Question 1

A valve is closed linearly over 2 seconds reducing the velocity from 1.6 m/s to zero in the figure shown
below. Use the method of characteristics to find the maximum pressure head at point B in the pipeline,
calculating up to t = 3 s (inclusive). Check your result using the Joukowsky equation. Please provide the
hand calculation for the first three time steps (t <= 1.5 s) and the Excel table (an example can be found
in the MyUni system – Lecture 6C).

To model the linear valve closure assume a linear reduction in velocity at the valve. Use two reaches.
The system properties are: a = 800 m/s, L = 800 m, D = 0.5 m, f = 0.025 (assume to be constant), and
H0 = 100m.

1
Question 2
Use the method of characteristics to solve for the pressure head and flow at points A, B and the
midpoint of the pipe system shown in the schematic. Assume a constant f = 0.018, L = 1200 m, D = 0.4
m, H0 = 100 m, DH = 2.5m, a = 1200 m/s. The oscillation frequency is π/4 rad/s and the equation at the
reservoir boundary is therefore H(t) = H0 + 2.5 sin(πt / 4). Use a time increment of 0.5 s. Initial
conditions (at t = 0) are HA = HB = H0 = 100 m and QA = QB = 0 m3/s. What is the pressure head at the
dead-end (point B) at t = 6s?

Please provide the hand calculation for the first two time steps (t<=1s) and the Excel table.

Question 3: Hydraulic jump location

Water flows under a sluice gate into a wide rectangular channel with n = 0.03. The discharge under the
sluice gate is 4.5 m3/s per metre width of the channel. Given that the depth at the vena contracta a short
distance after the gate is 0.4 m and the tail water depth is the normal depth of yo = 2 m.
a) Classify the form of the profiles;
b) Calculate the profile from the vena contracta using the direct step method, and the associated
sequent depth curve;
c) Where is the location of the downstream end of the jump? This can be defined as the
intersection between the sequent depth curve from (b) and normal depth. Ignore the length of
the jump. For momentum considerations across the jump, friction may be neglected.

2
Question 4: Compound channel flow

Consider the compound channel section below.

a) Use the divided channel method to estimate the discharge in the compound channel for a
depth of 1.2 m using vertical divisions.
b) Given that the stage (water surface) height and flow rate measured at a given station B is 3.5 m
and 6 m3/s, respectively, use the standard step method to determine the depth and stage
height at station A, which is 2000 m upstream from station B. The bed elevation at station B is
zero. Only a single step is needed (i.e. x = 2000m). Show only calculations for first iteration,
and tabulate the remaining iterations.