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– Second level
• Third level
–Lecture
Fourth level 9: Open Channel Flow
» Fifth level
Uniform Flow

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 Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lecture, the student should be able to:
– Define open channel flow and characterize its
corresponding hydraulic properties
– State the conditions necessary for the existence of
uniform flow in open channels
– Derive the Chezy formula and relate it to Manning’s
equation
– Determine the best hydraulic cross – section in open
channels
– Analyze and solve problems involving uniform flow in open
channels
2
 Outline
I. Open Channels
A. Introduction
B. Flow Classification
C. Hydraulic Properties
II. Uniform Flow
A. Chezy Equation
B. Manning’s Equation
C. Compound Channels
D. Best Hydraulic Cross-section
III. Examples
3
 Introduction
Open channel flow
- flow of a liquid in channels or
partially-filled conduits that have a free
surface (exposed to the atmosphere)

Sources of Photos (from left to right):

- http4.bp.blogspot.com-KaOFTS0m6McT8MJBWpHSuIAAAAAAAAAQU6dwWDE7yO8ws400irrigation.png
- httpsencrypted-tbn2.gstatic.comimagesq=tbnANd9GcQnFiwk7QhTiriV6Z0tOsdu9u7Jbmhc8KbNQQu1LmAoP-w46eSF
- httpimg07.deviantart.neta1cei201022060marikina_river_by_six_pixel_under.jpg
- httpsnorthwatch.files.wordpress.com201208sanroque.jpg
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 Introduction
Open channel flow
- the main driving force is the fluid weight (difference in
elevation)

Natural channels
- irregular cross - section

Source:httpstatic.wixstatic.commediaa0b8ff_b88470efa42249c99c914ff23721d12b.jpgv1fillw_44
Source:httpsfarm9.staticflickr.com865616741085325_6e9b722e1e_o.jpg 8,h_335,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01a0b8ff_b88470efa42249c99c914ff23721d12b.jpg 5
 Introduction
Artificial channels
- regular cross – section (e.g. rectangular, trapezoidal, etc.)
- can be lined (i.e. concrete)
Canal: long channel Flume: a channel supported
excavated from the ground above ground and built with
having a mild slope wood, metal or concrete

Source:httpacademic.emporia.eduaberjamewetlandcanalsand1.jpg 6
Source:httphsl.engr.utk.eduwp-contentuploads201504turbulence_flume.png
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 Introduction
Artificial channels
Chute: a channel with very steep
bottom slope and almost vertical sides
Tunnel: a channel excavated through
a mountain or a hill
Culvert: a short channel flowing partly Source:httpsupload.wikimedia.orgwikipediacommonsthumb770L
lyn_Brianne_spillway.jpg280px-Llyn_Brianne_spillway.jpg

full

Source: httpwww.conteches.comportals0Imagesapplicationsproduct-application-summarybebo_culvert.jpg
Source:httpsupload.wikimedia.orgwikipediacommonsth
umb88bHuttalerWW.JPG220px-HuttalerWW.JPG 7
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 Classification of Flows
𝑑𝑉
Steady =0
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑉
Uniform =0
𝑑𝑥
Gradually Varied
flow depth varies at
a slow rate with
respect to distance
Rapidly Varied
flow depth change
significantly over a
short distance 8
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 Classification of Flows
Reynolds Number Froude Number
ratio of inertial forces ratio of inertial forces
to viscous forces to gravity forces
𝑽𝑹𝒉 𝑽
𝑹𝒆 = 𝑭𝒓 =
𝝂 𝒈𝒚𝒉
where: where:
Re = Reynolds number Fr = Froude number
V = velocity of the fluid V = velocity of the fluid
Rh = hydraulic radius yh = hydraulic depth
ν = kinematic viscosity of the fluid g = acceleration due to gravity

Laminar flow: Re < 500 Subcritical flow: Fr < 1

Turbulent flow: Re > 500 Critical flow: Fr = 1
9
 Hydraulic Properties
C Channel section: cross – section of a
channel perpendicular to flow (i.e.
section C-C)
d y Q Channel bed slope, S o (m/m): slope of
z the channel bed wrt the horizontal
θ
C = tanθ ≈ θ for small angles (rad)
Depth of flow, d (m): vertical distance
datum of the lowest point of the channel section
Section C-C from the free surface
Depth of flow section, y (m): depth of
flow normal to the direction of flow

