ ] 1
2g y 2 y 2
1 2

q 2 ( y1 y 2 ) 2

2g y 2  y1

q 2 2( y1 y2 ) 2
Or  (3)
g y2  y1
 1
q2  3
q2
As yc  
 g


therefore   c
3
y   (4)
g
 

Comparing Eq. (3) and (4) we get

3 2( y1 y2 ) 2
y 
c y y
2 1
Hence

2( y y ) 2
yc  3 1 2
y1  y2
REGULAR NONRECTANGULAR CROSS SECTION
A regular nonrectangular cross section is the one for which
top water-surface width, B, is a continuous function of y, e.g.,
a trapezoidal, triangular, circular, parabolic section etc.

An irregular nonrectangular cross section is the one for

which top water-surface width, B, is not a continuous function
of y, e.g., a compound channel which has flood plains or over
banks.

Specific Energy

The specific energy for a nonrectangular section is given by

Q2
E y 2
 (1)
2 gA
For E to be minimum or maximum, dE/dy = 0. Hence
differentiating equation (1) w. r. t. y and equating it to zero,
dE Q 2 dA
1 3  0  (2)
dy gA dy
Since dA/dy = B for regular
Cross section as shown in
the figure, the equation (2)
simplifies to
BQ 2
1 3
 0  (3)
gA

gA3  B  V 2  A2
A V2

B g
 V2
D
g
V2 D
  (4)
2g 2
In which D=A/B is defined as the hydraulic depth. To find out
E to be maximum or minimum when dE/dy is zero,
differentiating equation (2) again dE Q 2 dA
1 3  0  (2)
dy gA dy

Q 2  1 d 2 A 
2
d 2E 1  dA  0
 0   3  
4 
dy 2

g A dy 3 2
A  dy  
 
2
d 2 E 3Q 2  dA  Q2 d 2 A
2
 4    3 2
dy gA  dy  gA dy

dA d 2 A dB
B And 2

dy dy dy

d 2 E 3Q 2 B 2 Q 2 dB
So 2
 4
 3
dy gA gA dy
d 2 E Q 2  3B 2 dB 
2
 3   
dy gA  A dy 
d 2E 3B 2 dB

dy 2 is positive if A dy

This condition is usually satisfied therefore E is minimum at a

depth when dE/dy = 0. This is called critical depth.
From equation (4), it is clear that for regular nonrectangular
channels, velocity head is equal to half of the hydraulic depth.
To determine Froude number, writing equation (4)
V2 D

2g 2
V2 2 V
 1 Or
Fr  1
gD 2 gD
For sloping channels having non-uniform velocity, we have
V 2
1
gD cos 
 V
Fr  1
gD cos 
V
Fr   (5)
gD cos  / 

Specific Force

To prove that specific force is the minimum at critical depth,

writing specific force equation as follows
Q2
Fs   z A  (1)
gA
For Fs to be minimum, dFs/dy = 0 and d2Fs/dy2  0. By
differentiating equation (1) w. r. t. y, we get
dFs d  Q 2  d
  
dy dy  gA  dy
 
z A  0  (2)

Considering each term of equation (2) separately,

d  Q2  Q 2 1 dA
   
dy  gA  g A2 dy
 d  Q2  BQ 2
    2
 (3)
dy  gA  gA

In order to evaluate the

derivative of 2nd term,
taking moment of area A
due to small change in the
flow depth, y about the top
water surface, we get

   1 
 z A   A( z  y)  ( By) y   z A  (4)
 2 
  1
 z A  z A  Ay  B(y) 2  z A
2
Neglecting higher order term and simplifying, we get
 
 z A  Ay
When y  0, this equation may be written as
 
d z A  Ady
d ( z A)
 A  (5)
dy
Now substituting equations (3) and (5) in equation (2), we get
BQ 2
  A0
gA2
 BV 2 A2
 2
 A0
gA
BV 2
  A
g
V2 A
 D
g B
V2 D
  (6)
2g 2
This condition is satisfied when the flow is critical. In order to
prove that specific force is minimum at y c, differentiating
equation (2) again w.r.t. y,

d 2 Fs d  BQ 2  d
2
     ( A)
2 
dy dy  gA  dy
d 2 Fs   2Q 2 dA Q 2 dB  dA
2
  B  3
  2   
dy  gA dy gA dy  dy
d 2 Fs  2 B 2Q 2 Q 2 dB 
2
  3
 2    B
dy  gA gA dy 
d 2 Fs Q 2  2 B 2 dB 
2
 2     B
dy gA  A dy 
d 2 Fs 2 B 2 dB
2 is positive if 
dy A dy

This condition is usually satisfied therefore Fs is minimum at a

depth when dFs/dy = 0. This is called critical depth.
APPLICATION OF CRITICAL FLOW

The property of flow that discharge is maximum at critical

depth has been utilized to develop several flow measuring
devices. These devices are called critical-flow meters, e.g.,
Parshall flume, broad-crested weir etc.

