CE331-3.

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530-331 HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
Lecture No 3: Specific energy
3.1 Definition
Concept of specific energy: neglecting the energy losses.
It has proven to be very useful for steady flow through a transition defined by a gradual rise in
the channel bottom, as show in Fig. 3-1.

Figure 3-1 Transition with bottom step (EGL = energy grade line; HGL = hydraulic grade line)

The energy equation combined with continuity can be written as,

Q2 Q2
y1   y 2   Z (3-1)
2 gA12 2 gA22
In which y = depth; Q = discharge; A = cross-sectional area of flow; Z  Z 2  Z1 =
change in bottom elevation from cross section 1 to 2.
The definition of specific energy ( E )
V2
E  y  (3-2)
2g
Case of a channel with a large slope angle  as shown in Fig 2.2, correct expression for
specific energy is,
V2 V2
E  d cos    y cos2    (3-3)
2g 2g
If   6o ; cos2   1 , Eq.(3-3) is valid for all except the steepest channels.

Figure 3-2 Depth and pressure head on the steep slope.

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3.2 Specific energy diagram

Figure 3-3 Specific energy diagram for a transition in a rectangular channel with a smooth,
upward bottom step, z
Case of a rectangular channel of width b .
Flow rate per unit width q  Q , Q = total channel discharge
b
Velocity V  q , the specific energy with   1 is,
y
q2
E y (3-4)
2gy 2
Figure 3-3 is specific energy diagram,
- Large y , E approaches y , the straight line y  E is an asymptote of the upper limb.
- y approaches zero, E becomes infinitely large, an asymptote of the lower limb.
- Between these 2 limits, E must have a minimum value for a given q .
- The critical depth yC , corresponding to the minimum specific energy EC can be found by
dE q2
 0 1 3 (3-5)
dy gyC
For critical depth ( yC )
1
q2  3
yC    (rectangular channel) (3-6)
g
The value of minimum specific energy EC
q2 3
EC  y C  2
 yC (3-7)
2 gyC 2
Both yC and EC increase as q increase q2  q1
Physical meaning of the specific energy diagram
There are 2 possible values of depth for a given E
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3.3 Choke
From Fig. 3-1 E1  E2  z
z  E1  E2
If z  zC
zC : the difference between E1 and minimum E if z  zC
E 2 is less than the minimum value, it is impossible.
Any further increases in z will cause an increase in the upstream E, while the depth in the
transition will remain critical. This condition called “Choke”
 z required to cause choking
E1  EC  zC
zC  E1  EC
zC  E1  1.5 yC

Figure 3-4 Choking in transition with a smooth, upward bottom step.

Figure 3-5 Critical step height for choking in a transition with a bottom step in a rectangular channel.
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Example 3-1 For an approach flow in a rectangular channel with depth of 2.0 m (6.6 ft) and velocity
of 2.2 m/s (7.2 ft/s), determine the depth of flow over a gradual rise in the channel
bottom of z = 0.25 m (0.82 ft). Repeat the solution for z =0.5 m (1.64 ft).
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3.4 Discharge diagram
Transitions in channel width can be analyzed by the specific energy concept. It is no longer
true that the flow rate per unit width q remain constant.

Figure 3-6 Specific energy and discharge diagram for contraction in width in a rectangular channel.
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3.5 Critical depth in nonrectangular section

Figure 3-7 Geometric properties of general non-rectangular section.

Table 3-1 Geometric elements for channels of different shape (y = flow depth)
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Figure 3-8 Critical depth for trapezoidal and circular channels.

Discuss Issues
1. How does choke flow occur?
2. What is the connection between choke flow and critical flow?
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Classwork # 3
Prob 2.4

Homework # 2
Prob 2.7
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