10.

3 UNIFORM FLOW
10.3.1 Channel Geometry

Inthis chapter, we consider mostly regular

channel shapes. Three common geometries
are shown;
A.) Rectangular Section

The cross-sectional area is given by:

A = by

Where:
b = width of the channel bottom
y = vertical height of the wetted perimeter
 Wetted perimeter or P, is the length of the line of contact
between the liquid and the channel

For the rectangular channel, it is defined by:

P = b + 2y
 Hydraulic Radius is the area divided by the wetted perimeter

For the rectangular channel, it is defined by:

= =
+ 2
B.) Trapezoidal Section

The area is defined by:

A = by + y2 (m1 + m2)
Where:
m1 = ratio of the horizontal to vertical change of the wall on
one side
m2 = ratio of the horizontal to vertical change of the wall on
the other side
Wetted Perimeter:

P= + ( 1 + 12 + 1 + 22
Free-surface width:
= + (1 + 2 )
C.) Circular Section

The area of the circular section is given by:

2
= ( - sin cos )
4
Wetted Perimeter:
P= d
Free-surface width:
B= sin
The angle is defined by:
1
= (1 2 )

10.3.2 Equation for Uniform Flow
When does Uniform Flow Occur?

It occurs when the depth and velocity do not vary along its length, given that
the terminal conditions are reached or applied:
3 things that affect uniform flow:
Energy Grade Line
Water Surface
Channel Bottom
Antoine de Chzy (1718-1798)

Was a French hydraulic engineer and author of a basic formula for calculating
velocity of a fluid stream.
Given the formula:

=
Where: V as the velocity
C as the Chzy coefficient
R Reynolds number since the flow is considered completely
turbulent
So is the slope of the channel bottom
Robert Manning (1816-1897)

Was an Irish engineer, developed the following somewhat modified equation

for open following somewhat modified equation for open-channel flow to
channel flow more accurately.
Given the formula:
1
= 2/3 0

Where: C1 - 1 for SI units
S0 is the slope of the channel bottom
R for hydraulic radius
n for Manning coefficient
C for Chzy coefficient
Chzy-Manning equation:

Combining the equations stated before, we have:

1
= 2/3 0

Where: Q as the flow rate
S0 is the slope of the channel bottom
R for hydraulic radius
n for Manning coefficient
C for Chzy coefficient
A cross-sectional area
Table for Manning coefficient n
10.3.3 Most Efficient Section

Specification to attain appropriate geometrical cross

section provided that Q, n, and S0 are known for designing
a channel that conveys uniform flow is one of the main
thought of this sub-topic.
 The flow resistance per unit length equals wall shear
stress times wetted perimeter. Using a control volume for
uniform flow, assume a small slope S0 so that sin = S0;
then, by assuming forces on

P0 = 0
 Furthermore, we have to satisfy the Chezy-Manning Eqn.
Since Q, n, S0 are given and R= A/P, The Chezy-Manning
Eqn as
P = cA5/2 in which c is constant
 Example: Consider a rectangular Channel with width b and depth y.

A = by
P = b+2y

P = b + 2A/b
Substituting this eqn into the equation P = cA5/2 yields

b + 2A/b = cA5/2
 By differentiating the previous equation with respect to b, remembering that
A is dependent on b:

3
2 2 5
1+ 2 = 2
2

Set = 0, since the objective is to find the value of b that minimizes A. The

result is,
2
= 1 or using A = by, b = 2y
2