CHAPTER 2 : OPEN

CHANNEL FLOW

OPEN CHANNEL : A CHANNEL

WHERE THE WATER FLOWS WITH
MAINLY BY GRAVITY FORCE AND
THERE HAS A FREE SURFACE
AND ATMOSPHERE PRESSURE ON
THE WATER.

EXAMPLE
There are two types of open channel

a) Natural Channels
There are not regular nor prismatic and their materials are of construction
can vary widely (although they are mainly of earth this can process many
different properties).
The surface roughness will often change with time distance and even
elevation.

b) Artificial channels
These are channels are made by man. They include irrigation canals, navigation canals, spillways, sewer
and drainage. They are usually constructed in a regular cross-section shape throughout and are thus
prismatic channel
CHAPTER 2

TYPE OF FLOW :

1. Uniform flow Steady Uniform Flow

UnSteady Uniform Flow

2.Non uniform flow Steady Non

Uniform Flow
Rapidly Varied
UnSteady Non Flow
Uniform Flow

Gradually Varied
Flow
CHAPTER 2

Uniform flow

- Depth, discharge & velocity

constant along the length of the
channel

y1 v1
Q v2 y1 = y2
y2
v1 = v2
CHAPTER 2

Non uniform flow

- Depth, discharge & velocity is

different along the length of the
channel

Q v1 y1 v2 y1 = y2
y2
v1 = v2
CHAPTER 2

Steady uniform flow -

- Depth, discharge & velocity is

constant along the length of the
channel and not change with time

Constant Constant
depth velocity
CHAPTER 2

UnSteady uniform flow

- Depth, discharge & velocity is

constant along the length of the
river but changed with time
CHAPTER 2

Steady non-uniform flow

- Depth, discharge & velocity is not

constant along the length of the
river and not changed with time

Q v1 y1 v2
y2
CHAPTER 2

UnSteady non-uniform flow -

- Depth, discharge & velocity is not

constant along the length of the
river and changed with time

Q v1 y1 v2
y2
CHAPTER 2

Gradually Varied flow

- Depth, discharge & velocity is

changed slowly along the length of
the river
- Example : Backwater in Sluice gate

Q v1 y1 v2
y2
CHAPTER 2

Rapidly Varied flow

- Depth, discharge & velocity is

changed rapidly along the length
of the river
- Example: Hydraulic jump

Q v1 y1 v2
y2
CHAPTER 2
Exercise 1
Solution :
 y = 1.868m
B = 3.768m