WRE 301: Open Channel Hydraulics

Chapter 4
Design of Channels
 Introduction

o The hydraulic design of a channel involves

determination of the x-sectional dimensions of
the channel ( bottom width, side slope, depth of
flow) which will convey the required discharge
with the available head difference.

o The channel can be an irrigation canal, a power

channel or even a feeder canal

o The slope of the channel is generally decided by

the topography of the land
 Introduction

o The type of the boundary determines the

coefficient of roughness

o The shape of the x-section is determined

mainly by the discharge and engineering
properties of the material forming the channel
body
➢ Trapezoidal section is used when discharge is large
➢ Triangular sections are used for small discharge
➢ Rectangular sections are normally provided in
special situations such as rocks cuts, steep chutes.
 Types of channels
Here, we will be considering three types of
channels:

1. Rigid boundary or non-erodible channels

carrying clear water with little or no sediment
2. Mobile boundary or erodible channels carrying
clear water which scour but do not silt
3. Alluvial or mobile boundary channels carrying
sediment which scour and silt
 Free Board (FB)
o The freeboard is the vertical distance between
the top of the channel and the water surface at
the design condition.

o It is provided to prevent the water level from

overtopping the sides of the channel due to its
fluctuation caused by wind, tide, superelevation
at bends, hydraulic jumps.

o Freeboards varying from 5% to 30% of the

depth of flow are commonly used in design
 Free Board (FB)

The USBR suggested a formula

for freeboard of unlined
channels:
 Minimum permissible velocity

o This is also known as the non-silting velocity

o This is the lowest mean velocity of flow that will prevent

sedimentation and vegetation growth

o The exact value of this velocity cannot be easily

determined

o In general an average velocity of 2 to 3 ft/s( 0.61 to 0.91

m/s) will prevent sedimentation when silt load is low.

o A velocity of 2.5 ft/s ( 0.75m/s) is usually sufficient to

prevent sedimentation and vegetation growth.
 Maximum permissible velocity

o This is also known as the non-erodible velocity

o This is the greatest mean velocity of flow that will not

cause erosion of the channel body

o The maximum permissible velocity is not usually criterion

in the design of non-erodible channels.

o When velocities are very high there is a tendency for the

rapidly flowing water to lift the lining blocks and push
them out from their position

o For brick and concrete lining the mean velocity of flow is

restricted to 2m/s to avoid this.
Maximum permissible velocity
 Rigid Boundary Channels

o Most of the lined channels and built-up unlined

channels fall in this category

o The principle of design of rigid boundary

channels is to maintain a velocity that is equal
to the minimum permissible velocity and also
smaller than the maximum permissible velocity

o A uniform flow formula such as Manning or

Chezy formula is used to compute section
dimensions by maintaining the velocity
 Rigid Boundary Channels

o For lined channels the materials used include

❑Concrete
❑Stone or brick masonry
❑Steel
❑Cast iron
❑Glass
❑Plastic
❑Geotextile

o The choice of material depends mainly on

❑The cost and availability of the material
❑The purpose of construction
 Rigid Boundary Channels

o The lining in a channel has the following

advantages

❑Permits water to flow at high velocities

❑Decreases seepage and percolation losses
❑Reduces the cost of operation and maintenance
❑Ensures the stability of the channel section
Best Hydraulic Sections
Best Hydraulic Sections
Best Hydraulic Sections
 Best Hydraulic Sections

The most economical / best hydraulic rectangular section is half

of a square.

Here,
A=bh=2h*h=2ℎ2
P=b+2h=2h+2h=4h
T=b=2h
R=A/P=h/2
D=A/T=h
Best Hydraulic Sections
Best Hydraulic Sections

Top width
Best Hydraulic Sections
 Best Hydraulic Sections

The most economical / best hydraulic trapezoidal section is half of

a hexagon.

