Irrigation Lect 6 & 7

Department of Civil Engineering
University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar
CE-402: Irrigation Engineering

Lecture 6 & 7
Design of Irrigation Canals –
Kennedy’s Silt Theory and Lacey’s
Regime Theory, Canal Lining,
Maintenance of Irrigation Canals
8th Semester (4th Year)

Civil Engineering
Spring 2021
Lecturer: Alamgir Khalil
1
Kennedy’s Silt Theory

➢ Kennedy did not give any equation for slope of canal. The slope is decided
according to the ground available.
➢ From the plotted longitudinal slope of the alignment, there is always a

certain range of slope that can be given to a channel at the site. For every
such slope, a separate channel can be designed to suit a given discharge.
➢ For example, when Q = 2 cumecs, N = 0.0225 and m = 1, we get the following

dimensions, for various slopes.
Slope B (m) D (m) B/D

1 in 5000 7 0.68 10.3
1 in 4000 3.2 0.85 3.8
1 in 2000 1.5 1.4 1.07
2
Kennedy’s Silt Theory (cont.)
➢ Unfortunately, Kennedy’s theory provides no clue to which of channels will

be best suited for a particular discharge and type of soil.
➢ Hence, some guidance is necessary to find out which channel would suit the
need best.
➢ To provide this guidance, suitable B/D ratios were fixed in various

departments on the basis of experience.
➢ Wood’s Normal Design Table is one such criterion which was prepared in
Punjab and is very much in use.
➢ Thus, if B/D ratio is selected from the recommended values, one more
equation is available. Hence, unique design of a channel can be done,
including the bed slope using Kennedy’s theory.
3
Kennedy’s Silt Theory – Design Procedure
(Case-II) When Q, N, m and B/D are given
➢ Step # 1: Calculate A in term of D ; Let B/D = x; or B = Dx
A = BD + ZD2 Let side slope =1/2 : 1 then A = BD + ½ D2 = D2x +0.5 D2 = D2(x+0.5)
➢ Step # 2: The value of V is known in terms of D by Kennedy’s equation. i.e =>
V = 0.55 m D0.64
Substitute the values of V and A in the continuity equation and solve for D
Q = A * V = D2(x+0.5) * 0.55mD0.64
Q = 0.55m (x+0.5) D2.64
In this equation Q, m, and x are
So D = [Q/(0.55 𝑚 (𝑥+0.5))] 1/2.64
known. Hence D is determined
4
Kennedy’s Silt Theory – Design Procedure (cont.)
➢ Step # 3: Knowing D, calculate B and R from the following relations

𝐵𝐷+ 𝐷2 /2
B = Dx and R= 𝐵+𝐷 √5
➢ Step # 4: Calculate the velocity V from Kennedy’s equation, V = 0.55 m D0.64
➢ Step # 5: Knowing V and R, determine the slope S and from Chezy’s and
Kutter’s equation. The equation can be solved by trial and error
1 0.00155
23 + +
𝑉= 𝑁 𝑆 𝑅𝑆
0.00155 𝑁
1 + 23 +
𝑆 𝑅 MKS system
5
Kennedy’s Silt Theory – Example
Design an irrigation canal with the following data by Kennedy’s theory.

Given that Q = 14 cumecs; N = 0.0225; m =1.0 and B/D = 5.7
6
Drawbacks in Kennedy’s Theory

➢ Kennedy did not realize the importance of B/D ratio.
➢ He did not define the silt grade and silt charge.
➢ He did not give any relation between velocity of flow and water surface
slope.
➢ Empirical relations between velocity, depth, hydraulic radius and slopes were
found, to determine a stable cross-section.
➢ He did not give any relation for the bed slope of the canal. The bed slope
could be adopted as per ground condition.
➢ He did not account for silt concentration and bed load separately; he
accounted all factors in one single factor ”m”.
➢ For the design of a canal, he aimed to achieve the average regime condition.
➢ For the determination of mean velocity of flow, he solely depend upon
Kutter’s equation. Thus, the limitations of Kutter’s equation were
incorporated in his theory also.
7
Lacey’s Regime Theory
➢ Lacey, an eminent civil engineer of U.P. (United Provinces) irrigation department,

