1

5. GVF Computation Continued

5.2. General

GVF computation is required in the analysis of problems such as:

- Determination of the effect of hydraulic structures on the channel;
- Inundation of lands due to dam or weir construction;
- Estimation of flood zone.

Methods for computing GVF profiles:

(i) Direct integration
(ii) Numerical
(iii) Graphical

5.3. Direct integration of the GVF differential equation

5.3.1.Chow’s integration method

Differential equation of GVF in a prismatic channel:

2
dy 1- ( k 0 /k )
= S0 2
= F ( y)
dx 1- ( z c /z )
Required: The relationship y = f(x) in the range y1 to y2.

Assumptions:

(i) k2 = C2 yN, conveyance at any depth y

k20 = C2 y0N, conveyance at uniform flow depth y0

This implies that in the depth range including y1, y2 and y0, the values of C2 and N are
constants.

(ii) z2 = C1 yM, section factor at any depth y

zc2 = C1 ycM, section factor at critical depth yc.

This implies that in the depth range including y1, y2 and yc, the values of C1 and M are
constants. Substituting these values in the differential equation of GVF,
N
dy 1- ( y 0 / y )
= S0
dx 1- ( y c / y ) M

Let u = y/y0. dy = y0 du and dy/dx = y0 du/dx.

du S0 1- 1/ u N
=
dx y 0 1−( y c / y 0 ) M ( 1/ u M )

y0 1 u N-M
dx
S0 [
1-
1- u N
+ ( yc / y0 ) M
1- uN ]
CEng 3601 – Open Channel Hydraulics Instructor: Dr. Bayou Chane
Department of Civil Engineering, AAiT (AAU) Academic Year: 2010/2011
 2

y0 du u u
N-M
x= [ u- ∫ ¿ u0 + ( y c / y 0 ) M
∫ ¿ 0 du ] + const ¿¿
S0 1- uN 1- u N

du
Put ∫ ¿ u0 1-u N = F ( u,N ) → Varied flow function ¿
and
N
v = u N / J where J =
N-M+1

N (N / J ) - 1
dv = u
J

= ( N-M+1 )u N - M
Designation:
N -M
∫ ¿u0 u1- u N du =
1
N-M+1
∫ dv
1- v
J
¿ J0 J = F (v, J ) ¿¿
N

N -M
∫ ¿u0 u1- u N
du =
J
N
F ( v, J ) ¿

Note: F(v,J) is the same function as F(u,N) with u and N replaced by v and J respectively.

The length of flow profile between two consecutive sections 1 and 2 is;
Δx = x −x
2 1 =
y0
S0 [ (u u ) { (u
2− 1 F 2,N ) − F ( u , N )} + ( y
1 c / y0 ) M
J
N
{ ( v ) ( v )}]
F 2,J −F 1,J

The solution of the above equation can be simplified by the use of the varied flow function
table.

In practical applications, since the exponents N and M are likely to depend on the depth of flow,
though to a smaller extent, average values of M and N applicable to the range of values of depths
involved must be selected.

In computing a flow profile:

- First analyze the flow in the channel
- Divide the channel into reaches of length Δx
- Compute length of each reach from known or assumed depths at the ends of the reach.

Procedure of computations:

(i) Compute y0 and yc from the given Q and S0.

(ii) Determine N and M for an estimated average y in the reach under consideration.
(iii) Compute J, J = N/(N-M+1).
(iv) Compute u = y / y0 and v = uN / J at the two end sections of the reach.
(v) Find values of F(u,N) and F(v,J) from the varied flow function table.
(vi) Compute the length of the reach.

Note:
CEng 3601 – Open Channel Hydraulics Instructor: Dr. Bayou Chane
Department of Civil Engineering, AAiT (AAU) Academic Year: 2010/2011
 3

 If the distance between two sections of known depths is required, the evaluation of varied-
flow functions at intermediate steps is not needed.
 If it is required to find the depth y2 at a distance Δx from a given section where the depth is
y1, calculate the distances to a few selected depths and determine the required depth by
interpolation.

