Computational Techniques in Civil Engineering

Water Resources part: Tutorial solution

Dr. K.N. Dulal

FDM

1. Values of discharge (Q) in m3/s at three points in the space-time grid are given as ,
and . Taking and = 5 minute, compute using following

schemes: (a) backward difference (b) forward difference, (c) central difference. Also compute .

t
n+1

X
n
i-1 i i+1

Solution:
(a) backward difference

(b) forward difference

(c) central difference

( ) [( ) ( ) ] [ ]

( ) ( )

2. Values of discharge (Q) in m3/s at three points in the space-time grid are given as ,
and . Taking =1 km and = 30 minute, compute using following schemes:
(a) backward difference (b) forward difference, (c) central difference
 n+1

t
n

X
n-1
i-1 i i+1

Solution:
(a) backward difference

(b) forward difference

(c) central difference

3. The values of flow rate at four points in the space-time gird are given below:
=15 m3/s, =15.8 m3/s, =13.9 m3/s and =14.7 m3/. Taking = 500m, = 1 hr and =
0.55, calculate the values of and using implicit four-point method.
θ
t
n+1

0.5 0.5
X
n
i 1-θ i+1

Solution:

( ) ( )
( )
( ) ( )
( ) = -0.0022

( )
( ) = 0.00022
4. Consider a rectangular channel, 30m wide, with bed slope of 0.015 and Manning’s n = 0.035. The
following flow rates are given: =30 m3/s, =22 m3/s and =20 m3/s. Taking = 1500m and
= 10 min, determine using finite difference scheme for a linear kinematic wave model. Assume
lateral flow to be zero. The equation for linear kinematic wave model with no lateral flow is

( )
. Take wetted perimeter is approximately equal to width of
( ( ) )

channel.

Solution:
Width of channel (b) = 30m
Bed slope (S) = 0.015
Manning’s n = 0.035
from Manning’s equation

( )
√
Comparing to

( ) ( ) = 1.84
√ √

= 1500m and = 10 min = 600 s

( ) ( )
=25.67 m3/s
( ( ) )
( ( ) )

5. Solve exercise 4 by using non-linear kinematic wave model using the equation
( ) ( )
Take value of computed in exercise 4 as initial value and solve by Newton-Raphson iteration.

Solution:
RHS=c = ( ) = = 23.1

Residual error is ( ) ( ) = ( )
( )= ( )
( ) ( )
Newton-Raphson formula
 ( )
( ) ( ) ( )

( ) = 25.67 m /s (computed in 1)
3

Iteration 1
( )= ( ) = 0.0645
( ) ( ) =0.7
( ) = 25.577 m3/s
Iteration 2
( )= ( ) = -0.0007
( ) ( ) =0.7
( ) = 29.578 m3/s
As the difference in Q in iteration 1 and 2 is small, the iteration is stopped.
=25.578 m3/s

6. Consider a rectangular channel, 90m wide and 5km long with bed slope of 0.015 and Manning’s n =
0.02. The inflow hydrograph for the channel is given below:
Time (min) 0 5 10 15 20
3
Flow (m /s) 14 19 28 32 40
3
The initial condition is a uniform flow of 14 m /s and there is no lateral flow.
Use the linear kinematic wave model to route the inflow hydrograph through the channel taking =
1000m and = 5 min . The equation for routing is

( )
. Take wetted perimeter is approximately equal to width of
( ( ) )

channel.

Solution:
Width of channel (b) = 90m
Bed slope (S) = 0.015
Manning’s n = 0.02
from Manning’s equation

( )
√
Comparing to

( ) ( ) =2
√ √

= 1000m and = 5 min = 300 s

Routing
Distance (m)
Time Time index
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 Remarks
(min) (n)
i=1 2 3 4 5 6
0 1 14 14 14 14 14 14 Given
5 2 19 16.17 14.92 14.39 14.16 14.07
10 3 28 21.65 17.91 15.91 14.91 14.42
15 4 32 26.64 21.96 18.62 16.52 15.32
20 5 40 33.37 27.50 22.77 19.34 17.09

Sample computation
For i = 1 all values are given for all t. For n = 1, all values are given for all i.
i = 1, n = 1: =19 m3/s, =14 m3/s and =14 m3/s.

( )

( ( ) )

( )
=16.17 m3/s
( ( ) )

Compute other values in a similar way.

