Elid.

4201 Management of Canal Irrigation

System - 3 (2+1)

ER. NAMITHA M R
ASST. PROF. (C)
DEPT. OF IDE
KCAET, TAVANUR
MODULE 2

 Estimation of water requirements for canal command areas and

determination of canal capacity
 Water duty and delta, relationship between duty, base period and
delta
 Factors affecting duty and methods of improving duty
 Silt theory: Kennedy’s theory for canal designing
 Lacey’s regime theory for canal design and basic regime equations
 Use of Garrett’s diagram
 Design of Alluvial channels

Alluvial channel surface consists of alluvial soil which can be easily

scoured.
In an alluvial channel, scouring and silting may occur if the channel
is not properly designed.
If the velocity is too high, scouring may occur. On the other hand, if
the velocity is too low, silting may occur.
The quantity of silt transported by water in an alluvial channel varies
from section to section due to scouring of bed and sides as well as
due to Silting (or deposition
 Design of Alluvial channels

The command of an irrigation channel decreases if the scouring

occurs because the full supply level falls.
The discharge capacity is decreased if the silting occurs because
the cross-section is reduced.
The velocity at which the condition of neither silting nor scouring
occurs is called the critical velocity.
Stable channel: The channel in which banks and bed are neither
scoured nor silted.
Even if there is some minor scouring and silting, the bed and banks
of a stable channel remain more or less unaltered over a long period
of time.
 Design of Alluvial channels

The design of Alluvial channels are done based on silt

theories:
1. Kennedy’s theory
2. Lacey’s theory
 Fig: Generation of eddies (according to Kennedy)

Design of Alluvial channels

1. Kennedy’s silt theory

R G Kennedy gave his theory, in 1895, based on the investigations

carried out on the stable reaches of the the Upper Bari Doab canal
system in Punjab.
Conclusions of Kennedy:
Silt supporting power in a channel cross-section was mainly
dependent upon the generation of the eddies rising to the surface.
Eddies are generated due to the friction of the flowing water with the
channel surface.
The vertical component of these eddies try to move the sediment up
while weight of the sediment tries to bring it down.
 Fig: Generation of eddies (according to Kennedy)

Design of Alluvial channels

1. Kennedy’s silt theory

R G Kennedy gave his theory, in 1895, based on the investigations

carried out on the stable reaches of the the Upper Bari Doab canal
system in Punjab.
Conclusions of Kennedy:
If the velocity is sufficient to generate eddies so as to keep the
sediment just in suspension, silting will be avoided based on the
concept of critical velocity.
Eddies generated at the sides were neglected by Kennedy because
such eddies are horizontal for the greater part and therefore have
very little silt supporting power.
 Fig: Generation of eddies (according to Kennedy)

Design of Alluvial channels

1. Kennedy’s silt theory

R G Kennedy gave his theory, in 1895, based on the investigations

carried out on the stable reaches of the the Upper Bari Doab canal
system in Punjab.
Conclusions of Kennedy:
Eddies generated only at the bed of the channel are effective for
transportation of the silt. Thus, the silt supporting power is proportional
to the bed width (and not the wetted perimeter).
Kennedy, selected the relevant parameter as the depth of flow D
(and not the hydraulic radius R) for the critical velocity.
 Fig: Generation of eddies (according to Kennedy)

Design of Alluvial channels

1. Kennedy’s silt theory

According to Kennedy, the critical velocity Vc in a channel may be

defined as the mean velocity of flow which will just keep the
channel free from silting or scouring.

He recognized that the grade (or size) of silt played an important

role in the silt-carrying capacity of the channel and introduced
another factor, called the critical velocity ratio (m).
Thus,
Critical velocity ratio (m) = 1.1 to 1.2 for coarse sand
= 0.8 to 0.9 for fine sand
 Fig: Generation of eddies (according to Kennedy)

Design of Alluvial channels

1. Kennedy’s silt theory

The 3 basic equations of Kennedy are:

1. Continuity equation: Q = A V

2. Flow equation (Chezy’s equation, 𝑽 = 𝑪 𝑹𝑺):

The Chezy’s coefficient, C is found by using Kutter’s formula.

