BFC21103 Hydraulics

Chapter 3. Specific Energy and

Control Section
 Learning Outcomes

At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:

i. Apply specific energy concept in determining
critical flow conditions
ii. Analyse flow over broad-crested weir
iii. Analyse flow through width constriction
1.1 Concept of Specific Energy
Specific energy (introduced by Bakhmeteff) is the energy of flow
measured with respect to the channel bottom.
V2
V12 E y
1 2g 2
2g

hf

V22
y1 2g

y2

z1
z2
Datum
 The concept of specific energy is useful in defining critical depth
and in the analysis of flow problems.
10
2
Q
For constant Q, E y
2gA2
8
Variation of E with y is represented by a cubic parabola,
y
6
y (m)

subcritical, Fr < 1
4
ysub V12
y1
2g
yc 2
critical, Fr = 1
y1 ysuper V 2
y2 2 supercritical, Fr > 1
yc y
2 45 2g
0 E
Emin E1= E2
0 2 4 6 8
1.2 Alternate Depths and Critical Depth
For a specific E (except Emin), there are two flow depths y1 and y2, i.e.
Subcritical y
Alternate depths
Supercritical y

If there is energy loss, e.g. during hydraulic jump, y1 and y2 are known
as conjugate (or sequent) depths

Critical flow occurs when specific energy is minimum, Emin with yc =

critical depth

Note: Negative flow depth is not possible.

 Q2
Specific energy E y
2gA2
dE Q 2 dA
Differentiating 1 3
dy gA dy
At minimum specific energy Emin, y = yc and A = Ac
Q2
0 1 3 Tc dA
gAc T
Q2Tc dy
2
1 dA
gAc Ac dy

Vc2
1
gDc
Vc
1
gDc
Fr 1
 Specific Energy of Flow in Rectangular Section
q2
Since Q qB E y
2gy 2

Rearranging q 2gy 2 E y

Variation of q with y is represented6by the following curve,

5
y

4 subcritical, Fr < 1
ysub
y (m)
3
yc critical, Fr = 1
2
y1
yc
1
ysuper supercritical, Fr > 1
y2
0 q
0
q110
= q2 q20max 30 40 50
3
For a specific q (except qmax), there are two flow depths y1 and y2, i.e.
Subcritical y
Conjugate depths
Supercritical y

Critical flow occurs when discharge per unit width is maximum, i.e. qmax

Q A 2gE y
dQ dA gA
Keeping E constant, 2gE y
dy dy 2gE y
Q gAc2
0 Tc
Ac Q
Q2Tc
2
1
gAc Ac
Fr 1
State of flow can be established by comparing yo with yc.

Characteristics Flow condition

Fr = 1
Critical flow
yo = yc
Fr < 1
Subcritical flow
yo > yc
Fr > 1
Supercritical flow
yo < yc
Activity 3.1
The rate of flow in a 3-m wide rectangular channel is 10 m3/s.
Calculate the specific energy if the depth of flow is
(a) 3 m; and
(b) 1.2 m.

Given Q = 10 m3/s and B = 3 m.

Q2 102
When y = 3 m, E y 3 3.063 m
2gA 2
2 9.81 3 3
2 2

Q2 102
When y = 1.2 m, E y 1.2 1.593 m
2gA 2
2 9.81 3 1.2
2 2
1.3 Calculation of Critical Depth
Critical depth can be determined by:
i. Trial and error; or
ii. Graphically

1.3.1 Critical Depth from Trial-and-Error

For all channel sections, during critical flow (Emin)
Q2Tc
3
1
gAc
is usually provided
Rewritten as a function Ac3 Q2

of critical depth, Tc g
For rectangular channel, T = B and A = By

Ac3 Q2

Tc g

B3 y c3 Q2
becomes
B g
Q2
y 2
3
c
Bg

Q q2
Since q yc 3 (only applies to rectangular channel)
B g
Critical depth also occurs when q is maximum

q 2gy 2 E y

q2 2gy 2 E y

Differentiating q with respect to y

dq
2q 2gy c 2Emin 3yc
dy
dq
0 gives 2Emin 3yc 0
dy
3
Emi n y c (only applies to rectangular channel)
2
Critical slope Sc is used to categorize the type of channel slope
Condition of So Type of slope
So = Sc Critical slope
So < Sc Mild slope
So > Sc Steep slope

Critical slope Sc can be calculated by equating Manning resistance flow

equation to critical flow condition
Q2Tc
3
1
gAc
2
1
gAc3 1
At critical slope, So = Sc Q Ac Rc3 Sc2
Tc n
n2gAc
Sc 4
3
TR
c c
Activity 3.2
A 4.0 m wide rectangular channel conveys water to a reservoir. If
the discharge in the channel Q = 25 m3/s and Manning
coefficient n = 0.02, find
(a) Critical depth
(b) Critical velocity
(c) Critical slope

