HYDRAULICS

UNIFORM FLOW IN OPEN CHANNEL

TOPIC 2.1-2.2

Dr. Nadiatul Adilah Ahmad Abdul Ghani

Department of Civil Engineering
College of Engineering
nadiatul@ump.edu.my

Chapter 2:Uniform Flow in Open Channel by N Adilah A A Ghani

 Chapter Description
Aims
Describe the hydraulic principles and apply the fundamental concept in analyzing flow in
open channels.

Expected Outcomes
Able to define and analyse the uniform and non-uniform flow in open channel.

References
1. Chow, V.T, “Open Channel Hydraulics”, McGraw Hill, Tokyo, 1959 (Web)
2. Mott, R. L., and Untener, J. A., "Applied Fluid Mechanics", 7th Ed., Prentice Hall, 2014
3. Gribbin, John E., “Hydraulics and Hydrology for Stormwater Management”,
Delmar Publishers’, 1997
4. Larock, Bruce E., “Hydraulics of Pipelines System”, CRC Press,2000
5. Kay, M., “Practical Hydraulics”, Taylor & Francis, 2008
6. Sturm T.W, “Open Channel Hydraulics”, McGraw-Hill, 2000
7. Subramanya K., “Flow in open Channels”, McGraw-Hill, 2008

Chapter 2:Uniform Flow in Open Channel by N Adilah A A Ghani

 UNIFORM FLOW IN OPEN CHANNEL

• Resistance of flow formula

2.1

• Determination of normal depth by various

2.2 methods

Chapter 2:Uniform Flow in Open Channel by N Adilah A A Ghani

 Definition

• The depth, flow area and velocity at every cross section are constant.
• The energy grade line, water surface and channel bottom are all parallel;
that is,
Sf = Sw = So
where;
Sf = slope energy grade line
Sw = slope of the water surface
So = slope of the channel bed

• In general, uniform flow can occur only in very long, straight and prismatic
channel.

Chapter 2:Uniform Flow in Open Channel by N Adilah A A Ghani

 2.1 : RESISTANCE OF FLOW FORMULA

In open channel flow, resistance equations for uniform

flow:
a) Chezy formula
b) Manning formula

Chapter 2:Uniform Flow in Open Channel by N Adilah A A Ghani

2.1.1 Chezy Formula

This equation was developed by a French engineer, Antoine Chezy around the year 1768.
The fundamental basis

V = C RS
where;
V = average velocity
C = coefficient
R = hydraulic radius, (A/P)
S = slope of the energy grade line (dimensionless)

The value of C, which is the Chezy resistance factor can be computed from the G.K.
Formula and the Bazin Formula.

Chapter 2:Uniform Flow in Open Channel by N Adilah A A Ghani

a) Ganguillet Kutter Formula (Swiss, 1869)

0.00281 1.811
41.65 + +
C= S n
n  0.00281 Imperial Unit
1+  41.65 +
R S 

1 0.00155
23 + +
C= n S SI Unit
n  0.00155 
1+ 23 +
R  S 

Chapter 2:Uniform Flow in Open Channel by N Adilah A A Ghani

b) Bazin Formula (France, 1897)

157.6
C= Imperial Unit
1+ m
R

87
C= SI Unit
1+ m
R

Chapter 2:Uniform Flow in Open Channel by N Adilah A A Ghani

Table 2.1 Value m for Bazin formula

Description of channel Bazin's m

Very smooth cement of planed wood 0.11

Unplaned wood, concrete or brick 0.21

Ashlar, rubble masonry or poor brickwork 0.83

Earth channels in perfect condition 1.54

Earth channels in ordinary condition 2.36

Earth channels in rough condition 3.17

Source:

Chapter 2:Uniform Flow in Open Channel by N Adilah A A Ghani

2.1.2 Manning Formula

This formula was later adapted to obtain a flow measurement.

This is done by multiplying both sides by the area.

1.49
Q= AR 2 3 S 1f 2 Imperial Unit
n
1
Q = AR S f
23 12
SI Unit
n
Manning’s equation is the most widely used of all uniform-flow formulas for
open channel flow, because of its simplicity and satisfactory results it
produces in real-world applications.

Chapter 2:Uniform Flow in Open Channel by N Adilah A A Ghani

Table 2.2 Manning’s Roughness coefficient, n

Material Manning n Material Manning n

Natural Streams Excavated Earth Channels
Clean and Straight 0.030 Clean 0.022
Major Rivers 0.035 Gravelly 0.025

Sluggish with Deep Pools 0.040 Weedy 0.030

Stony, Cobbles 0.035

Floodplains 0.035 Non-Metals

Pasture, Farmland 0.050 Finished Concrete 0.012

Light Brush 0.075 Unfinished Concrete 0.014

Heavy Brush 0.15 Gravel 0.029

Trees Earth 0.025

Source:

Chapter 2:Uniform Flow in Open Channel by N Adilah A A Ghani

 Factors Affecting Manning’s Coefficient

• Surface Roughness
• Vegetation
• Channel Irregular
• Channel Alignment
• Silting and Scouring
• Obstruction
• Size and Shape of Channel
• Stage and Discharge
• Seasonal Change
• Suspended Material and Bed Load

Chapter 2:Uniform Flow in Open Channel by N Adilah A A Ghani

EXAMPLE 2.1:
Water flows in a rectangular concrete open channel (n = 0.012) that is
12.0m wide at a depth of 2.5 m. The channel slope is 0.0028. Find the
water velocity and flow rate using Manning’s equation.

