Hydraulics Prof. B.S.

Thandaveswara

12.1 Critical flow depth computations

One of the important aspects in Hydraulic Engineering is to compute the critical depth if

discharge is given.

Following methods are used for determining the critical depth.

(i) Algebraic method.

(ii) Graphical method.

(iii) Design chart.

(iv) Numerical method. Bi section method/ Newton Raphson method.

(v) Semi empirical approach - a method has introduced by Strarb.

12.1.1 Algebraic method

In this method the algebraic equation is formulated and then solved by trial and error.

The following example illustrates the method.

1. Consider a trapezoidal channel:

2.

A = ( b + myc ) yc

D=
( b + myc ) yc
( b + 2myc )
Q
Zc = = constant = C1 = known
g

⎧⎪ ( b + myc ) yc ⎫⎪
1/ 2
C1 = ( b + myc ) yc ⎨ ⎬ (1)
⎩⎪ ( b + 2myc ) ⎭⎪
C12 ( b + 2myc ) = ( b + myc ) y3c
3

leads to
y6c + py5c + qyc4 + ry3c + syc + t = 0
in which the cons tan ts p, q, r,s and t are known.
Solve this by polynomial or by trial and error method.
It would be easier to solve the equation (1) by trial and error procedure.
After obtaining the answer check for the Froude number which should be equal to 1.

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Hydraulics Prof. B.S. Thandaveswara

Example:

Consider a Rectangular channel and obtain the critical depth for a given discharge.

Solution:

A by
Area = b y D = = =y
T b
Q
∴ Z = = b y y1/ 2
g
Q
c =
y3/ 2
b g
2/3 2
⎛ Q ⎞ ⎛ q ⎞ q2
yc = ⎜ = ⎜ =
⎜ b g ⎟⎟ ⎜ g ⎟⎟
3
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠ g

12.1.2 Trial and error method

For a given trapezoidal channel obtain the critical depth by trial and error method.

Solution:
For trapezoidal channel
⎡( b + myc ) yc ⎤⎦
3/ 2
A D=⎣
( b + 2myc )1/ 2
⎛ ( b + my ) y ⎞ 3 Q 2
3
Squaring ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ y = = constant
⎝ ( b + 2my ) ⎠ g
For a given b, m, Q, select a value of yc
Assume b = 6 m, m = 2m, Q = 12 m3 / s Solve for yc
( )
3
6 + 2yc y3c
=
144
= 14.679
6 + 4yc 9.81
( 3 + yc )3 y3c = 36
= 3.6697
3 + 2yc 9.81
Q
Assume a value of yc and compute A D and compare with the value obtained by .
g

yc A D A D Remarks
1.2 23.708 too high
0.5 1.339 low
0.8 6.170 high
0.65 3.10
0.70 3.94

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Hydraulics Prof. B.S. Thandaveswara

Remarks column indicate that the values are high or low when compared to the given

value. The improvement is done till it converges.

In the above table yc lies between 0.65 and 0.70.

This could be improved further by selecting the values in between these two.

12.1.3 Graphical method

For natural channels and complicated channels, the graphical method is adopted. A

Q
curve is generated assuming different values of yc and Z. The value of is computed
g

and yc is obtained from the chart. A one meter diameter culvert carries a discharge of

0.7 m3/s. Determine the critical depth.

d0 y
θ

⎡ ⎤
1 ⎢ θ − sin θ ⎥
D= ⎢ ⎥ do
g ⎢ sin θ ⎥
⎣ 2 ⎦
2 (θ − sin θ )
1.5
Z= 0.5
d 0.5
0
⎡ θ⎤
32 ⎢sin ⎥
⎣ 2⎦

Knowing the value of d0 for different values of depth A and D could be obtained from the

table.

Example:

A one meter diameter pipe carries a discharge of 0.7 m3/s. Determine the critical depth.
Q 0.7
Zc = = = 0.2235
g 3.132
Construct a graph of yc Vs Z and obtain the value of yc
From the graph yc = 0.4756

From the design chart determine the critical depth for a circular channel of 0.9 m
diameter. Discharge 0.71 m3/s.

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Hydraulics Prof. B.S. Thandaveswara

Solution:
0.71
Z= = 0.22669
9.81
Z
= 0.29499 ( from table )
d 02.5
yc
= 0.56, yc = 0.49527 m
d0

1.0 (17 )
2
α Q2
ψ= = = 29.5
g 9.81
0.27
⎡ 29.5 ⎤ 6
yc = 0.81 ⎢ 0.75 1.25 ⎥ − = 0.86 m
⎣2 6 ⎦ 30 ( 2 )

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Hydraulics Prof. B.S. Thandaveswara

12.1.4 Graphical Procedure

Straub proposed several semi empirical equations to obtain the critical depth. The

advantage of this is a quick estimation of the critical depth. However, the equations are

non homogenous.

yc

Z=A D
Graph showing variation of section factor
with critical depth for a given pipe of
diameter do

yc
__ y
or __c
d0 b

A D A D
_____ or _____
2.5 2.5
d0 b

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Hydraulics Prof. B.S. Thandaveswara

Reference:

Straub W.O, Civil Engineering, ASCE, 1978 Dec, pp 70 - 71 and Straub 1982.