published his first paper through the Institution of Civil Engineers London in
1929.
➢ He carried out extensive investigations on the design of stable channels in

alluvium. On the basis of his research work, he found many drawbacks in
Kennedy’s theory (1895).
➢ It was stated by Kennedy that a channel is said to be in a state of “regime” if

there is neither silting nor scouring in the channel. But according to Lacey, even
though a channel with no silting and no scouring may actually not be in regime.
Lacey, therefore differentiated between three regime conditions;
✓ True regime
✓ Initial regime
✓ Final regime
8
Lacey’s Regime Theory (cont.)
➢ Regime Conditions
A channel is said to be in regime when the following conditions are satisfied;
1) The channel is flowing in unlimited incoherent alluvium of the same character

as that transported.
2) Discharge is constant.
3) Silt charge is constant i.e., the amount of silt is constant.
4) Silt grade is constant.
5) Flow is uniform.
➢ Hence, a designed channel is said to be in true regime if the above conditions are
satisfied. But in practice, all these conditions can never be satisfied and therefore,
artificial channels can never be in true regime. Hence, Lacey gave the idea of
initial and final regime for actual channel.
incoherent alluvium means the loose granular material which can be scoured out as easily as it is deposited. 9
➢ Initial regime – One of the conditions of attaining regime of a channel is that

there should be freedom for the channel to form its own section. Initial
regime is the state of channel that has formed its section only and yet not
secured the longitudinal slope.
➢ Final regime – If all the variables such as perimeter, depth, slope etc. are
equally free to vary and finally get adjusted according to discharge and silt
grade, then the channel is said to have achieved permanent stability, called
final regime. Regime theory is applicable to such channels only.
10
➢ Such a channel in which all variables are equally free to vary has a tendency
to assume a semi-elliptical section.
➢ The coarser the silt, the flatter is the semi-ellipse i.e., greater is the width of
the water surface. The finer the silt, the more nearly the section attains a
semi-circle.
11
➢ The second point which Lacey argued was that the sediment is kept in suspension
not only by the vertical component of the eddies which are generated on the
channel bed, but also by the eddies generated on the sides of the channel. Lacey
argued that the silt supporting power of a channel is proportional to the wetted
perimeter and not to its width as presumed by Kennedy.
12
➢ Thirdly, Lacey argued that the grain size of the material forming the channel is
an important factor and needs more attention than was given by Kennedy
(different values of critical velocity ratio (m) for different types of soils). Lacy
therefore introduced a term called silt factor “f” in his equation and
connected it to the average particle.
➢ Permanent regime – A channel is in permanent regime when its section is

provided with a lining to protect against scouring action thereby imparting
permanency to the channel section and longitudinal slope. Regime theory is
not applicable to such channels.
13
Lacey’s Regime Theory – Design Procedure

➢ The design procedure involves no trial-and-error procedure. For the channel
design, the discharge Q and mean diameter of silt particles dmm or silt factor f
should be known.
➢ Step # 1: Calculate the silt factor 𝑓 = 1.76 𝑑𝑚𝑚
Where, 𝑑𝑚𝑚 = Mean particle size in mm
➢ Step # 2: Compute velocity, V

1/6 1/6
𝑄𝑓 2 𝑄𝑓 2
𝑉= 𝑉=
140 MKS system 4 FPS system
𝑄
➢ Step # 3: Determine area, A 𝐴=
𝑉
14
Lacey’s Regime Theory – Design Procedure (cont.)

