UNIFORM FLOW EXAMPLES

Q1) Water flows along the drainage canal having the properties shown in Figure. The bottom
slope is So=0.002. Estimate the flowrate when the depth is y=1+0.5=1.5 m

SOLUTION:
Summation of flow for each section (1), (2) and (3)
Q=Q1+Q2+Q3 calculated by Manning Equation
1 2/3 1/2
𝑄𝑖 = 𝐴 𝑅 𝑆𝑜
𝑛𝑖 𝑖 𝑖
A,P,R and n for each section are listed in Table. Note that vertical dashed lines are not
included in the P.
i y(m) b (m) A(m2) P(m) R(m) n Q (m3/s)
1 0.6 3 1.8 3.6 0.50 0.013 3.9
2 1.4 2 2.8 3.6 0.78 0.01 10.6
3 0.6 3 1.8 3.6 0.50 0.03 1.7

Therefore total flow Q=3.9+10.6+1.7=16.2 m3/s

Q2) Water flows in a round pipe of diameter D at a depth of 0<y<D, as is shown in Figure.
The pipe is laid on a constant slope of So and the Manning coefficient is n. Find,
(a) At what depth does the maximum flowrate occur?
(b) Show that for certain flowrates there are two depths possible with the same flowrate.
Explain this behavior.
SOLUTION:
a)According to the Manning equation the flowrate is
1 2/3 1/2
𝑄 = 𝐴𝑅 𝑆𝑜
𝑛

Where So, n are constants for this problem. From geometry it can be shown that
A=D2(-sin )/8
P=D/2
R=A/P= D(-sin )/(4)
So insert them into Manning Equation;

1 𝐷8/3 ( − 𝑠𝑖𝑛)5/3 1/2

𝑄= [ ] 𝑆𝑜
𝑛 8(4)2/3 2/3
This can be written in terms of the flow depth by using
y=(D/2)[1-cos(/2)].
A graph of flowrate versus flow depth, Q=Q(y) has the characteristic indicated in Figure. In
particular, the maximum flowrate, Qmax, does not occur when the pipe is full;
Qfull=0.929Qmax. It occurs when y=0.938D or =5.28 rad=303 degree. Thus
Q=Qmax when y=0.938D
b)

For any 0.929<Q/Qmax<1 there are two possible depths that give the same Q. The reason for
this behavior can be seen by
considering the gain in flow area, A, compared to the increase in wetted perimeter, P, for y
D.The flow area increase for an
increase in y is very slight in this region, whereas the increase in wetted perimeter, and hence
the increase in shear force holding back the fluid, is relatively large. The net result is a
decrease in flowrate as the depth increases.
Q3) Water flows in the canal of trapezoidal cross section shown in Figure. The bottom drops
1.4 m per 1000 m of length. The canal is lined with new finished concrete, n=0.03. Determine
(a) the flowrate and
(b) the Froude number for this flow.
(c) State of fluid flow according to Fr

SOLUTION
a)Trapezoidal Cross Section;
A=by+my2=4*1.5+ 1.52 /tan(40)=8.68 m2
P=b+2y/sin(40)=4+2*1.5/sin(40)=8.67 m
R=1 m
Note that even channel is wide, hdraulic radius is less than depth of flow.
Bottom slope So=1.4/1000=0.0014, So Manning formula;
1
𝑄 = 0.03 (8.68)(1)2/3 0.00140.5 =10.8 m3/s

b) V=Q/A=10.8/8.68=1.25 m/s
T=b+2*y/tan(40)=4+2*1.5/tan40=7.58 m
D=A/T=8.68/7.58=1.15 m
Hydraulic depth D=A/T=8.68/(4+2*y/tan(40))=
Fr=V/(gD)0.5=1.25/(9.81*1.15)0.5=0.4 < Fr=1 subcritical state
Q4) In question 3, if flow rate increases to Q= 20 m3/s , compute the uniform flow rate in the
channel.
SOLUTION
Since A, P, R are dependent on flow depth y, they are all unknown, so Manning Equation;
A=by+my2=4*y+ y2 /tan(40)
P=b+2y/sin(40)=4+2*y/sin(40)
R=A/P

