CL420 Water Engineering 2

GVF in an open channel (H41)

Introduction
When the weight component of a fluid is equal to the friction caused by the bed and sides then
uniform flow is present. This is only likely to occur in artificial channels. This can be seen in Figure
1. Gradually Varied Flow (GVF) is where the flow accelerates or decelerates over a period of time.
This happens when there is a net force acting on the flow. This can be seen in Figure 2. It shows
that if weight + pressure > friction then the flow will accelerate and if friction + pressure > weight
then the flow will decelerate.

GVF happens between do (uniform flow) and dc (critical flow) and is a gradual move away from do
towards dc. This is caused by a change in geometry of the channel but the bed slope and friction
are also important factors.
Theory
Flow Classification There is 12 categories in which flow profiles can be put in. These categories
depend on the slope and also the depth of flow relative to d o and dc. These can be seen in Figure
3.
Critical depth The critical depth occurs when the Froude number, Fr=u/(gD)1/2 =1 where D is the
hydraulic depth, D=A/T where A=cross sectional area of the flow and T=top width.
For a rectangular cross section then T=B and A=Bd so D=d where B is the channel width and d is
the water depth so, Fr=u/(gd)1/2=1 and therefore u=(gd)1/2 , where g is the acceleration due to
gravity and d is the water depth. This depth is known as the critical depth (dc) so, dc=u/g. In terms
of discharge, Q=Au=(Bdu) m3 s-1, where B is the width of the rectangular channel so,
dc=(Q2/gB2)1/3 or in terms of discharge per unit width q m2 s-1, dc=(q2/g)1/3. The critical depth is
independent of bed slope and of the bed roughness. For a given channel, d c depends only on
discharge q.

Normal depth Normal depth (do) occurs when s=i=nu/R4/3, where s=bed slope, i=friction slope
(weight component down-slope equals friction force up-slope). The flow must also be uniform for
normal depth. In terms of discharge Q=Au therefore, Q=AR2/3s1/2/n (m3 s-1) which is the Manning
equation. Where n is the Manning friction coefficient and the hydraulic radius R=A/P cross section
area. For a rectangular channel this gives, R=Bd/(B+2d)=d/[1+(2d/B)],

The normal depth depends on q=Q/B and also the channel geometry. The equation gives d o in
terms of do and therefore the value is approximated through a series of iterations.
Critical Slope

Equipment
An Armfield tilting flume with two trolley mounted vernier probes will be used to take
measurements of depth along the flume.
Method
1) Set s=0.000 and put stop log in. Measured the depth of the pool and the bed level. The width of
the channel was taken at the chainage points.
2) Measured the flow rate, Q m3 s-1. 3 measurements were taken of the time to fill the reservoir
and the average was taken. This was then used to in the equation Q=V/t.
3) Calculate do and dc by hand calculation for s=0.002 and s=0.0125.
4) Set s=0.0125 and take measurements at chainage points. Mean depth ~ 26mm then n=0.0076
m-1/3 s and is an acceptable value for the calculations.

5) Evaluate the critical slope and show how to check if a slope is steep or mild.
6) Set s=-0.0025 and insert a sluice gate at 4m chainage. Measure and sketch the profile
A3+HJ+H2.
7) Keeping sluice gate in same position and set s=0.000. Measure and sketch the profile
H3+HJ+H2.
8) Keeping sluice gate in same position and set s=0.002. Measure and plot the profile M3.
9) Remove sluice gate and set s=0.000. Measure and plot the profile H2. Find dc and evaluate the
Froude number at each chainage.
10) Set s=0.002. Measure and plot the profile M2.
11) Set s=0.0125 and insert a 50mm stop log at end of flume to create an exit weir. Measure and
plot the profile S1.
Measurements
See Appendix A for all measurements taken