➢ Step # 4: Compute wetted perimeter, P
𝑃 = 4.75 𝑄 𝑃 = 2.67 𝑄
MKS system FPS system
➢ Step # 5: Find out bed width B and depth D of the channel section since A
and P are known. The side slope of an irrigation channel is usually ½:1
𝐷2
𝐴 = 𝐵𝐷 + 𝑃 =𝐵+𝐷 5
2
𝑃 − 𝑃2 − 6.944𝐴 𝐵 = 𝑃 − 2.236𝐷
𝐷=
3.472
5 𝑉2
➢ Step # 6: Calculate hydraulic radius R, 𝑅=
2 𝑓 MKS system
3 𝑉2
𝑅=
4 𝑓 FPS system 15

𝐵𝐷 + 𝐷2 /2
Also calculate R from, 𝑅=
𝐵+𝐷 5
➢ Both the values of R should be the same, this will provide a numerical check
from step # 1 to 5
➢ Step # 7: Find the slope S
𝑓 5/3 𝑓 5/3
𝑆= 𝑆=
3340𝑄1/6 MKS system 1844𝑄1/6 FPS system
16
17
Lacey’s Regime Theory – Example
Design an unlined channel as per Lacey’s theory for the following data;
Discharge, Q = 30 m3/s
Mean diameter of silt particles = 0.33 mm
Side Slope, ½:1
18
Drawbacks in Lacey’s Regime Theory
➢ The concept of true regime is only theoretical and cannot be achieved

practically.
➢ The various equations are derived by considering the silt factor of which is
not at all constant.
➢ The concentration of silt is not taken into account.
➢ The silt grade and silt charge are not clearly defined.
➢ The equations are empirical and based on the available data from a
particular type of channel.
➢ The characteristics of regime of channel may not be same for all cases.
19
Comparison of Kennedy’s and Lacey’s Theory

Kennedy’s Theory Lacey’s Theory
1) It states that the silt carried by the flowing 1) It states that the silt carried by the flowing
water is kept in suspension by the vertical water is kept in suspension by the vertical
component of eddies which are generated component of eddies which are generated
from the bed of the channel. from the entire wetted perimeter of the
channel.
2) Relation between ‘V’ & ‘D’. 2) Relation between ‘V’ & ‘R’.
3) Critical velocity ratio ‘m’ is introduced to 3) Silt factor ‘f’ is introduced to make the
make the equation applicable to different equation applicable to different channels with
channels with different silt grades. different silt grades.
4) Kutter’s equation is used for finding the 4) This theory gave an equation for finding the
mean velocity. mean velocity.
5) This theory gives no equation for bed slope. 5) This theory gives an equation for bed slope.
6) In this theory, the design is based on trial 6) This theory does not involve trial and error
and error method. method.
20
Lining of Irrigation Canals
➢ Canal whose prism has been protected with impervious material mainly to stop
seepage through it, is called a lined canal.
➢ Lining of the canal means that the earthen surface of the channel is lined with
a suitable (unerodable) lining surface, such as concrete, tiles, asphalt etc.
➢ Necessity – Lining of canals is necessary:

✓ To minimize the seepage losses in canal.
✓ To increase the discharge in canal
section by increasing the velocity.
✓ To prevent erosion of bed and sides due
to high velocities.
✓ To reduce maintenance of canals.
21
Advantages of Canal Lining
➢ Although the cost of construction of a lined canal is many times greater than
that of an unlined canal, yet the advantages of lining are so obvious and so
significant that construction of a canal with lining becomes financially viable.
➢ The main advantages derived by canal lining are:

✓ The lining of canals prevent seepage loss, and thus more area can be
irrigated by the water so saved. The cost of irrigation is, therefore, reduced.
✓ The lining of canal is an important anti-water logging measure as it reduces
seepage to the adjoining area.
✓ The lining provides a smooth surface. The rugosity coefficient, therefore,
decreases. The resistance to flow also decreases and hence the velocity of
flow in the lined canal increases.
✓ The increased velocity minimizes the losses due to evaporation.
✓ The increased velocity helps to provide a narrow cross section for lined
canals.
22
Advantages of Canal Lining (cont.)
✓ Higher velocity prevents silting in the canal.

