(Open channel flow)Empirical formulas

Hazen-Williams Formula
Hazen-Williams formula was extremely popular with piping engineers because of its relatively
simple calculation properties.

However the Hazen-Williams results rely upon the value of the friction factor, CHW, which is
used in the formula, and the CHW value can vary significantly, from around 80 up to 130 and
higher, depending on the pipe material, pipe size and the fluid velocity.

Also the Hazen-Williams equation only really gives good results when the fluid is Water and
can produce large inaccuracies when this is not the case.

Empirical Formulas 1
Hazen-Williams
0.63 0.54
V  0.85C HW Rh S SI Units
D
Rh  hydraulic Radius 
4
hL
Simplified

S
L
C HW  Hazen Wil liams Coefficien t

10.7 L
hL  1.852
Q 1.852
SI Units
C HW D 4.87

1
Manning Formula
One the most commonly used equations governing Open Channel Flow is known as the
Manning’s Equation. It was introduced by the Irish Engineer Robert Manning in 1889.

The Manning’s equation is an empirical equation that applies to uniform flow in open channels
and is a function of the channel velocity, flow area and channel slope

EMPIRICAL FORMULAS 2

Manning
1 2 / 3 1/ 2 D
V  Rh S Rh  hydraulic Radius 
4
n
hL
S
L
Simplifie

n  Manning Coefficien t
d

10.3 L  nQ 
2
hL  5.33
SI Units
D
12

The Manning’s n is a coefficient which represents the roughness or friction applied to the flow
by the channel.   Manning’s n-values are often selected from tables, but can be back calculated
from field measurements. In many flow conditions the selection of a Manning’s roughness
coefficient can greatly affect computational results.

2
Chezy's formula
An empirical formula relating river discharge (Q) to channel dimensions and water surface slope. 

Q = AC√(RS)
Where 

A = the cross-sectional area of the river, (m2)

This formula is useful for extending river-flow rating curves. The formula was devised by the French
hydrologist Antoine Chézy (1718–1798).

3
Where,
1
1
C= R 6
n
1
C = the Chezy roughness coefficient, (m 2 / s)

R = the hydraulic radius, (m)

n=Manning coefficient

Practice Problems
1. New cast iron (CHW =130, n = 0.011) has length of 6 km long and diameter of 30 cm. Q =
0.32 m3/s at 30℃. Calculate the head loss due to the friction using;

a. Hazen – Williams. Ans. 333 m

b. Manning’s equation. Ans. 469 m

4
 2. For a commercial steel pipe (new) with 1.4 m diameter and a flow rate of 3.3 m3/s at 10
℃ of water. Calculate the friction head loss by using:

a. Hazen – Williams. Ans. 2 m

b. Manning’s equation. Ans.1.866 m

c. Chezy’s equation, Ans. 1.86 m

d. Darcy-Weisbach. Ans. 1.83 m

Take (CHW = 140, n = 0.01, L =1000 m, ε = 0.045 mm, and v=¿1.306×10-6 m2/s)

3. Water flows in a rectangular, concrete, open channel that is 12 m wide at a depth of 2.5m.
The channel slope is 0.0028. Find the water velocity and the flow rate (n = 0.013)? Ans.
5.945 m/s and 178.3 m3/s

4. Water flows in a rectangular, concrete, open channel that is 12 m wide. The channel slope
is 0.0028. If the velocity of the flow is 6 m/s, find the depth of the flow?, take n = 0.013)
Ans. 2.551m

5. For what velocity of flow of water in a new, clean, 152.4 mm steel pipe diameter would
have an energy loss of 6.1 m of head occur over a length of 304.8 m? Find the volume
flow rate at that velocity? Take the coefficient of Hazen Williams is (CHW = 130). Ans.
1.7 m/s and 0.031m3/s

6. A 2 m diameter pipe of finished concrete lies on a shape of 1m of head loss for 1000 m
horizontal distance. Determine the flow rate when the pipe of half full? Take manning
coefficient, (n = 0.012). Ans. 2.6 m3/s

7. A 3 m wide rectangular irrigation channel carries a discharge of 25.3 m3/s at a uniform

8. Specify the required size of steel pipe to carry 0.034 m3/s of water with no more than 4 m
of head loss over a 1000 m length of pipe. Use the design value for (CHW = 140)

0.38
3.59Q
Use this equation to calculate the required size, D = (C 0.54
HW
) Ans. 163 mm

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9. Calculate the best dimensions Y and B for hydraulic rectangular cross-section to convey
Q =10 m3/s discharge with n=0.02 and S=0.0009 canal characteristics. Ans. 1.86, 3.72 m
Y
For best rectangular cross-sections, the dimensions are: A = 2Y2 and Rh =
2

10. What are the best dimensions Y and B for a rectangular brick channel designed to carry 5
m3/s of water in uniform flow with S=0.001, and n = 0.015?
Y
For best rectangular cross-sections, the dimensions are: A = 2Y2 and Rh =
2

11. Calculate the discharge through a channel having a bed slope 1 in 1000, area 12 m2,
hydraulic radius of 1.2 m and Chezy’s constant being equal to 50. Ans. 20.78 m3/s

12. The discharge through a trapezoidal channel is 61 m3/s and the depth and widths of the
channel are 4 m and 5 m respectively. The wetted perimeter of the channel is 13.16 m,
calculate the bed slope of the channel if the value of Chezy’s constant is 45. Ans. 0.002

13.  Estimate the discharge through a channel having area 24 m2 and perimeter 16 m if the
bed slope of the channel is equal to 1 in 1000 and the value of the Chezy’s constant is70.
Ans. 65 m3/s

14. Using the Chezy formula, a rectangular concrete drive channel was constructed to
conduct water to small hydro-electric power plant. Concrete of both bed and walls of the
channel has been done in a current way. Width of the channel bed is b = 2 m, longitudinal
slope of channel bed S = 0.0006. What discharge will flow to the hydro-power plant,
supposing that flow in the channel is uniform? Take, n = 0.014 and Depth of water in
channel should be y = 1.2 m. Ans. 2.78 m3/s