GVF Profiles
S1
GVF calcuation for a narrow rectangular channel
S1 profile
do
0.029405
dc
0.037297
B
0.0777
s
0.0125
d1
0.0906
d4
0.0665
nsteps
12
deld
-0.00422
d

dmean

num

part A

part b

denom (1 - AB) deld/s delx

0.0906

d
-0.25

0.088492 0.925129 0.025413 2.296726

0.941632907 -0.3373

-0.33142

2.19589

0.93433295 -0.3373

-0.32975

0.080058 0.898888 0.035485 2.096199

0.925616595 -0.3373

-0.32759

0.086383

0.0906

-0.58142 0.086383
0.084275 0.913319 0.029905

0.082167

-0.91117 0.082167

0.07795

-1.23876
0.075842 0.881068 0.042498 1.997679

0.915101996 -0.3373

-0.32479

1.90036

0.90227234 -0.3373

-0.32108

0.067408 0.830613 0.062953 1.804271

0.886415434 -0.3373

-0.3161

0.073733

0.07795

-1.56355 0.073733
0.071625 0.858802 0.051426

0.069517

-1.88463 0.069517

0.0653

-2.20073
0.063192 0.794391 0.078078 1.709444

0.866529804 -0.3373

-0.30925

0.058975

0.74706 0.098288 1.615916

0.841174636 -0.3373

-0.29959

0.054758 0.684012 0.125861 1.523721

0.80822232 -0.3373

-0.28549

0.050542 0.598142 0.164397 1.432901

0.764435521 -0.3373

-0.26395

0.046325 0.478114 0.219789 1.343498

0.704713797 -0.3373

-0.22886

0.061083

0.0653

-2.50998 0.061083

0.056867

-2.80957 0.056867

0.05265

-3.09506

0.048433
0.044217

0.05265

-3.35901 0.048433
-3.58787 0.044217

M2
GVF calcuation for a narrow rectangular channel
M2 profile
do
0.0577702
dc
0.0367
B
0.07771875
s
0.002
d1
0.0321
d4
0.0408
nsteps
12
delta d
0.001491667
d

