NONUNIFORM OPEN CHANNEL FLOW

WITH UPWARD SEEPAGE THROUGH LOOSE BEDS

Subhasish DEY1

ABSTRACT
The Reynolds stress and bed shear stress are important parameters in fluvial hydraulics. Steady-
nonuniform flow in open channels with streamwise sloping beds having upward seepage through
loose beds is theoretically analyzed to estimate the Reynolds stress and bed shear stress. Equations of
the Reynolds stress and bed shear stress are developed, assuming a modified logarithmic velocity
distribution law due to upward seepage, and using the Reynolds and continuity equations of two-
dimensional flow in open channels.

Key Words: Reynolds stress, Bed shear, Open channel flow, Sedimentary beds, Steady-nonuniform
flow, Seepage

1 INTRODUCTION
In an open channel or a natural river, flow is often nonuniform, offering differential shear stress on the
bed with the distance. The Reynolds stress and bed shear stress are significant parameters in fluvial
hydraulics for the estimation of sediment transport. As of this date, only a few attempts have been made
to study the effect of nonuniformity on the velocity distribution and turbulence characteristics of the open
channel flow. Tsujimoto et al. (1990) investigated nonuniform flow over a short incline positioned in an
open channel. Cardoso et al. (1991) studied gradually accelerated flows in a smooth channel by hot-wire
anemometer. Nezu et al. (1994) measured the turbulence fluctuations for accelerating and decelerating
flows in a smooth channel. On the other hand, Kironoto and Graf (1995) detected velocity profiles,
turbulence intensity and Reynolds stress for accelerating and decelerating flows in a rough channel. Song
and Graf (1994) investigated velocity and Reynolds stress profiles for nonuniform flow, using a power
low of velocity distribution. Also, Song and Chiew (2001) measured velocity and turbulence profiles for
nonuniform flows.
In presence of loose sedimentary beds, the analysis of nonuniform open channel flow becomes further
complex. Sedimentary beds, very often encountered in unlined channels or natural rivers, allow
transferring mass and momentum across the interface of fluid and beds in the form of seepage. Two types
of seepages are identified in general. One is parallel seepage being tangential to the bed. The other type of
seepage prevails normal to the bed, termed normal seepage. This paper considers only the normal seepage
in upward direction, that is injection adding water in the channel. The interaction between turbulent flow
in open channel and upward seepage results in a modification of flow structure, such as velocity profile,
Reynolds stress and bed shear, as compared with those in relation to a rigid bed channel. The information
on the modification of the flow structure is important to investigate the sediment transport subjected to
seepage. Investigations on velocity profiles of open channel flows with seepage were reported by
different researchers (Oldenziel and Brink 1974; Willetts and Drossos 1975; Maclean 1991a,b; Prinos
1995; Cheng and Chiew 1998a,b).
However, no attempt has so far been made to derive generalized theoretical equations of Reynolds
stress and bed shear stress for steady-nonuniform flow in open channels, having upward seepage. The
Reynolds stress is important to quantify the suspended load of sediment. On the other hand, the bed shear
stress is significant to estimate the sediment threshold and bed load of sediment. The aim of the paper is
to present a theoretical model for determination of the Reynolds stress and bed shear stress for steady-
nonuniform flow in open channels with streamwise slops, having upward seepage through loose beds.

