FLOW IN OPEN CHANNELS

OPEN CHANNEL – ANY CONDUIT IN WHICH THE LIQUID FLOWS WITH A FREE SURFACE. A PIPE NOT
FLOWING FULL IS CONSIDERED AN OPEN CHANNEL

STEADY FLOW UNIFORM FLOW

a . ¿ V 1=V 2=V
b . ¿ Y 1=Y 2=Y
c .¿ S b ≈ Sw ≈ S

Where:
Sb =slope of channel bed
Sw =slope of water surface
S=slope of EGL

At section A-A
a . ¿ The total Energy ∨Head ET b . ¿ Specific energy∨head E−energy
2
V
ET = + y + Zo measured above thechannel bed
2g
V2
E= +y
2g
z=elevation head
y=depth of uniform flow
( pressure head)

c .¿ The discharge Q
Q= AV

A=cross section flow

v=mean velocity of flow
DETERMINATION OF V

MANNIN G ' S EQUATION

Let n=Mannin g' s Roughness Coefficient
2 1
1 ( Water Area )
V = R 3 S2 R=hydraulic Radius=
n Wetted Perimeter
S=Slope of EGL

CHEZY EQUATION
Let C=Chezy Coefficient

V =C √ RS

DET .of C
1.∈terms of friction factor f

8g
C= √
f

2.∈terms of Mannin g ' s Roughness n

1
1
C= R 6
n

3. Bazi n' s Equation

let m=Basi n' s Roughness Coefficient

87
C=
m
1.0+
√R
4. Kutte r ' s Equation

C=¿
 IRREGULAR CHANNEL

¿ determine the discharge ∈an Irregular Channel

Q me =( AV )mc where Amc = Areaabcdg

2 1
1 3 2 A1 Areaabcdg
Q mc = A abcdg ()
n
R S1 R 1= =
P length of bed

Q fp=( A 2 V 2 ) fp : A FP= Area defg

2 1
1 3 2
Q FP= Adefg () R S
n 2 2

Q=Q mc +Q FP
Q
Average Velocity =
A abcdef
 CRITICAL FLOW CONDITION IN AN OPEN CHANNEL OF UNIFORM FLOW

−a formation of a small surface wave which

progresses radially putward at a rate called
celerity c . The presence of a small disturbance
forms an unsteady flow .

−¿ transform the above flow ¿ a steady flow

a superimposed velocity V is introduced
equal ¿ C but opposite∈direction .

Apply BEE ¿ 1 ¿ 2 ( neglect the headloss )

assume a horizontal canal Sb =0

V 21 V 22
y 1=∆ y+ y + y + z = + y + z z =z
2g 1 1 2 g 2 2 1 2
V 21 V 22
y 2= y +( ∆ y + y ) = + y
2g 2g
2 2
V1 V2
= −∆ y∨Reduce velocity head−(1)
2g 2g

by continuity equation:
¿ 1 ¿2 :
let b=unit width of flow
Q 1=Q2
b ( ∆ y + y ) V 1=b ( y ) V 2
Y
V 1= V −(2)
∆ y+ y 2
V 2=V =C
Substitute ( 2 )∈ ( 1 )
V2 Y 2
V2
V 2
=
y ( ∆yy +1)
(
2g ∆ y+ y )
+∆ y=
2g
2g
1+
∆y
1
+1
y
V2 y2 dy
2g (
1−
( ∆ y + y )2 )
=∆ y lim ∆ y → 0
y
=0

2
V 2 ∆ y (∆ y + y ) V2 y 2
= = ; V =gy
2 g ( ∆ y + y )2− y 2 2g 2
2
V 2 ( ∆ y+ y ) ( ∆ y )
= V = √ gy
2 g ( ∆ y +2 y ) ( ∆ y )
V2 ( ∆ y + y )2 V
= F r= =1||uniformcritical flow
2 g (∆ y + y )+ y √ gy
V2 ∆ y+ y
=
2g ∆ y+ y y FROUDE NUMBER
+
∆ y+ y ∆ y+ y