Estimation of N and M for Trapezoidal Channels

√m
2
B B

[ ] [ ]
+ mu +2 +1
10
ln
y 0
+
4
ln
y 0
3 B 3 2

y
+ m B
+ 2u √m +1

10
0 y 0
N= +
3 ln u
B
N=f
( y 0
, m, u
)
and
ς ξ ς
M =3 +
3 ln

ln ξ
[ ] [ ]
1+

1+ ς
c

c
+ ln
1+ 2

1+ 2 ς ξ c
c

M=f ( ς , ξ)c

ξ=
y
; ς =
m y c
c

where y c
B

or
2
( y B) ( y B )√ m + 1
N=
10
3
ln
[ 1+ 2m

1+ m (
y
B)
] [ 8
+ ln
3
1+ 2 (
y
B) √
m +1
2
]
and
2

y
M=
3
[ 1+ 2 m ( B )] − 2m ( y B ) [1+ m( y B )]
[ 1+ 2 m ( y B )][ 1+ m ( y B )]
Example 1: Computation of GVF by the Chow’s ingeneration method

Given: A trapezoidal channel

B = 5.0 m n = 0.020 S0 = 0.0004 y0 = 3.0 m m = 2.0 α = 1.0
Discharging pool elevation = 1.75 m higher than the channel bed elevation.

Required: The GVF profile up to y = 2.96 m by the Chow’s integration method.

Solution:
A = (B + my0) y0 = (5.0 + 2 * 3.0) (3.0) = 33.00 m

P = B + 2( m2 + 1)1/ 2 y0 = 5.0 + 2(22 + 1)1/ 2 (3.0) = 18.42 m

R = A/P = (33.00/18.42) = 1.79 m

Q = (1/n) A R2/ 3 S01/ 2 = (1/0.020) 33.00*(1.79)2/ 3 *(0.0004)1/ 2 = 48.65 m3 / s

CEng 3601 – Open Channel Hydraulics Instructor: Dr. Bayou Chane
Department of Civil Engineering, AAiT (AAU) Academic Year: 2010/2011
 4

ψ = (Q/ g1/ 2 ) ( m3/ 2/ B5/ 2) = (48.65/ 9.811/ 2 ) ( 23/ 2/ 5.05/ 2) = 0.785902

 ζc = (m yc ) / B = 0.676 (Obtained from table)

 yc = (B / m) ζc = (5.0/2.0) *(0.676) = 1.69 m

 y0 > y > yc  Drawdown curve in a mild slope

Estimate N and M for trapezoidal channels using the given equations.

Estimate Δx between each consecutive channel section.
Finally, estimate Δx.

Y U N M J V F(u, F(v,J) Jav Nav Mav Δx Δx

(m) ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ N) ___ ___ ___ ___ (m) (m)
___
1.75 0.58 3.89 3.65 3.14 0.51 0.595 0.526
2.00 0.67 3.96 3.72 3.19 0.61 0.702 0.644 3.165 3.925 3.685 -42
2.25 0.75 4.02 3.78 3.24 0.70 0.807 0.764 3.215 3.990 3.750 -103 -145
2.50 0.83 4.08 3.83 3.26 0.79 0.936 0.910 3.250 4.050 3.805 -269 -414
2.70 0.90 4.12 3.87 3.30 0.88 1.147 1.113 3.280 4.100 3.850 -924 -
1338
2.80 0.93 4.14 3.89 3.31 0.91 1.190 1.201 3.305 4.130 3.880 -41 -
1379
2.90 0.97 4.16 3.91 3.33 0.96 1.411 1.469 3.320 4.150 3.900 - -
1186 2565
2.96 0.99 4.17 3.92 3.34 0.99 1.677 1.903 3.335 4.165 3.915 - -
1570 4135

5.3.2. Bresse’s Solution

For a wide rectangular channel if the Chezy formula with C = constant is used,
M=N=3
Therfore,
3
x=
y0
S0 [ {
u − 1− ( y / y ) } F ( u,3 )] + const
c 0

du 1 u2 + u + 1 1 -1 2 u + 1
F (u, 3 ) = ∫ ¿u0
= ln - cot − − − − Bresse ' s function ¿
1- u3 6 (u - 1) 2 √3 √3
Bresse’s function being based on exact solution, it is useful to compare the relative accuracies of
various numerical methods of computations.

Example 2:
Given: A wide rectangular channel
CEng 3601 – Open Channel Hydraulics Instructor: Dr. Bayou Chane
Department of Civil Engineering, AAiT (AAU) Academic Year: 2010/2011
 5

B = 65m n = 0.020 S0 = 0.0004 y0 = 1.20m α = 1.0

Discharging pool elevation = 0.65m higher than the channel bed elevation.

