Name Student number

TECHNICAL HYDRAULICS – Exam January 2020

Important notes:
- All calculations can be done on the accompanying scrap paper. These notes
however, will NOT be considered in the assigning of the points.
- Most answers need to be filled in on the multiple choice answer page. The matching
multiple choice question is indicated in the question [MC#]. Do not forget to fill in
your student number on the multiple choice answer sheet.
- The other, drawing-related questions need to be answered on the attached figures.
Do not forget to write your name and student number on the figure answer sheet.

Question 1 (42/133 points)

A reach of a river has invariable geometric characteristics: its longitudinal bottom slope is
Jf = 0.03 and its cross-sectional shape is rectangular with a width of B = 20 [m]. The crest
levels of both banks are Dmax = 4 [m] above the bottom level. The Manning-Strickler friction
coefficient is estimated at Ks = 45 [m1/3 s-1]. Assume the gravitational acceleration to be
g = 9.81 [m s-2].

Dmax = 4 [m]

B = 20 [m]

Consider the flood discharge with a recurrence period of 20 years, which is estimated at
Q20 = 150 [m3 s-1].
1. [MC1] Compute the normal flow depth. (4 points)
2. [MC2] Compute the critical flow depth. (4 points)
3. [MC3] Determine the flow regime (steep or mild slope). (2 points)
4. Draw the specific energy curve in the attached diagram. Represent the
points for flow depths of 0.8 [m], 1.0 [m], 1.8 [m], 3.5 [m] and 5.2 [m].
Represent also the critical and normal flow depths on the specific energy
curve. (4 points)

In the framework of a river bank reinforcement project, the river width is decreased to
15 [m]. The transition between the upstream natural width and the trained reach is
sudden. The crests of both banks are still 4 [m] above the channel bottom and the bottom
slope is unchanged.

B = 20 [m]
Btrained = 15 [m]

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Name Student number

Unfortunately, the flood discharge Q20 occurs during the construction works. For
the trained reach:
5. [MC4] Compute the normal flow depth. (4 points)
6. [MC5] Compute the critical flow depth. (4 points)
7. [MC6] Determine the flow regime (steep or mild slope). (2 points)
8. Draw the specific energy curve in the attached diagram (same one as
question 1.4). Represent the points for flow depths of 1.1 [m], 1.2 [m],
2.2 [m], 4.3 [m] and 5.1 [m]. Represent also the critical and normal flow
depths on the specific energy curve. (4 points)
9. [MC7] Do you start drawing the backwater curve from upstream or
downstream for the given situation? (2 points)
10. Draw qualitatively the backwater curves in the attached diagram (4
points), and indicate the normal depths (2 points) and critical depths (2
points). Name the different branches of the backwater curves (2 points).
Indicate all the relevant points in your specific energy diagram (2 points). (12 points)

Question 2 (32/133 points)

Consider a bottom outlet through which water (kinematic viscosity ν = 1 10-6 [m2 s-1],
density = 1 103 [kg m-3]) flows out of a reservoir. Its total length is L = 220 [m], its diameter
is D = 2 [m] and its equivalent sand roughness is ks = 0.002 [m]. Its inlet structure induces
minor energy losses characterized by a loss coefficient of Ki = 0.1 [-]. 20 [m] upstream of its
outlet, the pipe has a bend which induces minor energy losses characterized by a loss
coefficient of Kb = 0.2 [-]. The water flows freely out of the pipe without inducing minor
energy losses. The inlet of the bottom outlet is situated at hi = 500 [masl] and its bend and
outlet at hb = ho = 490 [masl]. Assume the gravitational acceleration to be g = 9.81 [m s-2].
The situation is schematized in the figure below, which is not on scale.

hr

hi
Ki

Kb
hb = ho

1. [MC8] Establish the equation that allows determining the initial discharge
Q in the pipe as a function of the water surface level of the reservoir hr
and the other relevant parameters. Assume that the water surface level
of he reser oir ini iall doesn change significantly. (16 points)
2. [MC9] Determine the discharge Q assuming that the free surface of the
reservoir is situated at hr = 530 [masl]. (16 points)

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Name Student number

Question 3 (30/133 points)

As indicated in the sketch in Question 2, there is a bend in the lower part of the
bottom outlet. Assume the discharge in the pipe to be Q = 50 [m3 s-1] (possibly
different from your answer in Question 2!!). Assume all the other parameters as
given in Question 2. A more detailed sketch of the bend is given below.

Kb
hb = ho

20 [m]
1. [MC10] Calculate the relative pressure (assume the atmospheric pressure
is pa = 0) immediately upstream (pu) of the bend. (6 points)
2. [MC11] Calculate the relative pressure (assume the atmospheric pressure
is pa = 0) immediately downstream (pd) of the bend. (6 points)
3. [MC12] Establish the equations needed to calculate the x- and y-
components of the force exerted by the flowing water on the bend. (6 points)
4. [MC13] Compute the aforementioned force components. (12 points)

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Name Student number

Question 4 (Please use a new answer sheet) (29/133 points)

A semi-circular shaped plane is partly submerged in water (density = 1 103 [kg m-3]) as
shown in the following figure. The water level on the left is DL = 5 [m], the water level on the
right is DR = 10 [m]. Assume the gravitational acceleration to be g = 9.81 [m s-2]. Note that all
considerations for your calculations are per unit width.

DR

y
DL
x

(0,0)

1. Draw the pressure distribution on both sides of the structure in the

attached sketch. (6 points)
2. [MC14] Compute the horizontal component of the force on the structure
Fh. (8 points)
3. [MC15] Compute the vertical component of the force on the structure Fv. (8 points)
4. [MC16] Compute the magnitude of the total resultant force FT. (2 points)
5. [MC17] Compute the angle α of the total resultant force with respect to
the vertical (y-direction). (2 points)
6. [MC18] Compute the action point of the total resultant force, taking the
origin where the semi-circle touches the bottom. (3 points)