CHAPTER TWO

2. GRADUALLY VARIED
FLOW
INTRODUCTION
• Gradually varied flow is a steady non-
uniform flow, whose depth varies gradually
along the channel.
eg. Back water produced by dam
drawdown produced by drop
Basic Assumptions
 The hydraulic flow characteristics remain constant
in time;
 The streamlines are practically parallel meaning the
hydrostatic pressure distribution prevails,
 The head loss at a section is the same as for a uniform
flow having the same velocity and hydraulic radius of
the section i.e the UF formula are used to evaluate the
energy slope.
n 2v 2
 When Manning’s formula is used q 2n2
 10 / 3
Sf =
R4 / 3 y

 When the Chezy formula is used V2

Sf  2
C R

 The slope of the channel is small

 The velocity distribution of the channel is fixed
 The conveyance K and section factor Z are exponential
function of the depth of flow
 The roughness coefficient is independent of the depth
of flow
 Energy equation for GVF
• It is only aapplicable to prismatic channels. The energy
equation between two sections is:

V12 V 22
z 1  y1  1 z 2  y 2   2  S f x
2g 2g

• Assume that a1=a2=1 z1-z2=S0Dx, Then above

equation can be written as:

S 0 x  E 1 E 2S f x
• Solving for Dx:
 Cont...
• The distance between two sections can be calculated from:

 v2 
 y   
E 2  E1 E  2g 
x   
So  Sf So  Sf So  Sf
• The slope of energy-grade line can be computed from
Manning’s Equation as:

1
n 2V 2
Sf  4 /3 
S f  S f1  S f 2
2

R
2.1 Differential equations of gradually varied
flow
• The main forces involved in open
channel flow
Inertia,
Gravity,
Hydrostatic force due to change in depth and
Frictional force.
• The total energy of an elementary volume of
water is given as:
E = Z + Y + αV2/2g
Where:
y = depth of flow, Z = elevation of the channel
bottom

V 2
above a datum
2g
is the kinetic energy head
• Differentiating this equation with respect to the
longitudinal distance x yields:
 V2   v2 
d  Z  Y   d  
dE 2g   2 g   dy  dz
  
dx dx dx dx dx

dE
dx
is the change of energy with
longitudinal distance ordEthe friction
 S f
slope. dx

dZ
dx
is the change of elevation
dZ
 So
dX
• Thus, the slope of the channel bottom
So = sin  = - dZ
dx

For a given flow rate Q,

 v2 
d 
 2 g

  Q 2 dA dy Q 2
T dy =- Fr 2 dy
  dx
dx gA3 dy dx gA3 dx

Substituting
dy2 dy
 S f   Fr   So
dx dx
 So  Sf 
dy
dx

1  Fr
2

 • Rearranging
dy So  Sf
  2
dx 1  Fr
This equation is called the general equation of
gradually varied flow
(also known as dynamic equation of GVF).
It represents the slope of the water surface with
respect to the bottom of the channel
 2.2 GVF flow profiles and its
Classification
• For dx 0 The slope of the water surface is
dy

equal to the bottom slope So i.e uniform

flow
dy
dx
• For = +ve; Sw < So & an increase in
depth along the channel length. i. e Non -
dy
uniform
dx

• For = -ve; drop of water surface Sw

>So & decrease in depth along the
 Characteristics of flow profile
• In a given channel yo nad yc are two fixed
depths if Q, n and S are fixed.
• There are three r/ns b/n yo and yc
i. yo>yc (mild channel) ii. yo<yc (steep channel) iii. yo=yc
(critical )
• There are two cases when yo doesn’t exist.
so=0(horizontal) and so=-ve (adverse slope)
• Based on these channels can be grouped into
 Horizontal slope( S0=0) …………… H type
 Mild slope ( 0<S0<Sc)……………… M type
 Critical slope ( S0=Sc)……………….. C type
 Steep slope ( S0>Sc)…………………..S type
 Adverse slope ( S0<0)……………….. A type
• For each of the above channel categories,
lines representing critical depth (CDL)
and normal depth (NDL) (if it exists) can
be drawn in the longitudinal section of
the channel.
• These would divide the flow space into
three regions.

Region 1 y> y0 and y>yc

Region 2 y0<y<yc
Region 3 y<y0 and y<yc
• Horizontal slope (s =0)o

Region 2
CDL

Yc Region 3

No normal depth y0=

• Mild slope (y0>yc)

Region 1
NDL
Region 2
CDL
y0
yc Region 3
• Critical slope ( y =y )
c o

Region 1
NDL(CDL)
Yo=yc

Region 3

S0=Sc
 Critical Slope

Critical slope is very important in open-channel hydraulics. WHY?

Q2n2
Sc  2 4 / 3
A R

The summary given above encompasses much of the important concepts

of the energy & resistance principles as applied to open channels.

