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Velocity Profile in Open Channel Flow
Velocity Profile in Open Channel Flow
Velocity Profile in Open Channel Flow
In open channel flow, the velocity is not constant with depth. It increases from zero at the invert of the channel to a maximum value close to the water surface.
v3
Depth
v2
v1
Velocity
The velocity difference results from the resistance to flow at the bottom and sides of the channel. The shearing stress, , at any point in a turbulent flow moving over a solid surface has been given by Prandtl as
2 dv
dy
where is the density of water and is a characteristic mixing length. In the region near the solid surface, Prandtl made two assumptions: 1. The mixing length is proportional to y (=0.4y) 2. The shear stress is constant (0) Applying these assumptions to the above equation
0 dy dv = 2.5 y
y 0 v = 2.5 ln y 0
(1)
where y0 is the height up to which the velocity is zero. 0 can be evaluated by considering the forces acting on a flow section.
h h-dh v
dx datum
-gdh -0Pdx
a = v dv dx
0 = gRi = v 2
where i is the slope of the energy line. The quantity expressed by v* has the units of velocity and is known as the friction velocity or the shear velocity.
In turbulent flow, y 0
33y v = v 2.5 ln
The average velocity is given by
d
v=
vdy
d
33y 2.5v ln dy = d 0
v = CR 2 i 2 C = 2.5 ln 12.14d g
Errors can arise in applying the Chezy equation over a wide range of depth since the constant is actually a function of depth
1 1
Manning Equation
2 1 1 1 6 v = 1.49 R 3 i 2 = 1.49R R 2 i 2 n n 1
The changes in the coefficient with changes in depth is reflected in this equation. It seems to be more suitable if n can be determined with some accuracy.
Uniform Flow
Uniform flow is flow in which the flow depth does not vary. In other words, the water surface profile is parallel to the channel bed. Although this scenario rarely occurs, it is a reasonable approximation for the flow in open channels that are devoid of controls. The governing equations will now be derived.
H=E+z dH = dE + dz = dd dE + dz dl dl dl dl dd dl
2 i = dd 1 V s gD dl
dd = s Vi2 = s i 2 dl 1 1 Fr gD
dd = 0 dl
Therefore, in uniform flow, s is equal to i. In other words, the slope of the water surface profile is equal to the slope of the energy line, which is also equal to the slope of the channel bed. The velocity and the depth at uniform flow can be obtained by replacing i in the Manning Equation with s.
2
1 3 v n = 1.49 R n s 2 n
1 3 Q = 1.49 A n R n s 2 n 5 3
PnRn =
Qn 1.49s 2
1
where the subscript (n) indicates that flow is occurring at normal (uniform) conditions. Both the wetted perimeter and the hydraulic radius are functions of the depth that depend on channel geometry.