Given Q = 25 m3/s, B = 4.0 m, n = 0.02

q2
(a) yc 3
g
2
25
yc 3 1.585 m
9.81 4 2
 Vc
(b) 1
gDc
Vc
1 (for rectangular section, D = y)
gy c

Vc gy c 9.81 1.585 3.943 m/s

(c) n2gAc
Sc 4
3
TR
c c
2
n gy
Sc 4
c
(for rectangular section, T = B)
3
R c
0.02 9.81 1.585
2
Sc 4
0.007328
4 1.585 3

4 2 1.585
Activity 3.3
(a) An infinitely wide and straight river has a discharge of 5.0 m3/s/m.
Calculate:
(i) Critical depth
(ii) Froude number of the flow when the flow depth is 6.0 m and
determine the type of flow
(iii) Critical slope of the channel if Manning coefficient n = 0.0044.
(b) Based on the river characteristics given in (a), find the possible
depth of flow y2 for the same specific energy and the
corresponding Froude number.

Given q = 5.0 m3/s/m, y = 6.0 m, n = 0.0044,

For infinitely wide channel R y
 q 2 3 52
(a) (i) yc 3 1.366 m
g 9.81

(a) (ii) For rectangular section, D = y

V q 5
Fr 0.1086
gy gy 3
9.81 6 3

Fr 0.1086 1 subcritical flow

(a) (iii) For rectangular section, T = B

n2gy c n2 g 0.00442 9.81

Sc 4
1
1
0.0001712
3 3 3
R c y c 1.366
(b) Specific energy at y1 = 6 m
q2 52
E1 y1 6 6.035 m
2gy12
2 9.81 6 2

The alternate depth of y1 = 6 m with E2 = E1 = 6.035 m is

q2
y2 2
6.035
2gy2
52
y2 6.035
2 9.81 y2
2

y2 0.4789 m

V q 5
At y2 = 0.4789 m, Fr 4.817
gy gy 3
9.81 0.4789 3

Fr 4.817 1 supercritical flow

Activity 3.4
For a trapezoidal channel with bottom width B = 6 m and side slope
z = 2, find the critical flow depth if the discharge is 17 m3/s using
trial-and-error method.

Given Q = 17 m3/s, B = 6 m, z = 2
Ac3 Q2

Tc g
6yc 2y c
2 3

172
6 4yc 9.81
3y y
c
2 3
c
7.365 Q = 17 m3/s 1 y
3 2y c z=2

From trial-and-error, yc 0.8468 m B=6m

1.3.2 Graphical Method
Ac3
Critical depth of flow yc can be solved by plotting y against or Ac Dc
Tc

Activity 3.5
For a trapezoidal channel with bottom width B = 6 m and side slope
z = 2, find the critical flow depth if the discharge is 17 m3/s
graphically.

Given Q = 17 m3/s, B = 6 m, z = 2
 Ac3 Q2

Tc g
Ac3
29.46
Tc yc (m)

A 6yc 2y
3 2 3 1.2
Also, c
c
1
Tc 6 4yc 0.84 m
0.8
yc (m) Ac3/Tc 0.6
1 51.20 0.4
2 571.43
0.2
0.5 5.36 29.46 Ac3
0
0.7 15.79 Tc
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
0.8 24.43

From the graph, yc 0.84 m

1.4 Control Sections
A control section is where for a given discharge Q, the flow depth y
and velocity V are fixed.
The critical depth yc is also a control point since at this section Fr = 1,
effective when subcritical flow changes to supercritical flow. When
supercritical flow changes to subcritical flow, a hydraulic jumps
usually bypass the critical depth as control point.
A control section 'controls' the upstream or downstream flow.
 Examples of control sections:
(a) Flow from a mild channel (b) A mild-slope channel
to steep channel discharging into a pool

M2
M2 control
control yo
yo S2 yc
yc
Drop
Mild Pool
Steep yo
(c) Free overflow (sudden (d) Reservoir water flows on a
drop) steep slope

H2
control
control
S2
yc yc
Horizontal bed
Reservoir
Steep yo
 (e) Flow through sluice gate (f) Flow over spillway

control
M1 control
M1

yo Jump yo
yc yc
Mild Mild
control M3
(g) Flow over broad-crested (h) Flow through constricted
weir channel width

control
control

yc yc
H
Hump
Constriction

Plan view
 1.5 Flow Over Broad-Crested Weir
Flow in a prismatic open channel is uniform if there is no obstruction
e.g. of a hydraulic structure.
If broad-crested weir is installed, uniform flow changes to non-
uniform flow. Changes to the water surface profile is influenced by
the weir height H and the flow condition before the weir (upstream
flow), i.e. either supercritical or subcritical.