dmean

num

part A

part b

denom (1 - AB) (1-A)B

deld/s delx

0.0321

d
-0.25

0.032845833

-0.39495 6.567556 0.671829

-3.41227198

-3.740443369 0.7458 0.086325

0.0343375

-0.22093 5.663825 0.690527

-2.911023683

-3.220496709 0.7458 0.056605

0.035829167

-0.0747 4.915303 0.709353

-2.486683871

0.7458 0.022405

0.037320833

0.04908 4.290443 0.728304

-2.124748209

0.7458

-0.01723

0.74738

-1.813907878

0.7458

-0.06355

0.040304167 0.244998 3.320279 0.766578

-1.545252969

0.7458

-0.11825

0.041795833 0.322984 2.941473 0.785897

-1.311695719

0.7458

-0.18365

2.61698 0.805336

-1.107547464

0.7458

-0.26303

0.044779167 0.449484 2.337523 0.824892

-0.928204648

0.7458

-0.36117

0.046270833 0.501028 2.095649 0.844565

-0.769913152

0.7458

-0.48536

0.0477625 0.546333 1.885327 0.864354

-0.6295896

0.7458

-0.6472

0.033592

0.0321

-0.16368 0.033592

0.035083

-0.10707 0.035083

0.036575

-0.08466 0.036575

0.038067

-0.10189 0.038067
0.0388125 0.154559

3.76503

0.039558

-0.16544 0.039558

0.04105

-0.28369

0.042542

0.04105

-0.46734 0.042542
0.0432875 0.390588

0.044033

-0.73037 0.044033

0.045525

-1.09154 0.045525

0.047017
0.048508

-1.5769 0.047017
-2.2241 0.048508

Discussion
Conclusions

Appendix A
Horizontal (No Flow)
V1 litres
Q1a
Q1b
Q1c

V2 litres
10
10
10

width B
manning n
slope
d0
first guess

40
40
40

Discharge m^3/s
0.001747
0.001777
0.001754
0.00176 m^3/s
1.57E-05 m^3/s

0.076 m
0.009
0

do =

0
0
0
0
0
0

chainage m bed mm

4.7
4.45
4.2
3.95
3.7
3.45
3.2
2.95
2.7
2.58
2.37
2
1.5
1
0.5
0.25

time (s)
17.17
16.88
17.1
mean
Std dev

surface mm chainage

9.7
10
9.9
9.8
9.8
9.8
9.7
9.8
9.7
9.4
9.1
9.7
9.7
10
9.9
9.2

57.3
56
55.2
53.9
53.7
52.7
53.2
52.8
54.1
54.4
56.1
55.5
55.2
55.9
57.4
58.9

0
0
0
0
0
4.7
4.45
4.2
3.95
3.7
3.45
3.2
2.95
2.7
2.58
2.37
2
1.5
1
0.5
0.25

depth mm width mm
0
0
0
0
0
47.6
79
46
81
45.3
83
44.1
82
43.9
81
42.9
80
43.5
78
43
76
44.4
77
45
77
47
74.5
45.8
75.5
45.5
76
45.9
76
47.5
74
49.7
73.5
Average

77.71875

dc =

0.03796 m

Steep?????? S=0.0125
V1 litres
Q1a
Q1b
Q1c

V2 litres
10
10
10

width B
manning n
slope
d0
first guess

40
40
40

time (s)
16.77
17.3
17.26
mean
Std dev

Discharge m^3/s
0.001789
0.001734
0.001738
0.001754 m^3/s
3.05E-05 m^3/s

dc =

0.03732 m

0.0777 m
0.00954
0.0125

0.0234843
0.0283735
0.0292436
0.0293944
0.0294204
do = 0.0294249

chainage m bed mm

4.7
4.45
4.2
3.95
3.7
3.45
3.2
2.95
2.7
2.58
2.37
2
1.5
1
0.5
0.25

surface mm chainage

9.7
10
9.9
9.8
9.8
9.8
9.7
9.8
9.7
9.4
9.1
9.7
9.7
10
9.9
9.2

0
0
0
0
0
4.7
4.45
4.2
3.95
3.7
3.45
3.2
2.95
2.7
2.58
2.37
2
1.5
1
0.5
0.25

43.7
43.5
43.4
42.4
40.6
39.6
39.6
38.6
38
37.2
38.3
37.3
37.7
36.4
35.1
34
average

depth mm width mm
0
0
0
0
0
34
79
33.5
81
33.5
83
32.6
82
30.8
81
29.8
80
29.9
78
28.8
76
28.3
77
27.8
77
29.2
74.5
27.6
75.5
28
76
26.4
76
25.2
74
24.8
73.5
29.3875 77.71875 area

2686
2713.5
2780.5
2673.2
2494.8
2384
2332.2
2188.8
2179.1
2140.6
2175.4
2083.8
2128
2006.4
1864.8
1822.8
2290.869
2283.96

A3+HJ+A2
V1 litres
Q1a
Q1b
Q1c

V2 litres
10
10
10

width B
manning n
slope
d0
first guess

40
40
40

Discharge m^3/s
0.001726
0.001691
0.001696
0.001704 m^3/s
1.9E-05 m^3/s

dc = 0.036617 m

0.0777 m
0.00954
-0.25

do =

0
0
0
0
0
0

chainage m bed mm

4.7
4.1
3.81
3.66
3.41
3.16
3.06
2.86
2.8
2.37
2
1.5
1
0.5
0.25

time (s)
17.38
17.74
17.69
mean
Std dev

surface mm chainage

9.7
9.6
9.7
9.7
9.6
9.7
9.7
9.8
9.8
9.7
9.4
9.1
9.7
9.7
10

0
0
0
0
0
4.7
4.1
3.81
3.66
3.41
3.16
3.06
2.86
2.8
2.37
2
1.5
1
0.5
0.25
0

120.3
115.4
27
28
29.2
32
64.2
66.4
66.4
67.4
64
58.4
54.6
49.4
41.2

average

depth mm width mm
0
0
0
0
0
110.6
79
105.8
83
17.3
83
18.3
81
19.6
80
22.3
80
54.5
78
56.6
78
56.6
77
57.7
74.5
54.6
75.5
49.3
76
44.9
76
39.7
74
31.2
73.5
0
46.1875

77.9 area

8737.4
8781.4
1435.9
1482.3
1568
1784
4251
4414.8
4358.2
4298.65
4122.3
3746.8
3412.4
2937.8
2293.2
0
3601.509
3598.006

