OPEN CHANNEL FLOW

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Question –

What is the most obvious difference between pipe flow and

open channel flow?????????????

(in terms of flow conditions and energy situation)

Typical open channel shapes –

Figure 14.1

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Types of open channel flows –

Steady flow – when discharge (Q) does not change with time.

Uniform flow – when depth of fluid does not change for a

selected length or section of the channel

Uniform steady flow – when discharge does not change with

time and depth remains constant for a selected section

- cross section should remain unchanged – referred to as a

prismatic channel

Varied steady flow – when depth changes but discharge

remains the same
(how can this happen?)

Varied unsteady flow – when both depth and discharge change

along a channel length of interest.

Rapidly varying flow – depth change is rapid

Gradually varying flow – depth change is gradual

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Figure 14.3

Section 1 – rapidly varying flow

Section 2 – gradually varying flow

Section 3 – hydraulic jump

Section 4 – weir and waterfall

Section 5 – gradually varying

Section 6 – hydraulic drop due to change in channel slope

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Hydraulic radius of open channel flow

A parameter that is used often

Ratio of flow cross sectional area (A) and wetted perimeter

(WP)

R = A/ WP

Hydraulic radius R for various channel shapes –

Figure 14.1

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Kinds (types) of open channel flow

Reynolds number for pipe flow –

vD
NR =
υ

Reynolds number for channel flow –

vR
NR =
υ

For pipe flow –

NR < 2000 – laminar

NR > 4000 – turbulent

For channel flow –

NR < 500 – laminar

NR > 2000 – turbulent

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Another “number” for channel flow!

Froude Number [NF] (gravity versus inertial forces)

v
NF =
gyh

Where yh is referred to as the hydraulic depth and given as –

yh = A/T

where A is the area and T is the top width of the channel

NF = 1.0 or when v = (gy)1/2 - critical flow

NF < 1.0 – subcritical flow

NF > 1.0 – super critical flow

A combination of both the numbers is used to describe channel

flow conditions.

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Uniform steady flow and Manning’s Equation

When discharge remains the same and depth does not change
then we have uniform steady flow.

In this condition –

The surface of water is parallel to the bed of the channel

Or S = Sw

Where S is the slope of the channel

The slope of the channel can be expressed as –

- An angle = 1 degrees
- As percent = 1%
- Or as fraction = 0.01 or 1 in 100

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Velocity of flow (v) in a channel can be computed numerous
empirical equations –

One of them is Mannings equation –

1 .0 2 / 3 1 / 2
v = R S
n
This the SI units form of the equation with v (meters/sec) and R
(meters).

Where n is the Manning’s coefficient (dimensionless) – values

developed through experimentation

Possible n values for various channel surfaces – Table 14.1

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In English units the Manning’s equation form is –

1.49 2 / 3 1/ 2
v = R S
n
Where v is in feet/sec and the R value is in feet.

If velocity is known, the discharge (Q) can then be computed as

–

Q = A*v

1 .0
Q = 2 / 3 1/ 2
AR S
n
Where Q is in m3/s

For uniform flow, Q is referred to as Normal discharge

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The above equation can also be re-arranged such that –

nQ
AR 2/3
= 1/ 2
S
The left hand term is simply based on channel geometry.

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Problem 14.2

Determine normal discharge for a 200 mm inside diameter

common clay drainage tile running half-full if the slope drops 1
m over 1000 m.

S = 1/1000 = 0.001

A = (1/2) * (π D2/4) = 0.5*π*(0.2)2/4 = 0.0157 m2

WP = (1/2) * (π D) = 0.5*π*0.2 = 0.3141 m

R = 0.05 m

From Table 14.1 n for clay tile = 0.013

Substitute these values in the equation –

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 1 .0
Q = AR 2 / 3 S 1/ 2
n

And we get

1.0
Q = * 0.0157 * (0.05) 2 / 3 (0.001)1/ 2
0.013
Q = 5.18 x 10-3 m3/s

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Problem 14.3

Calculate slope of channel below If

Q = 50 ft3/s

Formed unfinished concrete channel

Equation that you will use

1 .0
Q = AR 2 / 3 S 1/ 2
n

Or

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 Qn
S 1/ 2 =
1.49 AR 2 / 3

Compute A = 12 ft2

WP = 9.66 ft

R = A/WP = 12/9.66 = 1.24 ft

Manning’s n for concrete channel = 0.017

Substitute

And S = 0.00169

Drop 1.69 ft for every 1000 ft.

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Problem 14.4

Design rectangular channel in formed unfinished concrete

Q = 5.75 m3/s

S = 1.2%

Normal depth = ½ of the width of the channel

Since we have to design the channel – the equation that should

be used –

nQ
AR 2 / 3 =
S 1/ 2
RHS is known.