0 1 2 3 yo = normal depth of flow

y1 = depth of flow just before weir
y2 = depth of flow on the weir
yo
H y3 = depth of flow just after weir

Weir
Minimum Height of Weir Hmin
Height of weir H determines the depth of flow above the weir y2, i.e.
whether y2 = yc or not.

Hmin = minimum height of weir which will start to produce critical

flow depth above the weir (y2 starts to change to yc)

Generally, depth of flow above the weir y2 is

If H Hmin y2 yc
If H Hmin y2 yc
If H Hmin y2 yc

Therefore, y2 = yc and E2 = Emin if H Hmin

 Case 1 Case 2 Case 3
H y H y H y
y1 y3 yo
H Hmin H Hmin H Hmin
y1 = y1
or y1 y3 yo or y1 y3 yo or
y3 = y3
Emin H y2 yc Emin H y2 yc Emin H
Condition of y2 yc
Eo E2 Eo H Eo E2 Emin Eo
upstream flow E1,3 Emin H
Submerged Rarely Control
yo E2 Emin
weir occur weir
yc y2 yo y1 yo and y3 yc

Backwater
E2 Emin E2 Emin
Subcritical E2
yo yc Eo Eo y Eo y2 yc
yo y2 y2yc yo y1
yc o

H H yc H y3
0 1 2 3 0 1 2 3 0 1 2 3

yo y2 yc y1 yc and y3 yo

E2 Emin
Supercritical E2 Emin
E2
yo yc Eo Eo
y2yc
Eo y1 y2 yc
y2 yc
Jump
yo H yo H yo yc H y3
0 1 2 3 0 1 2 3 0 1 2 3
Steps in Analysing Flow Over Broad-Crested Weir
1. Calculate yo and yc
Determine state of upstream flow yo, i.e. either subcritical or
supercritical by comparing with yc.
If yo yc subcritical upstream
If yo yc supercritical upstream

2. Calculate Hmin
By comparing height of weir H with Hmin, the condition of flow
over weir can be established, i.e.
If H Hmin Case 1
If H Hmin Case 2
If H Hmin Case 3

3. Determine y1, y2 and y3.

 8

Case 1: H Hmin
6y

y (m)
EGL
Subcritical 4y1 y3 yo
upstream E2
Eo
yo yc yo y2 y
22
yc yc
yc y2 yo yc 10
H
0 E
0 1 2 3 0 E2min E2 E4 o 6 8
8
H E (m)

Hmin
6y

y (m)
EGL
Supercritical 4
upstream E2
yo yc Eo
y2 2yc
yc
yo y2 yc y2
yo H y1,3 yo
0 E
0 1 2 3 0 E2min E2 4Eo 6 8
E (m)
H
Hmin
For Case 1,
Useful equations
H Hmin Steps
All sections Rectangular section
H < Eo Emin
E1 E3 Eo 1. Calculate
Manning: 2 Manning: 2
yo and yc Qn qn
y 2 yc AR
3
1
yoR
3
1
S 2
o S 2
o

Ac3 Q2 q2
yc 3
2. Calculate Tc g g
Hmin Q2 q2
Eo yo Eo yo
2gA2 2gy o2
Q2 3
Emin yc Emi n y c
2gAc 2
3. Determine Hmin
y Eyo
Eymin
1 3 o
y1, y2 & y3 E2 = Eo H

Q2 q2
y2 2
E2 y2 2
E2
2gA2 2gy2
 8

Case 2: H Hmin
6y

y (m)
EGL
Subcritical E2 Emin 4y1 y3 yo
upstream
yo yc Eo y
o y2yc y2
2 yc
y2 yc yo H 10
0 E
0 1 2 3 0 E22Emin E4 o 6 8
8
E (m)
HHmin
6y

y (m)
EGL
Supercritical 4
upstream E2 Emin
yo yc Eo
y2yc 2y2 yc
y2 yc yo
yo H y1,3 yo
0 E
0 1 2 3 0 E2Emin 4Eo 6 8
E (m)
HHmin
For Case 2,
H Hmin Useful equations
Hmin Eo Emin Steps
All sections Rectangular section
E1 E3 Eo 2 2
E2 Emin 1. Calculate Qn qn
Manning: AR 3
Manning: yoR
3
yo and yc 1 1
y 2 yc S 2 S 2
o o

Ac3 Q2 q2
yc 3
Tc g g
2. Calculate Q2 q2
Eo yo Eo yo
Hmin 2gA2 2gy o2
Q2 3
Emin yc Emi n y c
2gAc 2
Hmin Eo Emin
3. Determine y1 y3 yo
y1, y2 & y3 y2 = yc
 8