Here,
A=(b+sh)h=(2h 1 + 𝑠 2 -2sh+sh)h
=(2 1 + 𝑠 2 -s)ℎ2
= 3ℎ2
P=b+ 2h 1 + 𝑠 2
=2 3ℎ
T=b+2sh
= 2h 1 + 𝑠 2
4
= 3ℎ
R=A/P=h/2
3
D=A/T=4ℎ
 Best Hydraulic Sections

Xsection Area Perimeter Hydraulic Top Width, Hydraulic

A P Radius, R T Depth, D
Rectangle 2ℎ2 4h ℎ 2h h
(half of 2
square)
Triangle ℎ2 2 2h 2ℎ 2h ℎ
(half of 4 2
square)
Trapezoidal 3ℎ2 2 3ℎ ℎ 4 3ℎ
ℎ
(half of a 2 3 4
hexagon)
Circle 𝜋ℎ2 𝜋ℎ ℎ 2h 𝜋ℎ
(semicircle) 2 2 4
 Steps for designing a rigid boundary
channel using Best Hydraulic Sections
When,
the design discharge Q, manning’s roughness coefficient n and
bottom slope s are known then the design of rigid boundary channel
based on best hydraulic sections involve the following steps

1. Compute section factor for uniform flow computation

2 𝑛𝑄
𝐴𝑅3 =
𝑆𝑜
2. Substitute the expressions for A, R for the corresponding
channel section and solve for water depth
3. Check for minimum permissible velocity for siltation and
vegetation
4. Check Froude number of flow
5. Add free board
6. Make a sketch of the x-section showing the dimensions
 Best Hydraulic Sections

Example:

A trapezoidal channel carrying 20𝑚3 /𝑠 is built with non-erodible bed

having a slope of 1 m in 1000 and manning’s roughness n=0.025. Design
the channel by the concept of best hydraulic section method.
 Best Hydraulic Sections
We get,
Here, 8
Q= 20𝑚3 /𝑠 ℎ =14.49
3

n=0.025 h= 2.73 m
𝑆𝑜 =1 in 1000=0.001
Then, The side slope of best hydraulic
2
𝑛𝑄 0.025∗20 trapezoidal section is
𝐴𝑅 =3 = =15.81 1
𝑆𝑜 0.001 S= 3=0.577
b= 2h 1 + 𝑠 2 -2sh=4.12 m
For a trapezoidal channel, A= 3ℎ2 = 12.86 𝑚2
A= 3ℎ2 P=2 3ℎ=9.44m
4
ℎ
R= 2 T= 3 ℎ=6.30m
2 ℎ
R=2=1.36m
𝐴𝑅3
2 3ℎ
ℎ
D= =2.05m
= 4
3
3ℎ2 ∗ 2
U=Q/A=20/12.86=1.56 m/s
Which is greater than minimum
permissible velocity
Best Hydraulic Sections
Froude number
𝑈
Fr= =0.33
𝑔𝐷
Which seems satisfactory
Adding a freeboard
FB=25%of depth of flow
=0.25*2.73
=0.68 m
Total depth of section
=0.68+2.73
=3.41 m

0.68 m

2.73 m
0.577
4.12 m
Example
Example
 Practical rigid boundary Channels

From practical point of view the best hydraulic section is not

necessarily the most economic section. Because,

1. The area to be excavated to achieve the area for the best

hydraulic section may be significantly larger

2. The type of material in the channel body may not permit the
slope required by the best hydraulic section

3. The cost of excavation depends not only on the amount of

material removed but also on the ease of access to the site and
removal of materials

4. The sharp corners of the x-sections are virtually the zone of

stagnations
 Practical rigid boundary Channels

o For these reasons, the best hydraulic section needs to be

modified in practice.
o The side slopes of the channel depend mainly on the type
of the material.(shown in table)
o Usually slopes are steeper in cutting than filling.
o For lined channels, the side slopes usually vary between 1:1
to 2:1 and roughly correspond to the angle of repose of
the channel.
o In practice the trapezoidal and triangular sections are
provided with rounded corners instead of sharp corners
 Practical rigid boundary Channels

For Triangular section, For Trapezoidal section,

Q<55 𝑚3 /𝑠 Q>55 𝑚3 /𝑠

A=ℎ2 ∅ + 𝑐𝑜𝑡∅ A=𝑏 + ℎ2 ∅ + 𝑐𝑜𝑡∅

P=2ℎ ∅ + 𝑐𝑜𝑡∅ P=b + 2ℎ ∅ + 𝑐𝑜𝑡∅
 Practical rigid boundary Channels

For given values of Q,n,s and S0 the depth of flow in a triangular

channel can be determined directly using Manning formula.

However, for trapezoidal section the depth of flow and bottom

width is determined based on limiting velocity.

