Date: 02-11-2020: Lecture 19

5.3 ERODIBLE CHANNELS WHICH SCOUR BUT DO NOT SILT: SHEAR

OR TRACTIVE FORCE METHOD
The erodible channels with coarse non-cohesive materials on the boundary and carrying
either clear water or water with fine sediment in suspension which will not deposit are
designed by the method developed by Lane (1955) of USBR. The method is based on the
threshold or incipient motion condition of the soil particles, which denotes the limiting
condition at which the soil particles just begin move. In this method it is assumed that a
channel scours when the shear stress developed on the channel boundary exceeds the
critical shear stress value. The average shear stress on the boundary of an open channel at
which the soil particles just begin to move is called the critical shear stress τc. Since the
threshold or incipient motion condition of the particles on the channel boundary (or over a
part of the boundary which is more susceptible to scour) is considered, the design is
economical. As stated in Art. 4.3, in uniform flow the average shear stress on the channel
boundary is given by
τ0 = γRS0 = ρgRS0 (5.7)
and when the channel is wide
τ0 = γhS0 (5.8)
The shear stress, however, is not uniformly distributed along the wetted perimeter when
the channel is not wide. For a trapezoidal section, the maximum shear stress on the
bottom is close to 0.98γhS0 and on the sides close to 0.76γhS0, as shown in Fig.5.4 (Lane,
1955).

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Fig.5. 4 Maximum shear stresses on (a) sides and (b) bottom of trapezoidal channels

Shear Stress Ratio

On a soil particle resting on the sloping side of a trapezoidal channel in which water is
flowing (Fig. 5.5), two forces, viz. the tractive or shear force aτs and the gravity force
component Wssinϕ, tend to move the soil particle. Since the two forces act on the soil
particle at right angles to each other, the resultant force on the soil particle is
Ws sin     a s 
2 2

where a is the effective area of the soil particle, τs is the shear stress on the sloping side and
Ws, is the submerged weight of the particle. The force resisting the movement of the soil
particle is equal to Wscosϕtanψ , where ψ is the angle of repose and tanψ is the coefficient of
friction. For the incipient motion condition of the soil particle

Ws cos  tan  Ws sin     a s 

2 2
(5.9)
which gives

Ws tan 2 
s  cos  tan 1 
a tan 2  (5.10)
Similarly, for the incipient motion condition of a soil particle on the level or horizontal
bottom, Eq. (5.10) gives with ϕ =0
W
 b  s tan (5.11)
a

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 Fig. 5.5 Forces acting on a soil particle resting on the side and the bottom of a trapezoidal channel

where τb is the shear stress on the level bottom. From Eqs. (5.10) and (5.11), the shear stress
ratio, which is the ratio between the shear stress on the sloping side and that on the level bottom
of a trapezoidal section, is given by
Ws tan 2 
cos  tan 1 
s a tan 2 
K 
b Ws
tan
a
tan 2 
 cos  1 
tan 2 
sin 2 
 cos 2  
tan 2 
sin 2 
 1  sin 2  
tan 2 
 1 
 1  sin 2  1  
 tan  
2

 cos 2   sin 2  
 1  sin  
2

 sin 2  
sin 2 
or K  1  (5.12)
sin 2 

For cohesive and fine non-cohesive materials, the gravity force component causing the
particle to roll down the side slope is much smaller than the cohesive forces and can safely
be neglected. Therefore, the angle of repose needs to be considered only for coarse non-
cohesive materials. In general, the angle of repose increases with both size and angularity
of the material. Figure 5.6 shows the curves prepared by USBR for the angle of repose for
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 non-cohesive material larger than 0.2 inch (5 mm) in diameter. In this figure, the particle
size is the d75 size which is the particle size than which 75% of the material by weight is
smaller (25% is larger).

The USBR recommends a value of the permissible shear stress on level bottom for coarse
non-cohesive materials in pounds per square foot equal 0.40d75, where d75 is in inches.
Shields in 1936 first gave a semi-empirical approach to define the threshold of movement
and his results are most widely use today. His results can be stated in terms of two
dimensionless parameters

u*d
Re*  (5.13)

and
c u *2
 c*   (5.14)
  ss  1 d g  ss  1 d

Fig.5.6 Angle of repose of non-cohesive materials (Lane, 1955) /

when ss is the specific gravity of the sediment and d is the size of the sediment particle. The
parameter Re* is known as the particle Reynolds number.
The Shields curve, plotted in Fig.5.7 (French, 1986), delineates the threshold of movement, i.e.
the regime above the curve represents a moving bed and that below the curve represents a rigid
bed. The first part of the curve represents laminar flow, the middle part represents a transition

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region and the last part represents a region of fully developed turbulence. The boundary is rough
at large values of Re* and when Re* exceeds a value of about 400, τc* remains constant at 0.056.

Fig.5.7 Shields curve for incipient motion condition

From Eq.(5.12), it is apparent that the side slope angle ϕ of a trapezoidal channel
must be less than the angle of repose ψ , otherwise K becomes imaginary. Also, a rectangular
section cannot be designed by this method, because for a rectangular section ϕ = 90° and K
becomes imaginary.

