Classification of Flow Surface Profiles

For a given channel with a known Q = Discharge, n = Manning’s

coefficient, and S0 = Channel bed slope, yc = critical water depth
and y0 = Uniform flow depth can be computed. There are three
possible relations between y0 and yc as :1) y0 > yc ; 2) y0 < yc ; and 3)
y0 = yc .

For horizontal (S0 = 0), and adverse slope ( S0 < 0) channels,

1
Q  A R 2 / 3 S o1 / 2
n

Horizontal channel, S0 = 0→ Q = 0,
Adverse channel , S0 < 0 , Q cannot be computed,
For horizontal and adverse slope channels, uniform flow depth y0 does not
exist.

Based on the information given above, the channels are classified into
five categories as indicated in Table 1.

Table 1. Classification of channels

Number Channel Symbol Characteristic Remark

category condition
1 Mild slope M y0 > yc Subcritical flow at normal depth
2 Steep slope S yc > y0 Supercritical flow at normal
depth
3 Critical slope C yc = y0 Critical flow at normal depth
4 Horizontal H S0 = 0 Cannot sustain uniform flow
bed
5 Adverse slope A S0 < 0 Cannot sustain uniform flow

For each of the five categories of channels, lines representing the critical
depth (yc ) and normal depth (y0 ) (if it exists) can be drawn in the
longitudinal section. These would divide the whole flow space into three
zones as:

Zone 1: Region above the topmost line,

Zone 2: Region between top line and the next lower line,
Zone 3: Region between the second line and the bed.
Figure 1 shows these zones in the various categories of channels.
 Figure 1. Regions of flow profiles

Depending upon the channel category and region of flow, the water surface
profiles will have characteristics shapes. Whether a given GVF profile
will have an increasing or decreasing water depth in the direction of flow
will depend upon the term dy/dx in Eq. (3) being positive or negative.
dy S 0  S f

dx 1  F 2

For a given Q, n, and S0 at a channel,

y0 = Uniform flow depth, yc = Critical flow depth,

y = Non-uniform flow depth.

The depth y is measured vertically from the channel bottom, the slope of
the water surface dy/dx is relative to this channel bottom. Fig. 2 is basic to
 the prediction of surface profiles from analysis of general equation of GVF.

Figure 2

To assist in the determination of flow profiles in various regions, the

behavior of dy/dx at certain key depths is noted by studying the GVF eq. as
follows:

y> yc → Fr < 1
y= yc → Fr = 1
y< yc → Fr > 1

and y > y0 → Sf < S0

y = y0 → S f = S 0
y < y0 → S f > S 0

 As y  yo, V  Vo, Sf = So, then dy/dx = 0

The water surface approaches the normal depth asymptotically.

 As yyc, Fr = 1, then dy/dx = infinity

The water surface meets the critical depth line vertically.

 As yinfinity, V = 0, F=0, Sf =0 then dy/dx = So

The water surface meets a very large depth as a horizontal asymptote.
Based on this information, the various possible gradually varied flow profiles
are grouped into twelve types Table 2.

Table 2. Gradually Varied Flow profiles

Channel Region Condition Type

1 y > y0 > yc M1
Mild slope 2 y0 > y > yc M2
3 y0 > yc > y M3
1 y> yc > y0 S1
Steep slope 2 yc > y > y0 S2
3 yc > y0 > y S3
1 y > y0 = y2 C1
Critical slope
3 y < y0 = yc C3
Horizontal bed 2 y > yc H2
3 y < yc H3
Adverse slope 2 y > yc A2
3 y < yc A3

Water Surface Profiles

M – Curves

Figure 3

General shapes of M curves are given in Fig. 3. Asymptotic behaviors of each curve
will be examined mathematically.

a) M1 – Curve

Water surface will be in Zone 1 for a mild slope channel and the flow is obviously
subcritical.
Asymptotic behavior of the water surface is;
The water surface meets a very large depth as a horizontal asymptote.

The water surface approaches the normal depth asymptotically.

The most common of all GVF profiles is the M1 type, which is a subcritical flow
condition. Obstructions to flow, such as weirs, dams, control structures and natural
features, such as bends, produce M1 backwater curves (Fig. 4). These extend to several
kilometers upstream before merging with the normal depth.