Stage, z (m): elevation of a point on the

free surface from a specified datum 10
 Hydraulic Properties
C Top width, B (m): width of the channel
section at the free surface

d y Q Flow area, A (m2): cross – sectional

area normal to the direction of flow (area
z with water in the channel section)
θ
C
Wetted perimeter, P or Pw (m): length
datum of the intersection of the channel wetted
Section C-C surface with a cross – sectional plane
B normal to the flow direction
Hydraulic radius, R or Rh (m): ratio of
the flow area to the wetted perimeter
A
Hydraulic depth, yh (m): ratio of the
P flow area to the top width 11
Hydraulic Properties

12
 Hydraulic Properties
Velocity Distribution
Non – uniform due to the interaction between the fluid particles
and the channel boundary (shear stress)

13
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 Hydraulic Properties
Energy Considerations Energy Equation from 1 to 2:
𝑃1 𝑉12
1 Sf hL + 𝑧1 +
1 V12/2g γ 2𝑔
E.G.L. 2
𝑃 𝑉 2
= 2 + 𝑧2 + + ℎ𝐿
V1 2 V2
2/2g
γ 2𝑔
d1
V2 𝑉12
d2 𝑑1 + + (ℎ1 − ℎ2)
2𝑔
So 𝑉22
h1 1 = 𝑑2 + + ℎ𝐿
l h2 2𝑔
datum
𝑽𝟐𝟐 − 𝑽𝟏𝟐
NOTE: Sf = hydraulic slope 𝒅𝟏 − 𝒅𝟐 = + + 𝑺𝒇 − 𝑺𝒐 𝒍
𝟐𝒈 14
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 Uniform Flow
𝑑𝑉
Definition: the velocity of fluid =0
is not a function of space
for 1-D flow
𝑑𝑥
For prismatic channels with constant Q: 𝑑𝑦/𝑑𝑥 = 0
Occurs in straight, prismatic, and sufficiently long channels.

l NOTES:
V1 = V2; y1 = y2
V1 C.V.
Hydraulic grade line
y1 (H.G.L.) coincides with
y2 V2 the liquid surface
1
Energy grade line
θ (E.G.L.) is parallel to
2
the liquid surface 15
 Uniform Flow
Consider the FBD of the control volume:
x W = weight of the fluid
l
body = 𝜸𝑨l
V1 C.V. Fs = force due to shear
Fh1
y1 stress = 𝝉𝑷𝒘l
W Fh1 = hydrostatic force
Fs y2 V2 𝒅𝟏
1 at section 1 = 𝜸 𝟐 𝐀
Fh2
θ Fh2 = hydrostatic force
2
Momentum Equation: at section 2 = 𝜸 𝒅𝟐 𝐀
𝟐

∑ 𝑭𝒙 = ∑ βρ𝑸𝑽 𝒐𝒖𝒕 −∑ βρ𝑸𝑽 𝒊𝒏

𝑭𝒉𝟏 − 𝑭𝒉𝟐 − 𝑭𝒔 + 𝑾𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽 = 𝜷𝝆𝑸𝑽𝟐 − 𝜷𝝆𝑸𝑽𝟏 16

 Uniform Flow
𝑭𝒉𝟏 − 𝑭𝒉𝟐 − 𝑭𝒔 + 𝑾𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽 = 𝜷𝝆𝑸𝑽𝟐 − 𝜷𝝆𝑸𝑽𝟏
NOTE:
𝛽, 𝜌, and 𝑄 are all constants and V1 = V2 since the flow is uniform
𝑭𝒉𝟏 − 𝑭𝒉𝟐 − 𝑭𝒔 + 𝑾𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽 = 𝟎
Fh1 = Fh2 since d1 = d2 for uniform flows
𝑾𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽 = 𝑭𝒔 𝜸𝑨𝒍𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽 = 𝝉𝑷𝒘𝒍
Solving for 𝝉, 𝜸𝑨𝒍𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 ≈ 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 = 𝑆𝑜 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝜃 ≪ 1
𝝉=
𝑷𝒘𝒍 𝐴/𝑃𝑤 = 𝑅ℎ
Therefore,
where:
𝝉 = 𝜸𝑹𝒉𝑺𝒐 τ = bed shear stress Rh = hydraulic radius
γ = specific weight of the fluid So = bed slope 17
 Uniform Flow
For turbulent flows: 𝟏 𝟐 where:
𝝉 = 𝜿 𝝆𝑽 κ = numerical constant dependent on
𝟐 the channel roughness, geometry, etc.