Procedure for Designing a Trapezoidal Channel

For a trapezoidal channel, the shear stress on the sloping sides is usually less than that on the
bottom. Hence, the side force is generally the limiting factor in the channel design. The section
dimensions should therefore be determined for the side force and checked for the bottom force.
When the design discharge Q, the bottom slope So, the relevant engineering properties
of the soil and the Manning's n are known or determined, the design of a trapezoidal channel
section in coarse non-cohesive materials involves the following steps:
1. Estimate the angle of repose ψ for the perimeter material (Fig.5.6).

2. Assume s and b/hn. Compute    cot 1 s  . •

3. Determine the maximum shear stress developed on sides in terms of h n (Fig.5.4(a)). •
4. Calculate K (Eq.(5.12)).
5. Determine τb, the permissible shear stress on bottom (τb = 0.40d75 when τb is
in Ib/ft and d75 is in inches, or τb = τc obtained from the Yalin-Karahan curve, Fig.5.9)
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and correct for sinuosity, if any.

6. Compute τs, the permissible shear stress on sides, using τb =Kτb.
7. Compute the normal depth hn by equating the computed value of τ s in step 6 to
the shear stress obtained in step 3.
8. Compute b.
9. Compute Q and compare this with the design Q.
10. Repeat steps 2 to 9 until the computed Q is close to the design Q.
11. Compare the actual shear stress on bottom τb (Fig.5.4 (b)) with the permissible
value obtained in step 5.
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 Example 5.6
A trapezoidal channel is to be laid on a slope of 1 in 1000 and carry a discharge of 20 m3/s.
It is to be excavated in earth containing moderately rounded coarse non-cohesive particles
with d50 =2 cm; d75 = 2.5 cm and n = 0.025. Determine the section dimensions of the
channel.
Solution
So= 1/1000 = 0.001
i) Design by the method of Lane
d75 = 2.5/2.54 = 0.98 in
Then, from Fig.5.6, ψ = 33°
Assume s = 2 and b/hn = 4. Then,   cot 1 2  tan 1 1/ 2  26.560
Then from Fig.5.4(a), the maximum shear stress on sides is 0.75γhnSo =0.75* 9810 *
hn * 0.001= 7.36hn N/m2.
s sin 2  sin 2 26.560
K  1 2  1  0.57
b sin  sin 2 330
The permissible shear stress on bottom is
τb = 0.40d75=0.40*0.98=0.39Ib/ft2=18.77 N/m2 (1 Ib/ft2=47.86 N/m2)
Then the permissible shear stress
on sides is τs=Kτb = 0.57*18.77
= 10.72 N/m2
For a state of impending motion of the particles on the sides
7.36hn = 10.72
hn= 1.47 m
b/hn = 4
b =4*1.47=5.83m
For this trapezoidal section A = 12.73 m2, P = 12.34 m and R = 1.03 m. Hence
1 1
Q  AR 2/3 S01/2  (12.73)(1.03)2/3 (0.0011)1/2  16.44m3 /s
n 0.013
which is less than the design discharge of 20 m3/s.
Further computations are done in tabular form as shown below for different values of b/hn.

b/hn hn (m) b(m) A (m2) P (m) R (m) Q (m3/s)

4.5 1.47 6.62 14.05 13.19 1.065 18.53
5.0 1.47 7.35 15.13 13.92 1.086 20.22
4.9 1.47 7.20 14.91 13.78 1.082 19.88

Then, for s =2 and b/hn= 5.0, the section dimensions are hn =1.47m, b = 7.35m, A= 15.13m2,
P=13.92 m and R = 1.086 m, and Q = 20.22 m3/s which is very close to 20 m3/s.
With s = 2 and b/hn, = 5.0, the shear stress on bottom (Fig.5.4(b)) is 0.97γhnSo =
0.97*9810*1.4* 0.001 = 13.51N/m2 which is less than 18.77 N/m2, the permissible shear
stress on bottom. Hence the design is acceptable.
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 Obviously, alternative section dimensions may be obtained by taking other values of s.

ii) Design by using modified Yalin-Karahan curve

The permissible shear stress on bottom τb taken do be equal to τc obtained from Fig. 5.9.
The median size d50 is taken to be equal to the size of the sediment particle. Then,

1/3
    2650  1000  9.81 *0.02
1/3
g 1/3d50 1/3
R  s
*
    505.92
    2/3 106 
1
 
2/3
1000

The corresponding value of τc from Fig. 5.9 is 0.045.