Required: The GVF profile up to y = 1.19m by the Chow’s integration method.

Solution: Note that the Bresse’s method is applicable for wide rectangular channels

Bresse-Example2.xls
Exercise:

Given: A wide rectangular channel

B = 20m n = 0.020 S0 = 0.0004 y0 = 0.38 m α = 1.0
Discharging pool elevation = 1.00m higher than the channel bed elevation.

Required: The GVF profile up to y = 0.39m by the Chow’s integration method.

Solution: Note that the Bresse’s method is applicable for wide rectangular channels.

Bresse-Exercise1.xls

Example 3: Estimate the depth of flow at a distance of 1000m from the downstream end of the
channel.
Solution:
Δx =1000 y =? Δx y
-732 1.09
-1000 ?
-1187 1.14
By linear interpolation:
y = 1.09 + (1.14-1.09) * (1000 - 732) / (1187 - 732) = 1.12m

 u = 0.93 F(u,3) = 0.761 Δx = -232m Δx = -965m

The solution can be obtained by successive interpolations between the new Δx values and
1000m.
Δx y
- 965 1.12
-1000 ?
-1187 1.14

5.4. Numerical Methods of Solution of GVF Problems

The Simple numerical methods

- Direct-Step Method
- Standard-Step Method
These methods are developed primarily for hand computation.

5.4.1.Direct-step Method

Consider the equation;

CEng 3601 – Open Channel Hydraulics Instructor: Dr. Bayou Chane

Department of Civil Engineering, AAiT (AAU) Academic Year: 2010/2011
 6

dE
= S0 - S f Differential energy equation of GVF
dx
ΔE
= S0 - S f Finite difference form
Δx av

where S f = average friction slope in the reach Δx .

av

ΔE
Δx =
S0 - S f
av

Between two sections 1 and 2

E 2 - E1
x2 - x1 = Δ x =
1
S 0 - (S f + S f 2 )
2 1
Computation Procedure:
 Divide the channel reach in to N parts of known depths.

 Between two sections i and i+1,

ΔE = E i+1 − E i and S fav =
1
2
(S + S )
fi f ( i+1 )

E i+1 - E i
Δ xi =
S -S
 Compute 0 f av

 The sequential evaluation of Δ x i starting from i = 1 to N, will give the distance between
N sections and thus the GVF profile.

Table to facilitate computation of GVF by direct-step method:

y A P R V E Sf Sfav S0 - Sfav Δx ∑ Δx
ΔE (m)
(m) (m2) (m) (m) (m/s) (m) --- --- --- (m)
(m)

Example 4:
Given :- A trapezoidal channel:
B = 5.0 m S0 = 0.0004 m = 2H: 1V n = 0.020 y0 = 3.0 m α = 1.0
Discharging pool elevation = 1.75 m higher than the canal bed elevation.

Required : GVF profile up to y = 2.96 m by the direct step method.

CEng 3601 – Open Channel Hydraulics Instructor: Dr. Bayou Chane

Department of Civil Engineering, AAiT (AAU) Academic Year: 2010/2011
 7

Solution :-
y A R V E ΔE Sf Sfav S0 - Sfav Δx ∑ Δx
(m) (m2) (m) (m/s) (m) (m) *10-4 *10-4 *10-4 (m) (m)

1.75 14.88 1.16 3.27 2.295 --- 35.12 --- --- --- ---
2.00 18.00 1.29 2.71 2.373 0.077 20.79 27.96 -23.96 -32 ---
2.25 21.38 1.42 2.28 2.514 0.142 12.99 16.89 -12.89 -110 -142
2.50 25.00 1.55 1.95 2.693 0.179 18.48 10.74 -6.74 -266 -408
2.70 28.08 1.65 1.73 2.853 0.160 6.19 7.34 -3.34 -479 -887
2.80 29.68 1.69 1.64 2.937 0.084 5.32 5.76 -1.76 -477 -1364
2.90 31.32 1.74 1.55 3.023 0.086 4.60 4.96 -0.96 -896 -2260
2.96 32.32 1.77 1.51 3.076 0.053 4.23 4.42 -0.42 -1262 -3522

Useful hints:

i. Calculations must proceed upstream in subcritical flows and downstream in supercritical

flows to keep the errors minimized.
ii. Steps need not have the same increment in depth. It is desirable to decrease the depth
increment as the flow profile approaches the asymptotic value. Terminate calculations at
y = (1 ± 0.01) y0
iii. Accuracy depends on the number of steps (N) chosen.
iv. Care must be taken in evaluating ΔE which is a small difference of two large numbers.

