Problem 1.

31

[Difficulty: 3]

Given: Find: Solution:

Information on canal geometry. Flow speed using the Manning equation, correctly and incorrectly! Use Table G.2 and other sources (e.g., Google) as needed.
2 1 2

The Manning equation is

V=

Rh S0 n

which assumes Rh in meters and V in m/s. 1 S0 = 10

1

The given data is

Rh = 7.5 m
2

n = 0.014

7.5
3

Hence

V=

10
1

0.014 1 in 0.0254 m
1

V = 86.5

m s

(Note that we don't cancel units; we just write m/s next to the answer! Note also this is a very high speed due to the extreme slope S0.) Rh = 24.6 ft

Using the equation incorrectly:

Rh = 7.5 m

1 ft 12 in

24.6
3

Hence

V =

10
1

0.014

V = 191

ft s ft s 12 in 1 ft

(Note that we again don't cancel units; we just write ft/s next to the answer!) 0.0254 m 1 in m s

This incorrect use does not provide the correct answer

V = 191

V = 58.2

which is wrong!

This demonstrates that for this "engineering" equation we must be careful in its use! To generate a Manning equation valid for Rh in ft and V in ft/s, we need to do the following:
2 1 3 2 Rh ( m) S0 ft m 1 ft 1 in 1 in 1 ft V = V = n s s 0.0254 m 12 in 0.0254 m 12 in

1 2

ft

Rh ( ft) S0 n

2 3

2 3

1 2

1 in 1 ft 0.0254 m 12 in

3 1 in 1 ft = Rh ( ft) S0 1 in 1 ft n 0.0254 m 12 in 0.0254 m 12 in

In using this equation, we ignore the units and just evaluate the conversion factor
2 1

1 1 = 1.49 .0254 12

Hence

3 2 ft 1.49 Rh ( ft) S0 V = n s

Handbooks sometimes provide this form of the Manning equation for direct use with BG units. In our case we are asked to instead define a new value for n:
2 1

n BG =

n 1.49

n BG = 0.0094
2 1

where

3 2 ft Rh ( ft) S0 V = n BG s

24.6
3

Using this equation with Rh = 24.6 ft: V =

10
1

0.0094

V = 284

ft s

Converting to m/s

V = 284

ft s

12 in 1 ft

0.0254 m 1 in

V = 86.6

m s

which is the correct answer!