Faculty of Engineering & Survey

Department of Civil Engineering

CIV2201 HYDRAULICS

Open Channel Flow

Facilitator: Muhindo Ronald

+256 781497083
[email protected]
 Basic concepts
Materials taken from:
Han, D. (2008). Concise Hydraulics.Dawei Han & Ventus Publishing ApS.
177pp.

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 Channel design
Main purpose

To transport water between two points in

=> safe, and
=> cost effective manner.

Channel types

=> Unlined,
=> Lined (with concrete), and
=> Grassed

Permissible velocities

=> Maximum permissible velocity: the maximum velocity that will not cause
erosion to the channel beds and walls.

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 Channel design
Permissible velocities

Maximum permissible velocity

is the maximum velocity that will not cause erosion to the

channel beds and walls.

Minimum permissible velocity

is the lowest velocity that will prevent sedimentation and

growth of vegetation.

Generally, 0.6-0.9 m3/s is used.

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 Channel design
Free board

=> Freeboard is the vertical distance from the top of a channel to the water

surface at the design condition.

=> In design, 5% to 30% of the depth of flow is used for freeboards.

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 Channel design
Compound channels

=> In practice, compound channels are used in engineering

to control sediments and vegetation in the channel

Example

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 Channel design
Solution – Case a

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 Channel design
Solution – Case b

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 Channel design
Solution – Case b

This result is unrealistic due to mixing of the different flows between

the main channel and that over the river bank. A realistic solution can
be obtained by treating the different parts of the channel separately.

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 Channel design
Dividing channels into a number of sub-areas

Compute Q’s separately and then add them up.

Q = Q1 + Q2 + Q3.
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 Channel design
Example

During a large flood, the water level in the channel is given in the figure below.
Manning's n is 0.015 for the main channel and 0.035 for the flood banks. The
bed slope S0 is 0.001. Estimate the discharge for a maximum flood depth of 4m.

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 Channel design
Solution

Section (2) Section (1) Section (3)

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 Channel design
Solution

Section (2) Section (1) Section (3)

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 Channel design
The best hydraulic section

 Channels have many shapes and dimensions.

 However, some types of channels are better than others in conveying flows.
 The best channel is that with the least wetted perimeter for a given area
because it characterizes the maximum conveyance.

For instance, the following channels have the same cross sectional area, as well
as the Manning's n and bed slope. Which channel is the hydraulically the best?

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 Channel design
The best hydraulic section

The wetted perimeter is not the same for the various channels.
Channel (a), P = 4 m
Channel (b), P = 4.24 m
Channel (c), P = 8.5 m

Channel (a),

Channel (b),
Channel (a) is the best.
Channel (c),
Channel (c) is the worst.

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 Channel design
The best hydraulic sections for some common shapes of channels

Rectangular section

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 Channel design
The best hydraulic sections for some common shapes of channels

Trapezoidal section

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 Channel design
The best hydraulic sections for some common shapes of channels

Trapezoidal section

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 Channel design
The best hydraulic sections for some common shapes of channels

Trapezoidal section

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 Channel design
Example 1

Solution

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 Channel design
Solution

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 Channel design
Example 2

Solution

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 Channel design
Solution

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 Channel design
Example 3

Solution

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 Channel design
Example 3

 3) For each shape, express the P as a function of A .

 For each shape, express the P as a function of A .
 The shape with the least P is the best hydraulically.

 Here, a given value of A may be assumed e.g. A=25m2 to get the

equivalent assumed values of the P’’s.

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 Channel design
Example 4

Solution

METHOD 1

This means that the section

is half a square.
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 Channel design
Example 4

Solution

METHOD 2

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 Channel design
Example 4

Solution

METHOD 2

This means that the section

is half a square.

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 Critical Flow
Introduction

When the plate in the open channel is pushed, a small wave can be generated.

The wave speed (also called celerity) can be given by

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 Flow states
If a pebble is dropped into a channel with flowing water, the pattern
generated could be of the following cases that represents four types of flow.