Chapter 2:Uniform Flow in Open Channel by N Adilah A A Ghani

EXAMPLE 2.2:
A trapezoidal channel with 3 m width and bed slope 1 in 5000 is
proposed to be built. The depth of flow is approximately 1.2m and the
side slope is 1(V):2(H). Calculate the flow rate with these formulas:
i. Manning (n=0.025)
ii. Ganguilet-Kutter (n=0.025)
iii. Bazin (m=1.3)

Chapter 2:Uniform Flow in Open Channel by N Adilah A A Ghani

2.2 DETERMINATION OF NORMAL DEPTH BY
VARIOUS METHODS

Three methods available

1. Trial and Error Solution
2. Graphical Solution
3. General Design Chart
4. Numerical Method

Chapter 2:Uniform Flow in Open Channel by N Adilah A A Ghani

2.2.1 Trial And Error Solution

EXAMPLE 2.3:
Given a trapezoidal channel with bottom width of 3m, side slope of
1(V):1.5(H), a longitudinal slope of 0.0016 and a resistance coefficient
of n=0.013, determine the normal depth of if the discharge is 71m3/s
using trial and error method.

Chapter 2:Uniform Flow in Open Channel by N Adilah A A Ghani

 Trial And Error Solution

Chapter 2:Uniform Flow in Open Channel by N Adilah A A Ghani

2.2.2 Graphical Solution

EXAMPLE 2.4:
Given a trapezoidal channel with bottom width of 3m, side slope of
1(V):1.5(H), a longitudinal slope of 0.0016 and a resistance coefficient
of n=0.013, determine the normal depth of if the discharge is 71m3/s
using graphical method.

Chapter 2:Uniform Flow in Open Channel by N Adilah A A Ghani

Graphical Solution

For graphical solution, plot a graph the depth of flow (normal depth)
versus section factor (AR2/3) and try to get a straight line.

AR2/3 = 23.075
Trial y A=(3+1.5y)y P=3+3.6y R=A/P AR2/3
0.500 1.875 4.800 0.391 1.002
1.000 4.500 6.600 0.682 3.486
1.500 7.875 8.400 0.938 7.543
2.000 12.000 10.200 1.176 13.373
2.500 16.875 12.000 1.406 21.181
3.000 22.500 13.800 1.630 31.169

Chapter 2:Uniform Flow in Open Channel by N Adilah A A Ghani

 Trial normal depth (m) vs AR2/3
3.500

3.000
Trial normal depth (m)

2.500

2.000

1.500

1.000

0.500

0.000
0.000 5.000 10.000 15.000 20.000 25.000 30.000 35.000
AR2/3

Chapter 2:Uniform Flow in Open Channel by N Adilah A A Ghani

2.2.3 General Design Chart

In order to simplify the computation of the normal depth for common

channel shapes, dimensionless curves for the section factor as a
function of the depth have been prepared for rectangular, circular and
trapezoidal.

Although these curves provide solutions to the problem of normal

depth computation for these channel shapes in a manner similar to
that used in problem that they do not provide a general method of
solution.

Chapter 2:Uniform Flow in Open Channel by N Adilah A A Ghani

EXAMPLE 2.5:
Given a circular culvert 0.91 m in diameter with S=0.0016 and n=0.015,
find the normal depth of flow for a discharge of 0.42 m3/s. (Use Design
Chart)

Chapter 2:Uniform Flow in Open Channel by N Adilah A A Ghani

Source:

Chapter 2:Uniform Flow in Open Channel by N Adilah A A Ghani

2.2.4 Numerical Method
If a computer is available and a large number of normal depth
estimation problems must be solved, then a numerical trial and error
produced may be the best approach.

A logical diagram for a numerical solution in the case of rectangular,

trapezoidal, triangular, circular and natural channels is given.

Chapter 2:Uniform Flow in Open Channel by N Adilah A A Ghani

 Table 2.3 Geometry of open channel section

(b + zy)y

Chapter 2:Uniform Flow in Open Channel by N Adilah A A Ghani

EXAMPLE 2.6:
Develop a spreadsheet or a program for computing the geometry
features for each section shown in Table 2.3. Include the area, wetted
perimeter and hydraulic radius.

Chapter 2:Uniform Flow in Open Channel by N Adilah A A Ghani