2/3
y2
1 y 2 4y +
tan(40)
𝑄 = 20 = (4y + )[ ] 0.00140.5
0.03 tan(40) 4 + 2y
sin(40)
Equation can be rearranged in the form;
(4y+1.19y2)5-4123.5(4+3.11y)2=0
Construct a simple point iteration formula based on highest power y, then apply trial and error
find y;
[4123.5(4 + 3.11𝑦𝑖 )2 ]1/5 − 4𝑦𝑖
𝑦𝑖+1 = √
1.19
By trial and error
 Yi (m) yi+1 (m) % error
1.5 2.343599 35.99587
2.343599 1.957671 19.71363
1.957671 2.148217 8.869975
2.148217 2.057401 4.414144
2.057401 2.101437 2.095542
2.101437 2.080259 1.018031
2.080259 2.090485 0.489136
2.090485 2.085557 0.236275
2.085557 2.087934 0.113839
So y=2.09 m
Note that as the discharge rate is nearly doubled, flow depth increased from 1.5 m to 2 m.
Q1) A discharge of 16.0 m3/sec flows with a depth of 2.0 m in a rectangular channel 4.0 m wide. At a
downstream section the width is reduced to 3.50 m and the channel bed is raised by ΔZ. Analyze the
water surface elevations in the transitions when a) ΔZ = 0.20 m and b) ΔZ = 0.35 m.
 EXERCISE PROBLEMS ON OPEN CHANNEL FLOWS
1) A channel flow cross section has an area of 18 m2. Calculate its best dimensions if (a)
rectangular, (b) trapezoidal with 1 (vert.) on 2 (horiz.) side slopes, and (c) V-shaped.

(a) A  by P  b  2y
y
A A
b P  2y
b y y
dP A
 2 2  0 2 y 2  by  18m 2 2y  b y  3m b 6m
dy y

(b) A  by  2y 2
1 y 1
2 2
b P  b  2y 5

b
A
y
 2y P
A
y

 y 2 5 2  dP
dy
A

  2  2 5 2 0
y

18
y2

 2 52  y = 2.7 m b = 1.274 m

(c)
y 1
A
m A  my 2 y
m

2 A (1  m 2 )
P  2 y (1  m 2 ) P
m

 1 
1  2 
A 
dP m 
 m  1 y  18  3 2m
dm 1 
  m
m 
2) This flood channel has a Manning n of 0.017 and a slope of 0.0009. Estimate the depth of
uniform flow for a flowrate of 60 m3/s.

10 m 10 m
yo
2m 2m

10 m

Solution:
A 23 1 A5 3
Q R S0  S0
n n P2 3
A  20 * ( y0  2)  10 * y0

P  2 * y0  30

1 20 * ( y0  2)  10 * y0 
53

Q 0.0009
0.017 2 * y0  30 2 3
y0  2.48m
 3) At what depths may 0.85 m3/s flow in a rectangular channel 1.8 m wide if the specific energy
is 1.2 m?
Solution:

1.8 m
Q 0.85
Q  0.85m3 / s q   0.4722 m3 / s
b 1.8

q 2 3 0.4722 2
Critical water depth yc  3   0.2833 m
g 9.81

V2 Q2 0.85 2
E  y  y 2  y  1.2m
2g A 19 .62 1.8y2 19.62
y1  0.102m y 2  1.192m (two different water depths may occur in the
channel depends on the state of flow)

y (m)

y2

ymin
y1
E (m)
Emin E1
4)Derive an expression for critical depth for an open channel of V-shaped cross section with
side slopes of 45°. What is the ratio between critical depth and minimum specific energy for
this channel?

Solution:

yc 1
m =1
45° 45°

A  my 2  y 2 yc  Ac Tc  2y c
3 3
Q2 Ac Ac
 Q2  g
g Tc Tc
3
Ac
g
Q2 Tc A
E min  yc  2  yc  2  yc  c
A c  2g A c  2g 2Tc
2
y 5y yc 4
Ac  yc
2
& Tc  2y c E min  yc  c  c 
4y c 4 E min 5
5) Is this water surface profile possible? If not, what profile is to be expected? The channel and
construction are both of rectangular cross section. The flowrate is 7.2 m3/s.