✓ Lining reduces maintenance costs and possibility of bank breaching due to
increased stability of section.
✓ Lining of canal prevents or reduces weed growth.
✓ Canal lining prevents water to come in contact with harmful salts during
transit.
23
Disadvantages of Canal Lining
➢ The canal lining has certain disadvantages
✓ Canal lining requires a heavy initial cost.

✓ Lining being permanent, it is difficult to shift the outlets very often.
✓ It is very difficult to repair the damaged lining.
✓ A lined section is without a berm. The additional safety provided by the berm
for vehicular and pedestrian traffic is, therefore, absent in a lined canal.
24
Types of Canal Lining
➢ Various types of canal linings, which are commonly adopted are:
(A) Hard Surface Linings:

✓ Concrete lining
✓ Shotcrete lining
✓ Brick lining
✓ Asphalt lining
✓ Boulder lining
(B) Earth Type Linings:

✓ Soil-Cement lining
✓ Compacted earth lining
25
Types of Canal Lining (cont.)
Concrete Lining
➢ Best suited for main canals.
➢ High initial cost.
➢ Long life and minimum maintenance cost.
➢ A thickness of about 5 to 15 cm and

stable side slopes between 1.5:1 to 1.25:1
are adopted.
26
Concrete Lining
➢ Ghazi Barotha Hydropower Project holds
the record for the biggest concrete lined
channel in the world.
➢ The channel is 51.90 km long with a

concrete lining and design flow of up to Design flow 1,600 cumecs
1600 cumecs at a water depth of 9 m. It
Longitudinal slope 1 : 9600
has a bottom width of 58.4 m.
Length 51,906 m
➢ The Power Channel has a nearly contour Full supply depth 9m
alignment with hills on the left side and
Bed width 58.4 m
the land naturally draining towards the
Indus River on the right side. Side slope 2H : IV
Lining thickness 135 mm
https://www.wapda.gov.pk/index.php/projects/hydro-power/o-m/ghazi-barotha 27
Concrete Lining
28
Shotcrete Lining
➢ Cement sand mortar ratio of 1:4.

The thickness of this type of
lining varies from 2.5 to 6.5 cm.
➢ Wire mesh reinforcement is

clamped to the channel surface
before applying shotcrete.
➢ Convenient for lining small

sections, for repair of old linings,
and for placing linings around
curves or structures.
29
Brick Lining
➢ It consists of a single
or double layer of
brick masonry.
➢ The size of brick is
restricted to 30x15x5
cm for convenience
of handling.
➢ It is hydraulically as efficient as concrete lining.
➢ In case of failure repair can be done easily.
➢ Brick linings are by far the most widely used lining in Pakistan.
30
Asphalt Lining
➢ Controlled mixture of asphalt and

grade aggregate mixed and placed
at a high temperature of 200 oC.
➢ It is covered with a 30 cm layer of

earth material for a protection.
➢ The mix can be placed with a

machine like that of concrete.
31
Boulder Lining
➢ Suitable where stones of required

specification are available in
abundance locally.
➢ Used for lining the earthen canal

cross section.
➢ To reduce the resistance to flow, a

20 to 25 mm thick cement plaster
is provided as a finishing surface.
32
Soil-Cement Lining
➢ Soil-cement linings are constructed with mixtures of sandy soil, cement and
water, which harden to a concrete-like material.
➢ The cement content should be minimum 2-8% of the soil by volume.
33
Compacted Earth Lining
➢ Soil graded to obtain the

required characteristics and
containing enough fines, so as
to make it impervious, is
thoroughly compacted at
optimum moisture content.
➢ Thickness of lining 30 to 90 cm.
➢ This type of lining is used where

suitable soils are available.
34
Maintenance of Irrigation Canals
➢ After the construction of irrigation system in an area is completed, it

becomes essential to maintain it for its proper and efficient functioning.
There are various reasons due to which a canal may cease to function
efficiently. These are;
✓ Silting of canal
✓ Breaching of canal due to

weak banks
✓ Weed growth
✓ Overflow of canal banks
35
Maintenance of Irrigation Canals (cont.)

