Non-uniform Flow

in Open Channel
Faculty of Engineering & Technology
INTI International University
 Specific Energy

Specific energy is defined as the energy per unit weight of the liquid at a cross
section measured above bed level at that point. If D is the depth and v is the
velocity,
E = D + V2/2g (1)

Consider a rectangular channel, width B, cross-sectional area A, through which

there is a volume rate of flow Q,

V = Q/A = Q/BD

E = D + q2/2gD2 where q = Q/B (2)

D3 ED2 + q2/2g = 0 (3)

This equation has three roots of which two are positive and real and the other is
negative and unreal.
 Alternative depths of flow
For a constant value of E, there are 2 alternative depths for a given value of q
For a constant value of q, there are 2 alternative depths for a given value of E
There is a critical depth Dc at which the 2 roots coincide, when q for a given E is maximum (qmax)
and the E required for a given q is a minimum (Emin) .
Alternative depths of flow
 Critical depth Dc in Rectangular Channels

Assume q is constant:
E = D + q2/2gD2
D
dE/dD = 1 2q2/2gD3 = 0
q2 = gD3 B

q2
Dc 3 (or) Dc= (Q2/gB2)(1/3)
g

E = Dc + gDc3/2gDc2
Emin = Dc + Dc/2 = 3/2Dc
2
Dc E
3
Thus, critical depth of flow Dc in a rectangular channel will be 2/3 E
 Critical depth Dc in Rectangular Channels

Assume E is constant:
D3 ED2 + q2/2g = 0
q2/2g = ED2 - D3 D

q = [2g(ED2 - D3)] = D[2g(E - D)] = 2g[(E D) D]

B
dq/dD = 2g[(E - D) + D(E - D)- ()(-1)]
For maximum discharge, when D = Dc , dq/dD = 0
(E D) = D/(E D)
(E Dc) = Dc
E = 3/2 Dc
2
Dc E
3

The same result have been obtained.

 Maximum discharge qmax at critical depth Dc

E = D + V2/2g
E = D + q2/2gD2
D
q2 = 2gD2(E - D)
q = D[2g(E - D)] B

At critical flow, E = 3/2 D

q = D[2g(3/2D D)]
= D[2g(D)] = [gD3] = g1/2 D3/2

q max gD3c
 Critical velocity Vc in Rectangular channels

Velocity of flow corresponding to critical depth Dc is known as critical velocity Vc

E = D + V2/2g
3/2Dc = Dc + Vc2/2g
Vc2/2g = Dc/2 D

Vc gDc B

Froude No: V
Fr
gD

Vc /gDc = 1 = Fr
when Fr = 1 critical flow
when Fr < 1 subcritical flow
when Fr > 1 supercritical flow
 Example on rectangular channel
A rectangular channel 3.6 m wide carries 2.5 m3/s. What will be the critical
depth, critical velocity and critical slope? Use Mannings n = 0.02

Q = 2.5 m3/s, B = 3.6 m, q = Q/B = 2.5/3.6 = 0.694m3/s/m (or) 0.694m2/s

q2
Dc 3 = (0.6942/9.81)1/3 = 0.366 m
g
D
Vc gDc = (9.81x0.3661/2 = 1.896 m/s
B
1 2 3 12
Mannings eqn. v R S
n
R = A/P = BD/(B+2D) = 3.6x0.366/(3.6+2x0.366) = 0.304 m

1.896 = (1/0.02)(0.304)2/3S1/2
S1/2 = 0.0838
S = 0.007
 Critical flow in Non-rectangular Channels
E = D + V2/2g = D + Q2/2gA2 Bs
For critical flow, dE/dD = 0 for a given value of Q
dD dA
2 3 2

dE/dD = 1
2Q A dA
0 (or)
Q dA
1 D
2g dD gA 3 dD

From figure, dA = Bs dD (or) dA/dD = Bs

Q 2Bs gA 3
1 (or) Q
A 3g Bs

where Bs and A are the surface breadth and area of the flow at critical flow.