Figure 4. M1 Profile

b) M2 – Curve

Water surface will be in Zone 2 for a mild slope channel and the flow is obviously
subcritical. (Fig. 3).
Asymptotic behavior of the water surface is;
The water surface approaches the normal depth asymptotically.

The water surface meets the critical depth line vertically.

The M2 profiles occur at a sudden drop of the channel, at constriction type of transitions
and at the canal outlet into pools (Fig. 5).

Figure 5

c) M3 – Curve

Water surface will be in Zone 3 for a mild slope channel and the flow is obviously
subcritical. (Fig. 3).
Asymptotic behavior of the water surface is;

The water surface meets the critical depth line vertically.

Where a supercritical stream enters a mild slope channel, M3 type of profile occurs. The
flow leading from a spillway or a sluice gate to a mild slope forms a typical example
(Fig. 6). The beginning of the M3 curve is usually followed by a small stretch of rapidly
varied flow and the downstream is generally terminated by a hydraulic jump. Compared
to M1 and M2 profiles, M3 curves are of relatively short length.

Figure 6
Example : A rectangular channel with a bottom width of 4.0 m and a bottom slope of
0.0008 has a discharge of 1.50 m3/sec. In a gradually varied flow in this channel, the
depth at a certain location is found to be 0.30 m. assuming n = 0.016, determine the type
of GVF profile.

Solution:

a) find the normal depth y0,

y0 = 0.43 m.

b) Critical depth yc,

c) Type of profile,

y0 = 0.43 m > yc = 0.24 m (Mild slope channel, M profile)

y = 0.30 m

y0 > y > yc (Zone 2)

Water surface profile is of the M2 type.

S – Curves

Figure 7

General shapes of S curves are given in Fig. 7. Asymptotic behaviors of each curve
will be examined mathematically.

a) S1 – Curve

Water surface will be in Zone 1 for a steep slope channel and the flow is obviously
supercritical.

y > yc > y0

Water depth will increase in the flow direction.

Asymptotic behavior of the water surface is;

The water surface meets a very large depth as a horizontal asymptote.

The water surface meets the critical depth line vertically.

Figure 8. S1 Profile

The S1 profile is produced when the flow from a steep channel is terminated by a deep
pool created by an obstruction, such as a weir or dam (Fig. 8). At the beginning of the
curve, the flow changes from the normal depth (supercritical flow) to subcritical flow
through a hydraulic jump. The profiles extend downstream with a positive water slope to
reach a horizontal asymptote at the pool elevation.

b) S2 – Curve

Water surface will be in Zone 2 for a steep slope channel and the flow is supercritical.

y0 < y < yc

Water depth will decrease in the flow direction

Asymptotic behavior of the water surface is;

The water surface meets the critical depth line vertically.
The water surface approaches the normal depth asymptotically.

Figure 9. S2 Profile

Profiles of the S2 type occur at the entrance region of a steep channel leading from a
reservoir and at a brake of grade from mild slopes to steep slope (Fig. 9). Generally S2
profiles are short of length.

c) S3 – Curve

Water surface will be in Zone 3 for a steep slope channel and the flow is supercritical.

0 < y < y0
Water depth will increase in the flow direction)

Asymptotic behavior of the water surface is;

The water surface approaches the normal depth y0 asymptotically.

Figure 10. S3 Profile

 Figure 11. S3 Profile

Free flow from a sluice gate with a steep slope on its downstream is of the S3 type (Fig.
10). The S3 curve also results when a flow exists from a steeper slope to a less steep
slope (Fig. 11).

C – Curves

Figure 12

General shapes of C curves are given in Fig. 12. Asymptotic behaviors of each curve
will be examined mathematically. Since the flow is at critical stage, y0 = yc, there is no
Zone 2.

a) C1 – Curve

Water surface will be in Zone 1 for a critical slope channel.

Water depth will increase in the flow direction

Asymptotic behavior of the water surface is;

The water surface meets a very large depth as a horizontal asymptote.

C1 and C3 profiles are very rare and highly unstable.

