UGNA2073 Open Channel

Hydraulics

GVF - (GRADUALLY
VARIED FLOW)
 Flow in Open Channel

Time
Steady Flow Unsteady Flow

Space
Uniform Flow Non Uniform Flow

Rapidly varied Flow

Gradually Varied Flow
(Hydraulic Jump)
The following classification is made according to
the change in flow depth with respect to time and space.
 Introduction
❑ The gradually varied flow is the steady flow
which depth varies gradually along the
length of the channel.

❑ This definition signifies two conditions;

▪ The flow is steady & the hydraulic characteristics

of flow remain constant for the time interval
under consideration

▪ The streamlines are practically parallel; that

hydrostatic distribution of pressure prevails over
the channel section
❑ The theories thus developed practically all hinge on
following assumptions:
▪ The head loss at a section is the same as for a uniform
flow having the velocity and hydraulic radius of the
section
• The uniform flow formula (Chezy @ Manning) may be used to
evaluate the energy slope of gradually varied flow at a given
channel section and the corresponding coefficient of
roughness developed primarily for uniform flow is applicable to
the varied flow
▪ The slope of the channel is small so that the depth of
flow is the same whether the vertical or normal (to a
channel bottom) direction is used
▪ The channel is prismatic; that is, the channel has
constant alignment and shape
▪ The roughness coefficient is independent of the depth
of flow and constant throughout the channel reach
under consideration
Classification of Open-Channel Flows
❑ Obstructions cause the flow depth to vary.
❑ Rapidly varied flow (RVF) occurs over a short distance
near the obstacle.
❑ Gradually varied flow (GVF) occurs over larger distances
and usually connects UF and RVF.
 dH

dx
❑ In GVF, y and V vary slowly,
and the free surface is
stable
❑ In contrast to uniform flow, Sf
 S0. Now, flow depth
reflects the dynamic
balance between gravity,
shear force, and inertial
effects
❑ To derive how the depth
varies with x, consider the
total head
Let’s evaluate H, total energy, as a
function of x.

Take derivative,

Where H = total energy head

z = elevation head,
v2/2g = velocity head
 •Given the Froude number, we can simplify and solve
for - dy/dx as a function of measurable parameters

*Note that the eqn blows up when Fr = 1 and goes to

zero if So = S, the case of uniform OCF.

where , Sf = total energy slope Sf = n2Q2 / (Rh4/3A2)

So = bed slope,
dy/dx = water surface slope Fr2 = v2/gy
 GRADUALLY
VARIED FLOW (GVF)
Course Outcomes:

1.Classify water surface profile (M1,

S1 etc.)
2.Calculate the depth of the flow
using Direct step method
3.Calculate the depth of the flow
using Standard step method

14
Classification of Flow Profiles
❑ This result is important. It permits
classification of liquid surface profiles as
a function of Fr, S0, Sf, and initial
conditions.
❑ Bed slope S0 is classified as
▪ Steep : yo < yc or so>sc
▪ Critical : yo = yc or so= sc
▪ Mild : yo > yc or so< sc
▪ Horizontal : S0 = 0
▪ Adverse : S0 < 0

❑ Initial depth is given a zone

▪ Zone 1 : y > yo
• The space above both critical
and normal depth
▪ Zone 2 : yc < y < y0
• The region lies between the
normal and critical depth
▪ Zone 3 : y < yc
• The lowest zone of space that
lies above the channel bed but
below both critical and normal
depth lines
Hydraulic Classification of Slopes for Water Surface
Profiles
Gradually Varied Flow
❑ Typical Open Channel system involves several sections of different slopes, with
transitions
 Characteristic of Flow Profile
❑ The dynamic equation of GVF developed expresses
the longitudinal surface slope of the flow with respect
to the channel bottom. It can be used to describe the
characteristics of various flow profile or profile of the
water surface of flow. Assume the channel is prismatic.