Critical velocity
Vc = Q/A = (g A3 /Bs) (1/A) = (gA/Bs)

Vc gDmc
where Dmc = A/Bs = Area/Surface width (at critical flow).
 Critical depth Dc in Non-rectangular Channels

Critical velocity Vc gDmc

where Dmc = Ac/Bs = Area/Surface width (at critical flow)

Ac = function of (Dc)

V
Froude No: Fr where Dm = mean depth
gDm

when Fr = 1 critical flow

when Fr < 1 subcritical flow
when Fr > 1 supercritical flow
 Example on trapezoidal channel
A channel of trapezoidal cross-section,with a base width of 0.6 m and side
slopes 45 carries 0.34 m3/s. Determine the critical depth.

Side slope 45 z = 1 1 D
z

Critical velocity Vc gDmc B

Q = A V = AcVc = = Ac(gAc /Bs) where Bs is the surface width or top width

Q2 = Ac2g Ac/Bs = Ac3g/Bs

Ac = (B + zDc)Dc = BDc + zDc2 and Bs = B + 2zDc

Q2 = Ac3g/Bs
Q2Bs = Ac3g
Q2(B + 2zDc) = (BDc + zDc2)3g
 Example on trapezoidal channel

Q2(B + 2zDc) = (BDc + zDc2)3 g

(0.34)2(0.6 + 2Dc) = (0.6Dc+ Dc2 )3x 9.81

0.6 2 Dc 9.81
2 = 84.8616 f(Dc) = 84.8616
(0.6 Dc Dc ) (0.34)
2 3

By trial & error,

If Dc = 0.3, f(Dc) = 60.966
= 0.2 = 244.14
= 0.26 = 100.18
= 0.27 = 87.95
= 0.273 = 84.65

Therefore Dc = 0.273 m
 Problem: Non-uniform flows in a channel

Water flows down a rectangular channel 4.0 m wide at a depth of 1.8 m.

The discharge is 18.0 m3/s.
(i) Determine whether the flow is subcritical or supercritical.
(ii) Calculate the alternative depth of flow that could occur in the channel
at the same discharge.
(iii) Determine the critical slope of the channel assuming that it is lined
with concrete with a Manning n of 0.012 s/m1/3.
 Problem: Non-uniform flows in a channel
Rectangular channel: B = 4.0 m, D = 1.8 m, Q = 18 m3/s, n = 0.012
(i) q = Q/B = 18/4 = 4.5 m2/s
q 2 = (4.5/9.81)1/3 = 1.273 m
Dc 3 i.e. D > Dc subcritical flow
g
v
or Fr = 2.5/(9.81x1.8) = 0.59 < 1 i.e. Fr<1 subcritical flow
gD

(ii) To find alternative depth of flow: E1 = E2 = E = constant

2 2
V1 V
E D1 = D2 2 energy line
2g 2g
q2 q2
1.8 + = D2 +
2gD1 2
2gD22
2 2
D2
4.5 4.5
1.8 + = D 2 +
2 x9.81x1.8 2 2 x9.81xD2
2

channel bed
1.0321
1.8 + 0.3186 = D2 + 2
D2
 Problem: Non-uniform flows in a channel
1.0321
2.1186 = D2 + 2
D2
By trial and error,
D2 = 1 m, RHS = 2.0321
= 0.9 m, = 2.174
= 0.95 m, = 2.0936
= 0.94 m, = 2.108 Alternative depth (second depth) = 0.94 m

(iii) Critical slope Sc

1 2 / 3 1/ 2
Q AR S
n
nQ
S 1/ 2
c 2/3
AR
 Problem: Non-uniform flows in a channel

nQ
S 1/ 2
c 2/3
AR
Ac = BDc = 4x1.273 = 5.092 m2,
P = B + 2Dc = 4 + 2x1.273 = 6.546 m
R =A/P = 5.092/6.546 = 0.778 m

0.012 x18
S c1 / 2 2/3
= 0.0502
5.092 x(0.778)
Sc = 0.0025 or Bed slope = 1 in 400
 Occurrence of Critical Flow Conditions
1. Transition from subcritical to supercritical flow (Channel Transitions)

