Design of

Channel Transitions

Victor M. Ponce

151117

Abstract. The hydraulic design of a channel transition is described and explained. The
calculation of an inlet transition between canal and flume is shown by an example,
originally presented by Hinds (1928) and subsequently cited by Chow (1959). The
example is reproduced with detailed explanation and minor corrections for rounding
accuracy. An online calculator is provided.

1. INTRODUCTION

A transition is an open-channel flow structure whose purpose is to change the shape or cross-
sectional area of the flow. The design objective is to avoid excessive energy losses and to minimize
surface waves and other turbulence. When the transition is designed to keep the streamlines

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 smooth and parallel, the theory of gradually varied flow is applicable. In practice, the design of
channel transitions is based on the principles of energy and momentum conservation.

The form or shape of a transition may vary from as simple as straight-line headwalls normal to the
flow to very elaborate streamlined warped structures. Straight-line headwalls are often satisfactory
for small canal structures or where there is plenty of available hydraulic head (Fig. 1). Other
simplifications may be applied as long as they do not cause excessive wave action or turbulence
(Fig. 2).

Fig. 1 A simple channel transition.

Common types of transitions are inlet and outlet transitions between: (1) canal and flume, (2) canal
and tunnel, and (3) canal and inverted siphon. Appreciable changes in flow depth within the
transition may lead to rapidly varied flow and the generation of standing waves.

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 [Click on figure to display]

Fig. 2 Typical flume inlets and outlets (Hinds, 1928).

2. DESIGN PROCEDURE

Careful consideration should be given to the detail dimensions of the transition throughout its entire
length. The design water-surface profile should be a smooth, continuous curve, tangent to the
water-surface profile upstream and downstream of the transition. The occurrence of critical flow or
hydraulic jump should be avoided.

A curved transition should be used in all important designs. The best approach is to first select the
shape of the water surface and then to calculate the dimensions of the cross sections to conform

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 with established principles of conservation of energy.

Transition between canal and flume, or canal and tunnel

The following design features are considered (Hinds, 1928; Chow, 1959):

Length and angle. A well-designed transition should follow these rules:

1. A sharp angle should be avoided to minimize the possibility of standing waves.

2. The optimum angle subtended between the channel axis and a line connecting the
channel sides between entrance and exit sections is 12.5°.

Losses. The energy loss through a transition has two components:

1. Conversion loss, which is generally expressed in terms of the change in velocity head
between the entrance and exit sections of the transition structure. Table 1 shows
conversion loss coefficients for transitions.

2. Friction loss, which may be estimated by the use of a uniform flow formula. This loss is
usually very small and may be considered to be negligible for preliminary design.

Table 1 Conversion loss coefficients for transitions.

Type of Inlet coefficient ci Outlet coefficient co

transition

Warped 0.10 0.20

Cylinder
0.15 0.25
quadrant

Simplified 0.20 0.30

straight line

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 Straight line 0.30 0.50

Square ended 0.30 + 0.75

Water-surface profile. The drop in water-surface elevation from end of the canal to midlength
of the transition should be equal to half of the total drop through the entire length. From canal
end to midlength, the individual drops should be proportional to the square of the distance (a
forward parabola). From midlength to beginning of flume, the drops should mirror those of the
first half-length, in reverse order (a backward parabola). Using this procedure, a smooth curve
is obtained for the water-surface profile.

Freeboard. The customary rules for the estimation of freeboard for lined and unlined canals
may be used. For flow depths exceeeding 12 ft (4 m), the freeboard in transitions should be
examined carefully.

Energy loss in transitions

For inlet structures, the velocity at the entrance section is less than the velocity at the exit; hence,
the water surface must drop at least the full difference between the velocity heads plus a small
conversion loss known as the inlet loss. Therefore, the drop Δy' in water-surface elevation for an
inlet structure is:

Δy' = Δhv + ci Δhv = ( 1 + ci ) Δhv (1)

where Δhv is the velocity head difference between entrance and exit sections.

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 For outlet structures, the velocity at the entrance section is greater than the velocity at the exit;
hence, the water surface must rise to recover velocity head. The drop is equal to the full difference
between the velocity heads minus a small conversion rise known as the outlet rise. Therefore, the
drop Δy' in water-surface elevation for an outlet structure is:

Δy' = Δhv - co Δhv = ( 1 - co ) Δhv (2)

Figure 3 shows the following typical designs: (a) an inlet transition from canal to flume, and (b) an
outlet transition from flume to canal. The step-by-step design of an inlet transition between canal
and flume is explained below. The design of an outlet transition follows the same general steps as in
the case of the inlet transition. However, the outlet transition is often complicated due to the
presence of uneven velocity distribution. In this case, the velocity distribution coefficients may be
appreciably greater than one (1) and, therefore, should be considered in the design.

