University of Nueva Caceres

College of Engineering and Architecture

Week 7: Energy in Open Channel

I. Introduction
In open channel flow, specific energy is the energy length, or head, relative to the
channel bottom. Specific energy is expressed in terms of kinetic energy, and potential energy,
and internal energy. The Bernoulli equation, which originates from a control volume analysis, is
used to describe specific energy relationships in fluid dynamics.

This relationship can be used to calculate changes in depth upstream or downstream of

changes in the channel such as steps, constrictions, or control structures. It is also the
fundamental relationship used in the standard step method to calculate how the depth of a flow
changes over a reach from the energy gained or lost due to the slope of the channel.

II. Objectives
After completion of the course the student should be able to:

1. Interpret different formulas used for the computation of coefficient.

2. Develop method to compute specific energy, critical velocity and depth.

III. Chezy Formula

Chezy Formula was first developed by the French engineer Antoine Chezy in 1769.
1
C means Chezy Coefficient varies from about 30 m 2 /s for large smooth channels.

The head lost between any two points in the channel is:

hL = SL
Where:
S = slope of the energy grade line
L = length or run
The head lost balances the loss in height of the channel.

From Darcy-Weisbach relation:

fL v 2
hL =
D 2g
Where D = 4R
fL v 2
hL =
4 R 2g

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hL f 2
= 8g v
L 2g
hL
Where =S
L
8g
v2 = RS
f
8 g 12 1
v= ( )
f ( RS) 2

1
8g
For a given channel shape and bottom roughness, the quantity ( ) is constant and can be
f
2

denoted by C. The equation becomes:

v=C √ RS
Q= AC √ RS

Where:
V = average velocity
C = coefficient
R = hydraulic radius
S = slope of the energy grade line

A great deal of hydraulic researchers correlated C with roughness, shape, and slope of various
open channels. Among them were Ganguillet and Kutter in 1869, Manning in 1889, Bazin in
1897, and Powell in 1950.

V. Other Formulas
Kutter and Ganguillet Formula

1 0.00155
+23+
n s
C= (SI Units)
n 0.00155
1+ (23+ )
√R S

1.811 0.00281
+ 41.65+
n s
C= (English Units)
n 0.00281
1+ (41.65+ )
√R S

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Manning Formula

1
1
C= R 6 (SI Units)
n
1
1.486 6
C= R (English Units)
n
2 1
1
v= R 3 S 2 (SI Units)
n
2 1
1
Q= A R 3 S 2 (SI Units)
n

Bazin Formula

87
C=
m (SI Units)
1+
√R
87
C=
m (English Units)
0.552+
√R
Powell Equation (S.I)

C ε
C=−42 log ( + ) (SI Units)
Re R

Where:
n = roughness coefficient
m = Bazin coefficient
R = hydraulic radius
ε = roughness in meter
Re = Reynolds Number
S = slope of energy grade line
SPECIFIC ENERGY

Specific energy (E) is defined as the energy per unit weight relative to the bottom of the channel.
It is given by:

V2
E= 2g +d
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V2
= kinetic energy
2g
d=¿Depth of water (static energy)

MINIMUM SPECIFIC ENERGY

V2
E= +d
2g
Q = (bd) V
Q
V=
bd
Q2
E= 2 2 +d
b d (2 g)
Q2
E= 2 d 2+ d
b (2 g)
dE Q2 ( ) 3
= 2 −2 d +1=0
dd b ( 2 g )

2Q2
=1
b2 d 3 (2 g)
2 b2 d 2 V 2
=1
b2 d 3 (2 g)
2V 2
=1
2 dg
V2
=1
dg
V = √ gd
V
=1
√ gd
V
= Froude No.
√ gd
Therefore, minimum specific energy occurs when the Froude Number is equal to 1.

V
=1
√ gd

Where:

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V
= Froude Number
√ gd

Velocity at which the specific energy is minimumis known as critical velocity .

The depth of water corresponding to the critical velocity is known as critical depth.