1
Assoc. Prof., Dept. of Civil Engrg., Indian Inst. of Tech., Kharagpur 721302, West Bengal, India.
Fax: +91 3222 55303; Email: sdey@civil.iitkgp.ernet.in
Note: The manuscript of this paper was received in Aug. 2002. The revised version was received in March 2003.
Discussion open until Sept. 2004.
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2 THEORETICAL MODEL
For two-dimensional steady-nonuniform flow in open channels, the Reynolds equation is given by
∂u ∂u 1 ⎛ dp ∂τ ⎞
u +v = ⎜− + ⎟ (1)
∂x ∂y ρ ⎜⎝ dx ∂y ⎟⎠
in which u and v = time averaged point velocity components in streamwise and normal directions,
respectively; x and y = distances in streamwise and normal directions, respectively; ρ = mass density of
____
fluid; p = piezometric pressure; τ = Reynolds stress at any depth y, that is -ρ u ′v ′ ; and u ′ and v ′ =
fluctuations of u and v, respectively.
The time averaged point velocity components and the Reynolds stress are expressed in functional forms
as
u = Uψ (η ) (2a)
v = Uφ (η ) (2b)
____
τ = − ρ u ′v ′ = τ y =a
ξ (η ) (3)
in which U = depth averaged velocity; τ y =a
= bed shear stress; a = zero-velocity level, that is y u = 0 ; η
= y/h; and h = flow depth. Cheng and Chiew (1998b) put forward modified logarithmic velocity
distribution law subjected to upward seepage as
1 τ y =a ⎛ y ⎞ q ⎛ y⎞
u= ln⎜ ⎟ + 2 ln 2 ⎜ ⎟ (4)
k ρ ⎝ ⎠
a 4 k ⎝a⎠
in which k = von Karman constant being 0.4; and q = seepage velocity. In open channel flow without
seepage, a is dependent on the viscous sublayer thickness for a smooth bed or on the roughness height for
a rough bed (Dey 1999). However, in open channel flow with upward seepage, a is given by
a = e exp(−kΠ ) (5)
in which e = equivalent roughness height of Nikuradse; and Π = roughness function. The equivalent
roughness height e is equal to the mean diameter of bed sediment d50 (Dey 1999; Dey et al. 1999). Cheng
and Chiew (1998b) related Π to q in completely rough and transitional regimes, respectively, as follows:
8.5
Π= (6a)
1+σ
⎡ ⎛ ⎞ ⎤ ⎡ ⎛ τ y = a ⎞⎟⎤
8.5 ⎢ ⎜ e τ y = a ⎟ 8.5σ ⎥ exp ⎢− 0.11ln 2.5 ⎜ e ⎥
Π= + 2.5 ln⎜ + − 3 (6b)
1+ σ ⎢ ⎜ν ρ ⎟⎟ 1 + σ ⎥ ⎢ ⎜ν
⎜ ρ ⎟⎟⎥
⎣⎢ ⎝ ⎠ ⎦⎥ ⎣⎢ ⎝ ⎠⎦⎥
in which σ = q/( τ y =a
/ρ)0.5.
The depth averaged velocity U is expressed as
1
h
β τ αq
h − a ∫a
y =a
U = udy = + (7)
k ρ 4k 2
in which β = -[lnε1/(1-ε) + 1]; α = [ln2ε1/(1-ε) - 2β]; and ε = a/h.
Differentiating (2a) and (3), one gets
∂u dU U dψ dh
=ψ −η (8)
∂x dx h dη dx
∂u U dψ
= (9)
∂y h dη
∂τ τ y= a dξ
= (10)
∂y h dη
Differentiating (2b), one obtains
International Journal of Sediment Research, Vol. 18, No. 3, 2003, pp. 266-272 - 267 -
 ∂v U dφ
= (11)
∂y h dη
Using equation of continuity for time averaged point velocity components, that is ∂u/∂x + ∂v/∂y = 0, and
(8), one can write
∂φ dψ dh h dU
=η −ψ (12)
∂η dη dx U dx
Integrating (12), one can write
η η η
dh dψ h dU dh 1 ⎛ dU dh ⎞
φ= ∫ η
dx ε dη
dη − ∫
U dx ε
ψ dη = ψ η − ⎜h
dx U ⎝ dx
+U ⎟ ψ dη
dx ⎠ ε ∫ (13)