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 Critical Flow
Critical velocity and Froude’s Number

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 Critical Flow
Flow state and Froude’s Number

Critical

Supercritical

Subcritical

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 Critical Flow
Flow state in relation to critical flow

If y > y c => subcritical

Critical depth, yc
If y < y c => supercritical

If S o < S c => mild slope

Critical slope, S c
If S o > S c => steep slope

If V < V c => tranquil flow

Critical velocity, V c
If V > V c => rapid flow

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 Critical Flow
Flow state in relation to critical flow

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 Critical Flow
E xample

Solution

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 Critical Flow
Solution

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 Critical Flow
Solution

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 Critical Flow
Example

Solution

By trial and error, y n ≈0.4m

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 Critical Flow
Solution

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 Critical Flow
Example

Solution
For a critical flow,

The minimum channel width if the flow is to be subcritical is 1.34m.

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 Critical Flow
Example

Solution
a)

The S0=0.0002 will maintain a uniform flow of 12m3/s in the channel at a depth of 2m.
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 Critical Flow
Solution

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 Critical Flow
Solution

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 Critical Flow
Solution

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 Critical Flow
Example

Solution

=>

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 Critical Flow
Solution

By trial and error, y n ≈ 0.86m

Critical slope

S c = 0.0076

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 Rapidly varied flow
Introduction

For a rapidly varied flow, its water surface profile changes suddenly.

This occurs when there is a sudden change in the geometry of the

channel or in the regime of the flow (e.g. hydraulic jump).

Transitions within a change of

cross-sectional dimensions tend

to occur in a relatively short distance.

The energy equation is used to solve these problems.

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 Rapidly varied flow
The Energy Equation

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 Rapidly varied flow
The Energy Equation

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 Rapidly varied flow
Solution

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 Rapidly varied flow
Solution

Only one root is correct. The first one to be eliminated is the negative root.
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 Rapidly varied flow
Solution

The right solution is y2 = 0.96m

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 Rapidly varied flow
Height of hump

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 Rapidly varied flow
Height of hump

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 Rapidly varied flow
Height of hump

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 Rapidly varied flow
Specific Energy

We may use the mean velocity at the section to calculate the velocity head by
introducing the energy coefficient, α.

Assuming that the velocity distribution is uniform (i.e., α = 1) and the

pressure distribution is hydrostatic, (i.e., p = γy),

The steady flow energy equation

becomes

let us use the channel bottom as the datum. Then z = 0

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 Rapidly varied flow
Specific Energy

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 Rapidly varied flow
Specific Energy

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 Rapidly varied flow
Clarification on the Concept of Specific Energy

Let us first consider it for a rectangular cross section having uniform velocity
distribution, i.e., α = 1.

Let the channel width be B and the channel discharge be Q. Then, the discharge
per unit width, q (hereinafter called the unit discharge), is q = Q/B, and V = q/y.

becomes

For a specified unit discharge, q

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 Rapidly varied flow
Clarification on the Concept of Specific Energy

For a specified unit discharge, q we realize that is constant.

This gives the relationship between E and y for a specified q.

Mathematically, E-y curve has two asymptotes: (E − y) = 0 and y = 0.

The first asymptote represents a straight line passing through the origin and
inclined at 45° to the horizontal axis; and the second asymptote is the horizontal axis.

From physical considerations,

=> we may explain the existence of these asymptotes as follows.
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 Rapidly varied flow
Clarification on the Concept of Specific Energy

The above equation has three roots, y1, y2, and y3.

One of these roots y3 is always negative. However, since it is not physically

possible to have a negative depth, there can be only two different values of y for a
given value of E. These two depths, say y1, and y2, are called the alternate depths.

As a special case, it is possible that y1 = y2 i.e., at point C (see the figure on the
next slide). Such a depth is called the critical depth, yc, and the corresponding flow
is called the critical flow.

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 Rapidly varied flow
Clarification on the Concept of Specific Energy

Specific energy for a given unit discharge

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 Rapidly varied flow
Clarification on the Concept of Specific Energy

Specific energy for a given unit discharge

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 Rapidly varied flow
Clarification on the Concept of Specific Energy

It follows that the specific energy, E, comprises two parts:

=> the flow depth, y, and

=> the velocity head, V2/(2g).

