Introduction to Fluid Mechanics

Chapter 11
Flow in Open Channels

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 Main Topics
 Basic Concepts and Definitions
 Energy Equation for Open-Channel
Flows
 Localized Effect of Area Change
 The Hydraulic Jump
 Steady Uniform Flow
 Gradually Varying Depth
 Discharge Measurement

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 Basic Concepts and Definitions
 The driving force is gravity
 Simplifying Assumptions
• One-dimensional flow
• Steady
• Uniform velocity at each section
• Hydrostatic pressure distribution

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 Basic Concepts and Definitions
 Channel Geometry

Hydraulic Radius:

Hydraulic diameter:

Hydraulic Depth:

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 Basic Concepts and Definitions

 Speed of Surface Waves:

 Froude Number:

• Fr<1 Flow is subcritical, tranquil, or streaming.

• Fr=1 Flow is critical.
• Fr>1 Flow is supercritical, rapid, or shooting

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 Energy Equation for
Open-Channel Flows
 Energy Equation:

 Total Head:

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 Energy Equation for
Open-Channel Flows
 Specific Energy:

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 Energy Equation for
Open-Channel Flows

 Critical Depth:

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 Energy Equation for
Open-Channel Flows
 Critical Depth and Minimum Energy
(Rectangular Channel):

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 Effect of Area Change
(Frictionless Flow)
 Flow over a Bump:

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 Effect of Area Change
(Frictionless Flow)
 Subcritical, Critical and Supercritical Flows:

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Hydraulic Jump

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 Hydraulic Jump

 Depth Increase:

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 Hydraulic Jump
 Head Loss:

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 Steady Uniform Flow
 Control Volume:
1. Steady flow.
2. Incompressible flow.
3. Uniform velocity at a
section.
4. Gradually varying depth
so that pressure
distribution is hydrostatic.
5. Bed slope is small.
6. Ws =0.

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 Steady Uniform Flow

 Chezy Equation:

 Chezy Coefficient:

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 Steady Uniform Flow

 Manning Equation (SI):

 Manning Equation (EE Units):

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 Steady Uniform Flow
 Energy Equation:

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 Flow with Gradually Varying Depth
 Control Volume:

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 Flow with Gradually Varying Depth
 Energy Equation:

 Energy Equation (Numerical Model – SI Units):

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 Discharge Measurement
Using Weirs
 Example (Sharp-Crested Weir)

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 Discharge Measurement
Using Weirs
 Suppressed Rectangular Weir

 Contracted Rectangular Weir

Effective Length

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 Discharge Measurement
Using Weirs
 Triangular Weir

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 Discharge Measurement
Using Weirs
 Broad-Crested Weir

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