C3 profiles are very rare and highly unstable.
H – Curves

Figure 13

General shapes of H curves are given in Fig. 13. For horizontal slope channels,
uniform flow depth y0 does not exist. Critical water depth can be computed for a given
discharge Q and therefore critical water depth line can be drawn. Since there is no
uniform water depth y0, Zone 1 does not exist.

a) H2 – Curve

Water surface will be in Zone 2 for a horizontal slope channel.

Asymptotic behavior of the water surface is;
The water surface meets a very large depth as a horizontal asymptote. The water surface
meets the critical depth line vertically.

b) H3 – Curve
Water depth will increase in the flow direction

Asymptotic behavior of the water surface is;

The water surface meets the critical depth line vertically.

Figure 14

A horizontal channel can be considered as the lower limit reached by a mild slope as its
bed slope becomes flatter. The H2 and H3 profiles are similar to M2 and M3 profiles
respectively (Fig. 14). However, the H2 curve has a horizontal asymptote.
A– Curves

Figure 15

General shapes of A curves are given in Fig. 15. For adverse slope channels, uniform
flow depth y0 does not exist. Critical water depth can be computed for a given discharge
Q and therefore critical water depth line can be drawn. Since there is no uniform water
depth y0, Zone 1 does not exist as well as in A curves. A2 and A3 curves are similar to
H2 and H3 curves respectively.

Figure 16

Adverse slopes are rather rare, Fig. 16. These profiles are of very short length.

Control Sections

A control section is defined as a section in which a fixed relationship exists between the
discharge and depth of flow. Weirs, spillways, sluice gates are some typical examples of
structures which give rise to control sections. The critical depth is also a control point.
However, it is effective in a flow profile which changes from subcritical to supercritical
flow. In the reverse case of transition from supercritical flow to subcritical flow, a
hydraulic jump is usually formed bypassing the critical depth as a control point. Any
GVF profile will have at least one control section.
 (d)

Figure 17

In the synthesis of GVF profiles occurring in a serially connected channel elements, the
control sections provide a key to the identification of proper profile shapes. A few typical
control sections are shown in Fig. 17, a-e. It may be noted that subcritical flows have
controls in the downstream end, while supercritical flows are governed by control
sections existing at the upstream end of the channel section. In Figs. 17 a and b for the M1
profile, the control section (indicated by a dark dot in the figures) is just at the
upstream of the spillway and sluice gate respectively. In Figs. 17 b and d for M3 and S3
profiles respectively, the control point is at the vena contracta of the sluice gate flow. In
subcritical flow reservoir offtakes (Fig. 17c), even though the discharge is governed
by the reservoir elevation, the channel entry section is not strictly a control section. The
water surface elevation in the channel, will be lower than the reservoir elevation by a
headloss amount equivalent to (1 + ζ )V2/2g where ζ is the entrance loss coefficient. The
true control section will be at a downstream location in the channel. For the situation
shown in Fig. (17c) the critical depth at the free overflow at the channel end acts as the
downstream control. For a sudden drop (free overflow) due to curvature of the
streamlines the critical depth usually occurs at distance of about 4yc upstream of the drop.
This distance, being small compared to GVF lengths, is neglected and it is usual to
perform calculations by assuming yc to occur at the drop.

(e)

For a supercritical canal intake (Fig. 17e), the reservoir water surface falls to the
critical depth at the head of the canal and then onwards the water surface follows the S2
curve. The critical depth occurring at the upstream end of the channel is the control for
this flow.

Analysis of Flow Profile

A channel carrying a gradually varied flow can in general contain different prismoidal
channel cross-sections of varying hydraulic properties. There can be a number of control
sections at various locations. To determine the resulting water surface profile in a given
case, one should be in a position to analyze the effects of various channel sections and
controls connected in series. Simple cases are illustrated to provide information and
experience to handle more complex cases.

