Lab #1: The Velocity Profile

Group #3:
Matthew Hydrusko, Ben Gallegos,
Haley Ormsbee, and

CE 331
Section 001
September 11, 2019
Lab #1: The Velocity Profile CE 331

Discussion:
On comparing the data between our group and others, it is relatively safe to say that the velocity
profiles, in an open channel, at certain depths were uniformly distributed for all groups in this
experiment. When plotted on a graph (Figure 6), as the distance from the bed increases, so too
does the velocity at an exponential rate. This corresponds to the theory that the velocity in an
open channel will vary from zero at the boundary (no-slip condition) to a maximum near the
surface. In “ideal” conditions, that profile can be described with an exponential power-law
(Equation 1) (Cheng 2007).

Conclusion:
The data collected and used to make the velocity profiles, shows that the velocity at the top of a
flowing fluid is greater than the velocity at the bottom of the flow. The velocity of the flowing
fluid will be zero where the fluid meets the bottom boundary that contains it because of the no-
slip condition.

References:
Cheng, N. S. (2007). Power-law index for velocity profiles in open channel flows. Advances in
Water Resources, 30(8), 1775-1784.
Khuntia, J. R., Devi, K., & Khatua, K. K. (2018). Prediction of depth-averaged velocity in an
open channel flow. Applied Water Science, 8(6). doi: 10.1007/s13201-018-0812-9
Kirkgöz, M. S. (1989). Turbulent Velocity Profiles for Smooth and Rough Open Channel Flow.
Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 115(11), 1543–1561. doi: 10.1061/(asce)0733-
9429(1989)115:11(1543)
Lane, S. N., Biron, P. M., Bradbrook, K. F., Butler, J. B., Chandler, J. H., Crowell, M. D., …
Roy, A. G. (1998). Three-dimensional measurement of river channel flow processes using
acoustic doppler velocimetry. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 23(13), 1247–1267. doi:
10.1002/(sici)1096-9837(199812)23:13<1247::aid-esp930>3.3.co;2-4
Masaló, I., Reig, L., & Oca, J. (2008). Study of fish swimming activity using acoustical Doppler
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Rehmel, M. (2007). Application of Acoustic Doppler Velocimeters for Streamflow
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