Tutorial-1

Open Channel Flow

1. In case of open channels, mention the difference between:

I. Steady and unsteady flow
II. Uniform and non-uniform flow
III. Laminar and turbulent flow
2. Define the following terms:
I. Alternate depths
II. Critical depth
III. Supercritical flow
IV. Subcritical flow
V. Section factor
3. Draw specific energy diagrams for various constant discharges and show the alternate
and critical depths.
4. Prove that the critical depth at which minimum value of specific energy occurs in a wide
rectangular channel is (q2/g)1/3, where q= discharge per unit width and g= gravitational
acceleration.
5. Find an expression for the critical depth in terms of specific energy (E) for a rectangular
channel.
6. If y1 and y2 are alternate depths in a rectangular channel show that

and hence the specific energy, E =

7. The flow of water through a 10m wide channel is 18 m3/s and the depth of water in the
channel is 800mm. Determine, Specific energy of flow, critical depth, critical velocity
and minimum specific energy. State whether the flow is subcritical or supercritical.
8. A rectangular channel 5m wide carries 20 m3/s of a discharge at a depth of 2m. The
width beyond a certain section is to be changed to 3.5m. If it is desired to keep the
water surface elevation unaffected by this change, what modifications are needed to
the bottom elevation?
9. Estimate the value of the first hydraulic exponent M for the following cases:
I. Trapezoidal channel with B=4m, m=2m and y=0.20, 1.0, 2.0 & 4.0m
II. Circular channel of diameter D=2m and y=0.20, 0.80 & 1.60m