Exercise 1:
A river 100 m wide and 3.0 m deep has an average bed slope of 0.0005 . Estimate the length of
the GVF profile produced by a low weir which raises the water surface just upstream of it by
1.5m. Assume n = 0.03

5.4.2. Standard Step Method

This method is suitable also for natural channels. In natural channels, given the cross-sectional
information at two adjacent sections and the discharge and stage at one section, it is required to
determine the stage at the other section. The sequential determination of the stage as a solution
of the above problem will lead to the GVF profile. The stage is determined as a trial and error
solution of the basic energy equation.

CEng 3601 – Open Channel Hydraulics Instructor: Dr. Bayou Chane

Department of Civil Engineering, AAiT (AAU) Academic Year: 2010/2011
 8

Calculations are assumed to proceed upstream.

2 2
V V
z + y +α
2 2 2 2g =
2
z + y +α
1 1 1 2g +
1
h +h
f e

where h f = friction loss, h e = eddy loss

h = C |αe e
1
V 21
−α
|
2g V 22
2
2g

C e= Coefficient

Nature of transition Value of coefficient Ce

Expansion Contraction
No transition (prismatic 0.0 0.0
channel)
Gradual transition 0.3 0.1
Abrupt transition 0.8 0.6
v2
Let z + y = h and h + α =H
2g
H 2 = H 1 + hf + he . Eq .1

Knowing h1 and the geometry of the channel at sections 1 and 2, it is required to find h2.

Procedure:
i. Select a trial value of h2.
ii. Calculate H2, hf, and he.
iii. Check whether Eq.1 is satisfied.
iv. If there is a difference, improve the assumed value of h2 and repeat calculations till the two
sides of Eq.1 match.

On the basis of the it h trial, the (i+1)t h trial value of h2 can be found by the following procedure.

Let H E = H 2 − ( H 1 + hf + he )
[ ]
The objective is to make H E vanish by changing the depth y2.

[ ]
2 2
V V
d H
d y
E

2
=
d
d

y 2
z 2 + y +α 2 2 2g
2
−
{( z 1 + y +α1 1 2g
1
) ( ( S + S ) Δx) + (C | α
1
+ 2 f1 f2 e
1
V 21
2g
− α
2
V 22
2g
)}
|

where y1, z1, z2, and v1 are constants.

5/3 1 /2

For a wide rectangular channel, since

q=
1
n
y S f
,
S
( ny q )
2 2
d f
=
d
= − 3 . 33
S f
= −3 .33
S f
dy dy 10 /3 y R

Thus,
CEng 3601 – Open Channel Hydraulics Instructor: Dr. Bayou Chane
Department of Civil Engineering, AAiT (AAU) Academic Year: 2010/2011
 9

Sf 2
d

dH
H
dy 2

E
E
= 1−
[
Δ H
( 1 − C ) F + 1.67
E
e
2
2
R2
Δx
]
=

If d y 2 Δ y 2 and Δ y 2 is chosen such that Δ H E =− H E ,

−H
Δ y 2 =
E

Sf 2 2
1− ( 1 − C ) F + 1.67
Δx
R2
e 2

The negative sign denotes that Δy2 is of opposite sign to that of HE. Note that if the calculations
are performed in the downward direction, as in supercritical flow, the 3r d term in the
denominator will be negative.

Example 5:
A small stream has a x-section which can be approximated by a trapezoid. The x-sectional
properties at three sections are as shown in the table. For Q = 100.0 m3 / s, water surface
elevation at A was 104.500 m. Estimate the water surface elevation at the u/s sections B and C.
Assume n = 0.020 and α = 1.0 at all sections.