❑ The flow profile represent the surface curve of the

flow.
▪ It will represent a backwater curve if the depth of
flow increases in the direction of flow (dy/dx = +ve)

▪ and a drawdown curve if the depth of flow

decreases in the direction of flow (dy/dx = - ve) .
 SURFACE WATER PROFILE
❑ From all the equations the derivations show
the changes of water depth (y) for some
distances/lengths (x). By using the
integration method in those equations, we
can know,

▪ Depth (y) at some distances/lengths (x)

▪ Distances/lengths from one point to one

point when both depth are known
Review: A rectangular open channel
has bottom width (Bw) of 5 m and
a slope (S0) of 0.005. The channel
roughness is 0.030. For a flow rate
of 50m3/s, determine

1. the normal depth for the flow (yn)?

2. the critical depth for the flow (yc)?
3. the Froude number?
❑ 3.34m , 2.17m
 Direct step method
– The Direct Step method is a simple step
method applicable to prismatic channel.

– Standard Step method is characterized by

dividing the channel into short reaches and
carrying the computation step by step from
one end of the reach to the other.
 Direct Step Method
– Equating the total head at the two end section 1 and 2, the
following may be written;

y1 + v²/2g + z1 = y2 + v²/2g + z2 + hL
E1 + (z1 - z2 ) = E2 + hL
E1 + so ∆x = E2 + sf ∆x
∆x (so - sf ) = E2 - E1
∆x = (E2 - E1 )/ (so - sf )
Where E1 = y1+v12/2g
Sf = n2Q2/(A2R4/3 ) = n2v2/R4/3
Sf = (Sf1+Sf2 )/2

Calculation dx start for Backwater is the highest side. dy/dx=+ve

Calculation dx start for Drawdown is the lowest side. dy/dx=-ve
 Procedure to use Direct Step Method
1. Find E2 for downstream control point and
given Q
2. Choose depth y1 at the upstream point for
which we want to find x
3. Find V1 and hence E1
4. Find Sf from above for V1 and V2 Compute
average Sf
5. Use to find x
Table: Direct Step Method
1. y = water depth (m)
2. R = A/P = hydraulic radius or y for very wide
rectangular
3. v = q/y = flow velocity
5. E = y + v²/2g = specific energy
6. ∆E = E2 - E1 = energy loss
7. sf = slope energy grade line = n2v2 = v2
R4/3 C 2R
8. sf1 avg = (sf1 + sf2)/2 = EGL slope average
9. (so – sf avg ) = slope different
10. ∆x = reach = ∆E / (so - sf )
11. L = length of surface water profile which is calculate
from dam
 Direct Step Method
– A trapezoidal channel has bed width B=8.0m, side
slope ratio 2:1, The manning’s n is 0.025 and it is laid
on a slope 0.001. if the channels ends in a freefall,
compute the water surface profile for a discharge
of 30m3/s.
– Step1 : Find yn and yc.
▪ Normal depth of the flow yn=1.7538 m and
yc=1.0298m
– Step 2: Determine profile type
▪ M2
– Calculation from 1.0298m to 1.7538m
– Calculation from 1.03m, inc 0.01 to 1.745m
 Direct Step Method
– A trapezoidal channel has bed width B=8.0m, side
slope ratio 2:1, The manning’s n is 0.025 and it is laid
on a slope 0.001. if the channels ends in a freefall,
compute the water surface profile for a discharge
of 30m3/s.
– Step1 : Find yn and yc.
– Step 2: Determine profile type
– Calculation from 1.0298m to 1.7538m
– Calculation from 1.03m, inc 0.01 to 1.745m
Mild: M2

yn=1.754 m
yc=1.03 m
 Exercise
❑ Determine the length of Backwater curve
caused by afflux of 1.5m in rectangular
channel of width 50m and depth 2m.
Assume So= 1/2000 & n= 0.03

4564.64m
 Exercise
❑ A widen rectangular channel carries a
discharge of 8 m3/sec-m width. The channel
has a bed slope 0.004 and n= 0.015. At a
certain section of channel the flow depth is
1m.

51.15m