6y
y1 yo and y3 yc

y (m)
EGL
Subcritical Backwater E2 Emin y1
4 y1 yo
upstream yo
yo yc Eo y1 y2 yc y2 yc
yo 2

y2 yc yo yc H 10y
y3 yo
y 1 yo 0
3
E
0 1 2 3 E2E E E
y 3 yc 0 2 min o 4 1,3 6
8
Hmin E (m)

HHmin
6y
y1 yc and y3 yo y1 y1 yo

y (m)
EGL
Supercritical E2 Emin 4
upstream
yo yc Eo Jump y1 y2 yc 2y2 yc
y2 yc yo yo
yo yc H y3 yo
y1 yo y3
0 E
y3 yc 0 1 2 3 0
E22Emin Eo4 E1E3 6
Hmin E (m)

HHmin
For Case 3,
H Hmin Useful equations
H Eo Emin Steps
All sections Rectangular section
E1 E3 Eo 2 2
y 2 yc 1. Calculate Qn qn
Manning: AR Manning: yoR
3 3
1 1
yo and yc
S 2
o S 2
o

Ac3 Q2 q2
yc 3
Tc g g
Q2 q2
2. Calculate Eo yo Eo yo
Hmin 2gA2 2gy o2
Q2 3
Emin yc Emi n y c
2gAc 2
Hmin Eo Emin
3. Determine y 1 y 3 yo
y1, y2 & y3 E1,3 = Emin H
Q2 q2

y1,3 E1 ,3
y1,3 E1 ,3
2gA1 ,3
2
2
2gy1,3
Activity 3.6
10 m3/s of flow is conveyed in a rectangular channel of 4 m width, n
= 0.015 and So = 0.0075. If a weir with height 0.92 m is built in the
channel, determine the depth of flow on the weir.

Given Q = 10 m3/s, B = 4 m, n = 0.015, So = 0.0075, and H = 0.92 m

Step 1. Determine yo and yc

2
qn
yoR
3
1
S 2
o

2 10 0.015
4 yo 4
3 y
yo
4 2 y o
1
0.00752 B
 2
4 yo 3
yo 0.4330
4 2y o
yo 0.6804 m
2
10
q 2 3 4
yc 3 0.8605 m yo yc supercritical flow
g 9.81

Step 2. Calculate Hmin 2

10
q2
Eo yo 0.6804 4 1.369 m
2
2gy o 2 9.81 0.6804 2

3 3
Emi n yc 0.8605 1.291 m
2 2
Hmin Eo Emin 1.369 1.291 0.078 m
Step 3. Determine y2
Since H = 0.92 m Hmin = 0.078 m Case 3 Hydraulic jump &
y2 yc 0.8605 m
Activity 3.7
A rectangular channel conveys flow at yo = 1.6 m and R = 0.77 m on
So = 1/3000 and Manning n 0.01.

(a) What is the minimum height of weir to control the flow in

the channel?

(b) Calculate depth of flow upstream, downstream and above

the weir in (a).

(c) Calculate depth of flow upstream, downstream and above

the weir if the height of weir is
(i) 0.4 m, and
(ii) 0.6 m.
Given yo = 1.6 m, R = 0.77, So = 1/3000, n 0.01

(a) Step 1. Determine yo and yc

yo 1.6 m
1
2 1 2
1
q yoR S
1
1.6 0.77
1 2
2.454 m /s/m
3 2 3 3
o
n 0.01 3000
q 2 3 2.4542
yc 3 0.8499 m yo yc subcritical flow
g 9.81

Step 2. Calculate Hmin

q2 2.4542
Eo yo 1.6 1.720 m
2
2gy o 2 9.81 1.6 2

3 3
Emin yc 0.8499 1.275 m
2 2
Hmin Eo Emin 1.720 1.275 0.445 m
(b) Step 3. Determine y1, y2 & y3.
In (a), H Hmin Case 2.
For Case 2, y1 y3 yo 1.6 m
y2 yc 0.8499 m

(c) (i) If H 0.4 m Hmin 0.445 m Case 1

For Case 1, y1 y3 yo 1.6 m
E2 Eo H 1.72 0.4 1.32 m
q2
y2 2
E2
2gy2
2.4542
y2 1.32
2 9.81y2
2

