Gradually Varied Flow I+II

Hydromechanics VVR090
 Gradually Varied Flow

Depth of flow varies with longitudinal distance.

Occurs upstream and downstream control sections.

Governing equation:

dy So − S f
=
dx 1 − Fr 2

(previously Sf = 0 was studied)

 Derivation of Governing Equation

Total energy:

u2
H = z+ y+
2g

Differentiating with respect to distance:

dH dz dy d (u 2 / 2g )
= + +
dx dx dx dx
dH
= −S f (slope of energy grade line)
dx

dz
= − So (bottom slope)
dx

For a given flow rate:

d (u 2 / 2g ) Q 2 dA dy Q 2T dy dy
=− 3 =− 3 = − Fr 2
dx gA dy dx gA dx dx

dy So − S f
Resulting equation: =
dx 1 − Fr 2
 Definition of Water Surface Slope

Water surface slope dy/dx is defined with respect to

the channel bottom.

Hydrostatic pressure distribution is assumed

(streamlines should be reasonably straight and parallel).
Assumptions made when solving the gradually varied flow
equation:

• The head loss for a specific reach is equal to the

head loss in the reach for a uniform flow having the
same R and u. Manning equation yields.

n 2u 2
S f = 4/3
R

• The slope of the channel is small

• No air entrainment
• Fixed velocity distribution
• Resistance coefficient constant in the reach under
consideration
 Classification of Gradually Varied Flow Profiles

The following conditions prevail:

If y < yN, then Sf > So

If y > yN, then Sf < So

If Fr > 1, then y < yc

If Fr < 1, then y > yc

If Sf = So, then y = yN
Water surface profiles may be classified with respect to:
• the channel slope
• the relationship between y, yN, and yc.

Profile categories:
• M (mild) 0 < So < Sc
• S (steep) So > Sc > 0
• C (critical) So = Sc
• A (adverse) So < 0
Gradually Varied Flow
Profile Classification I
Gradually Varied Flow Profile Classification II
 Mild Slope (M-Profiles)

0 < So < Sc

Profile types:
1: y > yN > yc => So > Sf and Fr < 1
=> dy/dx > 0

2: yN > y > yc => So < Sf and Fr < 1

=> dy/dx < 0

3: yN > yC > y => So < Sf and Fr > 1

=> dy/dx > 0
 Steep Slope (S-Profiles)

0 < Sc < So

Profile types:
1: y > yc > yN => So > Sf and Fr < 1
=> dy/dx > 0

2: yc > y > yN => So > Sf and Fr > 1

=> dy/dx < 0

3: yc > yN > y => So < Sf and Fr > 1

=> dy/dx > 0
 Final Form of Water Surface Profile

Asymptotic conditions:

1. y Æ •, Sf Æ 0, Fr Æ 0, and dy/dx Æ So

2. y Æ yN, Sf Æ So, and dy/dx Æ 0

3. y Æ yc, Fr Æ 1, and dy/dx Æ •

dy So − S f
=
dx 1 − Fr 2
Transition from Subcritical to Supercritical Flow
Transition from Supercritical to Subcritical Flow
Example: Flow into a Channel from a Reservoir
 Flow Controls

Locations in the channel where the relationship between the

water depth and flow rate is known (or controllable).

Controls:

• determine the depth in channel either upstream or

downstream such points.
• usually feature a change from subcritical to supercritical
flow
• occur at physical barriers, for example, sluice gates,
dams, weirs, drop structures, or changes in channel
slope
Strategy for Analysis of Open Channel Flow

Typical approach in the analysis:

1. Start at control points

2. Proceed upstream or downstream depending on
whether subcritical or supercritical flow occurs,
respectively
 Computation of Gradually Varied Flow

dy So − S f
Governing equation: =
dx 1 − Fr 2

Solutions must begin at a control section and proceed

in the direction in which the control operates.
Gradually varied flow may approach uniform flow
asymptotically, but from a practical point of view a
reasonable definition of convergence is applied.
 Uniform Channel

Prismatic channel with constant slope and resistance coefficient.

