Open Channel Flow

Hydraulics
CE2040- Hydraulic Engineering

Lecture -1
 Introduction to Open Channel Flow
• Open channel are natural or manmade conveyance structure which has a free
surface at atmospheric pressure. For example, flow in rivers, streams, flow in
sanitary and storm sewers flowing partially full
 Types of Open Channel
o Canal
o Flume
o Chute
o Drop
o Culvert
o Open Flow Tunnel
Classification of Open Channels
Classification of Flow
Uniform Flow
 Geometric Elements of Channel Section
The Depth of Flow Section d, is the depth of flow normal to the
direction of flow.

Θ is the channel bottom slope

d= y cos Θ

For mild sloped channels y ≈ d

Top Width T
is the width of the channel section at the free surface
Water Area A
is the cross-sectional area of the flow normal to the
direction of flow
Wetted perimeter P
is the length of the line of intersection of the channel
wetted surface with a cross sectional plane normal to the
direction of flow
Hydraulic Radius R=A/P
is the ratio of the water area to its wetted perimeter
Hydraulic Depth D=A/T
is the ratio of the water area to the top width
 Type of Flow
Effect of Viscosity

𝑉𝑅
𝑅𝑒 =
𝜗

where 𝑅𝑒 is the Reynold’s Number, R is the Hydraulic radius, V is velocity and 𝜗 is

kinematic viscosity

Open Channel Flow is

Laminar Flow, 𝑅𝑒 <500
Transitional Flow 500< 𝑅𝑒 <1000
Turbulent Flow 𝑅𝑒 >1000
• Effect of Gravity

𝐹𝑟 > 1 Super Critical Flow

𝐹𝑟 = 1 Critical Flow
𝐹𝑟 < 1 Sub-Critical Flow
Reference
• Subramanya, K., Flow in Open Channels. 4th Ed., McGraw Hill
Education (India) Pvt. Ltd.
• https://nptel.ac.in/courses/105107059/