Through trial-and-error, y2 1.032 m or y2 0.7085 m

Since yo is subcritical, yo y2 yc, y2 1.032 m
(c) (ii) If H = 0.6 m Hmin 0.445 m Case 3: Backwater
For Case 3, y2 yc 0.8499 m
E1 ,3 Emin H 1.275 0.6 1.875 m
q2

y1,3 E1 ,3
2
2gy1,3
2.4542

y1,3 1.875

2 9.81y1,3
2

Through trial-and-error,
y1 1.778 m and y3 0.4669 m
since y1 yo and y3 yc
1.6 Flow Through Constricted Channel
If width of a prismatic channel is reduced/enlarged at a section, uniform
flow changes to non-uniform flow. Changes to the water surface profile is
influenced by the width of constriction B2 and the flow condition before the
constriction, i.e. either supercritical or subcritical.
Plan view Since B2 < Bo, q2 > qo
V12 Q2
q q2 E1 y1 y1
B B2 2g 2gB12 y12
V22 Q2
E 2 y2 y2
0 1 2 3 2g 2gB22 y22
Bed elevations at 1 and 2 are the same, E1 = E2
qo2
6
Q2
q22 Side view y y yc2 3 2
2gy o2 5
2 B2 g
2gy 22 y c Emi n
EGL 4 3 yo
yo
y32
y (m)

y2
yc
q yo y1 q2 y y3 2

2
q2
1
qo
q10o q2 20qmax q30 E
0
0 1 2 3 0
3
40 50
Q (m /s)
Maximum Width of Constriction Bmax
Width of constriction B2 determines the depth of flow at the
constricted section y2, i.e. whether y2 = yc2 or not.
Bmax = maximum width of constriction which will start to produce
critical flow depth at the constriction (y2 starts to change to yc2)
yco or yc1 = critical depth of flow along the unconstricted section
yc2 = critical depth of flow at the constricted section.
Generally, depth of flow at constriction y2 is
If B2 Bmax y2 yc2
If B2 Bmax y2 yc2
If B2 Bmax y2 yc2> yc2
Therefore, y2 = yc2 or yc2 and E2 = Emin if B2 Bmax
 Case 1 Case 2 Case 3
B y B y B y

B2 Bmax y1 y3 yo
B2 Bmax B2 Bmax
Condition of y1 y3 yo or y1 y3 yo
or y1 = y1
or Emin 2 Eo
upstream flow y2 yc2 Emin 2 Eo y2 yc2 y3 = y3
Emin 2 Eo
yo E2 Eo or E2 Emin 2 = Eo
or y2 yc2
or q qmax
q qmax E1,3 E'min 2 Eo
q qmax Control constriction E2 E'min 2
yc2 y2 yo y1 yo and y3 yc2

Subcritical Backwater
E2 Emin 2 Eo E2 Emin 2
yo yco E2 Eo
Eo Eo y Eo
yo yo y1
y2 yc2
o
y2yc2 y2yc2
yco yco yco y3
0 1 2 3 0 1 2 3 0 1 2 3

yo y2 yc2 y1 yc2 and y3 yo

Supercritical E2 Emin 2
E2 Eo E2 Emin 2 Eo
yo yco Eo Eo Eo y1
yco y2 yc2 yco y2yc2 Jump y2yc2
yo yo yo yco y3
0 1 2 3 0 1 2 3 0 1 2 3
Steps in Analysing Flow Through Constriction
1. Calculate yo and yco
Determine state of upstream flow yo, i.e. either subcritical or
supercritical by comparing with yco.
If yo yco subcritical upstream
If yo yco supercritical upstream

2. Calculate yc2, qmax and Bmax

When width of a channel is being constricted, yc2 can be obtained
since Emin = Eo. Once Bmax is calculated, the condition of flow
through the constriction can be established, i.e.
If B2 Bmax Case 1
If B2 Bmax Case 2
If B2 Bmax Case 3

3. Determine y1, y2 and y3.

 8

Case 1: B2 Bmax
6y

y (m)
EGL
Subcritical 4y1 y3 yo
upstream E2 y2
Eo Bmax or qmax
yo yco yo y2c2
y2 yco B2 or q2
yc2 y2 yo yco yc2 10
Emin o B or qo
0
Emin 2 E4oE1E26E3E
0 1 2 3 0 2 8
8
E (m)

6y

y (m)
EGL
Supercritical 4
upstream Bmax or qmax
Eo E2 yc2
yo yco
yc2 y2co
y2 B2 or q2
yo y2 yc2 yco
yo y2 y1 y3 yo B or qo
0 E
0 1 2 3 0
Emin
2 o Emin 2 E
4 o E E
1 6 2 E3 8
E (m)
For Case 1,
B2 Bmax Steps Useful equations
Emin 2 Eo 2 2
1. Calculate Qn qn
E2 Eo yo and yco Manning: AR 3
1 or yoR
3
1
y2 yc2 S 2
o S 2
o
q2
y co 3
g
2. Calculate q2 3
E o yo ; Emi n y c 2
yc2, qmax and 2gy o2 2
Bmax
2
qmax Q
yc2 3 ; qmax
g Bmax
3. Determine y 1 y3 yo
y1, y2 & y3 E2 = Eo
q2
y2 2
E2
2gy2
 8