The limiting or the maximum permissible velocity is generally

taken as 2m/s
Practical rigid boundary Channels
 Angle of repose
Angle of repose is the angle made by a heap of soil under natural
condition with horizontal
 Examples on rounded corner channel
design

Example:

A channel lined with concrete is to be laid on a slope of 1in 3600. The

side slope of the channel is to be maintained at 1:1 and the lining is
expected to give n=0.013. Determine the section dimensions if (a)
Q=35 𝑚3 /𝑠 and (b) Q=100 𝑚3 /𝑠 and the limiting or maximum velocity
is 2m/s.
Examples on rounded corner channel
design
Examples on rounded corner channel
design
Examples on rigid boundary channel design
Example:

A trapezoidal channel lined with concrete (n=0.013) and laid on a

slope of 1in 3600 carries a discharge of Q=100 𝑚3 /𝑠 . Determine
the section dimensions of the channel
(a) Taking b=6m and side slope 1:1
(b) For the best hydraulic section when the side slope is 1:1
(c) When the side slope 1:1 and the bottom width as given in the
table
Examples on rigid boundary channel design
Examples on rigid boundary channel design
Examples on rigid boundary channel design
Mobile boundary/ Erodible channel
Mobile boundary/ Erodible channel

Two methods will be used to design erodible channels:

1. Permissible velocity method

2. Tractive force method

0.99 m

1.2m
1

1.99m
Tractive Force Method:

o Scour and erosion can be viewed in a rational way by considering forces

acting on particles lying on channel bottom or sides. The channel is
eroded if the resultant of forces tending to move the particles is
greater than the resultant of forces resisting motion. The concept is
referred as the tractive force approach.

o This method was first developed by Lane(1995) of USBR

o This method is based on incipient motion condition of soil particles

which denotes the limiting condition at which the soil particles just
begin to move.

o 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.
o Critical shear stress:
The average shear stress on the channel boundary of an open channel
at which the soil particles just begin to move is called the critical
shear stress 𝜏𝑐

The average shear stress on the channel boundary is given by,

𝜏0 = 𝛾𝑅𝑆0
𝜏0 = 𝜌𝑔𝑅𝑆0
Where,
𝜏0 =shear stress
𝛾=unit weight of water(62.4 lb/𝑓𝑡 3 )
𝑅=hydraulic radius
𝑆0 =longitudinal slope of the channel
𝜌=density of water
On a soil particle resting on the sloping side of a trapezoidal channel
two forces act on the particle

Tractive force/ shear force=𝑎𝜏𝑠

Gravity force component=𝑊𝑠 sin ∅

Since the two forces acting on the particle are at right angles to
each other the resultant driving force is = (𝑊𝑠2 sin2 ∅ + 𝑎 2 𝜏𝑠2 )

The force resisting this movement of the particle is equal

to=𝑊𝑠 cos ∅ tan ψ
For incipient motion

𝑊𝑠 cos ∅ tan ψ= (𝑊𝑠2 sin2 ∅ + 𝑎2 𝜏𝑠2 )

Therefore,

𝑊𝑠 tan2 ∅
𝜏𝑠 = cot ∅ tan ψ 1−
𝑎 tan2 ψ

Similarly the for the horizontal bottom ∅=0

𝑊𝑠
𝜏𝑏 = tan ψ
𝑎
 The shear stress ratio:

The shear stress ratio is the ratio between the shear stress on the
sloping side and that on the channel bottom of a trapezoidal section

𝜏𝑠 tan2 ∅
𝑘= = cos ∅ 1−
𝜏𝑏 tan2 ψ

sin2 ∅ It is apparent from the equation

= cos 2 ∅ − that the side slope of
tan2 ψ trapezoidal section should be
less than the angle of repose

2 sin2 ∅ otherwise K would be imaginary .

= 1− sin ∅ − tan2 ψ
Also rectangular section 1
cannot be designed by = 1 − sin2 ∅ 1 +
tan2 ψ
this method as ∅=90
sin2 ∅
= 1− 2
sin ψ
o For cohesive and fine non-cohesive materials the gravity force
component causing the particle down the side is much smaller than
the cohesive forces and can be neglected.

o Therefore, the angle of repose need to be considered only for

coarse non-cohesive materials.

o In general the angle of repose increases with both size and

angularity of the materials.

o The USBR prepared curves for the angle of repose for non-
cohesive material larger than 0.2 inch (2mm) diameter.

o The USBR recommends a value of the permissible shear stress on

the channel bottom for non-cohesive materials in pounds per
square foot equal 0.40𝑑75 , 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑑75 is in inches.
Procedure for designing trapezoidal channel
using Tractive Force method

For a trapezoidal channel, the shear stress on the sides is usually

less than 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 and checked for the bottom force.