12-16
• Steep slope (y0<yc)

Region 1

y0 CDL
yc Region 2

NDL
Region 3
• Adverse Slope ( S0<0)

CDL
Region
2

Region
3
yc
• GVF profiles may have an increasing
or decreasing water depth.
Increasing depth (dy/dx>0) if y>yn and
y>yc
or y<yn and
y<yc
Decreasing depth (dy/dx<0) if yc>y>Yn
or yn>y>yc
• In addition
i. as y approaches yn, dy/dx=0
ii. as y approaches yc, dy/dx=infinity
iii. as y approaches infinity, dy/dx=So
• Based on the above information, the
various possible GVF profiles are grouped
in to 12 types.
• The profiles are named by the
combination of type of channel and
region of flow i.e.
S1,S2, S3 for steep slope
M1, M2, M3 for mild slope
H2, & H3 for horizontal slope
C1 & C2 for critical slope
A2 & A3 for adverse slop
See Figure
• Summary of flow profile
.
Table 4.1. Types of GVF profiles
 2.3 Computations of GVF
• Involves the solution of the dynamic equation
• Main objective is to determine the shape of
flow profile.
• The flow computation is needed to analyze
problems such as
1. Determination of effect of a hydraulic structure on
the channel
2. Inundation due to a dam or weir construction
3. Estimation of flood zone
•
Methods of GVF
Computations
• Broadly classified there are six Methods of
computation
1) Direct integration
2) Numerical method
3) Multiple integration method
3.1) Direct Step method
3.2) Standard Step method
4) Graphical method
5) Numerical/Computer methods
6) Euler's Method
 1. Direct integration method
y
• Let the above equation may be
u
yn
expressed for dx as

yn  1  yc  u N  M 
M

dx  1  N
   N
 du
S0  1  u  y n  1  u 


• Integrate the equation for the length

x of the flow profile.

yn  u
du  yc 
M u
u N M 
x  u   N
    N
du   con
0 1 u  yn  0 1  u
S0  

• The first integration on the right side of
the above equation is designated by
F(u,N), or u
du
F u , N    N
0 1 u

which is known as the Varied flow function

• The second integral in the equation
may also be expressed in the form of the
varied flow function.
• Let v=uN/J and J= N/ (N-M+1); this
integral can be transformed into
 u N M J dv N
1  u N du  N 1  v J  J F (v, J )

– Where v
dv
F ( v, J )   J
0 1  v
• Using the notation for varied flow
function the equation may be written
as
x  Au  F u , N  BF (v, J )  const
Where

y y 
M
J y N
J
N
A n B  c  u
yn v u J
N  M 1
S0  yn  N
 and F(u,N) and F(v,J) are varied flow
functions
• The length of flow profile between two
consecutive section 1 and 2 is equal to
L = x2-x1

L  Au 2  u1   F (u 2 , N )  F (u1 , N )  BF (v 2 , J )  F (v1 , J )

Where the subscripts 1 and 2 refers to

sections 1 and 2, respectively
• For varied flow function make use of the
varied-flow-function table given in tables
(appendix D of Ven Te Chow)
Determination of Hydraulic
Exponent M
• For rectangular channel
Z2= C1yM=A3/T=B3y3/B=B2y3

M=3.0 and C1=B2
• Triangular channel
Z2=C1yM = m3y6/2my=m2y5/2

M=5 and c1 = m2/2
• Trapezoidal
M is between 3 and 5 ( B/n rectangular
and triangular channel)
Determination of Hydraulic Exponent N
• For wide rectangular channel
R=y, A=yB
K2 = C2yN= 1/n2*b2y2.y4/3 = C2y10/3
Þ N=10/3=3.33

• Triangular ( Similar procedure)

N= 16/3=5.33
For trapezoidal channel the min. value of N
=2 is obtained for deep rectangular and a
max. of N=5.33 from a triangular channel
• The procedure of computation is
Compute the normal depth and critical depth
from the given data Q and S0
Determine the hydraulic exponents N & M for
an estimated average depth of flow in the
reach under consideration
Compute J by J=N/(N-M+1)
Compute values of u = y/yn and V= uN/J at two
end sections of the reach
From the varied flow function table, find value
of F(u,N) and F(v,J)
Compute the length of the reach by the
equation
2. Numerical method ( the step
methods)
• characterized by dividing the channel
into short reaches and carrying the
computation step by step from one end
of the reach to the other.
• There are a great varieties of step
method. Here direct and standard step
methods will be discussed.
• For rectangular
o
  K  
S  1    
o channel
2
*For  K  any
S  1  
o  
o
 2

dy   K   dy   K  
 
Channel
ave ave
3 
dx  y  dx TQ 2
1   c
 1
 y ave  gA3
.