.'. τb = τc = τc*γ(ss-1)d50 =0.045*9810*(2.65-
1)*0.02=14.57N/m2
Then τs = Kτb = 0.57*14.57 = 8.30 N/m2
.•. 7.36hn = 8.30
hn = 1.13 m
.'. b= 1.13*4 = 4.52 m
For this trapezoidal section, A = 7.66 m2, P = 9.57 m and
R=0.80m.
Hence
Q=(1/ 0.025)*7.66*0.802/3*0.0011/2 =8.35 m3 /s
which is far less than the design discharge of 20 m3/s.
Further computations are done in tabular form as shown below for different values of b/hn.

b/hn hn (m) b(m) A (m2) P (m) R (m) Q (m3/s)

8.0 1.13 9.04 12.77 14.03 0.906 15.12
10.0 1.13 11.30 15.32 16.35 0.096 18.56
11.0 1.13 12.43 16.60 17.43 0.949 20.23
10.9 1.13 12.32 16.47 17.37 0.948 20.10

Then, for s = 2 and b/hn = 10.9, hn = 1.13 m, b = 12.32 m, A= 16.47 m2, P = 17.37 m, R = 0.948
m and Q = 20.10 m3/s which is very close to 20 m3/s.
With s = 2 and b/hn = 10.9, the maximum unit tractive force on bottom (Fig.5.4(b)) is γhnSo= 9810
* 1.13 * 0.001 = 11.08 N/m2 which is less than 14.57 N/m2, the permissible tractive force on
bottom. Hence the design is acceptable.
4 ALLUVIAL CHANNELS: REGIME APPROACH
An alluvial channel has been defined as a channel transporting the same type of material as that
comprising the channel perimeter. Such a channel can be stable only when sediment inflow into
channel is equal to sediment outflow, i.e. the channel cross-section and bottom slope do not change
due to erosion and deposition. A channel is said to be in a regime when it has adjusted its shape and
slope to an equilibrium condition.
The two commonly adopted methods for the design of stable alluvial channels are the shear or
tractive force approach, considered earlier, and the regime approach. The shear force approach is
more rational, as it makes use of the laws governing sediment transport and resistance laws. The
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 regime theory is purely empirical and has been developed using data of stable canals in India and
Pakistan carrying sediment load generally less than 500 ppm by weight.
The first regime formula developed by Kennedy (1895) is given by
U0 = 0.546h0.64 (5.15)
where U0 is the non-silting and non-scouring mean velocity and h is the depth of flow. The
main limitation of the Kennedy equation is that it does not specify a stable width, thereby
making an infinite number of width-to-depth ratios possible. However, experience shows
that stability is possible only if the width does not vary over a wide range. Lindley (1919)
recognized this fact and introduced a relation between non-silting and non-scouring velocity
and the bed width. Later on, Lacey (1930, 1946) carried out extensive investigations on the
design of stable channels in alluvium using data of stable canals in the Indo-Gangetic
plains and put forward his new theory. He differentiated between two regime conditions:
(i) initial regime, and (ii) final regime. A channel under initial or false regime is not a channel
in regime, although it appears to be in regime as there is no silting or scouring, and the regime
theory is not applicable to them. According to Lacey, an artificially constructed channel having
a certain fixed section and certain fixed slope can be in true or final regime if the discharge is
constant, flow is uniform, the silt grade and e silt charge are constant and the channel flows
through incoherent alluvium of the same type as is transported without changing its cross-section
and slope. Lacey's regime theory is applicable only to channels which are in final regime.
The various equations proposed by Lacey for the design of stable channels in alluvium are

P  4.75 Q (5.16)
R  0.47  Q / f s 
1/3
(5.17)
and
f s5/3
S0  (5.18)
3340Q1/6
with
f s  1.76 d (5.19)
Where, P is the wetted perimeter in m, R is the hydraulic radius in m, Q is the discharge in m 3/s, d is
the average particle size in mm and fs is the silt factor which takes into account the effect of grain
size of the material forming the channel. Combination of Eqs. (5.16) to (5.19) results in the
following resistance formula similar to the Manning formula:
Q  10.8 R 2/3 S01/2 (5.20)
The alluvial channels are usually provided with trapezoidal sections having side slopes equal to or
less than the angle of repose of the perimeter material. But due to deposition of fine sediments, the
final side slopes attained by the channels are much steeper. Hence, it is customary to assume a side
slope of 1/2:1 (i.e. s = 1/2) for the design of alluvial channels.

Example 5.7
Design a stable alluvial channel using the Lacey's theory. The channel is to carry 10 m3/s
through 1 mm sand.
Solution
Q = 10 m3/s d = 1 mm

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 f s  1.76 d =1.76
f s5/3
S0   5.233 104
3340Q1/6
R  0.47  Q / f s  =0.8387m
1/3

P  4.75 Q  15.02m
so that,
A=PR=15.02* 0.8387=12.60 m2
Assuming that the side slope is 1/2H:1V so that s = 0.5, we obtain
P=15.02=b + 2√(1+0.52)*h=b+2.236h A =12.60=(b + 0.5 h)h= bh + 0.50h2
Eliminating b between the above two equations, we get the quadratic equation
h2-8.652h + 7.258 = 0 which gives h = 0.941 m and 7.711 m. Using these two values of h, we get
b = 15.02-2.236h =12.916 m and -2.222 m.
Since b cannot be negative, we accept
h = 0.941 m and b = 12.916 m.

PROBLEMS

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