The continuity equation for depth averaged steady-nonuniform flow in open channels is
dU dh
h +U =0 (14)
dx dx
Using (14) into (13), the expression of φ becomes
dh
φ =ψ η (15)
dx
Inserting (15) in (2b), one gets
dh
v = uη (16)
dx
Substituting (2a), (2b), (8)-(10) and (16) into (1), one can write
1 ⎛ dp τ y = a dξ ⎞⎟
= ⎜−
dU
Uψ 2 + (17)
dx ρ ⎜ dx h dη ⎟
⎝ ⎠
The piezometric pressure gradient is given by
dp ⎛ dh ⎞
= − ρg ⎜ S − ⎟ (18)
dx ⎝ dx ⎠
in which g = gravitational constant; and S = streamwise bed slope.
For steady-nonuniform flow in open channels, the St. Venant equation of motion is given by
U dU dh τ y=a
+ −S+ =0 (19)
g dx dx ρgh
Rearranging (19), one obtains
ρhU dU ρgh ⎛ dh ⎞
=− ⎜ − S ⎟ − 1 = −λ − 1 (20)
τ y = a dx τ y =a ⎝ dx ⎠
in which λ = streamwise pressure gradient parameter. It is given by
ρgh ⎛ dh ⎞
λ= ⎜ − S⎟ (21)
τ y =a ⎝ dx ⎠
In (21), for uniform flow dh/dx = 0. In accelerating and decelerating flows λ < -1 and λ > -1,
respectively. The value of λ is constant along the channel.
Using (20) and (21) into (17), yields
dξ
− (λ + 1)ψ 2 = −λ + (22)
dη
Dividing (4) by (7) and equating to (2a), one obtains
u ⎡ ⎛ η ⎞⎤ ⎛ η ⎞
= ⎢θ + ζ ln⎜ ⎟⎥ ln⎜ ⎟ = ψ (23)
U ⎣ ⎝ ε ⎠⎦ ⎝ ε ⎠
in which θ = 1/(β+rα); ζ = r/(β+rα); and r = [q/(4k)](ρ/ τ y = a )0.5.
Substituting (23) into (22) and rearranging the terms, one gets

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 2
dξ ⎡ ⎛ η ⎞⎤ ⎛η ⎞
= λ − (λ + 1) ⎢θ + ζ ln⎜ ⎟⎥ ln 2 ⎜ ⎟ (24)
dη ⎣ ⎝ ε ⎠⎦ ⎝ε ⎠
At the bed (η = ε), the above equation becomes
dξ
=λ (25)
dη η =ε
Integrating (24) and using the boundary condition ξ η =ε
= 1, yields
⎧ ⎛η ⎞ ⎛η ⎞
ξ = 1 + λ (η − ε ) − (λ + 1)⎨ζ 2η ln 4 ⎜ ⎟ + 2ζη (θ − 2ζ ) ln 3 ⎜ ⎟ + (θ 2 − 6θζ + 12ζ 2 )
⎩ ε
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ε ⎠
⎡ ⎛η ⎞ ⎛η ⎞ ⎤⎫
× ⎢η ln 2 ⎜ ⎟ − 2η ln⎜ ⎟ + 2(η − ε )⎥ ⎬ (26)
⎣ ⎝ε ⎠ ⎝ε ⎠ ⎦⎭
Substituting λ from (21) and dU/dx from (14) into (26), the nondimensional Reynolds stress equation for
steady-nonuniform flow in open channels having upward seepage is obtained as
ρgh ⎛ dh ⎞ ⎧ ⎛η ⎞ ⎛η ⎞
ξ = 1 + (η − ε ) ⎜ − S ⎟ − ⎨ζ 2η ln 4 ⎜ ⎟ + 2ζη (θ − 2ζ ) ln 3 ⎜ ⎟ + (θ 2 − 6θζ + 12ζ 2 )
τ y = a ⎝ dx ⎠ ⎩ ε
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ε ⎠
⎡ ⎛η ⎞ ⎛η ⎞ ⎤ ⎫ ρU 2 dh
× ⎢η ln 2 ⎜ ⎟ − 2η ln⎜ ⎟ + 2(η − ε )⎥ ⎬ (27)
⎣ ⎝ε ⎠ ⎝ε ⎠ ⎦ ⎭ τ y= a dx
The bed shear stress τ y =a
obtained from (27) using the boundary condition τ y= h
= 0, that is ξ η =1 = 0,
is
⎛ dh ⎞
τ
= −(1 − ε ) ρgh⎜
y=a
− S ⎟ + {ζ 2 ln 4 ε − 2ζ (θ − 2ζ ) ln 3 ε + (θ 2 − 6θζ + 12ζ 2 )
⎝ dx ⎠
dh
× [ln 2 ε + 2 ln ε + 2(1 − ε )]}ρU 2 (28)
dx
Using (27) and (28), the Reynolds stress τ y= y equation is obtained as