Silt Removal
➢ When the silt is deposited on the bed and sides the capacity of the canal reduces.
It is better to exclude silt by providing silt excluder and ejector. The following
measures are adopted to remove the silt;
✓ Flushing
✓ Silt scouring fleet
✓ Bundle of thorny bushes
✓ Iron rakes
✓ Reduction of area of flow
✓ Stirring of silt by water jet
✓ Dredging
✓ Excavation
36

Silt Removal
✓ Flushing – Flushing of the canal with clear water will lift up deposited silt.
Absolutely clear water should be used for flushing but if this is not available then
the water which contains minimum quantity of silt should be used for flushing.
✓ Stirring of silt by water jet – A pump fitted with a pipe and nozzle is placed on a
barge. The high velocity jet is directed to the bed to stir the silt and prevent
silting.
✓ Excavation – The silt deposited in a channel is cleared off by manual labor. The
method is quite costly as it requires recurring expenditure. This method is
generally adopted for silt clearance in distributaries and minors. The silt must be
deposited clear off the channel so that it does not find its way back to the
channel.
37

Weed Control
➢ Water weeds are unwanted plants that grow profusely

in water under certain favorable conditions. They tend
to reduce the discharging capacity of channel by
reducing of the channel section and velocity of flow.
➢ The silted canals provide excellent base for weed

growth.
➢ Weed removal may be

done by plucking them
by hand and burning
them when canal is dry.
38

Strengthening of Canal Banks
➢ To prevent breaching of the canal bank, it should be strengthened properly so

that valuable loss of irrigation and property is prevented due to breaching a canal
section. There are different methods of strengthening a canal bank;
✓ External silting system
✓ Internal silting system
✓ Formation of back berm
39

Strengthening of Canal Banks
✓ Internal silting system – Sometimes, When a canal-reach runs in filling, the

banks are subjected to water pressure. To avoid damage, the banks must be given
extra strength by increasing their sections. Favorable conditions are created to
cause silting internally. Sufficient wider section is provided, and a part of it later
gets silted, forming the additional bank. Such a method is possible only for new
channels. To accelerate silting, low submergible spurs projecting from the banks
into the channel may be constructed.
40

Canal Breaches
➢ Canal breach is an opening, or a gap developed in the canal bank due to

erosion of some portion of the bank. When once water starts flowing out of
such breach, it starts becoming deeper and wider, unless remedial measures
are taken to plug the breach.
41

Canal Breaches
➢ Reasons for canal breaching
1) Breaching due to defective design and construction of the bank. The canal bank is
not strong enough to resist water pressure and a breach occurs.
2) Breaching due to exposure of saturation gradient. The soil particles on the outer
slope are dislodged and flown away along with the seeping water. A cavity is thus
formed in the bank which ultimately develops into a breach.
3) Breaching due to rush of water through rat holes or “Shories”.
4) Piping near downstream toe may ultimately cause subsidence of canal banks.
5) A willful cut in the canal bank either for unauthorized irrigation or for allowing
the flood water to get into canal to save an area from submergence.
42

Canal Breaches
Closure of Banks
➢ Immediately after a breach occurs, the canal discharge
should be diverted to a nearby escape channel on the
upstream side or the canal should be closed from the
head to stop the outflow completely. Many a times it
is not possible to close the canal from head as the
irrigation of the area in between may suffer.
➢ In case of small minors and distributaries, a breach may be closed by dumping huge
quantities of earth instantaneously from both sides of the gap.
➢ In case of bigger canals such as a branch canal, the above procedure can not be
adopted, as the discharge from such a canal is huge and may completely wash off the
dumped soil.
43

