National University of Sciences

and Technology
NUST INSTITUTE OF CIVIL
ENGINEERING

PBL ACTIVITY-4

Semester: 4TH Course: CE 252 FLUID MECHANICS-2

TIME Allowed: 15 mins Marks/ Score: 10

TOPIC: OPEN CHANNEL FLOW ANALYSIS

Objectives: To enable students to evaluate the performance of a canal irrigation
system by analyzing the flow characteristics of each canal, identifying design or
operational problems, and proposing solutions.
Relevance to Real Life (Practical Applications): This problem-based learning activity
will provide students with practical experience in analyzing the performance of canal
irrigation systems. Students will learn to assess flow characteristics, identify problems,
and propose solutions to improve the system's performance.

Narrative 1: You have been hired as a consultant to evaluate the performance of a

canal irrigation system in the Sindh Province of Pakistan. The system consists of a main
canal, several branch canals, and distributary canals that supply water to the farmland.
The main canal has a length of 50 km and a flow rate of 30 m 3/s. The branch canals
have a length of 10 km and a flow rate of 5 m3/s. The distributary canals have a length
of 1 km and a flow rate of 1 m3/s.

Response Required # 1: (15 mins)

Analyze the flow characteristics of each canal, including the velocity, discharge, and hydraulic
gradient line. Identify any design or operational problems in the system and propose solutions.
(15 points)

Narrative 2: After your evaluation, you have identified a design problem in the main
canal that is causing flow restrictions. The problem is caused by a constriction in the
canal that is reducing the flow rate. You propose to increase the size of the canal to
improve flow.
Response Required # 2: (10 mins)
Calculate the new flow rate and velocity in the main canal after increasing its size.
Analyze the flow characteristics of the branch and distributary canals with the increased
flow rate. Identify any potential problems and propose solutions. Assume reasonably the
missing values. (10 points)
Narrative 3: You have proposed a solution to the design problem in the main canal, and
the construction is complete. However, after the construction, you have noticed that the
branch canals are still experiencing flow restrictions.

Response Required # 3: (15 mins)

Analyze the flow characteristics of the branch canals and identify the cause of the flow
restrictions. Propose solutions to improve the flow in the branch canals. (15 points)