⎛ dh ⎞ ⎧⎪ ⎡ ⎛η ⎞ ⎤ ⎡ ⎛η ⎞ ⎤
τ = −(1 − η ) ρgh⎜ − S ⎟ − ⎨ζ 2 ⎢η ln 4 ⎜ ⎟ − ln 4 ε ⎥ + 2ζ (θ − 2ζ ) ⎢η ln 3 ⎜ ⎟ + ln 3 ε ⎥
⎝ε ⎠ ⎝ε ⎠
y= y
⎝ dx ⎠ ⎪⎩ ⎣ ⎦ ⎣ ⎦
⎡ ⎛η ⎞ ⎛η ⎞ ⎤ ⎪⎫ dh
+ (θ 2 − 6θζ + 12ζ 2 ) ⎢η ln 2 ⎜ ⎟ − 2η ln⎜ ⎟ − ln 2 ε − 2 ln ε − 2(1 − η )⎥ ⎬ ρU 2 (29)
⎣ ⎝ε ⎠ ⎝ε ⎠ ⎦ ⎪⎭ dx
The distribution of nondimentional and dimensional Reynolds stress can be obtained using (27) and (29),
respectively. However, (28) can be used to determine bed shear stress τ y = a . It is important to mention
that (27)-(29) are very useful to calculate threshold shear stress for sediment motion, sediment pick-up
and suspended load in loose bed open channels (Dey and Debnath, 2001).

3 APPLICATION
In order to apply the model, equations developed in the preceding sections can be implemented in a
computer program that provides solutions for τ y = a , τ y = y and ξ. As an input data, the program requires
the values of d50, h, dh/dx, U, S, q and y (or η). Based on the developed model, the steps involved for the
computations are given below:
1. Solve numerically τ y = a from (28), as ε, ζ and θ are all functions of τ y = a .
2. Calculate a, Π, σ, β, α, ε, r, θ and ζ.
3. Using (27) and (29), evaluate ξ and τ y= y
, respectively.

International Journal of Sediment Research, Vol. 18, No. 3, 2003, pp. 266-272 - 269 -
 Hence, the above computational scheme produces nondimentional Reynolds stress ξ, Reynolds stress
τ y = y and bed shear stress τ y = a as output.

4 CASE STUDY
To verify the model, a case study is performed using the data of Song (1994). Figs. 1(a-b) present
nondimentional curves (η versus ξ) computed using (27), where the values of τ y = a were calculated from
(28). As no data are available on seepage, seepage cannot be considered here. However, the computed
curves are in good agreement with the experimental data of Song (1994) for nonuniform (accelerating and
decelerating) flows. It is pertinent to mention that (27)-(29) are extremely useful to estimate threshold
shear stress for sediment motion, sediment pick-up and suspended load in mobile bed open channels (Dey
and Debnath, 2001).