𝑦0 = 1.8 𝑚 (𝑥 3 𝑚) 0.9 𝑚 (𝑥 2.1 𝑚) 𝑦0 = 1.8 𝑚 (𝑥 3 𝑚)

𝑆0
= 0.00047
0.3 𝑚 2
0
1
Solution:
Q 7.2
Q  7.2m 3 / s q0  q2    2.40 m3 / s
b 3

q 2 3 2.40 2
Critical water depth y c0  y c2  3   0.837 m
g 9.81

V2 Q2 7.2 2
E0  E2  y   y 2  1.8   1.8906 m
2g A 19.62 1.8  32 19.62
y 0  y 2  1.8m  y c  0.837 m The flow is subcritical...

Energy equation between 0&1

E 0  E1  z  h
2 2
V V
y 0  0  y1  1  z  h
2g 2g
7.2 2
1.8906  0.9   0.30  h
0.9  2.12 19.62

1.8906  1.9397  h Even if hydraulic losses are neglected; this water surface profile
cannot be possible...

q 2 3 7.2 / 2.1
2
Critical water depth at the section 1 y c1  3   1.062 m
g 9.81

Q2 7.2 2
E1 min  y c1   1.062   1.593 m
A c1  19 .62
2
1.062  2.12 19.62
E1  E 0  z  1.8906  0.3  1.5906 m E1  E1min  1.593m (It must be bigger than
minimum energy)
E1 is to be 1.593 m, so y1 will be the critical water depth at the section 1 that is y1=1.062 m.

Thus, the energy equation between 0 & 1 (Δh=0 is assumed)

E 0 '  E1  z  h
2
V
E 0 '  y1  1  z
2g
7.2 2
E 0 '  1.062   0.30  1.893m
1.062  2.12 19.62 E 0 '  y 0 '
V0 '2
 1.893 m
2g
y 0 '  y 2 '  1.803 m (After Choking)

𝑦0 ′ = 1.803 𝑚 (𝑥 3 𝑚) 𝑦1 ′ 𝑦2 ′ = 1.803 𝑚 (𝑥 3 𝑚)
= 1.062 𝑚 (𝑥 2.1 𝑚)
6)
7)
1) A hydraulic jump occurs in a rectangular open channel. The water depths before and after
the jump are 0.6 m and 1.5 m, respectively. Calculate the critical depth.

Solution:
Momentum Equation for conjugate depths
0.62 q2
M1 = + = 0.18 + 0.170q 2 N / γ / m
2 9.81x 0.6
1.52 q2
M2 = + = 1.125 + 0.068q 2 N / γ / m
2 9.81x1.5
In the hydraulic jump existance M1 = M2
q = 3.044 m2/s

3.0442
yc = 3
= 0.981 m
9.81

2) A supercritical flow of 100 m3/s occurs at 3 m depth in a V shaped open channel of side
slopes 45°. Calculate the depth just downstream from a hydraulic jump in this flow.

Solution:
Q 2 A 3c
=
g Tc

1002 ( yc2 )3
= yc = 4.591 m y2 = 3 m < yc = 4.591 m supercritical flow
9.81 2 yc
Momentum Equation for conjugate depths
3 1002
M 2 = 32 x + = 122.263 N / γ
3 9.81x32
y1 1002 y13 1019.37
M1 = y12 x + = + N/γ
3 9.81xy 12 3 y12
In the hydraulic jump existance M1 = M2
y13 1019.37
+ = 122.263
3 y12

3058.11 1/3
y1  (366.789  ) y1 = 6.682 m
y12
3) Calculate y2, h and y3 for this two dimensional flow picture. State any assumptions clearly.

y2
1.5 m
h y3

0.3 m
Solution:
If energy loss is neglected, energy between before and over the hump must be equal.
Furthermore, energy between over and after the hump must be equal, too. So, energy between
before and after the hump must be equal. Geomertic elevation due to the base lenght of the
hump is neglected. The energy,
q2 q2
1.5 + = 0.3 +
19.62x1.52 19.62x 0.32
q = 1.486 m2/s

To obtain y3 depth, momentum between the conjugate depths must be equal.

0.32 1.4862
M= + = 0.795 N / γ / m
2 9.81x 0.3
y32 1.4862
M3 = + N/γ/m
2 9.81y3

0.450 0.5
y 3  (1.59  )
y3
y3 = 1.084 m
Flow depth over the hump is critical

1.4862
y2 = yc = 3
= 0.608 m
9.81
To obtain h energy equation between before and over the hump is written
1.4862
1.5 + = 1.5x 0.608 + h
19.62x1.52
h = 0.638 m