Section Distance up Bed elevation Bed width Side slope

the river (km) (m) (m)
A 100.00 100.000 14.0 1.5 : 1
B 102.00 100.800 12.5 1.5 : 1
C 103.50 101.400 10.0 1.5 : 1

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Department of Civil Engineering, AAiT (AAU) Academic Year: 2010/2011
 10

Solution:

Ce = 0.3 for expansion

The calculations are performed in the following table (on the next page):
- The first row in the table is based on known information.
- The second row is based on an assumed stage of h = 105.200 m (i.e., y = 4.400 m) at section B.
- Column 14 = {(column 7 of previous section) +
(column 12 + column 13) of the present section}.

2
Statio Trail Z y h A V H R S f S
Δx hf he H H E Δ y 2
n 2g ¿ ×
fav

10
−4
10
−4

---- (m) (m) (m) (m) (m) (m) ---- ---- (m) (m) (m) (m) (m)
(m)
1a 1b 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
A 0 100.0 4.500 104.500 93.375 0.058 104.558 3.089 1.0198 ---- ---- ---- ----- ----- -----
1 100.8 4.400 105.200 84.040 0.072 105.272 2.963 1.3308 1.1753 2000 0.235 0.004 104.797 0.475 -0.423
B
2 100.8 3.977 104.777 74.437 0.094 104.871 2.736 1.9383 1.4791 2000 0.296 0.011 104.865 0.006 ------

Final--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 101.4 3.500 104.900 53.375 0.179 105.079 2.360 4.4693 2.7090 1500 0.481 0.025 105.372 -0.293 0.244

C 2 101.4 3.744 105.144 58.466 0.149 105.293 2.488 3.4709 2.7098 1500 0.406 0.015 105.287 0.006 -0.004
3 101.4 3.740 105.140 58.381 0.150 105.290 2.486 3.4853 2.7170 1500 0.408 0.016 105.290 ------ ------

Final--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CEng 3601 – Open Channel Hydraulics Instructor: Dr. Bayou Chane

Department of Civil Engineering, AAiT (AAU) Academic Year: 2010/2011
 11

5.4.3. Standard Step Method for Compound Sections

Since the flow in the flood banks is normally at a lower velocity than in the main channel, the
energy lines corresponding to various sub-areas will be at different elevations above the
water surface. A convenient method of handling this situation is to consider a mean velocity
vav for the entire section and assume the energy line to be at a height α v2/ 2g above the water
surface.
Also a common Sf is assumed.

To obtain a common factor α; if there are N partial areas:

Σ A i = A = Total area
Σ(v i 3 A i ) Σ Qi 3 / A i 2
α = =
v av3 A 3 2
Q A
Qi = k i √ S f
Q = Σ Qi = (Σ k i ) √ S f
Q2
Sf =
(Σ k i ) 2

( Σ k i3 / A i2 )
α=
(Σ k i ) 3 / A 2

If αi are the kinetic correction factors for the partial areas Ai ,

3 2
(Σ α i k i / A i )
α=
( Σ ki ) 3 / A 2

Knowing Sf and α, standard step method can now be used.

Note: 1. The water interface can be treated as a zone of little shear stress and hence can be
ignored in calculating the wetted perimeter of the partial areas.
2. The small amount of shear stress can be accounted for by considering it in the
calculation of the wetted perimeter of the sub-area having higher velocity only.

CEng 3601 – Open Channel Hydraulics Instructor: Dr. Bayou Chane

Department of Civil Engineering, AAiT (AAU) Academic Year: 2010/2011
 12

5.5. Graphical Integration Method

Consider the following sketch to develop the method.

x y dx
Δ x = x2 - x 1 = ∫x 2 dx = ∫y 2 dy
1 1 dy

2 2
dy 1 - ( k 0 /k ) dx 1 1 - ( z c /z )
= S0 2
and =
dx 1 - ( z c /z) dy S 0 1 - ( k 0 /k ) 2

dx
Assume several values of y and compute the corresponding values of dy . Construct a
dx
curve of y versus dy . The value of Δx is equal to the shaded area formed by the curve, the
dx
(
y-axis, and the ordinates dy
) and 1
( dxdy ) 2
corresponding to y1 and y2. One can measure
this area and determine the value of x.

This method has broad application. It applies to flow in prismatic as well as non-prismatic
channels of any shape and slope.

CEng 3601 – Open Channel Hydraulics Instructor: Dr. Bayou Chane

Department of Civil Engineering, AAiT (AAU) Academic Year: 2010/2011