4-4 Typical Cross – Sections of Irrigation Canals

In Irrigation canals, water flow under the force of gravity. To achieve this
condition, the F.S.L. (full supply level) is generally kept above N.S.L. (natural
surface level). The canal is made party by excavated below the N.S.L. and partly
by filling above N.S.L. For achieving economy the depth of cutting is adjusted
to achieve above mentioned condition, the canal section is said to be most
economical section. Such a depth of excavated is known as “Balancing Depth “.
y= balancing depth

d= full supply depth

h= height of the top of the bank = d + free board

b= width of the bed

t= top width of canal bank

Example 4-3:-

Calculate the balancing depth for a channel section having a bed width 9m,
full supply depth of water 1.5m, side slope in cutting 1:1, side slope in filling
1.5:1, top width of the bank 1.8m, and free board 0.6m.
Solution:

Given b=9m d=1.5m z=1 n= 1.5 t= 1.8 free board= 0.6

h= d+ free board= 1.8+ 0.6= 2.1 m

9 3
y2-(2 + 3(2.1) + 1.8)𝑦 + 2.1 (1.8 + 2
× 2.1) = 0

y2 – 12.6y + 10.4 =0 y= 0.9 m

4-5 Silt Theories and Design OF Irrigation Canals

Design of irrigation canals means determining of their various hydraulic

dimensions, such as, bed width (B), fully supply depth (y), side slopes and
shape of section and bed slope(S). The design aspects of irrigation canals can be
divided into two parts:-

a. Design of canals in non-alluvial soils.

b. Design of canals in alluvial soils.

4-5-1 Design of canals in non-alluvial soils

Non-alluvial soils are stable and as such scouring and consequent silting in
canals in such soils is simple.

The generally adopted values of side slops for non-alluvial canals are:-

1(H) : 1(V) in cutting and 1.5(H) : 1(V) in filling.

𝒚
The channel can be designed after fixing the ratio of ( ) by using one of the
𝒃
following hydraulic formula:-
1- Chery’s Formula

V=C√𝑹𝑺 ---------------------------4.6

Where:-

V: - velocity in channel (m/sec)

𝑨 𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒂
R: - hydraulic radius (m) = =
𝑷 𝒘𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒓

S: - bed slope

C: - a constant depending upon the shape and surface of the channel

2- Manning's Formula
𝟏 𝟐⁄ 𝟏⁄
V= 𝑹 𝟑 𝑺 𝟐 -------------------------------4.7
𝒏

Where:-

n: Manning Coefficient.

V: - velocity in channel (m/sec)

𝑨 𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒂
R: - hydraulic radius (m) = =
𝑷 𝒘𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒓

S: - bed slope
Example 4.4:-

Design an unlined irrigation canal in a loamy soil so as to carry a discharge of

60 cumec, with a permissible velocity of 1m/sec. Assuming the side slopes as
1.5:1 and (b/y)=8, calculate also the bed slope of the canal, Use Manning's
formula with n=0.022.

Solution:-
𝑸
Q=A× 𝑽 , A= =60/1=60 m2
𝑽

Using the trapezoidal section

A= by + zy2
𝒃
=𝟖 b= 8y ---------------- (1)
𝒚

60 = 8y(y) + 1.5 y2---------------- (2)

60 = 8y2 + 1.5y2=9.5y2

Then y= 2.51 m, b= 20.1 m

𝟏 𝟐⁄ 𝟏⁄
V= 𝑹 𝟑 𝑺 𝟐,
𝒏

𝑨 𝟔𝟎
R= = = 2.06 m
𝑷 𝒃+𝟐𝒚×(𝟏+𝒁𝟐 )𝟎.𝟓

𝟏⁄ 𝟏
1= (1/0.022) (2.06)2/3 𝑺 𝟐, S=
𝟓𝟐𝟎𝟎