Apply energy equation over a small distance Dx:

d ⎛ u2 ⎞
⎜y+ ⎟ = So − S f
dx ⎝ 2g ⎠

Express the equation in difference form:

⎛ u2 ⎞
Δ⎜ y + ⎟ = ( So − S f ) Δx
⎝ 2g ⎠
Over the short distance Dx assume that Manning’s
equation is suitable to describe the frictional losses (Sf):

n 2u 2
S f = 4/3
R

The equation to be solved may be written:

Δ ( y + u 2 / 2g )
Δx =
So − ( n 2u 2 / R 4 / 3 )
mean
 yi yi+1
Reach i
ui
ui+1

Dxi x

Δxi =
( y + u 2
/ 2g )
i +1
− ( y + u2 / 2g )
i

So − ( n u / R 4 / 3 )
2 2
i +1/ 2

All quantities known at i. Assume yi+1 and compute

Dxi (ui+1 given by the continuity equation).
 Example 6.1

A trapezoidal channel with b = 6.1 m, n = 0.025, z = 2, and So =

0.001 carries a discharge of 28 m3/s. If this channel terminates in
a free overfall, determine the gradually varied flow profile by the
step method.

yN 1
2
b = 6.1 m
Solution:

Compute normal water depth.

1
Q = AR 2 / 3 So
n

A = ( b + zy N ) y N
P = b + 2 yN 1 + z 2

R=
( b + zyN ) yN
b + 2 yN 1 + z 2

yN = 1.91 m
Compute critical water depth:

u Q
Fr = 1 = =
gD Ac gAc / Tc

Ac = ( b + zyc ) yc
T = b + 2 zyc

yc = 1.14 m

yN > y > yc
M2 profile
Mild slope (yN > yc)
Table for step calculation:

y A P R u u2/2g Sf Sfav Dx S (Dx)

1.14 9.55 11.20 0.85 2.93 0.438 0.0067
0.0058 3 3
1.24 10.64 11.64 0.91 2.63 0.353 0.0049
0.0044 9.3 12.3
1.32 11.54 12.00 0.96 2.43 0.300 0.0039

and so on

Δxi =
( y + u 2
/ 2g )
i +1
− ( y + u2 / 2g )
i

So − S f ,i +1/ 2

= ( S f ,i +1 + S f ,i )
1
S f ,i +1/ 2
2
n 2u 2
S f = 4/3
R
 Other Solution Methods
Problem with the step method is that the water depths is
obtained at arbitrary locations (i.e., the water depth is not
calculated at fixed x-locations).
By direct integration of the governing equation this problem
can be circumvented.

Different approaches for direct integration:

• semi-analytic
• trial-and-error

• finite difference
 Semi-Analytic Approach

Find solution in terms of closed-form functions (integrals).

Employ suitable approximations to these functions or
some look-up tables.

Approach OK for channels with constant properties.

(for more information, see French)

 Trial-and-Error Approach

Well-suited for computations in non-prismatic channels.

Channel properties (e.g., resistance coefficient and
shape) are a function of longitudinal distance.
Depth is obtained at specific x-locations.

Apply energy equation between two stations located Dx

apart (z is the elevation of the water surface):

⎛ u2 ⎞
Δ⎜ z + ⎟ = − S f Δx − he he: eddy losses
⎝ 2g ⎠
u12 u22
z1 + = z2 + + S f Δx + he
2g 2g
Estimate of frictional losses:

S f = (S f1 + S f 2 )
1
2

Equation is solved by trial-and-error (from 2 to 1):

1. Assume y1 Æ u1 (continuity equation)
2. Compute Sf (and he, if needed)
3. Compute y1 from governing equation. If this value agrees
with the assumed y1, the solution has been found.
Otherwise continue calculations.
 Example 6.4

A trapezoidal channel with b = 20 ft, n = 0.025, z = 2, and So =

0.001 carries a discharge of 1000 ft3/s. If this channel terminates
in a free overfall and there are no eddy losses, determine the
gradually varied flow profile by the trial-and-error step method.

yN 1
2
b = 20 ft
 Solution Table

Stn. z y A u u2/2g H1 R Sf Sfav Dx hf H2

0 103.74 3.74 103 9.71 1.46 105.20 2.81 0.00670 105.20

116 104.62 4.50 130 7.69 0.92 105.54 3.24 0.00347 0.00509 116 0.590 105.79
105.02 4.90 146 6.85 0.73 105.75 3.48 0.00251 0.00461 116 0.535 105.73

355 105.56 5.20 158 6.33 0.62 106.18 3.65 0.00201 0.00226 239 0.540 106.27
105.93 5.32 173 5.78 0.52 106.45 3.85 0.00156 0.00204 239 0.724 106.47

745 106.34 5.60 175 5.71 0.51 106.85 3.89 0.00150 0.00153 490 1.14 107.59
106.96 6.21 201 4.98 0.385 107.34 4.21 0.00103 0.00130 490 0.97 107.42
 Finite Difference Approach