Similarly the length of bridges or other structures on a channel

may be reduced by producing critical flow at that section.

Critical flow may be produced in a channel by raising the

channel bottom, by reducing the channel width, or by a
combination of these measures.

Constant-width Channel with Bottom Step

We know that water level at the step rises if the flow U/S of
the step is supercritical and it drops if the flow is sub critical.

In order to study the variation of water surface due to a step

rise in the channel bottom, consider the following figure. To
investigate the effect of size of the step on U/S water level,
raise the channel bottom. The point on the specific-energy
curve moves towards point C, which corresponds to critical
flow.
If there is subcritical flow at section 1, then the maximum
height of this step is given by

(z) max = E1- Ec

Raising the bottom further requires a further reduction in the

specific energy. However, that is not possible, since E is
minimum when the flow is critical. Thus we raise the bottom
level more than this maximum amount either the q is reduced
if U/S water level is constant or U/S water level is raised to
produce an increase in specific energy to allow the given
discharge.

Similarly, if the flow is supercritical U/S of the step, then

there is an upper limit on the height of the step that will not
affect the U/S water level or the channel discharge. The
limiting height is again (z) max if the flow depth at section 1
is y2.
Horizontal, Variable –width Channel

Consider the variation of water level produced by a reduction

in the channel width with the channel bottom remaining
horizontal as shown below. Similar to the above case,

There is an upper limit by which the channel width may be

reduced. We may decrease the channel width until critical
flow is produced at the contraction. A further reduction in the
channel width either reduces the unit discharge or raises the
U/S water level.

Choke

The constriction in the channel width, a step rise in the

channel bottom, or a combination of these two, such that the
U/S water level for a given discharge is influenced is called
choke.
Example 3-1
A bridge is planned on 50 m wide rectangular channel
carrying a flow of 200m3/s at a flow depth of 4 m. For
reducing the length of the bridge, what is the minimum
channel width such that the U/S water level is not influenced
for this discharge?

Given
Q = 200 m3/s
B = 50 m
y = 4.0 m
Determine
Minimum channel width at the bridge site =?
Solution
Q 200
V   1.0m / s
A 50  4
V2 (1) 2
E  y  4  4.05m
2g 2  9.81
For the discharge to be maximum at the bridge site for a given
U/S specific energy of 4.05 m, the flow should be critical.
Now
2 2
yc  E   4.05  2.7m
3 3
The unit discharge corresponding to this depth may be
computed from
q  gyc  9.81 (2.7) 2  13.9m3 / s / m
The width that gives this unit discharge is
Q 200
Bc    14.4m
q 13.9
Therefore the channel width may be reduced from 50 to
14.4m without affecting the U/S level for a flow of 200 m3/s.
LOCATION OF CRITICAL DEPTH
Location of critical depth will be discussed for the following
two cases:

Constant-width channel with variable bottom level

Consider the equation for a rectangular channel having

constant width and variable bottom level:
dz dy
 ( Fr 2  1)  (1)
dx dx
This equation is based on the assumption that there are no
losses in the channel transition. For the critical flow, we have
dy
Fr = 1 and 0
dx
dz
So  0 , i.e., the highest point of the step.
dx
Hence critical depth lies at the highest point of the step in the
constant width channel.