7. A flood of 150 m3/s peak discharge passed a gauging station at 12:00 noon on a river. There is a
community adjacent to the river 7.2 km downstream. What will be the value of peak discharge at that
community at 12:00 noon if the velocity of flow is 1.2 m/s and peak discharge at that community at 9:00
A.M. is 100 m3/s. Assume width of river as inside and use first order accurate numerical scheme of
kinematic wave equation. Take = 7.2km and = 1 hr.

Solution: In kinematic wave equation, , take q = 0. First finding the finite difference
equation
t

dx
n+1
dt
n

i i+1 x
Non-derivative terms

Substituting above values in

( )

( ( ) ) ( )

( )

( ( ) )

Routing

n=4

n=3

n=2

n=1
i =1 i=2

7200m
i=1: gauging station, i=2: community
At n =1, t = 9AM
= 7200m and = 1 hr= 3600S
At 9AM, V = 1.2m/s, Q = 100 m3/s in community
Cross-sectional area, A = Q/V =100/1.2 = 83.33 m2
= 0.6

= 5.26
The initial condition is 100 m3/s and the boundary condition is also 100 m3/s up to n=3 (11AM) and 150
m3/s at 12:00.
Distance (m)
Time index
Time 0 7200 Remarks
(n)
i=1 2
9AM 1 100 100 Given at n =1
10AM 2 100 100
 11AM 3 100 100 Given at i=1 (first
column data)
12AM 4 150 126.1

Sample computation
i = 1, n = 1: =100 m3/s, =100 m3/s and =100 m3/s.

( )

( ( ) )

( )
=100 m3/s
( ( ) )

8. A rectangular channel is 60m wide, has bed slope 1% and Manning’s n 0.04. The discharge through a
section of the channel is 130 m3/s. is taken 1km for kinematic wave routing. Applying Courant
condition for stability of kinematic wave solution, recommend the maximum value of time step in this
condition. Assume hydraulic radius is equal to flow depth.

Solution:
Width of channel (b) = 60m
Bed slope (S)=1/100 = 0.01
n = 0.04
Discharge (Q) = 130 m3/s
=1000m
=?
Hydraulic radius (R) = flow depth (y)
Computing flow depth using Manning’s equation,

( )
Solving for y
y = 0.92m
Kinematic wave celerity,
( )

( ) ( )
= = 0.14m/s
Courant condition:
MOC

1. Following data are given at two points A and B along a pipe of diameter 30cm carrying water: V A
=5m/s, VB = 5.1m/s, PA = 100Kpa, PB= 120Kpa, = 100m, = 10 Sec, f = 0.02, c = 1200m/s, elevation
difference for 100m distance = 1m. Using the finite difference form of characteristics equations,
compute velocity and pressure at point P.
t

P
𝑡 𝑡
+
C -
C

t A B

𝑥 𝑥

Solution:
= 1000 kg/m3, D= 0.3m, VA =5m/s, VB = 5.1m/s, PA = 100Kpa, PB= 120Kpa, = 100m, = 10 Sec, f =
0.02, c = 1200m/s, elevation difference between A and B (dz) = 1m.
Characteristics equation
| |

Taking C+
| |

Multiplying throughout by and integrating from A to P

| |
∫ ∫ ∫ ∫
(As , replace cdt by dx.)
Writing in Finite difference form
| |
( ) ( ) (a)
Similarly, for C-
| |
( ) ( ) (b)
Substituting given values in eq. (a) and (b)
| |
( ) ( )
(c)
Substituting given values in eq. (a) and (b)
| |
( ) ( )
(d)
Solving eq.(c) and (d)
= 4.65m/s, = -323.35x1000 Pa = -323.35Kpa
2. Following data are given at two points A and B along a pipe of diameter 20cm carrying water: QA
=0.3m3/s, QB = 0.33m3/s, HA = 20.5m, HB= 21m, = 100m, = 10 Sec, f = 0.02, c = 1200m/s, elevation
difference for 100m distance = 1m. Using the finite difference form of characteristics equations,
compute discharge and head at point P.
t

P
𝑡 𝑡
+
C C
-

t A B

𝑥 𝑥

Solution:
= 1000 kg/m3, D= 0.2m, QA =0.3m3/s, QB = 0.33m3/s, HA = 20.5m, HB= 21m, = 100m, = 10 Sec, f =
0.02, c = 1200m/s, dz = 1m
A= = 0.031 m2
Finite difference form in terms of Q and H
For C+: ( ) | | (a)
For C-: ( ) | | (b)
where and

Substituting values in eq. (a) and (b)