Computed Song (1994)

1 d = 2.6 mm d = 2.6 mm
d = 2.6 mm
h = 0.146 m h = 0.1675 m h = 0.149 m
0.8 U = 0.5708 m/s U = 0.5528 m/s U = 0.6214 m/s
S =0 S = -0.002 S = -0.002
dh/dx = -0.0018 dh/dx = -0.00385 dh/dx = -0.005
0.6
η

0.4

0.2

0 0.5 1 0 0.5 1 0 0.5 1

ξ ξ ξ
(a)
1
d = 2.6 mm d = 2.6 mm d = 2.6 mm
h = 0.16 m h = 0.168 m h = 0.1305 m
0.8 U = 0.434 m/s U = 0.4134 m/s U = 0.5321 m/s
S = 0.003 S = 0.006 S = 0.0075
dh/dx = 0.00255 dh/dx = 0.006 dh/dx = 0.0078
0.6
η

0.4

0.2

0 0.5 1 0 0.5 1 0 0.5 1

ξ ξ ξ

(b)

Fig. 1 Nondimensional Reynolds stress profiles and comparisons with the data of Song (1994):
(a) nonuniform accelerating; and (b) nonuniform decelerating flows

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5 CONCLUSIONS
Based on the Reynolds and continuity equations of two-dimensional flow in open channels, equations
of the Reynolds stress and bed shear stress have been developed theoretically for steady-nonuniform flow
in open channels with streamwise sloping beds, having upward seepage through loose beds.

REFERENCES
Cardoso, A. H., Graf, W. H. and Gust, G. 1991, Steady gradually accelerating flow in a smooth open channel. Journal
of Hydraulic Research, Vol. 29, No. 4, pp. 525-543.
Cheng, N. S. and Chiew Y. M. 1998a, Turbulent open-channel flow with upward seepage. Journal of Hydraulic
Research, Vol. 36, No. 3, pp. 415-431.
Cheng, N. S. and Chiew Y. M. 1998b, Modified logarithmic law for velocity distribution subjected to upward
seepage. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 124, No. 12, pp. 1235-1241.
Dey, S. 1999, Sediment threshold. Applied Mathematical Modelling, Vol. 23, No. 5, pp. 399-417.
Dey, S. and Debnath, K. 2001, Sediment pick-up on streamwise sloping beds. Journal of Irrigation and Drainage
Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 127, No. 1, pp. 39-43.
Dey, S., Dey Sarker, H. K. and Debnath, K. 1999, Sediment threshold under stream flow on horizontal and sloping
beds. Journal of Engineering Mechanics, ASCE, Vol. 125, No. 5, pp. 545-553.
Kironoto, B. and Graf, W. H. 1995, Turbulence characteristics in rough nonuniform open-channel flow. Water,
Maritime and Energy Journal, Institution of Civil Engineers (London), Vol. 112, pp. 316-348.
Maclean, A. G. 1991a, Open channel velocity profiles over a zone of rapid infiltration. Journal of Hydraulic Research,
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NOTATION
The following symbols are used in this paper:
a = zero-velocity level;
d50 = mean bed particle size;
e = equivalent roughness height of Nikuradse;
g = gravitational constant;
h = flow depth;
k = von Karman constant;
p = piezometric pressure;
q = seepage velocity;
r = [q/(4k)](ρ/ τ y = a )0.5;
S = streamwise bed slope;
U = depth averaged velocity;
u = time averaged point velocity component in streamwise direction;
u′ = fluctuation of u;
____
u′v′ = -τ/ρ;

International Journal of Sediment Research, Vol. 18, No. 3, 2003, pp. 266-272 - 271 -
 v = time averaged point velocity component in normal direction;
v′ = fluctuation of v;
x = distance in streamwise direction;
y = distance in normal direction;
α = [ln2ε1/(1-ε) - 2β];
β = -[lnε1/(1-ε) + 1];
ε = a/h;
φ = function of η;
θ = 1/(β+rα);
η = y/h;
λ = streamwise pressure gradient parameter;
Π = roughness function;
ρ = mass density of fluid;
σ = q/( τ y= a /ρ)0.5;
τ = Reynolds stress at any depth y;
τ y=a = bed shear stress;
ξ = function of η;
ψ = function of η; and
ζ = r/(β+rα).

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