3. Multiple integration method

3.1 The direct step method (distance from
depth)

• is the simplest and applicable to prismatic

channels
• Here depths of flow are specified and the
distances between successive depths are
calculated. dE s
 So  S f
• It make use of the differential-energy
dx equation
of GVF.
• The equation may be rewritten as:

E s
 So  S f
• In finite difference
x form the equation can be
written as: E s
 x 
S0  S f
• Es is the specific energy.
• In the computation Sf is calculated for the
depths y1 and y2 and the average is taken.
• The friction slope is calculated using uniform
flow formula ( as our initial assumption)
2 2
• Manning:
nv
S f  4/3
R
2
• Chezy: V
Sf  2
C R
 3.2 Standard step method (depth from distance)
• Computation is carried out by steps from
station to station.
• The procedure is to determine the depth
of flow at the stations for known distance
b/n stations.
• The computation is usually carried out by
trial and error.
• This method can be used for non-
prismatic channels.
For the computation the ff are
needed:
– Discharge Q
– length of the reach ?
– Area A as function of y
– Hydraulic radius R as function of y
– Roughness coefficient ( n or C)
– Corilois coefficient 
The total heads at the two end
sections
are: αv αv 2 2
E1  Z1  1
E 2  1  Z2  2
E 2  2  E1  Sf * Δx
1. Prismatic Cannels2g 2g
ΔE s  So  Sf  * Δx
2. Natural Channels
α v12 α v 22
E1  Z1  E 2 1  Z2  E 2 2  E1  Sf Δx
2g 2g
v2
ΔE s  h f  hc   S f * x  
2g

 Z = stage, level of water surface above datum

in m
 Compare E2-2 and E2-1; if the difference is
not within prescribed limits (e.g. 0.01m),
 Re-estimate Z2 and repeat until agreement is
reached.
 The computation of the flow profile by the
standard step method is arranged in tabular
form .
 Each column of the table is explained as
follows:
• The location of the stations is fixed. …Col1
• Water-surface elevation Z at the station. A trial
value is first entered in this column; this will be
verified or rejected on the basis of ht computations
made in the remaining columns of the table.
…..Col2
• For the first step, this elevations must be given or
assumed. In most cases the first entry is known.
After this value in the second step has been
verified, it becomes the basis for the verification
the trial value in the next step, and so on
• Depth of flow y corresponding to the water-surface
elevation in col. 3. For instance, the depth of flow y
at the second station is equal to water-surface
elevation minus bottom elevation (distance form
the first site times bed slope)
• Water area A corresponding to y in col.4
• Mean velocity v equal to the given discharge
divided by the water area in col. 5
• Velocity head in m, corresponding to the
velocity col. 6
• Total head E computed, equal to the sum of Z in
col. 2 and the velocity head in col. 7
• Hydraulic radius R corresponding to y in col. 3
….Col 8
• Friction slope Sf with n or C, V from col. 5 and R
from col. 9
• Average friction Sfm slope through the reach
between the sections in each step,
approximately equal to the arithmetic mean of
the friction slope just computed in col. 10 and
that of the previous step.
• Length of the reach X between the sections….
Col 11
• Frictional loss in the reach, equal to col 10* col
11… Col12
If the value so obtained in Col 14 does not
agree closely with that entered in col. 7, a
new trial value of the water-surface
elevation is assumed, and so on, until
agreement is obtained.
To simplified it
If H in col 7 is not equal to H in col 14
 Find the difference HE= H2-H2’
 Determiney 2  HE
 1.67 S f 2 * X 
1  1  C e F2 
2

 R2 
 Then y’2= y2 + y2 & h’2= h2 + y2
 Calculate H’’2= h’2+V’22/2g and check
withH’2=H1+hf+he
 If H2=H’’2 it is okey, otherwise repeat the
same procedure
• Where Ce is eddy loss coefficient
( 0.3)
and   1V1 2   2V2 2 
he c e  

 2g 
4. Graphical Integration
.•
This method integrates the equation
of gradually varied flow by a
graphical procedure
dy So  Sf

dx 1  Fr 2
dx 1  Fr 2

dy So  Sf
x y2
1  Fr 2
dx
o

y1
So  Sf
dy

y2 y
1  Fr 2 2
dx
L  x 2  x1   dy   dy
y1
So  Sf y1
dy
• Consider two channel sections at distance
x1 and x2 and with corresponding depths of
flow y1 and y2.
• The distance along the channel is X.
• If a graph of y against f(y) is plotted, then
the area under the curve is equivalent to
X. The value of the function f(y) may be
found by substitution of A, P, So and Sf for
various values of y and for a given Q.
• Hence, the distance X between the given
depths (y1 and y2) may be calculated
(numerical integration) or measured
(graphical integration). this
numerical/graphical method gives the
distance from depth.
5)Numerical/Computer
methods
• Use numerical method to solve
Gradually varied flow profile.
• Use Computer basic software like
Excell, Math CAD and similar
application to solve the flow profile at
various points
 6. Euler's Method
• In this method, the water depth hj+1 at the end of
a space step x is obtained in a single step,
i.e

• This method is of first-order accuracy,

i.e. accuracy  0 (x) is obtained in a single
step,
i.e . It is very slow and to obtain
reasonable
accuracy, we need to take a smaller
value of (x)