The value of V decreases to pass the same amount of q as y increases, thereby

decreasing the velocity head. Hence, referring to the figure on the previous slide,
the upper limb of the curve approaches the straight line, E = y, as the velocity
head becomes very small for very large values of y. In a similar manner, the
value of V increases to pass the specified q as the value of y decreases, thereby
increasing the velocity head. Hence, as y tends to zero, the velocity head tends
to infinity, and the lower limb of the curve approaches the horizontal axis.

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 Rapidly varied flow
Clarification on the Concept of Specific Energy

Specific energy curves for different unit discharges

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 Rapidly varied flow
Clarification on the Concept of Specific Energy

Let us now discuss how curves for the other values of q will plot relative to that for q.

Referring to,

E increases as q increases for a given value of y. In other words, if we draw a line

parallel to the E-axis for any given y, then the E-y curve for q1 intersects it to the left
of that for q if q1 < q, and the E-y curve for q2 intersects it to the right of that for q if
q2 > q. This is clear from the curves shown on the previous slide.

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 Rapidly varied flow
Example 1

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 Rapidly varied flow
Example 1

Solution

By trial and error, y ≈ 1.20 m

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 Rapidly varied flow
Example 1

Solution

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 Rapidly varied flow
Example 1

Solution

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 Rapidly varied flow
Example 2

Solution

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 Rapidly varied flow
Solution

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 Rapidly varied flow
Solution

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 Rapidly varied flow
Solution

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 Rapidly varied flow
Example 3

Solution

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 Rapidly varied flow
Solution

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 Rapidly varied flow
Solution

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 Rapidly varied flow
Solution

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 Rapidly varied flow
Solution

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 Rapidly varied flow
Hydraulic Jump

 A hydraulic jump is a phenomenon which occurs when a supercritical flow meets a

subcritical flow.
 The resulting flow is rapid and involves a large energy loss due to turbulence .
 The depth before the jump is called the initial depth .
 The depth after the jump is called the sequential depth .

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 Rapidly varied flow
Hydraulic Jump Equation

 The use of energy equation for hydraulic jump analysis is not suitable because
of the significant energy loss in a hydraulic jump.

Eventually, the Momentum Equation is used.

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 Rapidly varied flow
Hydraulic Jump Equation

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 Rapidly varied flow
Hydraulic Jump Equation

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 Rapidly varied flow
Hydraulic Jump Equation

The jump height can be evaluated by knowing either the upstream or

downstream conditions.

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 Rapidly varied flow
E xample

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 Rapidly varied flow
Solution

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 Rapidly varied flow
Solution

By trial and error, y1 ≈ 0.4m

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 Rapidly varied flow
Hydraulic Jump in a Rectangular Channel

If a jump occurs in a rectangular channel, there is no need to used the

trial and error approach to determine the unknown depth because
there are equations that can be used.

This q is also called specific discharge.

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 Rapidly varied flow
Hydraulic Jump in a Trapezoidal Channel

Solution

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 Rapidly varied flow
Hydraulic Jump in a Trapezoidal Channel

The length of strip dz is = (6 + 2x)

1 t
By similar triangle properties,  => x  1.5t
1.5 x

where t is how high the strip dz is above the bottom t  y  z

The length of strip dz is 6  2 1.5t   6  3 y  z 

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 Rapidly varied flow
Hydraulic Jump in a Trapezoidal Channel

Let V=Q/A and from

Simplify and use trial and error, y1=0.2m

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 Rapidly varied flow
Hydraulic Jump in a Sloping Channel

where h1 and h2 are perpendicular depths to the channel bed at

sections 1 and 2, respectively.

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 Rapidly varied flow
Hydraulic Jump in a Sloping Channel

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 Rapidly varied flow
E xample

Solution

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 Rapidly varied flow
Solution

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 Rapidly varied flow
E xample

Solution

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 Rapidly varied flow
E xample

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 Rapidly varied flow
Solution

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 Rapidly varied flow
Solution

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