Case 2: B2 Bmax
6y

y (m)
EGL
Subcritical 4y1 y3 yo
upstream E2 y2 yc2
Eo Bmax or qmax
yo yco yo 2
yco
y2 yc2 yo yco y2yc2 10 B or qo
0 E
0 1 2 3 0 E2min o Emin
4 2
Eo 6 8
8
E (m)

6y

y (m)
EGL
Supercritical 4
upstream E2 Bmax or qmax
yo yco Eo y2 yc2
y2co
y2 yc2 yo yco y2 yc2
yo y1 y3 yo B or qo
0 E
4 Emin 2 6Eo
0 1 2 3 0
E2min o 8
E (m)
For Case 2,
B2 Bmax Steps Useful equations
Emin 2 Eo 2 2
1. Calculate Qn qn
E2 Emin 2 Eo yo and yco Manning: AR 3
1 or yoR
3
1
y2 yc2 S 2
o S 2
o
q2
y co 3
g
2. Calculate q2 3
E o yo ; Emi n y c 2
yc2, qmax and 2gy o2 2
Bmax
2
qmax Q
yc2 3 ; qmax
g Bmax
3. Determine y 1 y3 yo
y1, y2 & y3 y2 = yc2
 8

Case 3: B2 Bmax
6y
EGL

y (m)
Backwater E2Emin y1
Subcritical 4y
o
upstream y2 yc2
Eo B2Bmax
yo yco yo y1 y
y2co c2
yc2 Bmax
y2 yc2 yo yco y3
10 B or qo
y3
0 E
0 1 2 3 0 E2min o Emin42 Emin 2 6 8
8
E (m)

6y
EGL

y (m)
E2Emin
Supercritical y
41
Jump
upstream y2 yc2
yo yco Eo y1 B2Bmax
y2co Bmax or qmax
y2 yc2 yo yc2 yo
yo yco y3 y3 B or qo
0 E
0 1 2 3 0
E2min o Emin 42 Emin 2 6 8
E (m)
For Case 3,
B2 Bmax Steps Useful equations
Emin 2 Eo
2 2
1. Calculate Qn qn
Manning: AR 3
or yoR
3
E2 Emin 2 yo and yco 1 1
S 2 S 2
y2 yc2 o o
q2
y co 3
g
2. Calculate q2 3
E o yo ; Emi n y c 2
yc2, qmax and 2gy o2 2
Bmax
2
qmax Q
yc2 3 ; qmax
g Bmax
3. Determine Q 2 x
qma
y1, y2 & y3
qmax ; y c 2 3
B2 g
3 2
qmax
yc 2
Emin ; y1,3
E1,3
2 2
2gy1,3
y1 y3 yo ; y2 = yc2
Activity 3.8
A bridge is to be built across a 50-m wide rectangular channel
carrying flow of 200 m3/s at depth 4.0 m. For reducing the span of
the bridge, what is the minimum width of channel such that the
upstream water level will not be influenced by the constriction?

Given Q = 200 m3/s, yo = 4 m, B = 50 m

Step 1. Determine yo and yco yc is influenced by q. When

yo 4.0 m q changes, yc varies as well.
Therefore, at constriction
Q 200 where q qo, yc2 exists
qo 4.0 m3 /s/m
B 50 (calculated in Step 2).
q 2 3 42
y co 3 1.177 m yo yco subcritical flow
g 9.81
Step 2. Calculate yc2 and Bmax
Q2 42
Eo yo 4 4.051 m
2 2
2gBo yo 2 9.81 4 2

At width Bmax, E2 Emin and q2 qmax

With no energly loss, Emin Eo, therefore
2 2
yc 2 Emin 4.051 2.701 m
3 3
Also,
2
qma
yc2 3 x
rearranging gives
g
qmax gy c32 9.81 2.7013 13.90 m2 /s
Q Q 200
Since qmax Bmax 14.39 m
Bmax qmax 13.9
Activity 3.9
A bridge is to be built across a 50-m wide rectangular channel
carrying flow of 200 m3/s at depth 4.0 m. The construction has
caused the width of the channel to be reduced to 30-m. Determine
the depth of flow upstream, downstream and under the bridge.