[Click on figure to display]

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 Fig. 3 (a) Design of an inlet transition (Modified from Chow, 1959).

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 [Click on figure to display]

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 Fig. 3 (b) Design of an outlet transition (Chow, 1959).

Design of an inlet transition: Example

The following example was originally presented by Hinds (1928) and subsequently cited by Chow (1959).
It is reproduced here with detailed explanation and minor corrections for rounding accuracy.

Design an inlet transition to connect an unlined canal of bottom width b = 18 ft and side slope
z = 2 H: 1 V, with a rectangular concrete flume of width b = 12.5 ft. The hydraulic conditions are:

Design discharge: Q = 314.5 cfs

Canal bottom slope: S = 0.000246

Manning's n of canal: n = 0.018

Flume bottom slope: S = 0.0009

Manning's n of flume: n = 0.014

Water-surface elevation immediately upstream of the transition, at Station 0 + 00: Zw,0 =

57.410 ft.

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 Table 2 shows the hydraulic properties of the canal and flume, corresponding to normal flow: depth
yn (ft), velocity Vn (fps), flow area An (sq. ft.), wetted perimeter Pn (ft), top width Tn (ft), hydraulic
radius Rn (ft), and hydraulic depth Dn (ft). The hydraulic properties were calculated using
onlinechannel01.

Table 2 Hydraulic properties of the canal and flume.

Type b z S n yn Vn An Pn Tn Rn Dn

Canal 18.0 2 0.000246 0.018 4.311 2.74 114.77 37.28 35.244 3.079 3.256

Flume 12.5 0 0.0009 0.014 4.254 5.914 53.18 21.008 12.5 2.531 4.254

Solution Procedure.

Length of the transition. To determine the length of the transition, a straight line joining the flow
line (on the wall) at the two ends of the transition should make an angle θ = 12.5° with the
longitudinal alignment. The length of the transition is equal to half of the difference between
the normal top widths of canal and flume, divided by tan θ:

L = 0.5 ( Tn canal - Tn flume ) / tan θ (3a)

L = 0.5 (35.244 - 12.5) / 0.2217 = 51.3 ft (3b)

Assume L = 50 ft as a round number to be used for design.

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 Difference in velocity head. The velocity head at the upstream cross section (end of canal) is:

hv = V 2 / (2g) (4a)

hv = (2.74)2 / (2 × 32.17) = 0.117 ft (4b)

Likewise, the velocity head at the downstream cross section (beginning of flume) is:
hv = 0.544 ft. The velocity head difference is:

Δhv = 0.544 - 0.117 = 0.427 ft. (5)

Energy losses, neglecting friction. For a warped transition, shown in Fig. 2 (a), the inlet loss
coefficient is ci = 0.1 (Table 1). Therefore, the total drop in water-surface elevation, neglecting
frictional losses, is (Eq. 1):

Δy' = 1.1 × 0.427 = 0.470 ft. (6)

Calculation of drop in water-surface elevation. The water-surface elevation (water-surface

profile) may be approximated as two equal parabolas, pieced together at midpoint of the
transition, positioned in such a way that the forward parabola is tangent to the flow at the end
of the canal, and the backward parabola is tangent to the flow at the start of the flume. The two

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 parabolas are tangent to themselves at midpoint of the transition (Hinds, 1928). The following
drops are fixed:

At the upstream section, Station 0 + 00, the drop is 0.000 ft;

At midlength, Station 0 + 25, the drop is half the full drop, i.e., 0.235 ft; and

At the downstream section, Station 0 + 50, the drop is the full drop: 0.470 ft.

Assume that the length L of the transition is divided into n = 10 equal subreaches, making a
total of eleven (11) stations or cross sections, at a distance of 5-ft apart. To calculate the
drops, define a as the half-length of the transition; thus, a = 25 ft. Furthermore, define b as
one-half of the total drop in water-surface elevation Δy'. Thus, b = 0.235 ft.

For each station i, the forward parabola is defined by varying i from 1 to 5 as follows:

Δy'i = (b /a 2) xi 2 (7a)

For instance, for i = 1:

Δy'1 = (0.235 / 25 2) 5 2 = 0.0094 ≅ 0.009 (7b)

The backward parabola is defined by varing i from 9 to 6 as follows:

Δy'i = Δy'10 - Δy'10 - i (7c)

For instance, for i = 9:

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 Δy'9 = Δy'10 - Δy'1 = 0.470 - 0.009 = 0.461 (7d)

Similarly, for i = 8:

Δy'8 = Δy'10 - Δy'2 = 0.470 - 0.038 = 0.432 (7e)

Table 3 shows the partial drop in water-surface elevation Δy'i corresponding to each station i,
calculated using Eq. 7. These values are inserted in Col. 2 of Table 4.

