Open-Channel Flow

Q20.
A V-shaped channel with sides sloping at 30º to the horizontal has a gradient of 1 in 100 and
n of 0.012 m 1/3 s. Calculate:
(a) the discharge for a depth of 0.5 m;
(b) the depth when the discharge is 2 m3 s 1.

Q21.
A concrete pipe 750 mm in diameter is laid to a gradient of 1 in 200. The estimated value of
n is 0.012 m 1/3 s. Calculate the discharge when:
(a) the pipe is full;
(b) the depth is 90% of maximum.
Explain why the answer in (b) exceeds that in (a).

Q22.
A circular pipe of diameter 0.3 m carries a discharge of 30 L s 1 down a slope of 1 in 400.
n may be taken as 0.015 m 1/3 s. Find the depth of water in the pipe.

Q23.
A concrete-lined channel has the cross section shown, comprising a semi-
circular lower part (diameter D) with vertical walls above.
(a) Write expressions for the cross-sectional area of flow and the
wetted perimeter when the maximum depth of water in the channel
is h. (Consider both cases h D/2 and h D/2).

For a particular channel of this shape, D = 0.6 m and the streamwise slope
n to be 0.013 m 1/3 s, use M
formula to calculate:
(b) the discharge when the depth is 0.8 m;
(c) the depth of water in the channel when the discharge is 2 m3 s 1.

Q24.
An earth drainage ditch may be approximated as a trapezoidal channel with base 0.6 m and
side slopes (vertical:horizontal) of 1:2. The n
can be assumed to have the value 0.025 m 1/3 s.
(a) If the depth of water is 0.4 m calculate the discharge.
(b) In the design storm the channel is required to carry away floodwater at a rate of
0.8 m3 s 1. Find the depth of water.

Q25. (Examination, January 2008)

A culvert used to divert run-off has a rectangular cross section with base width 0.4 m and side
heights of 0.3 n = 0.012 m 1/3 s.
(a) Find the minimum slope S necessary to carry a discharge Q = 0.3 m3 s 1.
(b) If the slope from part (a) is doubled for the same discharge, calculate depth of flow.