Combining the equations for shear stress,

𝟏 𝟐𝒈
𝜸𝑹𝒉𝑺𝒐 = 𝜿 𝝆𝑽𝟐 𝑽= 𝑹𝒉𝑺𝒐
𝟐 𝜿

Chezy Formula 𝑽 = 𝑪 𝑹𝒉𝑺𝒐

where:
V = velocity in the channel C = Chezy coefficient
Rh = hydraulic radius So = bed slope

NOTE: C = f(channel roughness, Re) Antoine Leonard de Chezy

*for non-uniform flows, use Sf instead of So 18
Source: httpamerica.pinkimages426321en2-antoine-chezy.jpg
 Uniform Flow
Manning’s Equation
𝜶
𝑪 ∝ 𝑹𝒉 𝟏/𝟔 𝑪= 𝑹𝒉 𝟏/𝟔
𝒏
𝜶 𝟐/𝟑 𝟏/𝟐
𝑽 = 𝑹𝒉 𝑺𝒐
𝒏
where:
V = velocity in the channel
α = conversion constant (1.0 for SI and 1.49 for USCS)
n = Manning’s roughness coefficient (𝑇/𝐿1/3)
Rh = hydraulic radius
So = bed slope Robert Manning
Source:
http://www.askaboutireland.ie/_internal/gxml!0/m6s6aicjogoa
mpxnh1a9dzzq7k4g1nn$nfa3j37qduobl6v0x4i265ub4kwqxfy

𝜶
𝑸 = 𝑨𝑽 = 𝑨𝑹𝒉𝟐/𝟑𝑺𝒐𝟏/𝟐
𝒏 19
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 Uniform Flow
Manning’s Equation

𝜶 𝟐/𝟑 𝟏/𝟐
𝑽 = 𝑹𝒉 𝑺𝒐
𝒏
where:
V = velocity in the channel
α = conversion constant
= 1.0 for SI and 1.49 for USCS
n = Manning’s roughness
coefficient (𝑇/𝐿1/3)
Rh = hydraulic radius
So = bed slope

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 Uniform Flow
Compound channels
defined as a section in which various sub-areas have
different flow properties (e.g. surface roughness, etc.)
Typical example: flood plains

overbank
main channel

𝑸 = ∑ 𝑸𝒊 = ∑ 𝑽𝒊𝑨𝒊

Source: http://s0.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/02/03/23/2032343_b1a0f0e0.jpg
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 Uniform Flow
Best hydraulic cross - section

defined as the section that has the maximum hydraulic

radius (or minimum wetted perimeter) for a given
discharge, flow area, channel roughness, and bed slope

relevant in the economic aspect of constructing or lining a

channel: the best hydraulic cross – section will yield the
design Q for the least amount of excavation

22
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 Uniform Flow
Best hydraulic cross – section
Rectangular channel 𝑨 = 𝑩𝒚 𝑷 = 𝑩 + 𝟐𝒚

𝑨 𝑨
𝑩= 𝑷 = + 𝟐𝒚
𝒚 𝒚
y Minimizing P while A
is held constant:
B 𝒅𝑷 𝑨
=− +𝟐=𝟎
Therefore, 𝒅𝒚 𝒚𝟐

𝑩 = 𝟐𝒚 𝑨 = 𝟐𝒚𝟐
𝑩𝒚 = 𝟐𝒚𝟐 23
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 Examples
Problem 1
Derive the expressions for the following in terms of the given
parameters for the triangular channel section shown.

a. Flow area
b. Wetted perimeter
c. Top width
d. Hydraulic radius y
θ
e. Hydraulic depth

24
 Examples
Problem 2
Compute the normal depth in a trapezoidal channel having a
bottom width of 10 meters, side slopes of 2H to 1V and carrying
a flow of 30 cms. The channel is lined with concrete (n = 0.013)
and drops 1 m for every 1 km.

25
 Examples
Problem 3
Calculate the discharge through the channel and floodway
shown. Assume that the flow is uniform and steady. The bed
slope of the compound channel is 0.0005 and y = 2.5 m.

26
 Examples
Problem 4
A 6.5 m wide rectangular canal, lined with smooth stone (n =
0.013), has a bed slope of 0.003. Water flows uniformly in the
canal at a depth of 1.4 m. Adhering with the same discharge
and bed slope, what savings in earth excavation (m3/m) and
lining (m2/m) per meter length of canal could have been
effected by using the best hydraulic section?

27
 References
• Streeter, V.L., et al., Fluid Mechanics, 9th ed., McGraw-Hill
International, 1998
• Crowe, C.T., et al., Engineering Fluid Mechanics, 9th ed.,
John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2009
• Alejandrino, A.A., Lecture Notes in Fluid Mechanics, National
Hydraulic Research Center, 1989
• White, Fluid Mechanics, 4th ed., McGraw-Hill
International,1998
• Chaudhry, M.H., Open-Channel Flow, 2nd ed., Springer
Science+Business Media, LLC, 2008.

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