A range of numerical approaches are available to solve the

governing equations based on finite differences.
The equation is written in difference form and solved in terms
of y:

⎛ u2 ⎞
Δ⎜ y + ⎟ = ( So − S f ) Δx
⎝ 2g ⎠

Suitable for application on a computer (small length steps

Dx might be needed).
Can be applied for completely arbitrary channel
configurations and properties.
 Examples of Gradually Varied Flow

Flow in channel between two reservoirs (lakes):

1. Steep slope, low downstream water level

2. Steep slope, high downstream water level
3. Mild slope, long channel
4. Mild slope, short channel
5. Sluice gate located in the channel
 Steep Slope, Low Downstream Water Level

Lake Critical
section Hydraulic
Lake
jump

Critical section at inflow to channel. Normal water depth

occurs some distance downstream in the channel with Fr > 1
(yN < ycr). A hydraulic jump develops before water is
discharged to the downstream lake.
Q in the channel depends on H1 and critical section.
 Steep Slope, High Downstream Water Level

Lake No critical section

Lake

Fr < 1 in the channel,

although it is steep

Downstream water level is high enough to cause damming

effects to the upstream lake. No critical section occurs in the
inflow section. y > ycr > yN in the channel.
Q depends on H1 and H2.
 Mild Slope, Long Channel

Lake
Normal water depth Lake

uniform flow non-uniform flow

Mild slope and long channel implies that normal water depth
occurs with yN > ycr. Normal water depth is also attained in
the inflow section to the channel. Non-uniform flow develops
in the downstream part of the channel before discharge to
the lake.
Q depends on H1 and yN in the inflow section.
 Mild Slope, Short Channel

Lake Lake

Non-uniform flow

A short channel implies that normal water depth will not

occur and y > yN > ycr. Non-uniform flow develops in the
entire channel because of the downstream effects of the
lake.
Q depends on H1 and H2.
 Sluice Gate Located in the Channel

Sluice gate (Q a
function of y)
Lake
Lake

Jump

Sluice gate cause damming upstream affecting inflow

from lake. Discharge from sluice gate depends on
upstream water surface elevation over gate opening.
Supercritical flow occurs downstream the gate,
followed by a hydraulic jump before the downstream
lake is encountered.
Q depends on H1 and sluice gate properties.
 Calculation Procedure for Some Gradually
Varied Flows

1. Flow from a reservoir to a long, steeply sloping channel

2. Flow from a reservoir to a long, mildly sloping channel
3. Flow from a reservoir to a short, mildly sloping channel
where a downstream water level affects the flow in the
channel
4. Flow from a reservoir to a short, steeply sloping channel
where a downstream water level affects the flow in the
channel
 Flow from a Reservoir to a Long, Steeply
Sloping channel

Lake

Critical section occurs in inflow section. Employ energy

equation from lake surface to inflow section.
ucr2
H1 = ycr +
2g
ucr
Fr = 1 =
gycr
 Flow from a Reservoir to a Long, Mildly
Sloping Channel

Lake
Lake

uniform flow non-uniform flow

Normal depth occurs in inflow section. Employ energy equation

from lake surface to inflow section.
u N2
H1 = y N +
2g
1
u N = RN2 / 3 So1/ 2
n
Flow from Reservoir to Short, Mildly Sloping Channel;
Downstream Water Level Affects Flow in Channel

Lake Lake

non-uniform flow

Downstream lake water level affects inflow from upstream

lake. Non-uniform flow prevails. Q depends on H1 and H2.
Assume Q = Q1. Do a step calculation from downstream
lake water level to inflow section. Employ energy equation
from inflow section to upstrem lake water level. H1 is
regarded as unknown. Calculate for a new flow Q2 which
gives a new upstream lake water level.
Make a plot of H1 as a function of Q.
Determine the correct Q based on the actual upstream lake
water level H1.
Flow from Reservoir to Short, Steeply Sloping Channel;
Downstream Water Level Affects Flow in Channel

Lake
Lake

Non-uniform flow Hydraulic Non-uniform

Jump flow

Critical section at inflow to channel. Make a step calculation

from upstream lake and downstream lake. The hydraulic jump
occur where the jump equation is satisfied.
Hydraulic jump is assumed to have negligible spatial
extension.

y2 1
=
y1 2
( )
1 + 8 Fr12 − 1

y1 1
=
y2 2
( )
1 + 8 Fr22 − 1