H3+HJ+H2
V1 litres
Q1a
Q1b
Q1c

V2 litres
10
10
10

width B
manning n
slope
d0
first guess

40
40
40

Discharge m^3/s
0.001722
0.001726
0.001716
0.001722 m^3/s
4.97E-06 m^3/s

dc = 0.036862 m

0.0777 m
0.00954
0

do =

0
0
0
0
0
0

chainage m bed mm

4.7
4.1
3.81
3.66
3.41
3.16
2.58
2.37
2
1.5
1
0.5
0.25

time (s)
17.42
17.38
17.48
mean
Std dev

surface mm chainage

9.7
9.6
9.7
9.7
9.6
9.7
9.4
9.7
9.4
9.1
9.7
9.7
10

0
0
0
0
0
4.7
4.1
3.81
3.66
3.41
3.16
2.58
2.37
2
1.5
1
0.5
0.25
0
0
0

118
115
22
28.3
29.5
31
33.5
36.8
55.6
51.1
49.9
46.4
43.4

average

depth mm width mm
0
0
0
0
0
108.3
79
105.4
83
12.3
83
18.6
81
19.9
80
21.3
78
24.1
78
27.1
76
46.2
77
42
77
40.2
74.5
36.7
75.5
33.4
76
0
76
0
74
0
73.5
33.46875 77.59375 area

8555.7
8748.2
1020.9
1506.6
1592
1661.4
1879.8
2059.6
3557.4
3234
2994.9
2770.85
2538.4
0
0
0
2632.484
2596.966

M3
V1 litres
Q1a
Q1b
Q1c

V2 litres
10
10
10

width B
manning n
slope
d0
first guess

40
40
40

time (s)
17.29
17.53
17.4
mean
Std dev

Discharge m^3/s
0.001735
0.001711
0.001724
0.001724 m^3/s
1.19E-05 m^3/s

dc = 0.036891 m

0.0777 m
0.00954
0.002

0.0402735
0.0535285
0.0569496
0.0577841
0.0579849
do = 0.058033

chainage m bed mm

4.7
4.45
4.2
3.95
3.7
3.45
3.2
2.95
2.7
2.58
2.37
2
1.5
1
0.5
0.25

surface mm chainage

9.7
10
9.9
9.8
9.8
9.8
9.7
9.8
9.7
9.4
9.1
9.7
9.7
10
9.9
9.2

0
0
0
0
0
4.7
4.45
4.2
3.95
3.7
3.45
3.2
2.95
2.7
2.58
2.37
2
1.5
1
0.5
0.25

116.8
115.7
114.6
26.5
27.5
29.2
30.2
32.8
32.8
33.2
36
38.1
40.8
43.1
43.2
41
average

depth mm width mm
0
0
0
0
0
107.1
79
105.7
81
104.7
83
16.7
82
17.7
81
19.4
80
20.5
78
23
76
23.1
77
23.8
77
26.9
74.5
28.4
75.5
31.1
76
33.1
76
33.3
74
31.8
73.5
40.39375 77.71875 area

8460.9
8561.7
8690.1
1369.4
1433.7
1552
1599
1748
1778.7
1832.6
2004.05
2144.2
2363.6
2515.6
2464.2
2337.3
3178.441
3139.352

H2
V1 litres
Q1a
Q1b
Q1c

V2 litres
10
10
10

width B
manning n
slope
d0
first guess

40
40
40

Discharge m^3/s
0.001737
0.001721
0.001729
0.001729 m^3/s
7.97E-06 m^3/s

dc = 0.036971 m

0.0777 m
0.00954
0

do =

0
0
0
0
0
0

chainage m bed mm

4.7
4.45
4.2
3.95
3.7
3.45
3.2
2.95
2.7
2.58
2.37
2
1.5
1
0.5
0.25

time (s)
17.27
17.43
17.35
mean
Std dev

surface mm chainage

9.7
10
9.9
9.8
9.8
9.8
9.7
9.8
9.7
9.4
9.1
9.7
9.7
10
9.9
9.2

0
0
0
0
0
4.7
4.45
4.2
3.95
3.7
3.45
3.2
2.95
2.7
2.58
2.37
2
1.5
1
0.5
0.25

71.1
68.3
66.3
64.2
63.6
61
59.5
58.3
57.9
58.2
61
56.4
53.1
50.3
46.5
43.5
average

depth mm width mm
0
0
0
0
0
61.4
79
58.3
81
56.4
83
54.4
82
53.8
81
51.2
80
49.8
78
48.5
76
48.2
77
48.8
77
51.9
74.5
46.7
75.5
43.4
76
40.3
76
36.6
74
34.3
73.5
49 77.71875 area