Table: Semi empirical equations for the estimation of yc (Straub, 1982) MKS units

Channel type Equation for yc in terms of

ψ = α Q2 / g

1/ 3
⎛ψ ⎞
⎜ 2⎟
⎝b ⎠
b
Rectanglar

Range of applicability
1 0.27
Q
0.1 < 2.5 < 4.0
m ⎛ Ψ ⎞ b b
0.81⎜ 0.75 1.25 ⎟ − Q
For 2.5 < 0.1
⎝m b ⎠ 30m b

b use equation for rectangular channel

Trapezoidal

l 0.20
⎛ 2Ψ ⎞
m ⎜ 2⎟
⎝m ⎠

TRIANGULAR
y

( 0.84cΨ )0.25 y = cx 2

y = cx2

x
Parabolic

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Hydraulics Prof. B.S. Thandaveswara

⎛ 1.01 ⎞ 0.25
⎜⎜ 0.26 ⎟⎟ Ψ
⎝ d0 ⎠
d0 Q0.52 Range of applicability
yc = 0.053 yc
d 0.3
0 0.02 ≤ ≤ 0.85
do
yc = [ m ]
Circular Q = m3s −1 , d 0 = [ m ]
y
Range of applicability
y
0.25 0.05 ≤ c ≤ 0.85
⎛ψ ⎞ 2b
b x 0.84b0.22 ⎜ 2 ⎟
⎝a ⎠ a = major axis
b = minor axis

a
Elliptical
y

1/ ( 2m +1)
y = cx ( )
1/ m −1
1
____ ⎛ m3ψ c 2m −2 ⎞
m-1 ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
y = cx ⎝ 4 ⎠
x
Exponential

Example:

b = 6.0 m, m = 2, Q = 17m3 / s determine yc

Solution:

From table
0.27
⎛ ψ ⎞ b Q
yc = 0.81⎜ 0.75 1.25 ⎟ − for 0.1 < < 4.0
⎝m b ⎠ 30m b 2.5
α Q2
where ψ =
g
Q 17
The value of 2.5
== 0.19,
b 6 2.5
It is in the range of the equation. Substituting the appropriate values,
1(17 )
2
ψ= = 29.5
9.8
0.27
⎛ 29.5 ⎞ 6
yc = 0.81⎜ 0.75 1.25 ⎟ − = 0.86 m
⎝2 6 ⎠ 30 ( 2 )

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Hydraulics Prof. B.S. Thandaveswara

Problem:

Non rectangular channel involves trial and error solution.

Obtain the critical depth for the trapezoidal channel of bottom width 6 m with a side

slope of 2.5: 1, which carries a discharge of 20 m3/s.

1 1
m m yc

6m
Solution:

Trial and error procedure

A= ( b+my ) y = ( 6 + 2.5 yc ) yc
T = b+2my=6 + 5yc
A ( 6 + 2.5yc ) yc
D= =
T 6 + 5yc
Q
Zc = =A D
g
⎧ ( 6 + 2.5yc ) yc ⎫
0.5
V 2 Q2 / A 2 20* 20
= = = ( 6 + 2.5yc ) yc ⎨ ⎬
2g 2g [6 + 2.5 yc ]2 19.62 ⎩ 6 + 5yc ⎭
yc = ?
vc = gyc = ?

Solution of Algebraic or Transcendental Equations by the Bisection Method

In the algebraic expression F(x) =0, when a range of values of x is known that contains

only one root, the bisection method is a practical way to obtain it. It is best shown by an

example.

The critical depth in a trapezoidal channel is to be determined for given flow Q and

channel dimensions.

Q 2T
1− =0
gA3

The formula must be satisfied by some positive depth yc greater than 0 (a lower bound)

and less than, an arbitrarily selected upper bound say, 10 m.

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Hydraulics Prof. B.S. Thandaveswara

T is the free surface width b + 2myc . The interval is bisected and this value of yc tried. If

the value is positive, then the root is less than the midpoint and the upper limit is moved

to the midpoint and the remaining half bisected, etc.

This method gives the solution very quickly.

T F(x)

1y 0
1
m m 100

b
Trapezoidal Bisection

Newton Raphson Method is discussed elsewhere.

Indian Institute of Technology Madras