Landscape Engineering

Spring 2024

HW #1 – Design of Swales Due: Mar. 12, 2024

Name: Yuri, Choi Score: /10

1. In a swale, what are three different ways to reduce the velocity of

water through design?

Reducing the channel slope,

Reducing the hydraulic radius,
Magnifying the (length of) cross-sectional area of flow( by magnifying the width and depth
of a swale)

2. What is the flow velocity of a parabolic swale if the peak rate of runoff
is 49 ft3/s and the cross-sectional area is 14 ft2?

V:v, A: 14 ft2 q: 49 ft3/s

According to Continuity equation,
q=AV, V=q/A
∴ V= 49/14=7/2 ft/s

3. Design a parabolic swale to carry 91 ft3/s of runoff at a slope of 3.5

percent. Its permissible velocity is 4 ft/s, and its roughness coefficient
is 0.05.

V:4 ft/s, A: A q: 91 ft3/s, s:0.035, n:0.05

According to Mannang’s equation,
1.486
V= 𝑛 x 𝑅2/3X𝑆 1/2

1st) find R
1.486
4= 0.05 X𝑅2/3x0.0351/2
R=0.61ft
2nd) find A
Q=AV
91=4A, A=91/4 ft3

3rd)
Initial trial depth: D=1.5R

D=1.5R= 1.5 X 0.61= 0.915(0.92)ft

A=2/3WD -> W=3A/2D=37.3ft

Hydraulic radisus check

𝑊^2𝐷
R= =0.6090…ft
1.5𝑊 2 +4𝐷^2
(close to the previous R=0.61ft caculated from a velocity of 4ft/s)

Width Determination
∴Design dimensions are W=37.3ft, d=0.915(0.92)ft