Table 3 Calculation of drop in water-surface elevation.

Station 0+00 0+05 0+10 0+15 0+20 0+25 0+30 0+35 0+40 0+45 0+50

i 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

xi (ft) 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

Δy'i (ft) 0.000 0.009 0.038 0.085 0.150 0.235 0.320 0.385 0.432 0.461 0.470

The computational procedure consists of the following steps, detailed in Table 4 below:

Column 1 shows the eleven (11) stations, from Station 0 + 00 to Station 0 + 50.

Column 2 shows the partial drops in water-surface elevation Δy'.

Column 3 shows the change in velocity head Δhv, equal to the value of Col. 2 divided by 1.1
(from Eq. 6).

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 Column 4 shows the velocity heads at each cross section, beginning with 0.117 ft at the
upstream end (Sta. 0 + 00) to 0.544 ft at the downstream end (Sta. 0 + 50). To calculate the
values of Col. 4, for each station, the values of Col. 3 are added to the value for Col. 4,
Sta. 0 + 00 (0.117).

Column 5 shows the velocity V corresponding to the velocity head hv of Col. 4:

V = (2g hv)1/2 (8a)

V = (2 × 32.17 × hv)1/2 (8b)

Column 6 shows the flow area A, obtained by dividing the discharge (Q = 314.5 cfs) by the
corresponding velocity of Col. 5.

Column 7 shows half the top width 0.5 T, obtained from the sketched plan [(Fig. 3 (a)]. The
plan may be chosen arbitrarily or by trial, until satisfactory results are obtained (Chow, 1959).
The values shown here are those of the original example (Hinds, 1928).

Column 8 shows half the bottom width 0.5 b, obtained from the cross sections of the sketched
plan [(Fig. 3 (a)]. The values shown here are those of the original example (Hinds, 1928).

Column 9 shows the flow depth y, calculated as follows:

y = A / (0.5 T + 0.5 b). (9)

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 Note that at the downstream end of the transition, the flow depth for Sta. 0 + 50 has been
adjusted to 4.242 ft.

Column 10 shows the wetted perimeter P, calculated as follows:

P = 2 { 0.5 b + [ ( 0.5 T - 0.5 b )2 + y 2 ] 0.5 } (10)

Column 11 shows the hydraulic radius:

R = A P -1 (11)

Column 12 shows the friction slope, calculated using the Manning equation:

V = ( 1.486 / n ) R 2/3 Sf 1/2 (12)

Therefore:

Sf = 0.45286 V 2 n 2 R - 4/3 (13)

in which n = 0.014 (the flume value) is used for all sections in the transition.

Column 13 shows the incremental friction head loss Δhf between two adjoining sections,
calculated as the equidistance (5 ft) multiplied by the average friction slope for the indicated

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 reach:

Δhf = 5 Sfave (14)

Column 14 shows the cumulative friction head loss ∑ Δhf.

Table 4 (a) Tabular computation for the design of an inlet transition.

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14)

Variable Δy' Δhv hv V A 0.5 T 0.5 b y P R Sf Δhf ∑ Δhf

Station (ft) (ft) (ft) (fps) (ft2) (ft) (ft) (ft) (ft) (ft) (ft) (ft)

0 + 00 0.000 0.000 0.117 2.740 114.771 17.600 9.000 4.315 37.243 3.082 0.000150 - -

0 + 05 0.009 0.009 0.125 2.839 110.790 17.000 8.625 4.324 36.100 3.069 0.000160 0.000773 0.000773

0 + 10 0.038 0.034 0.151 3.116 100.947 15.427 7.917 4.324 33.166 3.044 0.000200 0.000889 0.001662

0 + 15 0.085 0.0777 0.194 3.529 89.120 13.460 7.250 4.303 29.611 3.010 0.000250 0.001124 0.002786

0 + 20 0.150 0.137 0.253 4.037 77.900 11.228 6.958 4.284 26.013 2.995 0.000340 0.001474 0.004260

0 + 25 0.235 0.213 0.330 4.609 68.235 9.139 6.771 4.289 23.340 2.923 0.000450 0.001966 0.006226

0 + 30 0.319 0.290 0.407 5.117 61.457 7.717 6.667 4.273 22.133 2.777 0.000600 0.002617 0.008842

0 + 35 0.385 0.350 0.467 5.480 57.387 6.847 6.563 4.279 21.704 2.644 0.000730 0.003312 0.012154