Horizontal channel with variable width

For a horizontal channel with variable width, the total head is
given by
2
1 Q
H  z y    (1)
2 g  By 
Differentiating this equation with respect to x, assuming there
dH
are no losses (i.e., dx  0 ) and there is no lateral inflow or
outflow and noting that B = B(x), we obtain
 dy Q 2 d  1 
    0  (2)
2 
dx 2 g dx  ( By ) 
dy Q 2  1 1 dy 1 1 dB 
  (2  3 )  2 (2  3 )   0
dx 2 g  B 2 y dx y B dx 
dy Q 2 dy Q 2 dB
 2 3  2 3  0  (3)
dx gB y dx gy B dx
V
Fr 
Now gy
V2 Q2 Q2
Or Fr 2
 
gy gy( B 2 y 2 ) g ( B 2 y 3 )

Substituting this value in equation (3)

dy dy y dB
 Fr 2  Fr 2 0
dx dx B dx

1  Fr  dy
2

dx
 Fr 2 y dB
B dx
 0  (4)

For critical flow, Fr = 1, substituting in the above equation

0  1
y dB
0
B dx
dB
Or 0
dx

Hence critical flow occurs at the point of minimum channel

width.
COMPUTATION OF CRITICAL DEPTH

For the analysis and design of open channels, it is necessary to

know the critical depth. The critical depth for a specified
discharge in a regular nonrectangular channel may be
computed from the equation
V
Fr   1  (3  50)
gD cos  / 
This equation is valid for a channel having non-uniform
velocity distribution and large bottom slope.
Now using equation of continuity, we have
Q A
 1  (3  51)
gD cos  / 
This equation may be simplified as
Q
A D
cos  g / 
Q cos 
A D
g /
Q cos 
A D  (3  52)
g /
Design curves
Design curves are presented in Fig. 3-7. Let Z c  A D ,
where Zc = section factor for the critical depth. If we want to
determine the critical depth for a specified discharge, then we
know the values of Q, θ, and α. Therefore, we can compute
the left-hand side of Eq. 3-52. Let us divide this computed
2.5 2.5
value by B for a trapezoidal cross section and by D for a
circular section (Bo= channel bottom width and Do = conduit
diameter).
2.5 2.5
The resulting value is then equal to Z c B or Z c D ,
depending upon the cross section. Now, yc B or yc D may
be read directly from fig.3-7, corresponding to this value of
Z c B2.5 or Z c D2.5 .
Trial-and-Error Procedure

In the trial-and-error procedure, we substitute expressions for

flow area, A, and hydraulic depth, D, for the channel cross
section into Eq. 3-52 and then solve the resulting equation by
trial and error.

Numerical Methods

Several numerical methods are available for the solution of a

nonlinear algebraic equation [McCracken and Dorn, 1964],
e.g., bisection method, Newton method, secant method, and
the method of successive approximations. Of these methods,
we present only the application of the Newton method, also
called the Newton-Raphson method.
To determine the roots of an algebraic equation by the
Newton method, we write the equation as
F ( y)  0
Let us substitute D = A/B into Eq. 3-52 and re-write it as
Q 
 
3 1
 cos  
F ( y)  A 2 B 2
  (3  54)
g 

To solve Eq. 3-54 by the Newton method, we need the

expression for dF/dy.An expression for this derivative may be
obtained by differentiating Eq. 3-54 with respect to y, and

noting that
dA  B , i.e.,
dy

dF 3 12 12 1 3 2 3 2 dB
 A BB  A B  (3  55)
dy 2 2 dy
This equation may be simplified as
3
dF 3 2 1 1 1 A 2
dB
 A B 2
    (3  56)
dy 2 2 B dy

For a trapezoidal section having side slopes of 1 vertical to s

horizontal, dB/dy = 2s. For any other channel section, an
expression for dB/dy may be obtained similarly.
To start the iterative procedure, we need an initial estimate for
yc. The number of iterations is reduced considerably if this
estimate is close to the actual value of yc. For such an initial
estimate, Eq. 3-52 may be approximately solved by assuming
the channel as rectangular. For example, an approximate value
for the initial estimate for a trapezoidal channel is
1
Q 
2 3
yc   2   (3  57)
 gB 
Here Bo = bottom width.
The following example illustrates the above procedures. First,
the design curves are used; then a trial-and-error procedure is
employed.
Example 3-2
Compute the critical depth in a trapezoidal channel for a flow
of 30 m3/s. The channel bottom width is 10.0 m, side slopes
are 2H: 1V, the bottom slope is negligible, and α = 1.

