Solution

Civil 316
Problem Set #1
Specific Energy

1. The equation for flow over a broad crested weir is

2
q Cd 2 g H 1.5
3

where H is the height of the upstream water surface relative to the weir invert, and Cd is a discharge
coefficient. Using specific energy, derive this equation theoretically assuming critical flow at the centre
of the weir. Also, compare the theoretical value of Cd to the experimental value for a high weir, Cd =
0.61. Calculate the % difference between theory and experiment.

2. The flow depth and velocity upstream of a 0.2m smooth step rise in the bottom of a 5-m-wide
channel are 5m and 4m/s, respectively. Calculate E, yc and Ec. Is the flow subcritical or
supercritical? Assuming there are no losses in the transition, determine both graphically using a
specific energy diagram, and numerically:

(a) The flow depth downstream of the step and the change in the water level.
(b) The flow depth and water level downstream of the step if the channel bottom
has a 0.2m drop, instead of the rise in (a).

3. The flow depth and velocity upstream of a 0.5m smooth step rise in the bottom of a 10-m-wide
carrying a discharge of 200m3/s at a flow depth of 3.0 m. Calculate E, yc and Ec. Is the flow
subcritical or supercritical? Assuming there are no losses in the transition, determine both
graphically using a specific energy diagram, and numerically:

(a) The flow depth downstream of the step and the change in the water level.
(b) The flow depth and water level downstream of the step if the channel bottom
has a 0.3m drop, instead of the rise in (a).
4. For the questions 6 to 11 the upstream flow has a depth of y1 = 2m, velocity of V1 = 0.8m/s and
upstream width of B = 5m. Assume no energy losses. Calculate E1, yc and Ec. Is the flow
subcritical or supercritical? Sketch the profile and show water surface and EGL, and indicate
relevant points on a specific energy diagram.

5. For a constant width and a smooth upward step of 0.5m, determine depth of flow on the step.

6. The maximum step height so that the upstream water level is not affected.

7. For a constant width and a smooth downward step of 0.5m, determine depth of flow on the step.

8. Determine the change in upstream water level and specific energy for: (a) a 0.95m upward step,
and (b) 1.25m upward step.

9. For a horizontal channel bottom with no step, determine the minimum width downstream that
would not cause an upstream increase in water levels.

10. Determine the upstream water level if the channel was reduced downstream to: (a) 2m, and (b)
1m.

11. For the case of a 1.25m step, determine the downstream width at the step necessary so that there
is no upstream increase in water level.
 " "

problem # 1 :
standard broad .
crest Weir formula is :

"5

of
=
-234 IF Ho . . .
.

(i)

¥
1

tmall.hu
EGL

Headwater pool
11/1

is negligible '
)
Zz
Zi

datum
2=0

Assumptions : 1 .
Headwater pool velocity =o ( i.e. M%g=o )

{
2 .
P distribution
.

@ @ is hydrostatic

} Flow @ @
ijssseosrikfndtws
.

4 No system
energy
.

Then apply Bernoulli between 1 → @ i. e

eqn
.

Hi =
Hz
'

. .
Z , + Ho =
Zzt Ez

¥
Yc
Ho +
( )
'

=
z
- - - - -
. .

2gyi
.
Now Yc =-3 Ez =
z2 Ho
- - - - -
(3)

Therefore q2
Ho =

§ Hot
¥+62
→
§ Ho =

822g
Hi

→
q2 =
4g ⇒ 403

: .

q=§jFHo%
:X
.
Note : Actual formula usually contains a coefficient
Cd which is < 1.0 ( eg .

0,9 ) .
This accounts

for losses
energy .

Compare to standard formula :

"
q=j2FJIzg Ho

Ho%
f
=
3- Ca IF
Theoretical Cd =
IYJ =
0.58

Difference =
061-01 a 5%
0.61
 problem # 2 :

(a) @
@

EGL

Vi =4% -

Yi =5m
a
Yz

02=0 .
zm
!

5m
E , =Y ,
+
z0g÷ = 5.81

8=99 ,
=
20 m%
Fr ,
=

I
Jgg ,
= as ,

yc =
3/845 =
3.43 cm ) →
Ec = Eye = 5.16cm )

Calculate OZ =
Ei -
=
5.8 -

Ec
5.16 =
0.64 ( m )
Max

while
gz =
0,2 ( m ) < Ozmax
Therefore

Solve for subcritical

'

y 2 root for E a

Then
€€=o .
2cm ) Ez =
E ,
-

02 =yz +

¥2
E
=
5.61
Ez E'

yz 4.66
.

. .
=
( m )

(b) OZ = -

0.2

Ez 6.01
'

. .
=
El -

82 =

Solve for subcritical

Yz =
5.28 ( m )
 problem # 3 : (a)

13=10
2
1
EGL

Q
200M¥
=
YF 3.0 m

m
.

