CE 344 - Topic 2.

5 - Spring 2003 - February 16, 2003 9:07 pm

2.5 MOST EFFICIENT CROSS SECTION

• For steady uniform flow down a channel we developed the following relationship:

κ 2⁄3 1⁄2
ũ = --- R H S 0 (2.5.1)
n

where κ = unit coefficient = 1.486 for USCS units/1.000 for SI units (2.5.2)

n = Manning coefficient (2.5.3)

R H = Hydraulic radius (2.5.4)

S 0 = bottom slope of the channel (2.5.5)

• Total flow down the channel is

κ 2⁄3 1⁄2
Q = --- AR H S 0 (2.5.6)
n

where A = cross-sectional area of water (2.5.7)

p. 2.5.1
 CE 344 - Topic 2.5 - Spring 2003 - February 16, 2003 9:07 pm

• For a given area of water cross section, Q will be maximum when R H is maximum.

A
• Since R H = ------
Pw

5⁄3
κA 1⁄2
Q = --- ----------
- S (2.5.8)
n P2 ⁄ 3 0
w

• Thus for a given n, A and S 0 , Q will be a maximum when P w is a minimum. The corre-
sponding cross section will be the most efficient cross section.
• A circle has the least perimeter for a given area of any geometric shape.
2
πr r
RH = --------- = --- (2.5.9)
2πr 2

• A semi-circle has
2
πr
--------
2 r
RH = -------------- = --- (2.5.10)
πr 2

p. 2.5.2
 CE 344 - Topic 2.5 - Spring 2003 - February 16, 2003 9:07 pm

• Semi-circular open channel will discharge more water than any other shape (assuming
that the area, slope and surface roughness are the same).
• Semi-circular shape/circular shape are practical for concrete and steel pipes.
• Canals excavated in earth must have a trapezoidal shape with slopes less than the angle
of repose of the saturated bank material.
• Thus canal design is based partly on bank stability considerations.

p. 2.5.3
 CE 344 - Topic 2.5 - Spring 2003 - February 16, 2003 9:07 pm

Circular Section Not Flowing Full

• Consider the following circular cross section under steady uniform flow conditions:

• Area of water can be computed as:

2
D
A = ------ ( θ – sin θ cos θ ) (2.5.11)
4
2
D 1
A = ------ θ – --- sin 2θ (2.5.12)
4 2

where D = pipe diameter (2.5.13)

θ = angle in radians (2.5.14)

p. 2.5.4
 CE 344 - Topic 2.5 - Spring 2003 - February 16, 2003 9:07 pm

• Wetted perimeter is

P w = Dθ (2.5.15)

• The hydraulic radius is computed as

A
R H = ------ (2.5.16)
Pw

D sin 2θ
R H = ---- 1 – -------------- (2.5.17)
4 2θ

• Recall that for steady uniform flow

κ 2⁄3 1⁄2
Q = --- AR H S 0 (2.5.18)
n

• In order for Q to be maximum, AR 2H⁄ 3 must be a maximum.

p. 2.5.5
 CE 344 - Topic 2.5 - Spring 2003 - February 16, 2003 9:07 pm

• Define F as
2⁄3
F = AR H (2.5.19)

D
2
1 D sin 2θ 2⁄3
F = ------ θ – --- sin 2θ ---- 1 – -------------- (2.5.20)
4 2 4 2θ

• Maximum value of F is found as follows:

dF
------- = 0 (2.5.21)
dθ

• Solving for θ we find:

0
θ = 151.2 (2.5.22)

• This corresponds to
d 0 = 0.938D (2.5.23)

• Thus the maximum discharge Q occurs at partial depth.

• Note that for a given area A, the semi-circle would still allow for more flow.

p. 2.5.6