2025
Module 3 & 4
Flow in Open Channel
&
Uniform flow in open channel
Assoc. Prof. Ts. Gs. Ir. Dr. Kuok King Kuok
School of Engineering, Computing & Science
Room E304
[email protected] CVE30001 – Urban Water Resources
Different types of flow in open channel
Open Channel Flow
Steady Flow Unsteady Flow
uniform Flow Non-uniform Flow
Rapidly Varied Flow Gradually Varied Flow
(RVF) (GVF)
RVF Vs GVF
Flow Classification
Uniform (normal) flow: Depth, velocity, constant at every
section along length of channel
Nonuniform (varied) flow: Depth changes along channel
Rapidly-varied flow: Depth changes suddenly
Gradually-varied flow: Depth changes gradually
Velocity Profile
In open channel flow, the velocity is not constant with depth
Increases from zero at the invert of the channel to a max
value close to the water Surface
Results from the resistance to flow at the bottom and sides
of the channel
State of Flow
Flow in open channels is affected by viscous and
gravitational effects
Viscous effects described by Reynolds number, Re = VR/ν
ν= kinematic viscocity (m2/s)
V = mean fluid velocity (m/s)
R = length of object that flow going through/pipe dia.
Gravitational Effects
Gravitational effects described by Froude number, Fr =
V/(gD)1/2
For Re < 500, viscous forces dominate and flow is laminar
For Re > 2000, viscous forces are weak and flow is
turbulent
For Re between 500 and 2000, there is a transition between
laminar and turbulent flow
Gravitational Effects
Critical flow is the point where velocity is equal to the speed
of a wave in the water
For Fr = 1, flow is critical
For Fr < 1, flow is subcritical
Wave can move upstream
For Fr > 1, flow is supercritical
Wave cannot move upstream
Uniform Flow
Equations are developed for steady-state conditions
Depth, discharge, area, velocity all constant along channel length
Rarely occurs in natural channels (even for constant
geometry) since it implies a perfect balance of all forces
Two general equations in use: Chezy and Manning formulas
Chezy Equation
Balances force due to weight of water in direction of flow
with opposing shear force
V = C RS
Note: V is mean velocity, R is hydraulic radius
(area/wetted perimeter), S is the slope of energy
gradeline, and C is the Chezy coefficient
C is a function of the roughness of the channel bottom
Manning Equation
The Manning equation is an empirical relationship similar to
Chezy equation:
1.486 2 / 3 1/ 2
V= R S
n
Note: V is mean velocity (ft/s), R is hydraulic radius (ft),
S is the slope of the energy gradeline (ft/ft), and n is the
Manning roughness coefficient
Manning Equation
The Manning equation for metric units is given as:
1 2 / 3 1/ 2
V= R S
n
Note: V is mean velocity (m/s), R is hydraulic radius (m),
S is the slope of the energy gradeline (m/m), and n is
the Manning roughness coefficient
Manning’s Roughness (n)
Roughness coefficient (n) is a function of:
Channel material
Surface irregularities
Variation in shape
Vegetation
Flow conditions
Channel obstructions
Values of Manning n
Lined Canals n
Cement plaster 0.011
Untreated gunite 0.016
Wood, planed 0.012
Wood, unplaned 0.013
Concrete, trowled 0.012
Roughness at
Concrete, wood forms, unfinished 0.015
Rubble in cement 0.020 many scales!
Asphalt, smooth 0.013
Asphalt, rough 0.016
Natural Channels
Gravel beds, straight 0.025
Gravel beds plus large boulders 0.040
Earth, straight, with some grass 0.026
Earth, winding, no vegetation 0.030
Earth , winding with vegetation 0.050
Question?