Break in Grades

Simple situations of a series combination of two channel sections with differing bed
slopes are considered. In Fig. 18a, a break in grade from a mild channel to a milder
channel is shown. It is necessary to first draw the critical-depth line (CDL) and the
normal-depth line (NDL) for both slopes. Since yc does not depend upon the slope for a
taken Q = discharge, the CDL is at a constant height above the channel bed in both
slopes. The normal depth y01 for the mild slope is lower than that of the of the milder
slope (y02). In this case, y02 acts as a control, similar to the weir or spillway case and an
M1 backwater curve is produced in the mild slope channel.

Various combinations of slopes and the resulting GVF profiles are presented in Fig.
18, a-h. It may be noted that in some situations there can be more than one possible
profiles. For example, in Fig. 18e, a jump and S1 profile or an M3 profile and a jump
possible. The particular curve in this case depends on the channel and its flow properties.

In the examples indicated in Fig.18, the section where the grade changes acts a
control section and this can be classified as a natural control. It should be noted that even
though the bed slope is considered as the only variable in the above examples, the same
type of analysis would hold good for channel sections in which there is a marked change
in the roughness characteristics with or without change in the bed slope. A long reach of
unlined canal followed by a line reach serves as a typical example for the same. A change
in the channel geometry (the bed width or side slope) beyond a section while retaining
the prismoidal nature in each reach also leads to a natural control section.
Figure 18.
Figure 18
Serial Combination of Channel Sections

To analyze a general problem of many channel sections and controls, the following steps
are to be applied.

1. Draw the longitudinal section of the system.

2. Calculate the critical depth and normal depths of various reaches and draw the
CDL and NDL in all reaches.
3. Mark all the controls, both the imposed as well as natural controls.
4. Identify the possible profiles.

Example: Identify and sketch the GVF profiles in three mild slopes which could be
described as mild, steeper mild and milder. The three slopes are in series. The last slope
has a sluice gate in the middle of the reach and the downstream end of the channel has a
free overfall.

Figure 19

Solution: The longitudinal profile of the channel, critical depth line and normal depth
lines for the various reaches are shown in the Fig. 19. The free overfall at E is
obviously a control. The vena contracta downstream of the sluice gate at D is another
control. Since for subcritical flow the control is at the downstream end of the channel, the
higher of the two normal depths at C acts as a control for the reach CB, giving rise to an
M1 profile over CB. At B, the normal depth of the channel CB acts as a control giving
rise to an M2 profile over AB. The controls are marked distinctly in Fig. 19. With
these controls the possible flow profiles are: an M2 profile on channel AB, M1 profile on
channel BC, M3 profile and M2 profile through a jump on the stretch DE.

Example: A trapezoidal channel has three reaches A, B, and C connected in series

with the following physical characteristics.

Reach Bed width Side slope Bed slope n

(B) (m) S0
1 4.0 m 1.0 0.0004 0.015
2 4.0 m 1.0 0.009 0.012
3 4.0 m 1.0 0.004 0.015

For a discharge Q = 22.5 m3/sec through this channel, sketch the resulting water
surface profiles. The length of the reaches can be assumed to be sufficiently long
for the GVF profiles to develop fully.
 Solution: The normal depths and critical water depths in the various reaches
are calculated as:
T

B=
4m

Uniform flow depths for the given data for every reach are calculated by trial and error
method;

Reach A: S0A = 0.0004 , nA=0.015 → y0A = 2.26 m

Reach B: S0B = 0.009 , nB =0.012 → y0B = 0.81 m

Reach C: S0C = 0.004 , nC = 0.015 → y0C =1.17 m

Since the channel is prismoidal (the geometry does not change in the reaches), there will
be only one critical water depth.
yc=1.32m

Figure 20

Reach A is a mild slope channel as y0A = 2.26 m > y0c = 1.32 m and the flow is
subcritical. Reach B and C are steep slope channels as y0B, y0C < yc and the flow is
supercritical on both reaches. Reach B is steeper than reach C. The various reaches are
schematically shown in Fig. 20. The CDL is drawn at a height of 1.32 m above the
bed level and NDLs are drawn at the calculated y0 values.

The controls are marked in the figure. Reach A will have an M2 drawdown curve, reach B
an S2 drawdown curve and reach C a rising curve as shown in the figure. It may be noted
that the resulting profile as above is a serial combination of Fig. 18 d and f).