KAEA 3257

SEDIMENT TRANSPORT
Design of stable channels

Reference

Chapter 11 in Flow in Open Channels by K.

Subramanya

Design of stable channels

Critical Tractive Force Method

Using the basic definition, shear stress in channel < critical

shear stress.

Regime Channel Method

Design of channel under dynamic equilibrium

Critical Tractive Force

Method

Shear stress in channel < critical shear stress.

, <

No sediment motion, no sedimentation so channel is

stable.
= 2 = 1 2
where K2 and K1 < 1

Tractive Force Ratio, K1

Ratio of bank shear stress to channel shear stress is

called Tractive Force Ratio, 1 =

K1 can be found using

1 = cos 1

tan2 1/2
tan2

where = side slope angle and = angle of repose.

for gravity stability for side slope, < , so K1 < 1.

Factor of safety, K2

Value K2 < 1 and it is depend on channel condition.

Channel condition

Value of K2

Straight channel

0.90

Slightly curved

0.81

Moderately curved

0.67

Very curved

0.54

Because shear stress varies along perimeter, the channel

should be designed in order to withstand the maximum
shear stress, max.

For design trapezoidal channel, with normal depth yo

and longitudinal slope So, the maximum shear stress on
the sides (w)max and bed (b)max can be taken as:
= 0.75

Important Equation

So, for non-erodibility condition

( )

i.e. 1 2 0.75

And ( )

i.e. 2 2

The lesser of the two values of yo obtained from

equation above is adopted.

Regime Channels Method

The term regime is used in connection with alluvial

channel to signify a state of dynamic equilibrium.

For regime channel, it has been found to attain a side

slope of 0.5H:1V, irrespective of the initial side slope.
Lacey Equation.

Laceys Equation

With systematic analysis for stable channel, Lacey

comes out with the following equation;
= 4.75

= 0.48

1/3

5/3
0.0003 1/6

= 1.76

Mannings Equation

Other equation that can be used is Mannings Equation

and the n value can be found using Stricklers Equation.

1
1/2
2/3

1/3

= 2/3

1/6
21.1