3. Kennedy’s critical velocity equation:

 Fig: Generation of eddies (according to Kennedy)

Design of Alluvial channels

1. Kennedy’s silt theory

Generally, discharge Q, Manning’s coefficient N and the C.V.R (m)

are given or assumed.
Still there are 4 unknowns, namely A, V, R and S. Since there are
only 3 equations and 4 unknowns, the complete solution is not
possible.
To obtain the complete solution, either bed slope or B/D ratio is
assumed.
 Design of Alluvial channels
1. Kennedy’s silt theory
Design Procedure- 1: When the bed slope is given

Given: Q, m, N and S.
Steps:
1. Assume a trial value of the depth D.
2. Calculate the velocity V using,
3. Determine the cross sectional area, A = Q/V
4. Assuming a side slope of 0.5: 1, compute the bed width:

5. Compute the wetted perimeter for the assumed depth and

computed bed width:
 Design of Alluvial channels
1. Kennedy’s silt theory
Design Procedure- 1: When the bed slope is given

Given: Q, m, N and S.
Steps:
Compute the hydraulic radius from the relation:
Calculate the actual mean velocity V from Kutter’s equation:

Velocity from Kennedy’s equation = Velocity from Kutter’s equation, the

design depth is correct. Otherwise, go for redesign.
Velocity from Kennedy’s equation < Velocity from Kutter’s equation, a
greater value of D is assumed for the next trial and vice versa.
 Design of Alluvial channels
1. Kennedy’s silt theory
Design procedure – 2: when B/D is given

Given: Q, m, N and B/D.

Steps:
1. Calculate the area in terms of D: or

2. Write the continuity equation and substitute Kennedy’s equation for

the velocity:

3. Calculate the value of D from above equation.

 Design of Alluvial channels
1. Kennedy’s silt theory
Design procedure – 2: when B/D is given

Given: Q, m, N and B/D.

Steps:
4. Determine the bed width:
5. Compute the hydraulic radius:

6. Determine the velocity V from the relation:

7. Compute the slope from Kutter’s equation. (for the first trial, the term
0.00155/S may be neglected):
 Design of Alluvial channels
1. Kennedy’s silt theory
Drawbacks of Kennedy’s Theory

1. In the absence of B/D relation the Kennedy theory do not

provide easy basis for fixing channel dimensions uniquely.
2. Perfect definitions of silt grade and silt charge are not given.
3. Complex phenomenon of silt transportation is not fully
accounted and only critical velocity ratio (m) concept is
considered sufficient.
4. There is no provision to decide longitudinal slope.
5. By use of Kutter's formula inherent limitations therein remain
applicable in Kennedy's channel design procedure.
 Design of Alluvial channels
1. Kennedy’s silt theory
Use of Garret’s Diagram
Garret’s diagram gives the graphical method of designing the
channel dimensions based on Kennedy’s theory.
The original diagrams were prepared in F. P. S. units.
Abscissa (X-axis): Discharge
Ordinates (Y-axis): Left-Slope of channel; Right: Water depth in
channel and Critical Velocity
The discharge lines are curved and the bed width lines are shown
dotted.
The Garret diagram is drawn for the value of N =0.0225; however,
the diagrams can be used for other values of N using certain
nomographs.
 Design of Alluvial channels
1. Kennedy’s silt theory
Use of Garret’s Diagram

Fig: Garret’s Diagram

 Design of Alluvial channels
1. Kennedy’s silt theory
Use of Garret’s Diagram: Procedure for design

1. Find the discharge for which the channel is to be designed.

2. Find out the slope of the channel from its longitudinal section.
3. In Garret’s diagram, follow the discharge line and find out its
intersection with the horizontal line from slope; Mark the
intersection point as P.
4. Draw a vertical line through the point of intersection. This will
intersect several bed width curves.
Each intersection points of vertical line and bed width curve gives
a depth and critical velocity (V0)corresponding to this depth on
right hand side ordinate.
 Design of Alluvial channels
1. Kennedy’s silt theory
Use of Garret’s Diagram: Procedure for design

5. Choose a pair of bed width, depth and Critical velocity (V0)

corresponding to the point of intersection obtained in step 4.
6. Calculate the area of channel section corresponding to the bed
width and depth obtained in step 5.
7. Calculate the velocity in channel corresponding to this area
using V=Q/A.
8. Calculate the V/V0 ratio. This should be equal to unity or equal to
the value of V/V0 ratio given for channel design.
9. Repeat the procedure with other values of bed width and depth
till the V/V0 ratio obtained, matches the values as per step 8.
 Design of Alluvial channels
2. Lacey’s Regime theory

Lacey, found many drawbacks in Kennedy’s theory and he put forward

his new theory .
He differentiated between three regime conditions: True, Initial and
Final Regimes
1. True regime: A channel will be in true regime if these conditions are
satisfied:
a. Discharge is constant
b. Flow is uniform
c. Silt charge is constant
d. Silt grade is constant
 Design of Alluvial channels
2. Lacey’s Regime theory

2. Initial regime: It is the first stage of regime attained by an artificial

channel.
The channel when excavated has somewhat a smaller width and a
flatter slope.
As the channel comes in operation and flow takes place, the bed
slope of the channel is increased due to deposition of silt on the bed of
the channel.
With an increase of bed slope, the depth of channel may also change.
 Design of Alluvial channels
2. Lacey’s Regime theory