02=0,5 m

f MYS
'

.
.
=
20

g ,
=
8/y ,
-
6.67 CHs )
-82
E, =y ,
+ =
£27
299,2
Fri =

¥ ,
=
1.23 i.
supercritical

Ec =
3zyc = -32 3J84] =
5.16 ( m )

8Zma× =
Ei -

Eo =
5.27 -

5.16 = 0 .
11 cm )

OZ > Amax → We have a problem as

the How is Choked ! !

want
y€
" '

Upstream must be backed up

to E

bags
amlgstsyepersabitinafatbo

How must be '

" E,
were on step E,
 Therefore the flow must be looked as :

& .

4.76 m YET Ec =
3.44cm )

3. On
02=0.5 m
, / , ,
,
'
@
1
@

subcritical depth of
'
solve for E,

'
E ,
=
Ec +
OZ = 5.66 cm )

'
→
y ,
=
4.76 Cm )

@
EGL

(b )
- @
E' Ez
y ,

yz

gz = -

0.3 m

(
Y E OZ E 0.3 5.57 (m )
Ez +
= = =
,
-

solve for the supercritical solution ,

yz , z ,
g¢ an ,

E
E,
Ez
 For
questions 4~9 ,
the common parameters are calculated
in this :
page

5mV
2 B
y
=
= M ,
,

,
=

0.8%
q, =
V .y ,
,
=
1.6 MYS

Q
=

Big ,
=
5×1.6 = 8 m%

E,
-8,2 #
=y ,
+ =
2 + =
2.03 m
2
Zgg , 2 ( 9. 8) ( ¢ )

( a Y ,
)

J=
0.8
FR, =

¥
jgy ,
=

9.812 )
=
0.18 i. e. Subcritical .

yc =
3/95 =

VEIT =
0.64 m

Ec =
0.96 m - =
1.5%

problem # 4 :
a @
EGL

Yi=2m Tel .47m

82=0.5

Dzmax = E, -

Ec =
2.03 -

0.96 =
1.07 m
 problem # 5 : DZ =
0.5cm ) < Ozmax .

Therefore the flow is subcritical at @ .

y
Ez = E, -

Oz = 2,03 -

0.5

=
1.53 ( m )

⇐€ii⇐ ez.ae
⇐
t
two solutions
possible .

92=1.47 cm '

Yz
or =
0.33 ( m )

which solution is
right ? d

In this case the subcritical root is correct .

thus 1.47 ( > Yc )

yz m
=

problem # 6 :

8Zma× =
El -

Ec =
2.03 -

0.96 =
1.07cm )

problem # 7 i
For downward step

€
Y z
,

Ez=E , -182=2.03+0.5

sduetorsakiisticafmhot

-
Yz = 2.51 cm )

E
El Ez
Problem # 8 :

(a) DZ =
0.95 m which is less than 8Zmax .

→ No change in water lead

upstream .

(b) OZ =
1.25 on > Dzmax

Flow critical and flow is

step
is on ,

Choked .

@
a
-

Ec
-
o

EFECTOZ Yc

02=1.25

.€gEi=
E, = Ec +02=0.96+1.25
%
= 2.21 cm )

z
Tit
¥ ,
= 2.21 am

Solve for subcritical root

Y
i
E
,
.

,
=
2.18 m

upstream depth increase 0.18in

i. e.
by
problem # 9 :

€(
8

Yes
qz
,

Ec
E, E

f ,
= 1.6 MYS ( plan view )

82 = ??

B, =5m Bz =
??

side View >

-
EGL

Yi
-

ye

@ @

From the specific energy diagram ,

Ez =
Ec = E, =
2. 03 m
,

Note that ,
since
fztf , ,
Eczt Ee ,
At point @
Ecz = 2.03 ( m )

1.35cm
Ycz =

§ Ecz )
=

From the theory

so 2
=
JGYT =
Jqsa.AT =
4.93 Cm% )

Bif ,
=
Bzfz
i. e
.

5×1.6 =
Bz ( 4.93 )

-
Bz =
1 .
63 cm )

minimum width at @ that

does not increase water level
at @ .

problem # 10 :

(a) No change ( 132=2 on > 1.63 m )

( b) B, = In

§ z
=
f m%

ya
=
3|8Yg- = 1.87cm )

Ec =
2.80 m
 - ZGL

¥
El Ez =
2.80 m

= 2.80 m -

y +
£2
2.80 )
=
( m
-

,
zgyp
solve for subcritical root

Y, =
2.78 m

€ small
because V is
,

Y a Ei This
quick
, .
is a

check for solution !

your
 # 11
problem :

< side View >

-
EGL
-

I E2=Ec
Ee y ,

< plan view >

131 Bz

@
@
From the problem # 7 ,

8Zma×= 1.07 OZ > Ozmax

'

m . .

(for 13 =5m )
Then
y 82 g

@
,

Yi

EE Ee E, E

Ec , =
E ,
-

OZ =
2.03 -
1.25 =
0.78 ( m )

Yi 3- Ec
'
= =
0.52 cm)

qz =
|ggF =
1.17 ( on )

132 =
QE =

§ = 6.82 ( m )

.
'

.
Widen the channel to 6. 8m