FROUDE NUMBER ( Fr )−RATIO OF THE VELOCITY ¿ THE VELOCITY OF A SMALL SURFACE WAVE

F r=1.0−−−−−CRITICAL FLOW , WAVE STATIONARY

F r >1.0−−−−−THE WAVES MOVES DOWNSTREAM , SUPERCRITICAL FLOW
F r <1.0−−−−−−THE WAVES MOVES UPSTREAMM , SUBCRITICAL FLOW

CRITICAL DEPTH,CRITICAL SLOPE SPECIFIC ENERGY AND DISCHARGE IN A HORIZONTAL WIDE

RECTANGULAR CHANNEL

let b=widht of channel

Q=discharge
q=unit of discharge
Q
q=
b
a . ¿ For a given specific energy ,the discharge must be maximum for thecritical depthY C ¿ occur .

V2 q
E= + y ; q=vy v=
2g y

q 2
E=
y ()+y
2g

q2 1
E= 2
y 2g
+y( )
q 2= ( E y 2 − y 3 ) 2 g
q= y √ ( E− y ) 2 g

differentiate with respect ¿ y

1
dq −y
dy
= √ 2 g ( E− y ) 2
2 (
+ E− y )
O= √ 2 g ¿
3
O=E− Y
2
2
Y c= E
3

CRITICAL SLOPE IS THE DEPTH OF FLOW THAT GIVES MAXIMUM UNIT DISCHARGE Q
B . For a given discharge ,the specific energy must e minumum¿ have the flow at as critical depthY C .

V2 q
E= + y ; q=vy v=
2g y

1 q2
E= ( )
2 g y2
+y

differentiate with respect ¿ y

dE q2 ( −3
= −2 y ) +1
dy 2 g
dE
let =0
dy

−q2
0= +1
g y3
q2
=1
g y3

q 2=g y 3

q2
Y c =3
g √
Y 1∧Y 2 alternate depths−depths of flow that may occur for a given discharge∧specific energy

V C =critical velocity at critical depth

3 q2
Y C= q=V C Y C
g

V 2C Y 2C
3
Y = C
g

V C= √ g Y C

if

Y 1 <Y C −slope is steep

Y 2 >Y c – slope is mild
y= y c – slope iscritical

summary :

FROUDES NO. DEPTH OF FLOW TYPE OF FLOW TYPE OF SLOPE

Fr <1.0 y>yc Subcritical Mild
Tranquil
Fr >1.0 Y<yc SuperCritical Steep
Rapid
 Fr = 0 Y=yc Critical Critical

Uniform flow occurs∈a 6 m wide rectangular

concrete lined canal , n=0.013 , depthof flow
1.75 m∧the canal is laid on a slope
3 ft
of
mile

Det
1. ¿ Discharge ∈lps
2. ¿ Type of slope∧flow
3. ¿ Critical slope
4. ¿ Discharge∈lpsusing kutters formula .

Solution :
For auniform flow :
3 3
Sb = =
mile 5280

Sb =5.68 x 10−4 =S

a . ¿ Q= AV
2 1
1
V = R 3 S2
n
A=1.75 ( 6 )=10.5 m 2
P=2 ( 1.75 ) +6=9.5 m
 10.5 23
R=( ) 9.5
=1.11
2 1
1 10.5
Q=10.5 (
0.013 9.5 )
)( −4 2
( 5.68 X 10
3
)
cum
Q=20.58 x 1000
s
Q=20580lps
b . ¿ Type of slope∧flow
cum
3.43
Q 20.58 s
q= = =
b 6 m
q2 3.432
y c =3
√ √
g
=3
9.81
y c =1.06 m< y=1.575

flowis subritical ; slope is mild

c .¿ if the y c = y b =1.06
V c = √ g y c =√ 9.81 (1.06 )
3.22 m
V C=
s
2 1
1
V c = R C3 Sc2
n
2 1
1 3
3.22= ( 0.78 Sc2
)
0.013
SC =2.44 x 10−3
d . ¿Q∈lps usingkutters formula

1 0.00155

V =C √ RS C=
n (
+ 23+
s )
n 0.00155
1+
√R (
23+
s )
V =77.46 √ 1.11 ( 5.6 x 10−4 ) C=¿
m
V =1.945 C=77.46
s