When the design discharge Q, the bottom 𝑆0 , the relevant

engineering properties of soil and the Manning’s n are known the
design of trapezoidal channel involves the following steps:

1. Estimate the angle of repose ψ for the perimeter material from

fig 5.6

2. Assume s and b/ℎ𝑛 . Compute ϕ (cot −1 𝑠)

Procedure for designing trapezoidal channel
using Tractive Force method

3. Determine the maximum shear stress developed on the sides in

terms of ℎ𝑛 ( 0.75 𝛾ℎ𝑛 𝑆0 )
4. Calculate K
5. Determine 𝜏𝑏 ,the permissible shear stress on bottom(𝜏𝑏 = 0.40𝑑75
where, 𝜏𝑏 is in pounds per square feet and 𝑑75 is in inches.
6. Compute 𝜏𝑠 , the permissible shear stress on sides using 𝜏𝑠 =K 𝜏𝑏
7. Compute the normal depth ℎ𝑛 by equating the computed value of
𝜏𝑠 in step 6 with that of step 3
8. Compute b
9. Compute Q and compare it with the design Q
10. Repeat steps 2 to 9 until the computed Q is close to design Q
11. Compare the actual shear stress on the bottom with permissible
value obtained in step 5
Example:

A trapezoidal channel is to be laid on a slope of 1in 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 = 2𝑐𝑚,
𝑑75 =2.5 cm and n=0.025.
Determine the section dimensions of the channel.
FB=C* 𝑦=0.8*(1.47)0.5 =0.97m

Total depth of channel section =1.47+0.99=2.46 m

0.99m

1.47m
2
7.35m
1.4 m

2.43 m
3

8.25 m
0.59m

0.68m
2

24.2m
 Alluvial Channels: Regime approach
o An alluvial channel has been defined as a channel transporting
the same type of material as that comprising the channel
perimeter.

o Such a channel can be stable only when sediment inflow into the
channel is equal to sediment outflow, i.e. the channel x-section
and bottom slope do not change due to erosion and deposition.

o A channel is said to be in regime when it has adjusted its shape

and slope to an equilibrium condition.

o Two commonly used methods for designing alluvial channels are :

1. Shear or tractive force method
2. Regime approach
 Alluvial Channels: Regime approach
o The regime approach is purely empirical and has been developed using
data of stable canals of India and Pakistan carrying sediment load
generally less than 500ppm by weight.

o The first regime formula developed by Kennedy (1895) is given by 𝑈0 =

0.546ℎ0.64
Where, 𝑈0 is the non-silting and non-scouring velocity
h=depth of flow

o Limitation of Kennedy equation is that it does not specify a stable width

thereby making an infinite number of width to depth ratios possible.

o Lindly (1919) recognized this and introduced a relation between non-

silting and non-scouring velocity and channel bed width.

o Lacey (1930, 1945) later carried out extensive investigations on stable

channels in alluvium in the Indo-Gangetic plains
 Alluvial Channels: Regime approach
o Lacey differentiated between two regime conditions
1. Initial regime
2. Final regime

o A channel under initial regime is not a channel in regime and the

regime theory is not applicable.

o According to Lacey a channel is in true regime or final regime if

1. Channel having certain fixed section
2. Certain fixed slope
3. Discharge is constant
4. Flow is uniform
5. Silt grade and silt charge constant
6. Channel flows through incoherent alluvium of the same type as is
transported without changing x-section and slope
Alluvial Channels: Regime approach
Lacey’s regime theory is applicable only to channels which are
in final regime. The various equations proposed by Lacey are

Where,
P=wetted perimeter in m
R=hydraulic radius in m
Q=discharge in 𝑚3 /s
d=the average particle size in mm
𝑓𝑠 =silt factor which considers the effect
of grain size of the material forming the
channel

Combination of the equations gives the formula similar to Manning

formula,
o Trapezoidal section
o Side slope 1/2
Alluvial Channels: Regime approach