Canal Breaches
Closure of Banks
➢ In such a case, it is necessary to, first of all, reduce the flow through the breach.
This should be done by driving a double line of stakes or wooden piles (ballies) in
the opening of the breach.
➢ The space between the pile lines is filled with planks or bushes etc. The filler
material can be secured by placing sandbags on the top. If the breach is very
wide, another line of defense may be provided. This will reduce the inflow from
the breach.
➢ Collect a sufficient amount of earth on both sides of the gap. The earth collected
should either be from spoil bank nearby or from borrow pits. This earth material
is then dumped up instantaneously from both sides of the gap to form a ring
bund on outer side.
44

Canal Breaches
Closure of Banks
➢ The opening is then properly

filled with suitable earth in
layers, each being properly
compacted.
➢ The bank so formed is

inspected carefully for few
days to watch its proper
functioning.
45
Design of Lined Canal
Canal Cross Sections

➢ Generally, Two types of lined canal sections are adopted,
1) Triangular shaped or curved channel
2) Trapezoidal shaped or flat bottom shaped channel
➢ The side slopes are so selected that they are nearly equal to the angle of repose
of the soil so that no earth pressure is imposed on the lining. The corners are
rounded off to improve the hydraulic efficiency.
➢ Triangular section is adopted for small discharges, as it is the best discharging

section. For higher discharges, trapezoidal section may be adopted.
➢ If the limiting velocity is taken as 1.8 m/s then the circular section can be adopted
only if the discharge is less than 85 cumecs.
46
Design of Lined Canal (cont.)
1) Triangular shaped or curved channel
➢ The bed is circular with its center at the full

supply level and radius equal to full supply
depth ‘D’. The sides are tangential to the
curve.
47

2) Trapezoidal shaped or flat bottom
shaped channel
➢ The horizontal bed is joined to the side

slope by a curve of radius equal to full
supply depth ‘D’.
48

➢ In order to design a lined canal section following data is required: (i) discharge Q,
(ii) rugosity coefficient N, (iii) Longitudinal slope S, (iv) side slopes, and (v) limiting
velocity V.
➢ The procedure for design of trapezoidal shaped channel is given below:
➢ Step # 1: Knowing the limiting velocity V, rugosity coefficient N, and longitudinal

slope S, calculate the hydraulic mean depth R using Manning’s equation.
1 2 1 1.486 2 1
𝑉 = 𝑅3 𝑆 2 𝑉= 𝑅3𝑆 2
𝑁 MKS system 𝑁 FPS system
➢ Step # 2: Find the area of cross section, 𝑄

𝐴=
𝑉
49

𝐴
➢ Step # 3: Find out the wetted perimeter of the section 𝑃=
𝑅
➢ Step # 4: For trapezoidal shaped channel, area of cross section A and wetted
perimeter P
𝐴 = 𝐵𝐷 + 𝐷2 (𝜃 + 𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜃) 𝑃 = 𝐵 + 2𝐷 (𝜃 + 𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜃)
Since A and P are known from Step # 3 and 4, the values of bed width B
and depth D can be computed.
For triangular shaped channel,
𝐴 = 𝐷2 (𝜃 + 𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜃) 𝑃 = 2𝐷 (𝜃 + 𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜃)
50

Values of Manning’s N for lined channels
Type of Lining Values of N
Cast in-situ concrete trowel finish 0.015 – 0.018
Cement plastered masonry 0.012 – 0.015
P.C.C slabs or tiles 0.018 – 0.020
Brick lining 0.018 – 0.020
Split Boulder lining 0.020 – 0.025
Round Boulder lining 0.025 – 0.035
Type of Lining Permissible Velocity

Cement concrete lining (unreinforced) 2.0 to 2.5 m/s
Burnt clay tile lining 1.8 m/s
Boulder lining 1.5 m/s
51
Design of Lined Canal – Example
Design a trapezoidal shaped concrete lined channel to carry a discharge of 350

cumecs at a slope of 1 in 5000. The side slopes of the channel are 1½ :1. The
value of N may be taken as 0.014. Assume the limiting velocity as 2 m/s.
52
➢ The properties of best hydraulic cross section for selected channels are given
below:
Area Wetted Hydraulic radius Top width