Q= AV
Q=10.5 ( 1.945 )
Q=20.42
Q=20420lps
 CRITICAL DEPTH, SPECIFIC ENERGY AND DISCHARGE IN A NON- RECTANGULAR CHANNEL

V2
since E= + y
2g
let
Q=discharge
Q= AV
Q
V=
A
substitute :
1 Q 2
E=
2g A( )+ y : A=F ( y )

differentiate with respect ¿ y :

dE Q2 ( −3 ) dA
=
dy 2 g
2A
dy ( )
+1

Q 2 dA
( )
g A 3 dy
=1

Q2 A 3 Q2 A 3
= ; =
g dA g B
dy

OPTIMUM SHAPE FOR A GIVEN CROSS SECTION OF AN OPEN CHANNEL

A . Trapezoidal Canal

Note :
SS :1→ H :V ; SS=side slope
2 :1=2 H :1 V ; SS=2
for a givencross section , R ,Q , V must be a maximum
¿ have any of the following :
1. Most efficient section
2. Most economical section
3. Section of best hydraulic efficiency
4. most advantageous section

For Most efficient Trapezoidal Canal

Q R must be maximum

A
R= ; P=2 y √ S2S+ 1+ b
P

1
A= ( b+b+2 a )( y )
2
1
A= ( 2b +2 ( SSy ) ) y
2
a y
A=by +SS y 2 =
ss 1

A
R= −( 1 ) a=ssy
2
2 y ( √ S S +1+b )

where A=by+ SS y 2

Max R−least wetted perimeter (least friction)

Solve for b :
A−SS y 2 A
b= = −ssy
y y
−1
A A
R=
A 2
−ssy +2 y √ S S + 1
=A [ y
−ssy +2 y √ S S2 +1 ]
y
 R=A ¿

dR
=− A ¿
dy

A
2
+ SS−2 √ S S 2+ 1=0
y

A=Y 2 ¿

Substitute ( 2 )∈ ( 1 ) :

y 2 ( 2 √ S S 2 +1−SS ) y 2 ( 2 √ S S2 +1−SS )
R= =
A A−SS Y 2 +2Y 2 √ S S 2+1
−SSY + 2 y √ S S 2+1
y y

y ( y 2 ) ( 2 √ S S 2+ 1−SS ) y
R= 2 2 2
=
A−SS Y + 2Y √ S S +1 ( A + y 2 ( 2 √ S S 2 +1−SS ) )
Y 2 ( 2 √ S S 2+ 1−SS )

¿ ( 2 ) A= y 2 ( 2 √ S S2 +1−SS )

y
R=
1+1
y
R=
2

y by+ SS ( y 2 )
R= = ; ¿ ( 1 ) A=by + SS y 2
2 b+2 y √ S S2 +1
b+ 2 y √ S S2 +1=2b+ 2 SS ( y )

b+ 2 SS ( y )=2 y √ S S2 +1: thewidth of the water sufrace is the ∑ of the wetted perimeter

B . Rectangular Canal SS=0

Most efficient Section

y
R=
2
b=2 y

C . Triangular Flume

criterion ; θ=90 °

D .Circular Canals ( Pipe Culverts )

2
3
For Max Velocity R must be maximum
 y=0.810 D
θ=103° 20'
2
3
Max Discharge , A R must be maximum

y=0.938 D
θ=57 ° 40'

360−θ π D 2 1
A= + ¿
360 4 2

360−θ π 2 1 D θ θ
A=
360 4
D +
2 4
2 sin( ( ) ( ))
2
cos
2

π 360−θ 2 D D
A= D + ( sinθ ) ; y >
4 360 8 2

360−θ
P= πD
360

Problem ∷

10 m 3
a . What are the best dimensions for a trapezoidal channel which is ¿ carry a uniform flow of
s
1
if the channel islined withqunite concrete∧islaid on a slope of ?
1000

b . for design values obtained∈ ( a ) determine the critical depth∈the channel.

c . Describe the flow ∧the slope of canal .