Given:
Bo = 10.0 m
s=2
θ = 0.0
Q = 30 m3/s
α=1
Determine:
yc =?
Solution:
Design Curves
Substituting the values of Q, θ, g, and α into the left-hand side
of Eq. 3-52, we obtain
Q cos 
Zc 
g /

30 cos 0
Zc 
9.81 / 1
Zc  9.58
Now
 Z c  9.58
 2.5    0.030
 B  10
2.5

Corresponding to Z c  0.030 on the abscissa and for

B2.5
s = 2, we read from the ordinate of Fig. 3-7,
yc
 0.09
B
Therefore,
yc  0.0910  0.9m
Trial-and-error procedure
For critical flow,
Q cos 
A D
g /
By substituting the values of Q, g, θ and α into this equation,
we obtain
30
A D  9.58
9.81
Now, we have to determine the flow depth, yc, for which
A D for the specified channel cross section is 9.58. By
substituting the specified values into the expressions for the
channel properties of a trapezoidal section, we obtain
A
1
10.0  10.0  4.0 yc yc
2
A  10.0  2.0 yc yc
B  10.0  4.0 yc
A
D
B
Substituting the value of A and B, we get
D
10.0  2.0 yc yc
10.0  4.0 yc
Substituting these expressions for A and D into Eq. 3-52 and
simplifying, we obtain

A D  10.0  2.0 yc  yc
10.0  2.0 yc yc  9.58
10.0  4.0 yc
Upon simplification, this equation becomes
10.0  2.0 yc yc  2  9.58
3
10.0  4.0 yc  0
By solving this equation by trial and error, we obtain
yc  0.91m
Problem 3-3
A trapezoidal channel having a bottom width of 20 m and side
slopes of 2H: 1V is carrying 60 m3/s. Assuming α = 1.1,
determine the critical depth.
Solution

We know that
V
F   (1)
r gD cos  / 
Q A
1
gD cos  / 

Q 60
A D 
g cos  /  9.81
1.1
A D  20.09  (2)

 T b 
A   
 y  (3)
 2 
 
T 4 y b
Eq. (3) can be written as
4 y  2by  2 y b y
A  
2
 A 2 y b
D 
T 4 y b
(2 y  b) y  yc  2 yc  b 
32 32
A D  ( 2 y  b) y   (3)
4y  b 4 yc  b1 2
Comparing Eq. (3) with Eq. (2)
 yc 3 2 2 yc  b3 2  20.09
4 yc  b1 2
 yc 3 2 2 yc  203 2  20.09
4 yc  201 2
By trial and error method we get yc= 0.9835 m

Problem 3-12.
A mountain creek has a parabolic cross section with a top
water surface width of 9 ft at a depth of 3 ft. Determine the
critical depth for a discharge of 50 cusecs.
Solution

y axn (1)
2
3a 4.5
a 0.14815
Critical depth
Q
A D
g
50 2 2
 Ty y
32.2 3 3
16.187 Ty1.5  (2)
Eq. (1) can be written as
 2
T 
Also y 0.148 
2

T  5.196( y)1 2  (3)

Putting value of T from Eq. (3) into Eq. (2), we get
12 32
16.1875.196 y y

y 1.765 ft
c

Problem 3-15
A 5-ft dia circular culvert carries a flow of 15 ft 3/s. Determine
the critical depth.
Solution

Q 15cu sec s
D  5 ft
We know that
Q 15
Zc    2.64
g 32.2
Using Equation
Z c 2.64
 2.5  0.0472
D 5
On Fig. 3-7, corresponding to Z c  0.0472 on the abscissa
D
read from the ordinate, yc  0.215 Therefore,
D
y
 0.215
D
yc  0.215(D )  5 0.215 1.075 ft
Problem 3-19.
In order to reduce the flow velocity at a section, a fisheries
biologist tied a 6-in diameter tree log at the bottom of a
stream. The flow velocity and the flow depth prior to the
installation of the log were 2 ft/sec and 4ft respectively.
Determine the change in the flow velocity and flow depth just
downstream of the log.

Solution
q  2 4  8 ft 3 / s / ft
V 2
Fr    0.176
gD 32.24
As Fr< 1, the flow is sub critical
E1  E2  z (1)
(V1) 2 q2
y1   y2  2
 z  (2)
2g 2( y2 ) g
Putting values in Eq. (2)
22 82
4  y2   0.5
232.2 2( y2 ) 32.2
2

0.9938
3.562  y2 
( y2 ) 2
y2 3  3.562( y2 )2  0.9938  0
By trial and error method
y2 = 3.48 ft
q 8
V2    2.299 ft / sec
y2 3.48
V2 = 2.299 ft/sec