Given Q = 200 m3/s, yo = 4 m, B = 50 m

Step 1. Determine yo and yco (similar to the solution in Activity 3.8)

yo 4.0 m
Q 200
qo 4.0 m3 /s/m
B 50
q 2 3 42
y co 3 1.177 m yo yco subcritical flow
g 9.81
Step 2. Calculate yc2 and Bmax (similar to solution in Activity 3.8)
Q2 42
Eo yo 4 4.051 m
2 2
2gBo yo 2 9.81 4 2

At width Bmax, E2 Emin and q2 qmax

With no energly loss, Emin Eo, therefore
2 2
yc 2 Emin 4.051 2.701 m
3 3
Also,
2
qma
yc2 3 x
rearranging gives
g
qmax gy c32 9.81 2.7013 13.90 m2 /s
Q Q 200
Since qmax Bmax 14.39 m
Bmax qmax 13.9
Step 3. Determine y1, y2 and y3

Since B2 30 m Bmax 14.39 m Case 1

E2 Eo 4.051 m

At B2 30 m,
Q2
y2 2 2
E2
2gB2 y2
2002
y2 4.051
2 9.81 30 y2
2 2

From trial-and-error, y2 0.8399 m or y2 3.902 m

Since yo yco, thus yc2 y2 yo. Therefore, y2 = 3.902 m

Activity 3.10
A rectangular channel of 2.0 m width is required to convey 3 m3/s
of flow. The normal depth is 0.8 m. At downstream of the channel,
the width of the channel is to be reduced.
(a) Determine the width of the maximum constriction for critical
depth to occur.
(b) Calculate the depth of flow upstream, downstream and at
the constriction if the constricted width is 1.2 m.

Given Q = 3 m3/s, B = 2.0 m, yo = 0.8 m

(a) Step 1. Determine yo and yco
yo 0.8 m
Q 3
qo 1.5 m3 /s/m
B 2
q 2 3 1.52
y co 3 0.6121 m Since yo yco subcritical flow
g 9.81

Step 2. Calculate yc2 and Bmax

qo2 1.52
Eo yo 0.8 0.9792 m
2gy o2
2 9.81 0.8 2

2 2
yc 2 Emin 0.9792 0.6528 m
3 3
qmax gy c32 9.81 0.65283 1.652 m2 /s
Q 3
Bmax 1.816 m
qmax 1.652
(b) If B2 = 1.2 m,

B2 Bmax 1.816 m Case 3, where new qmax, i.e. qmax is required

Step 3. Calculate y1, y2 and y3

Q 3

qmax 2.5 m2 /s
B2 1.2

2
qmax 2.52
y2 yc 2 3 3 0.8605 m
g 9.81
3 3
yc 2 0.8605 1.291 m
Emin
2 2
E1 E3 Emin

qo2

y1,3
E1,3
2
2gy1,3
1.52

y1,3 1.291

2 9.81 y1,3
2

From trial-and-error, y1 1.213 m and y3 0.3489 m

Activity 3.11
Flow inside a rectangular channel of 3.0 m width has a velocity of
3.0 m/s at 3.0 m depth. The channel is experiencing a step of 0.61
m high at the channel bottom. What is the constriction to be made
to the channel width in order to ensure the depth of flow
upstream does not change.

Given V = 3 m/s, B = 3 m, yo = 3 m, and H = 0.61 m

Thus, q = yoV = 3 3 = 9 m2/s

Step 1. Determine yo and yco

yo 3.0 m

q 2 3 92
y co 3 2.021 m Since yo yco subcritical flow
g 9.81
Step 2. Calculate Hmin
q2 92
Eo yo 3 3.459 m
2
2gy o 2 9.81 32

3 3
Emin yc 2.021 3.032 m
2 2
Hmin Eo Emin 3.459 3.032 0.427 m

Step 3. Determine y1, y2 and y3

Since H 0.61 m Hmin 0.427 m
Case 3: Backwater upstream of weir
E1 ,3 Emin H 3.032 0.61 3.642 m
In order to maintain the same specific energy and reduce
y1 to yo, q has to be increased, i.e. via width constriction.
 y (m)
6
y1 yo and y3 yc

y (m)
EGL
Backwater Emin3.032 m 4y1 y1 yo

Eo= yo =3.459
3.459 m y1 yc=2.021 m 2y =2.021
3m c

yc=2.021 m 0.61 m y
3
y3 yo
10
0
E2Emin Eo E1,3 E (m)
0 1 2 3
0 2 4 6 8
Hmin=0.427 m
E (m)
8
H=0.61 m
y (m)
6
y1 yo and y3 yc

y (m)
EGL
Backwater Emin3.032 m 4y1 y1 yo

Eo= yo =3.459
3.459 m y1 yc=2.021 m 2y =2.021 yc2
3m c

yc=2.021 m 0.61 m y
3
y3 yo
0
E2Emin Eo E1,3 E1,3 E (m)
0 1 2 3
0 2 4 6 8
Hmin=0.427 m
E (m)