Cross Section
A perimeter P R T
Trapezoidal, half of a 4Τ
3 D2 2 3D D/2 3 3D
hexagon
Rectangle, half of a
2D2 4D D/2 2D
square
Triangular, half of a 1Τ
D2 2 2D 4 2D 2D
square
Here, D = depth of water 53

Irrigation Lect 6 &amp; 7

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Irrigation Lect 6 &amp; 7

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Department of Civil Engineering

University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar

CE-402: Irrigation Engineering

8th Semester (4th Year)

Kennedy’s Silt Theory

➢ From the plotted longitudinal slope of the alignment, there is always a

➢ For example, when Q = 2 cumecs, N = 0.0225 and m = 1, we get the following

Slope B (m) D (m) B/D

Kennedy’s Silt Theory (cont.)

➢ Unfortunately, Kennedy’s theory provides no clue to which of channels will

➢ To provide this guidance, suitable B/D ratios were fixed in various

Kennedy’s Silt Theory – Design Procedure

(Case-II) When Q, N, m and B/D are given

➢ Step # 1: Calculate A in term of D ; Let B/D = x; or B = Dx

A = BD + ZD2 Let side slope =1/2 : 1 then A = BD + ½ D2 = D2x +0.5 D2 = D2(x+0.5)

➢ Step # 2: The value of V is known in terms of D by Kennedy’s equation. i.e =>

Kennedy’s Silt Theory – Design Procedure (cont.)

(Case-II) When Q, N, m and B/D are given

➢ Step # 3: Knowing D, calculate B and R from the following relations

➢ Step # 4: Calculate the velocity V from Kennedy’s equation, V = 0.55 m D0.64

Kennedy’s Silt Theory – Example

(Case-II) When Q, N, m and B/D are given

Design an irrigation canal with the following data by Kennedy’s theory.

Drawbacks in Kennedy’s Theory

Lacey’s Regime Theory

➢ Lacey, an eminent civil engineer of U.P. (United Provinces) irrigation department,

➢ He carried out extensive investigations on the design of stable channels in

➢ It was stated by Kennedy that a channel is said to be in a state of “regime” if

Lacey’s Regime Theory (cont.)

1) The channel is flowing in unlimited incoherent alluvium of the same character

Lacey’s Regime Theory (cont.)

➢ Initial regime – One of the conditions of attaining regime of a channel is that

Lacey’s Regime Theory (cont.)

Lacey’s Regime Theory (cont.)

Lacey’s Regime Theory (cont.)

➢ Permanent regime – A channel is in permanent regime when its section is

Lacey’s Regime Theory – Design Procedure

➢ Step # 1: Calculate the silt factor 𝑓 = 1.76 𝑑𝑚𝑚

Where, 𝑑𝑚𝑚 = Mean particle size in mm

➢ Step # 2: Compute velocity, V

Lacey’s Regime Theory – Design Procedure (cont.)

Lacey’s Regime Theory – Design Procedure (cont.)

➢ Step # 7: Find the slope S

Lacey’s Regime Theory – Design Procedure (cont.)

Lacey’s Regime Theory – Example

Drawbacks in Lacey’s Regime Theory

➢ The concept of true regime is only theoretical and cannot be achieved

➢ The concentration of silt is not taken into account.

Comparison of Kennedy’s and Lacey’s Theory

Lining of Irrigation Canals

➢ Necessity – Lining of canals is necessary:

Advantages of Canal Lining

➢ The main advantages derived by canal lining are:

Advantages of Canal Lining (cont.)

✓ Higher velocity prevents silting in the canal.

Disadvantages of Canal Lining

➢ The canal lining has certain disadvantages

✓ Canal lining requires a heavy initial cost.

Types of Canal Lining

➢ Various types of canal linings, which are commonly adopted are:

(A) Hard Surface Linings:

(B) Earth Type Linings:

Types of Canal Lining (cont.)

➢ Best suited for main canals.

Irrigation Lect 6 & 7

Irrigation Lect 6 & 7