RHS = 0.017*5.75/(0.012)1/2 = 0.0892

Now we know that y = b/2

Express Area and the hydraulic radius in terms of b.

A = by = b2/2

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WP = b+ 2y = 2b

R = A/WP = b/4

Therefore,

LHS = AR2/3 = b2/2 * (b/4) 2/3 = RHS = 0.892

B = 1.76 m

y = 1.76/2 m

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Problem 14.5

In the problem above the final width was set at = 2m and the
maximum Q = 12 m3/s; find the normal depth for this maximum
discharge.

OK again,

nQ
AR 2/3
= 1/ 2
S
RHS = 0.017*12/(0.012)1/2 = 1.86

B = 2m

A = 2y
WP = 2+2y

R = 2y/(2+2y)

Therefore LHS =

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 2/3
⎛ 2y ⎞
2 y ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = 1.86
⎝ 2 + 2y ⎠

Cannot solve this directly, will have to do trial and error.

Set up a Table and compare

y (m) A (m2) WP R (m) R2/3 AR2/3 Required

(m) change
in y
2.0 4.0 6.0 0.667 0.763 3.05 Make y
lower
1.5 3.0 5.0 0.600 0.711 2.13 Make y
lower
1.35 2.7 4.7 0.574 0.691 1.86 OK

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Conveyance and most efficient channel shapes

Look at the RHS of the equation

1 .0
Q = AR 2 / 3 S 1/ 2
n
Other than the S term, all other terms are related to channel
cross section and its features.

These terms together are referred to as the Conveyance (K) of

the channel

1 .0
K = AR 2/3

n
OR

Q = K S 1/ 2

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K is maximum when WP is the least for a give area

„ this is also the most efficient cross section for conveying

flow

For circular section – half full flow is the most efficient

For other shapes – see Table 14.3 from the text.

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Compound Sections

When channel shape changes with flow depth – typical in

natural stream sections during flooding

During floods – water spills over the flood plain

You need to know Q at various depths or vice-versa – so that

you can design channels or determine channel safety for various
flood magnitudes

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Cazenovia Creek in Buffalo during “normal” flow conditions

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Cazenovia Creek during flood!

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Problem 14.21E

Figure 14.21 – natural channel with levees

Channel – earth with grass cover, n = 0.04

S = 0.00015

Determine normal Q for depth = 3 and 6 ft.

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Assignment # 9

- 14.3E
- 14.9M
- 14.10M
- 14.14M

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Compound section –

More realistic situation – channel roughness n may be different

for floodplain than the main channel
Why?????

In that case

- determine velocity for each sub section

- and then sum up the discharges for the sections

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 2/3
1.49 ⎛ Ai ⎞
vi = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ S 1/ 2

ni ⎝ Pi ⎠

n
Q = ∑V A
i =1
i i

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Example Problem –

Compute discharge for depth of 8 feet

S = 0.5%
n for bank = 0.06

n for main channel = 0.03

A1 = 80*4 = 320
A2 = 50*8 = 400
A3 = 100*5 = 500

P1 = 80+4 = 84
P2 = 4+50+3 = 57
P3 = 100+5 = 105

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 2/3
1.49 ⎛ Ai ⎞
vi = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ S 1/ 2

ni ⎝ Pi ⎠
n
Q = ∑V A
i =1
i i

⎡ (320 / 84) 2 / 3 320 (400 / 57) 2 / 3 400 (500 / 105) 2 / 3 500 ⎤

Q = 1.49(0.005) ⎢ 1/ 2
+ + ⎥
⎣ 0 . 06 0 .03 0.06 ⎦

Q = 9010 cfs.

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Energy Principles for Open Channel flow

Energy at a particular point in the channel = PE + KE

v2
E =y+
2g
Where y is the depth of flow and v is the velocity

Note – no pressure term!

This is energy with respect to the channel bottom – Specific

Energy

When energy is measured with respect to another fixed datum –

Total energy

v2
E = y +z+
2g
Where z is the height of the channel bottom from the datum

In terms of Q the specific energy can be expressed as –

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 Q2
E =y+
2gA2
Where Q is the discharge and A is the cross-sectional flow area

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Example Problem

Channel width (rectangular) = 2m

Depth = 1m
Q = 4.0 m3/s
Height above datum = 2m
Compute specific and total energy

A = by = 2.0*1.0 = 2 m2

Specific energy =

Q2
E =y+
2gA2

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E =1 +
2 * 9.81* 2 2
E = 1.20 m

Total energy =

= Datum height + specific energy

= 2.0 + 1.20 = 3.20 m

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Specific Energy Diagram

The specific energy can be plotted graphically as a function of

depth of flow.