2. Entrance to a steep-slope channel from a reservoir

Reservoir
 Occurrence of Critical Flow Conditions

3. Free outfall from a channel with a mild-slope

4. Change of bed level or channel width

Broad-crested Weir or Venturi Flume See next slides
Broad-crested Weir
 Flow over a Broad-crested Weir

Case (a): Critical flow over the weir

For a rectangular channel,

q2 Q2
Dc 3 =3 2
g gB

Q2 B2 gDc
3

Q B( gDc )1 / 2
3
 Flow over a Broad-crested Weir
Also 2
Dc E
3
2
Q B[ g ( E ) 3 ]1 / 2
3

Q = 1.705BE3/2 where specific energy E = H + V2/2g.

If the depth upstream is large compared to the depth over the weir, V2/2g is negligible
and the above equation can be written as,

Q = 1.705BH3/2 where H = head above the crest level.

If the level of the flow downstream is raised, the surface level will draw down over the
hump, but the depth may not fall to the critical depth. [See Case (b)]
 Flow over a Broad-crested Weir

Case (b): Water level do not fall to the critical depth

Rate of flow (Q) can be calculated by applying energy equation and the continuity
equation and will depend upon the difference in surface level upstream and over
the weir.

Applying energy equation between 1 and 2,

2 2
V V
D1 1 z D2 2
2g 2g
2 2
V V
D1 z D2 h 2 1
2g 2g
 Effect of lateral contraction of a channel

When the width of a channel is reduced while the bed remains flat, the
discharge/width , q increases.

If losses are neglected, the specific energy E remains constant and so,
for subcritical flow, the depth will decrease, while
for supercritical flow, the depth will increase as the channel narrows.

1 2

q1 q2
B1,D1 B2 ,D2
Plan view of channel
Venturi Flume
Venturi Flume
Crump Weir
Crump Weir

yc
Crump Weir
 Sluice gates

Use to control the flow in rivers and man-made channels

Sometimes referred to as underflow gates
Also use to measure the discharge

v12/2g

H1

Hydraulic jump

Y H2 Dc Dn

H2 = Cc Y
Sluice gates
 Problem: Broad-crested weir and Venturi flume

Uniform flow occurs at a depth of 1.5 m in a long rectangular channel 3 m

wide and laid to a slope of 0.0009.
If Mannings n = 0.015, calculate
(a) maximum height of hump on the floor to produce critical depth
(b) the width of contraction which will produce critical depth without
increasing the upstream depth of flow.
Long rect. channel: uniform flow Dn = 1.5 m , B= 3 m, S = 0.0009, n = 0.015

(i) max height of bump to produce critical depth

DC
D1 z

D1 + V12/2g = Z + Dc + Vc2/2g (1)

1
Q AR 2 / 3 S 1 / 2
n
A = BD = 3x1.5 = 4.5 m2, P = B + 2D = 3 + 2x 1.5 = 6 m,
R = A/P = 4.5/6 = 0.75 m

1
Q 4.5(0.75) 2 / 3 (0.0009)1 / 2 = 7.429 m3/s q = Q/B = 2.476 m2/s
0.015

Dc = (q2/g) = (2.4762/9.81)1/3 = 0.855 m

V1 = Q/A1 = 7.429/(3x1.5) = 1.65 m/s

Vc = Q/Ac = 7.429/(3x0.855) = 2.896 m/s

Eqn (1) becomes

1.5 + 1.652/(2x9.81) = Z + 0.855 + 2.8962/(2x9.81)

Z = 1.5 + 0.139 0.855 0.427 = 0.357 m
Max. height of hump = 0.357 m
(ii) Width of contraction to produce critical depth

B1 BC

D1 DC

D1 + V12/2g = Dc + Vc2/2g (2)

1.5 + 1.652/(2x9.81) = Dc + Vc2/2g = Dc + Dc/2
1.638 = 3/2 Dc
Dc = 1.092 m

Q = BcDcVc
Dc = (q2/g) , q2 = gDc3 = 9.81x1.0923 =12.77, q = 3.574 m2/s

Bc = Q/q = 7.429/3.574 = 2.078 m

Width of contraction = 2.078 m

The end