2. Initial regime:
However, the width of the channel does not change because of the
sides of the channel are usually cohesive and they resist erosion.
If the soil in banks is clay, the sides may resist erosion almost
indefinitely.
The channel in an alluvial soil achieves equilibrium, called the initial
regime after running for some time.
 Design of Alluvial channels
2. Lacey’s Regime theory

3. Final regime:
It is the ultimate regime attained by an alluvial channel when in
addition to bed slope and depth, the width of the channel has also
been adjusted.
After a long time, because of continuous action of water, the resistance
of the sides of the channel is overcome and finally gets adjusted
according to discharge and silt grade, then the channel is said to have
permanent stability called final regime.
 Design of Alluvial channels
2. Lacey’s Regime theory

Lacey found that the silt is kept in suspension

by the vertical component of eddies, but he
also considered the eddies generated at the
sides of the channel which have vertical
components and hence support the silt.
Fig: Generation of eddies
Lacey considered the hydraulic radius R as (according to Lacey)
the characteristic parameter rather than the
depth of flow D considered by Kennedy.
 Design of Alluvial channels
2. Lacey’s Regime theory
Lacey’s fundamental equations

1. Silt factor: This is similar to C.V.R (m) as introduced

by Kennedy. The silt factor was related to the
average particle size of the silt.
The silt factor depends upon the average size of the
channel boundary material and its density.
The specific gravity of all the transported material is
same (about 2.65), the difference in density is Fig: Generation of
ignored, hence the silt factor is related only to the eddies (according
particle size. to Lacey)
As per Lacey, silt factor:
where, m is the average particle size in mm..
 Design of Alluvial channels
2. Lacey’s Regime theory
Lacey’s fundamental equations

2. Relation between mean velocity (V) and

hydraulic radius (R):

3. Relation between cross-sectional area (A) and

mean velocity (V):
Fig: Generation of
eddies (according
4. Flow equation: to Lacey)
 Design of Alluvial channels
2. Lacey’s Regime theory
Lacey’s derived equations

1. Velocity equation:

Fig: Generation of
eddies (according
to Lacey)
 Design of Alluvial channels
2. Lacey’s Regime theory
Lacey’s derived equations

2. Wetted Perimeter equation:

Fig: Generation of
eddies (according
to Lacey)
 Design of Alluvial channels
2. Lacey’s Regime theory
Lacey’s derived equations

3. Hydraulic Radius equation:

Fig: Generation of
eddies (according
to Lacey)
 Design of Alluvial channels
2. Lacey’s Regime theory
Lacey’s derived equations

4. Slope equation:

Fig: Generation of
eddies (according
to Lacey)
 Design of Alluvial channels
2. Lacey’s Regime theory
Lacey’s derived equations

4. Slope equation:

Fig: Generation of
eddies (according
to Lacey)
 Design of Alluvial channels
2. Lacey’s Regime theory
Design Procedure

Given: Discharge Q and silt factor.

Steps:
1. Determine the velocity:

2. Calculate the area of flow: A=Q/V Fig: Generation of

eddies (according
to Lacey)
3. Compute the wetted perimeter:
 Design of Alluvial channels
2. Lacey’s Regime theory
Design Procedure

Given: Discharge Q and silt factor.

Steps:
4. Knowing the area of flow and wetted perimeter,
determine the depth D and width B from the
geometrical relations given below, using a side
slope of 0.5:1.
Fig: Generation of
eddies (according
5. Determine the bed slope: to Lacey)
 Design of Alluvial channels
2. Lacey’s silt theory
Drawbacks of Lacey’s Theory

1. The concept of true regime is only theoretical and cannot be

achieved practically.
2. The various equations are derived by considering the silt factor,
which is not constant at all.
3. The concentration of silt is not taken into account.
4. The silt grade and silt charge are not clearly defined.
5. The equations are empirical and based on the available data
from a particular type of channel.
6. The characteristics of regime of channel may not be same for all
cases.
 Design of Alluvial channels
2. Lacey’s silt theory
Use of Lacey’s Regime diagram

Lacey’s Regime diagram: Diagrams prepared by Lacey to provide

a graphical procedure for channel design.
Diagram is drawn in SI units
Two separate diagrams are there: One for determining bed width &
depth and other for determining regime slope.
Diagram 1: Bed width in abscissa and depth in ordinate;
Discharge-Curves downwards; Silt Factor-Curves upwards.
Diagram 2: Discharge in abscissa and slope in ordinate; Silt Factor-
Slanting downwards.
 Design of Alluvial channels
2. Lacey’s silt theory
Use of Lacey’s Regime diagram

Procedure:
1. Find the intersection of Q with silt factor f in diagram 1.
Find the bed width and depth from the intersection point.

2. Find the intersection of Q with silt factor f in diagram 2.

Find the regime slope from the intersection point.
 Design of Alluvial channels
Comparison of Kennedy’s and Lacey’s Theory
THANK YOU!!!