Q2
E =y+
2gA2

E = Es + Ek

Es = y (static energy)

Ek = Q2/2gA2 (kinetic energy)

Relationship between y and Es & Ek

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Combining the two relationships – specific energy diagram

Key points from the diagram –

1. the diagram applies for a given cross section and discharge

2. as the depth of flow increases, the static energy increases,

and the kinetic energy decreases

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3. the total energy curve approaches the static energy curve
for high depths and the kinetic energy curve for small
depths

4. The specific energy is minimum (Emin) for a particular

depth – this depth happens to be the critical depth – Depth
for which the Froude’s number = 1.0. velocity = Vc.

5. Emin – only energy value with a singular depth!

6. Depths less than the critical depths – supercritical flow.

Froude Number > 1.0. V > Vc.

7. Depths greater than the critical depths – subcritical flow.

Froude Number < 1.0. V < Vc.

8. For all other energy values – there are two depth

associated – one greater than the critical depth and one less
than the critical depth.

9. The two depths associated with the same energy values are
referred to as – Alternate depths

10. As discharge increases, the specific energy curves move

to the upper right portion of the chart.

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Additional Equations

Specific energy equation –

Q2
E =y+
2gA2
Taking a derivative and equating it to zero (critical flow
conditions when energy is minimum)

We get – Condition at critical flow

Q2B
3
=1
gA

Solving these further, for a rectangular channel (A = By), we

get –

q2
3
=1
gyc

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Or

q2
yc = 3
g
Critical depth can be determined explicitly

Also, for rectangular channel -

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Emin = yc
2

Explicit equations that can quickly give you the critical depth
and minimum specific energy for a rectangular channel – no
need to interpolate from graph

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Example Problem:

• Rectangular channel
• Width = 4 m
• Q = 12.0 m3/s
• Depth of flow = 2.5 m

• Draw specific energy diagram

• Find critical and alternate depth

Q2
E =y+
2gA2

q2
E =y+
2gy 2
Specific discharge – discharge per unit width = q = Q/B

The advantage of using specific discharge is that we avoid

using B and relate q directly to y

q = 12/4 = 3m2/s

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Set up a table and compute the specific energy for every 0.2m
depth increment.
q2
E =y+
2gy 2
y KE total E

0.20 11.47 11.67

0.40 2.87 3.27
0.60 1.27 1.87
0.80 0.72 1.52
1.00 0.46 1.46
1.20 0.32 1.52
1.40 0.23 1.63
1.60 0.18 1.78
1.80 0.14 1.94
2.00 0.11 2.11
2.20 0.09 2.29
2.40 0.08 2.48
2.60 0.07 2.67
2.80 0.06 2.86
3.00 0.05 3.05
3.20 0.04 3.24
3.40 0.04 3.44
3.60 0.04 3.64
3.80 0.03 3.83
4.00 0.03 4.03

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 5
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
y

2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0 1 2 3 4 5
E

5
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
y

2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
E

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Explicit computation –

q2
3
=1
gyc
Or

q2
yc = 3
g

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yc = 3 = 0.971
9.81

3
Emin = yc
2

3
Emin = * 0.971 = 1.457
2

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Since given depth 2.5 m > 0.971 – the given depth is
subcritical and the other depth should be supercritical

Now determining alternate depths –

Energy at 2.5 m =

q2
E =y+
2gy 2

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E = 2.5 + 2
= 2.57
2 * 9.81* 2.5

This energy value is the same for the other alternate

(supercritical) depth, so –

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2.57 = y +
2 * 9.81* y 2

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Solve equation by trail and error

yÆE
0.40 3.27
0.41 3.14
0.42 3.02
0.43 2.91
0.44 2.81
0.45 2.72
0.46 2.63
0.47 2.55
0.48 2.47
0.49 2.40
0.50 2.33
0.51 2.27
0.52 2.22
0.53 2.16
0.54 2.11

y = 0.467 m – supercritical alternate depth.

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Problem 14.41E from text

GIVEN –

• Triangular channel with side slopes having ratio of 1:1.5

• Q = 0.68 ft3/s

• Channel – clean, excavated earth

CALCULATE –
a. critical depth
b. Emin
c. Plot specific energy curve
d. Determine energy for 0.25 ft and alternate depth
e. Velocity of flow and Froude number
f. Calculate required slopes if depths from d are to be normal
depths for given flow

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Solution –

y, A = zy2, v = Q/A, T =2zy, yh=A/T ,

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y, A = zy2, v = Q/A, T =2zy, yh=A/T ,

v
NF =
gyh
Q2
E =y+
2gA2

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Assignment # 10 - Specific Energy of Channel Flow
• 14.39M
• 14.42E

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