Vc
=1
√ g dc

Critical Depth on Rectangular Section

q2
d c=
√
3

Where:
Q
q=
b
q = unit flow in m3 /s per meter width
Q = total flow in m 3 /s
b = channel width in m

V2
E=d+
2g
V 2c
Emin = dc +
2g
2
V c = gdc
g dc
Emin = dc +
2g
d
Emin = dc + c
2
3
Emin = d
2 c

2
dc = E
3 min

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Critical Velocity for Non-Rectangular Section

Vc = g A
√
B

Critical Depth equation for Non-Rectangular Section

Q 2 A3
=
g B

Q = total flow in m 3 /s
g = gravitational constant
B = width of the top

Sample Problems

Example 1
A rectangular channel 5.4 m. wide and 1.2 m. deep has a slope of 1 in 1000 and is lined with
good rubble masonry (n = 0.017). It is desired to increase the channel slope with a favorable
section. The dimension of the section maybe changed but the channel must contain the same
amount of lining as the old. Using Kutters Formula:
a) Compute the value of Kutters coefficient of C of the old channel
b) Compute the depth of the new section
c) Compute the probable increase in discharge.

Solution:
a) Kutters Coefficient of C

A = 5.4(1.2)
A= 6.48
P = 5.4 + 2(1.2)

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P = 7.8
A
R=
P
6.48
R=
7.8
R = 0.831

Kutters Coefficient C:
1 0.00155
+23+
n s
C=
n 0.00155
1+ (23+ )
√R S
1 0.00155
+23+
0.017 0.001
C=
0.017 0.00155
1+ (23+ )
√ 0.831 0.001
C = 57.19

b) Depth of new favorable section:

Perimeter must be maintained if the same amount of lining is used.

The section is a most efficient section.

P = 2d + 2d
7.8 = 4d
d = 1.95 m

c) Increase in discharge:
Old section:

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A = 5.4 (1.2)
A = 6.48 m2
V = C √ RS

V = 57.19 √ (0.831)(0.001)
V = 1.65 m/s

Q1 = AV
Q1 = 6.48(1.65)
Q1 = 10.683 m3/s
New Section:

A = 3.9(1.95)
A = 7.605 m2
V = C √ RS

d
R=
2
1.95
R=
2
R= 0.975
1 0.00155
+23+
n s
C=
n 0.00155
1+ (23+ )
√R S

1 0.00155
+23+
0.017 0.001
C=
0.017 0.00155
1+ (23+ )
√ 0.975 0.001

C = 58.604
V = C √ RS

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V = 58.604 √ (0.975)(0.001)
V = 1.83 m/s
Q2 = AV
Q2 = 7.605 (1.83)
Q2 = 13.917 m3/s
Increase in Q = 13.917-10.683
Increase in Q = 3.233 m3/s

Example 2
Given:
Hydraulic radius = 1.503
Coefficient of roughness= 0.015
Slope of energy gradient = 0.0009

a) Compute coefficient C using Kutters Formula

b) Compute coefficient C using Chezys Formula for f=0.021
c) Compute coefficient C using Bazins Formula for m=0.016

Solution:
a) Value of C using Kutters Formula
1 0.00155
+23+
n s
C=
n 0.00155
1+ (23+ )
√R S
1 0.00155
+23+
0.015 0.0009
C=
0.015 0.00155
1+ (23+ )
√ 1.503 0.0009

C=70.16

b) Value of C using Chezys Formula

8g
C=
f √
8(9.81)
C=
√
0.021
C = 61.13

c) Value of C using Bazins Formula

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87
C=
m
1+
√R
87
C=
0.016
1+
√ 1.503
C=85.88

Example 3
A rectangular channel 9m wide carries 7.65 m 3/s when flowing 0.90 m deep.
a) Compute the specific energy
b) Compute the critical depth
c) Compute the critical velocity

Solution:
a) Specific energy:

