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Normal Flow

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25 views3 pages

Normal Flow

Uploaded by

mzohaibanwar309
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Normal Flow in Open Channels

Normal flow refers to the steady, uniform flow condition in an open channel where the depth of
flow, velocity, and cross-sectional area remain constant along the channel's length. This occurs
when the gravitational force driving the flow balances the frictional resistance exerted by the
channel bed.

Key Characteristics of Normal Flow

1. Uniform Depth:

o The flow depth remains constant (yny_nyn), also called the normal depth.

2. Uniform Velocity:

o The velocity profile does not vary along the channel length.

3. Force Balance:

o The driving gravitational force is balanced by the channel's frictional resistance.

o Slope of the energy grade line (SfS_fSf) equals the bed slope (S0S_0S0).

4. Governed by Manning’s Equation:

o The flow rate for normal flow can be calculated using Manning's equation:
Q=1nAR2/3S01/2Q = \frac{1}{n} A R^{2/3} S_0^{1/2}Q=n1AR2/3S01/2 Where:

▪ QQQ: Discharge (m3/sm^3/sm3/s)

▪ nnn: Manning’s roughness coefficient

▪ AAA: Cross-sectional area of flow (m2m^2m2)

▪ RRR: Hydraulic radius (A/PA / PA/P), where PPP is the wetted perimeter
(mmm)

▪ S0S_0S0: Channel bed slope.

Step Method for Gradually Varied Flow

The step method is a computational procedure used to analyze gradually varied flow profiles in
open channels. Gradually varied flow occurs when the flow depth changes slowly over a distance
due to variations in channel slope, roughness, or geometry.

Principle of Step Method

1. Energy Conservation:

o The total head at any section is conserved, with small changes over a distance.

2. Flow Profiles:
o Used to calculate the water surface profile (y(x)y(x)y(x)) for subcritical or
supercritical flow conditions in non-uniform flow.

3. Iterative Computation:

o The channel is divided into small segments, and depth is computed iteratively
using numerical methods.

Steps for Applying the Step Method

1. Divide the Channel:

o Divide the channel into small steps (Δx\Delta xΔx) along the flow direction.

2. Choose Initial Conditions:

o Determine the initial flow depth (y1y_1y1) at the starting section (known
conditions like normal depth, critical depth, or a boundary condition).

3. Apply Energy Equation:

o Between two points (111 and 222), the specific energy equation is used:
E1=E2+ΔHE_1 = E_2 + \Delta HE1=E2+ΔH Where:

▪ E=y+V22gE = y + \frac{V^2}{2g}E=y+2gV2: Specific energy.

▪ ΔH=Sf⋅Δx\Delta H = S_f \cdot \Delta xΔH=Sf⋅Δx: Head loss due to friction.

4. Use Manning’s Equation:

o Compute the flow velocity and head loss due to friction: Sf=n2V2R4/3S_f =
\frac{n^2 V^2}{R^{4/3}}Sf=R4/3n2V2

5. Iterate:

o Compute the new depth (y2y_2y2) and move to the next section using numerical
methods (e.g., trial and error or Newton-Raphson).

6. Continue Until End:

o Repeat the process until the entire profile is calculated along the channel.

Applications of Step Method

1. Design of Channels:

o To predict water surface profiles for subcritical and supercritical flows.

2. Flood Routing:

o To understand flow transitions due to channel obstructions or changes in slope.

3. Hydraulic Jump Location:

o Helps in determining where critical transitions, such as hydraulic jumps, may


occur.
Example: Step Method Calculation

Suppose:

• n=0.013n = 0.013n=0.013, Q=10 m3/sQ = 10 \, m^3/sQ=10m3/s,

• S0=0.001S_0 = 0.001S0=0.001, b=4 mb = 4 \, mb=4m (channel width, rectangular),

• Δx=100 m\Delta x = 100 \, mΔx=100m (step length).

1. Normal Depth (yny_nyn): Using Manning's equation:

Q=1nAR2/3S01/2Q = \frac{1}{n} A R^{2/3} S_0^{1/2}Q=n1AR2/3S01/2

Compute yny_nyn iteratively.

2. Head Loss (ΔH\Delta HΔH): At each step:

ΔH=Sf⋅Δx\Delta H = S_f \cdot \Delta xΔH=Sf⋅Δx

With Sf=n2V2R4/3S_f = \frac{n^2 V^2}{R^{4/3}}Sf=R4/3n2V2.

3. Update Depth: Adjust y2y_2y2 iteratively until the energy balance holds:

E2=E1−ΔHE_2 = E_1 - \Delta HE2=E1−ΔH

Would you like me to demonstrate a detailed numerical example or provide a Python


implementation of the step method?

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