H=0.61 m
 E1 ,3 3.642 m
Emin

2 2
3.642 2.428 m
yc 2 Emin
3 3

qmax gy c32 9.81 2.4283 11.85 m2 /s

Q 3 3 3
Bmax 2.278 m
qmax 11.85
 8

y (m)
6

y (m)
EGL

Emin3.642 m 4
y1 = yo =3.459
Eo=
yc2 =2.021
3.459 m 3m y1=3 m yc2=2.428 m 2

yc=2.021 m y3
0.61 m y
3
0
Eo Emin E1,3 E (m)
0 1 2 3
0 2 4 6 8
Hmin=0.427 m
E (m)

Plan view H=0.61 m

qo q2
B=3 m B2=0.7595 m

0 1 2 3
Activity 3.12
A rectangular channel of 2.6 m width with Manning n = 0.015, and
longitudinal slope of 0.0008 is conveying flow at 9.8 m3/s. If a
constriction is made by reducing channel width to 2.4 m, calculate
depth of flow upstream and downstream of the constriction.
Sketch the flow surface profile.

Given Q = 9.8 m3/s, B = 2.6 m, B2 = 2.4 m, n = 0.015, So = 0.0008

Step 1. Determine yo and yco

2
Qn
AR
3
1
S 2
o
2
2.6yo 9.8 0.015
3
2.6yo
2.6 2yo
1
0.0008 2
 2
2.6yo 3
2.6yo 5.197
2.6 2yo
Through trial-and-error, yo 2.270 m
2
9.8
q 2 3 2.6
y co 3 1.131 m Since yo yco subcritical flow
g 9.81

Step 2. Calculate yc2 and Bmax

2
9.8
qo2
Eo yo 2.27 2.6 2.411 m
2gy o2
2 9.81 2.272

Bmax is when q = qmax, where Emin = Eo

2 2
yc 2 Emin 2.411 1.607 m
3 3
 qmax gy c32 9.81 1.6073 6.381 m2 /s
Q 9.8
Bmax 1.536 m
qmax 6.381

When B2 = 2.4 m, B2 Bmax 1.536 m Case 1, where Emin2 < Eo

E2 = Eo

Step 3. Calculate y1, y2 and y3

y1 = y3 = yo = 2.270 m

Q 9.8
q2 4.083 m2 /s
B2 2.4

q2 3 4.0832
yco 3 1.193 m
g 9.81
 q22
E 2 y2
2gy22
EGL
2
4.083
y2 2.411
2 9.81 y2
2
Eo = yo=2.270m
E2
2.411 m y2=2.242m
yc2=
0.8497 yco=1.193m 1.607m
y2 2
2.411
y2 0 1 2 3

Through trial-and-error,
y2 2.242 m or y2 0.7059 m
Since it is subcritical upstream, y2 2.242 m
1.7 Choking
Choking of flow occurs when

H Hmin of a broad-crested weir in an open channel

B2 Bmax at the constricted width in an open channel

i.e. when the specific energy or depth of flow immediately upstream

of the weir or constriction increases or is being controlled.

Choked conditions are undesirable in the design of culverts and other

surface drainage features involving channel transitions.
Assignment #3
Q1. (a) Critical depth occurs in an open channel when the specific
energy is minimum. Sketch the corresponding flow depth versus
specific energy graph. From this concept, derive the general
equation used to determine critical flow depth in an open
channel.
(b) A rectangular channel 3.05 m wide carries 3.4 m3/s uniform flow
at a depth of 0.6 m. A 0.2 m-high weir is placed across the
channel.
(i) Does the weir cause hydraulic jump upstream of the weir?
Provide reason why.
(ii) Calculate the flow depth above the weir, and just
upstream of the weir. Classify the surface profile of flow
upstream of the weir. Sketch the resulting flow-surface
profile and energy line, showing the critical depth yc and
normal depth yo.
Q2. (a) An engineer is to analyze flow in an open channel in which the channel is
designed to be constricted by placing bridge embankment at both sides
of the channel. Explain the consequences due to the constriction.
(b) An 8-m wide rectangular channel is conveying flow uniformly at a rate of
18.6 m3/s and depth of 1.2 m. A temporary short span bridge is to be
built across the channel in which bridge embankment is needed at both
sides of the channel causing the channel to be constricted under the
proposed bridge.
(i) Calculate the maximum channel width under the proposed bridge
which will not cause backwater upstream.
(ii) If the channel width under the proposed bridge is 4 m due to the
unavoidable condition, calculate the expected flow depth under
the bridge, at just upstream and just downstream of the bridge.
(iii) If the flow depth just upstream of the proposed bridge is to be
limited to 0.2 m higher than the normal depth, calculate the
channel width under the bridge.
- End of Question -
THANK YOU