Q = AV
7.65 = 9 (0.9) V
V = 0.94 m/s

V2
E= +d
2g
(0.94 )2
E= +0.90
2(9.81)

E = 0.945 m

b) Critical depth
7.65
q=
9
q = 0.85 m3/s/m

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2
q2
d c=
√ √
3

g
d c=
3 (0.85)

9.81
d c =0.42m
c) Critical Velocity
V c= √ g d c
V c = √( 9.81)( 0.42)
V c =2.03 m/s

Example 4
In a hydraulics laboratory a flow of 0.413 m 3/s was measured from a rectangular channel flowing
1.20 m wide and 0.60 m deep. If the slope of the channel was 0.0004, and using Mannings Formula,
a) What is the roughness factor for the lining of the channel
b) Compute the average unit tractive force of the channel
c) Compute the minimum specific energy

Solution:
a) Roughness factor

A = 1.20 (0.60)
A = 0.72 m2
P = 2 (0.60) + 1.2
P = 2.4

A
R=
P
0.72
R=
2.4
R = 0.30

Q = AV
2 1
3 2
Q= AR S
n

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0.413 = 0.72 ¿ ¿
n = 0.016

b) Average unit tractive force:

τ = γ w RS
τ = (9.81)(0.30)(0.0004)
τ = 0.00118 kPa
τ = 1.18 N/m2

c) Minimum specific energy:

0.413
q=
1.2
q = 0.344 m3/s

q2
d c=
√
3

(0.344)2
g

d c=
√
3

9.81
d c =¿ 0.229 m

Min. specific Energy

3
Emin = d c
2
3
Emin = (0.229)
2
Emin =¿ 0.344 m
Example 5
The bottom width of a trapezoidal canal is 25 m. and its sides are both inclined at 60° with the
horizontal. Water flows at a depth of 3 m. The slope is 0.0008 and n = 0.03.

a) Find the hydraulic radius.

b) Find the value of Kutters coefficient C.
c) Find the discharge using Chezys Formula
Solution
3
tan 60° =
x
x = 1.732 m

Top width = 1.732(2) + 2.5

Top width = 5.964 m

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L2=(3)2+ ( 1.732 )2
L = 3.464 m

a) Hydraulic Radius

( 5.964+ 2.5 ) (3)

A=
2
A=12.696 m2

P = 2(3.464) + 2.5
P = 9.428 m

A
R=
P
12.696
R=
9.428
R=1.347

b) Kutters Coefficient C

1 0.00155
+23+
n s
C=
¿¿

1 0.00155
+23+
0.03 0.0008
C=
¿¿

C=35.43

c) Discharge using Chezy’s Formula

V = C √ RS
V = 35.43 √ (1.347)(0.0008)
V = 1.163 m/s
Q = AV
Q = (12.696) (1.163)
Q = 14.77 m 3 /s
Example 6

The cross section of a right triangular channel is shown with

a coefficient of roughness n = 0.012. The rate of flow is 4 m/s.

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a) Calculate the critical depth.
b) Calculate the critical velocity

c) Calculate the critical slope

Solution:
a) Critical Depth:

1
A= ( 2 d c ) ( d c )
2
A=¿ d 2c
❑
B=¿ 2 d c

Q 2 A3
=
g B
2 3
(4)2 (d c )
= ❑
9.81 2 d c
d c = 1.267 m

b) Critical Velocity:
A=¿ d 2c
A=¿ ( 1.267 )2
A=¿ 1.605 m 2
❑
B=¿ 2 d c
B=2(1.267)
B=2.534 m

Vc = g A
√ B

√
V c = (9.81) (1.605)
2.534
V c = 2.49 m/s
c) Critical Slope
P=2 √ 2 d c
P=2 √ 2(1.267)
P=3.58 m
A
R=
P
1.605
R=
3.58
R=¿ 0.448

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2 1
3 2
R S c
V c=
n
2 1
3 2
(0.448) S c
2.49=
0.012
Sc = 0.0026

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