4850.6
4722.3
4681.2
4460.8
4357.8
4096
3884.4
3686
3711.4
3757.6
3866.55
3525.85
3298.4
3062.8
2708.4
2521.05
3824.447
3808.219

M2
V1 litres
Q1a
Q1b
Q1c

V2 litres
10
10
10

width B
manning n
slope
d0
first guess

40
40
40

time (s)
17.52
17.47
17.53
mean
Std dev

Discharge m^3/s
0.001712
0.001717
0.001711
0.001714 m^3/s
3.15E-06 m^3/s

dc =

0.03675 m

0.0777 m
0.00954
0.002

0.0401346
0.0533064
0.0566986
0.0575244
0.0577227
do = 0.0577702

chainage m bed mm

4.7
4.45
4.2
3.95
3.7
3.45
3.2
2.95
2.7
2.58
2.37
2
1.5
1
0.5
0.25

surface mm chainage

9.7
10
9.9
9.8
9.8
9.8
9.7
9.8
9.7
9.4
9.1
9.7
9.7
10
9.9
9.2

0
0
0
0
0
4.7
4.45
4.2
3.95
3.7
3.45
3.2
2.95
2.7
2.58
2.37
2
1.5
1
0.5
0.25

63.9
61.5
59.8
58
56.5
54.2
52.9
52.1
52.6
52.6
55.1
54.6
50.5
47.9
44.3
41.3
average

depth mm width mm
0
0
0
0
0
54.2
79
51.5
81
49.9
83
48.2
82
46.7
81
44.4
80
43.2
78
42.3
76
42.9
77
43.2
77
46
74.5
44.9
75.5
40.8
76
37.9
76
34.4
74
32.1
73.5
43.9125 77.71875 area

4281.8
4171.5
4141.7
3952.4
3782.7
3552
3369.6
3214.8
3303.3
3326.4
3427
3389.95
3100.8
2880.4
2545.6
2359.35
3424.956
3412.825

S1
V1 litres
Q1a
Q1b
Q1c

V2 litres
10
10
10

width B
manning n
slope
d0
first guess

40
40
40

time (s)
16.77
17.35
17.26
mean
Std dev

Discharge m^3/s
0.001789
0.001729
0.001738
0.001752 m^3/s
3.22E-05 m^3/s

dc = 0.037297 m

0.0777 m
0.00954
0.0125

0.023471
0.0283549
0.0292237
0.0293742
0.0294002
do = 0.0294046

chainage m bed mm

4.7
4.45
4.2
3.95
3.7
3.45
3.2
2.95
2.7
2.58
2.37
2
1.5
1
0.5
0.25

surface mm chainage

9.7
10
9.9
9.8
9.8
9.8
9.7
9.8
9.7
9.4
9.1
9.7
9.7
10
9.9
9.2

0
0
0
0
0
4.7
4.45
4.2
3.95
3.7
3.45
3.2
2.95
2.7
2.58
2.37
2
1.5
1
0.5
0.25

43
45
42.8
42.9
40.6
40
39.6
38.5
59.7
59
65.5
71.4
76.2
84.5
93.4
99.8
average

depth mm width mm
0
0
0
0
0
33.3
79
35
81
32.9
83
33.1
82
30.8
81
30.2
80
29.9
78
28.7
76
50
77
49.6
77
56.4
74.5
61.7
75.5
66.5
76
74.5
76
83.5
74
90.6
73.5
49.16875 77.71875 area

2630.7
2835
2730.7
2714.2
2494.8
2416
2332.2
2181.2
3850
3819.2
4201.8
4658.35
5054
5662
6179
6659.1
3776.141
3821.334