( ) | |
(c)
( ) | |
(d)
Solving eq. (c) and (d)
= -33.45m, =0.301m3/s

3. Following data are given at two points A and B along a pipe of diameter 40cm carrying water: QA
=0.5m3/s, QB = 0.55m3/s, QC = 0.53m3/s, HA = 25m, HB= 25.5m, HC = 25.3m, = 1500m, = 1 Sec, f =
0.02, c = 1200m/s, elevation difference for 100m distance = 1m. Using the finite difference form of
characteristics equations, compute discharge and head at point P.
 t

P
𝑡 𝑡
+
C -
C

t A L R B
C
𝑥 𝑥

X
Solution:
= 1000 kg/m3, D= 0.4m QA =0.5m3/s, QB = 0.55m3/s, QC = 0.53m3/s, HA = 25m, HB= 25.5m, HC = 25.3,
= 1500m, = 1 Sec, f = 0.02, c = 1200m/s, dz = 1m
A= = 0.1256 m2
Finite difference form in terms of Q and H
For C+: ( ) | | (a)
For C-: ( ) | | (b)
where and ,

CL=CR= = 1200x1 = 1200m

Linear interpolation

( )
( ) ( ) = 0.51 m3/s
Similarly, ( ) ( ) = 0.546 m3/s

( ) ( ) = 25.1m
Similarly,
( ) ( ) = 25.46m
Substituting values in eq. (a) and (b)
( ) | |
(c)
( ) | |
(d)
Solving eq. (c) and (d)
= 8.05m, = 0.523 m3/s
4. A pipe conveys water from a reservoir as shown in the figure.

C- C+

100m
L= 600m, D = 400mm

B
A

Take f = 0.02, c = 1200m/s. The hydraulic grade line (HGL) at the reservoir is given as
( ). The discharge at the downstream end is zero at all times. By using only one reach, compute
discharge from A and elevation of hydraulic grade line at B at 3Sec using discretized equation of the
Method of characteristics in the form of HGL and discharge .

Solution:
f = 0.02, c = 1200m/s, L = 600m, D = 0.4m
=L=600m
= L/c = 600/1200=0.5S
A= =0.1256m2
= 973.9

= 96.9
QB = 0
( )
for C+
( ) | | ( ) | |
| | (I)
for C-
( ) | |
( )
(II)
At t = 0, QA = 0, QB = 0, HA = HB = 100m

Computation table
t (sec) HPA QPA HPB
0 100 0.000 100.0
0.5 102 0.002 100.0
1 100 0.000 104.0
1.5 98 -0.006 100.0
2 100 0.000 92.0
 2.5 102 0.010 100.0
3 100 0.000 112.0

Computation sequence
( )
where HB = HPB of previous step
| | where HA = HPA of previous step and QA = QPA of previous step

Groundwater simulation

1. The final value of potential head at four grids are given:

. The aquifer is homogeneous and isotropic. Compute the potential head at grid (i,j)
considering steady flow and no withdrawal from the grid.

j-1

j
Y

j+1

i-1 i i+1

Solution:
For homogeneous, isotropic aquifer, steady flow with qF = 0, the finite difference equation is

= 1.1025

2. Figure below shows a part of grids used for simulating seepage under a dam. The value of potential
head at five grids are given: . The aquifer is
homogeneous and isotropic. Compute the potential head at grid (i,j) considering steady flow and no
withdrawal from the grid.
 j-1

j
Y

j+1
i-1 i i+1

Solution:
For homogeneous, isotropic aquifer, steady flow with qF = 0, the finite difference equation is

= 1.45

3. A schematic for simulating river stage-water table fluctuation is shown in figure below.

River Barrier

Aquifer
hL 1 2 3 4 5 hR

The following data are given for the simulation: homogeneous and isotropic aquifer, river stage (hL) =
203m, Length of aquifer = 500m, = 100m, = 1 day, transmissivity of aquifer = 0.03m/s, storage
coefficient = 0.01. The initial value of water table at 5 grids given as 99.1, 99.11, 99.2, 99.3, 99.4m
respectively. Compute coefficients of the 1D implicit finite difference model and display the matrix of
known and unknowns.

Solution:
The finite difference equation

h and h+ = water table elevation at the beginning and end of time step
For homogeneous and isotopic aquifer, coefficients are computed as
= (Same for all grids)
( ) ( ) (Same for all grids)
Computation of RHS part

Take
where =initial values

Boundary conditions
hL = h0= 203m
For i = 1:

For i = 2:
For i = 3:
For i = 4:
For i = 5:

Coefficient matrix is 5x5 matrix (tridiagonal elements non-zero, others zero)

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