0 + 40 0.432 0.393 0.509 5.725 54.930 6.458 6.458 4.253 21.422 2.564 0.000830 0.003895 0.016050

0 + 45 0.460 0.418 0.535 5.868 53.599 6.315 6.315 4.244 21.118 2.538 0.000880 0.004279 0.020329

0 + 50 0.470 0.427 0.544 5.914 53.177 6.250 6.250 4.254 21.008 2.531 0.000900 0.004457 0.024786

Column 15 [Table 4 (b)] shows the water-surface elevation. At Station 0 + 00: Zw,0 = 57.410 ft.
For each cross section i, the water-surface elevation is:

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 Zw,i = Zw,0 - Δy'i - ∑ Δhf,i (15)

Column 16 shows the channel bottom elevation. For each cross section i, the channel bottom
elevation is:

Zb,i = Zw,i - yi (16)

Column 17 shows the side slope z, calculated as follows:

z = (0.5 T - 0.5 b) / y (17)

Column 18 shows the elevation of the top of lining ZL. To facilitate construction lof the lining,
the elevation ZL makes a straight line through the transition. The recommended height of lining
above the water surface for Q = 314.5 cfs is about 1 ft. Accordingly, the value of ZL at midpoint
of the transition (Sta. 0 + 25) should be:

ZL (Sta. 0 + 25) = Zw (Sta. 0 + 25) + 1 (18a)

ZL (Sta. 0 + 25) = 57.169 + 1 = 58.169 (18b)

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 The total drop in water-surface elevation through the transition is [Table 4 (b), Col. 15]:

ΔZw = 57.410 - 56.915 = 0.495 (19)

Within any two adjacent cross sections, the drop in water-surface elevation is: 0.495/10 =
0.0495. Therefore, the elevation of the top of lining upstream of the transition is:

ZL (Sta. 0 + 00) = 58.169 + (5 × 0.0495) = 58.416 (20)

Likewise, the elevation of the top of lining downstream of the transition is:

ZL (Sta. 0 + 50) = 58.169 - (5 × 0.0495) = 57.922 (21)

The values of ZL for the remaining cross sections are obtained by linear interpolation.

Column 19 shows the height of the lining HL, calculated as follows:

HL = ZL - Zb (22)

Column 20 shows the computed values of the half-width 0.5 W, measured at the top of the
lining:

(23)
0.5 W = z HL + 0.5 b

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 Column 21 shows the adopted value of the half-width 0.5 W, measured at the top of the lining.
The values of Col. 21 are indicated in the plan view shown in Fig. 3 (a).

Table 4 (b) Tabular computation for the design of an inlet transition (continued).

(1) (15) (16) (17) (18) (19) (20) (21)

Zw Zb ZL HL 0.5 W 0.5 W
Variable z
(computed) (adopted)

Station (ft) (ft) z H: 1 V (ft) (ft) (ft) (ft-in)

0 + 00 57.410 53.095 1.993 ≅ 2 58.416 5.321 19.605 19'-8"

0 + 05 57.400 53.076 1.937 58.367 5.290 18.873 18'-11"

0 + 10 57.371 53.046 1.737 58.317 5.271 17.071 17'-1.5"

0 + 15 57.323 53.019 1.443 58.268 5.248 14.824 14'-10"

0 + 20 57.255 52.972 0.997 58.218 5.246 12.188 12'-2"

0 + 25 57.169 52.880 0.552 58.169 5.289 9.691 9'-8.5"

0 + 30 57.082 52.809 0.246 58.120 5.310 7.972 7'-11.5"

0 + 35 57.013 52.733 0.066 58.070 5.337 6.917 6'-11"

0 + 40 56.962 52.709 0 58.021 5.312 6.458 6'-5.5"

0 + 45 56.929/td> 52.686 0 57.971 5.286 6.315 6'-4"

0 + 50 56.916 52.661 0 57.922 5.260 6.250 6'-3"

The design of a channel transition may be performed with the aid of the
onlinetransitiondesign.php calculator featured in ponce.sdsu.edu.

3. SUMMARY

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 The hydraulic design of a channel transition is described and explained. The calculation of an inlet
transition between canal and flume is shown by an example, originally presented by Hinds (1928)
and subsequently cited by Chow (1959). The example is reproduced with detailed explanation and
minor corrections for rounding accuracy. An online calculator is provided.

References

Chow, V. T. 1959. Open-channel hydraulics. McGraw-Hill, New York.

Hinds, J. 1928. The hydraulic design of flume and siphon transitions. Transactions, American Society of Civil Engineers,
Vol. 92, 14-23-1459.

151121 10:45
Table to measure 800-px width.

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