CLASSIFICATION OF OPEN CHANNELS

Open Channel = is a conduit in which a liquid flows with a free surface.

1. Non-erodible open channels

2. Erodible open channels –scour but do not silt
3. Grassed waterway/channels

UNIFORM FLOW EQUATION

1. Manning’s velocity equation

2 2
1  1.49  3 2
1 1
V   R 3 S 2 SI unit V   R S English System
n  n 
m/s m ft/s ft

2. CHEZY’s EQUATION
V  C RS S = channel bottom slope
1 1
6
1.486 R R 6
m/s a) C  ; R  ft C ; R  meter
n n

COMMON SHAPES OF OPEN CHANNEL

1. Rectangular A = by
P = b + 2y
by
t
b  2y
b
2
2. Trapezoidal A = by + zy
P  b  2y z2 1
A
R
P

3. Triangular A = zy2
P  2y z2 1
2y2
R
2y z2 1

4. Parabolic A = 2/3 + y
8y2 t2y
Pt R
3t 1.5t 2  4 y 2

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 DESIGN OF NON-ERODIBLE OPEN CHANNEL

1. Kind of material forming

2. Minimum permissible velocity
3. Channel bottom and side slopes
4. Freeboard
5. Best hydraulic section

a) Material Forming the Channel

- concrete – commonly use
nmin = 0.012
nmax = 0.018
for design purposes: n = 0.015

b) Minimum Permissible velocity

- no maximum velocity limit because no problem about scouring
- consider minimum such that no silting or sedimentation will occur
vmin = 2 to 3 ft/s
(0.6 to 0.9 m/s)
for design purposes: v = 2.5 ft/s
0.76 m/s

c) Channel Bottom
- channel bottom slope – govern by topography
1. consider the purpose of the channel e.g. irrigation (the level
of water downstream must be enough to be diverted w/o
pumping.

d) Channel Side Slope

- dependent on the type of soil material forming the channel bed.

Material Side Slope (1:z)

Shallow channel Deep Channel
up to 4 ft y≥ 4ft
Peat & Muck Vertical 1: ¼
Stiff heavy clay 1: ½ 1:1
Clay or Silt Loam 1:1 1:1 ½
Sandy Loam 1:1½ 1:2
Loose Soil 1:2 1:3

e) Freeboard (FB)

RULES OF THUMB in determining FB

2
 i. FB = 5% to 30% of y design
- must arrive to the practical value ((y + FB) = say 1.0 or 1.5 m)
ii. USBR (US Bureau of Reclamation) method
FB = 1 ft (0.3 m) for small laterals with shallow depth
FB = 4 ft (11.2 m) for canals with Q ≥ 3000 ft3/s (85 m3/s)
iii. under ordinary condition:
FB = (cy)1/2
c = 1.5 for Q ≤ 20 ft3/s (0.57 m3/s)
c = 2.5 for Q ≥ 3000 ft3/s (85 m3/s)
y = depth (ft)

BEST HYDRAULIC SECTION

- most hydraulically efficient section
1 2 1
Q  R 3S 2 A
n
- the best section is the one with the minimum Perimeter, eventually Q is
max.
Cross-section Area Perimeter Hydraulic R Top Width
Rectangular 4y 2y 2

(b = 2y) 2y2 2y
4y
Trapezoidal
2 3
(b  y) y 4 3
3 3y 2 2 3y y
2 3
3
z  0.57
3
Triangular 2
y2 2 2y y 2y
4

DESIGN METHODOLOGY

1. Collect the relevant data and information

a. discharge Q
b. topography – command S
c. lining material – n
d. soil type – z
2. Compute the section factor AR2/3
2 Qn
AR 3  1
S 2
3. Determine the best hydraulic section
4. Determine the normal depth y using several value of b & z
Rule of Thumb
 Dimension should be as close as possible to the best hydraulic section

3
  Minimum bottom width should be 4 ft (1.2 m)

 For minimum volume of excavation: b  2 y tan
2
b
 For irrigation canal :  4 z
y

5. Check the permissible velocity

6. Provide a proper freeboard

Problem:
Design a concrete-lined trapezoidal irrigation canal to carry a maximum discharge
of 2,500 liters per second laid on a slope of 0.04%. The bed material is sandy loam.
Given:
Q = 2500 li/s = 2.5 m3/s
S = 0.0004
n = 0.015 for concrete
z = 1.5 (assumed shallow)

Soln:
2 Qn (2.5)(0.015)
AR 3
 1
= 1
2 2
S (0.0004)
2
AR 3
 1.875
2
 y 3 8 1.875
3y  
2
 1.875 y 3

2
2
1 3
3 
2
y = 1.23 m

b=
2 3
1.23 b = 1.42m
3
z = 0.577

Other possible dimension:

b b
 4 z for z = 1.5;  2.5 Thus, b = 2.5y
y y
2
 by  zy 2  3

AR
2
3
 1.875 by  zy 2   
 b  2y z2 1 
 1.875
 
substitute b = 2.5y
2 2
 2.5 y 2  1.5 y 2  3
 
    4y2 3
2.5 y 2  1.5 y 2    1.875 = 4 y 2    1.875
 2.5 y  2 y 1.5 2  1   2.5 y  3.6 y 
 

4
 2
 4y2 
  4 y 0.6557 y  4 y  0.75 y
3
4 y 
2
  1.875 2 2
3  1.875 2
2
3   1.875
 6.1 y  
8 8
3y 3
 1.875 y 3
 0.625 y  0.84m b = 2.1 m

Check Q:
1 2 3 12
Q R S A A = 2.82 m2 P = 5.13m R = 0.55
n
Q = 2.52 m3/s

Check Velocity:
V = Q/A = 2.52 / 2.82 V = 0.9 m/s

To decide which of the two values is to be accepted:

b1 = 1.42 y1 = 1.23
b2 = 2.1 y2 = 0.84

Reminder: The best hydraulic section is with P minimum

P1  b1  2 y1 z 2  1 P1  1.42  21.23 1.5  1

2

P1  5.85m

P2  b2  2 y 2 z 2  1 P2  2.1  20.84  1.5  1

2

P2  5.13m

Therefore: accept b2 & y2 (it also satisfies the rule of thumb in #4 design methodology)

5
 DESIGN OF ERODIBLE OPEN CHANNEL

2 methods
1. Method of permissible velocity
2. Method of tractive force

PERMISSIBLE VELOCITY
-low enough that prevent scouring or erosion however, should be high enough to
prevent sedimentation.
-p. 388 (Schwab) (15.2)

Guidelines in using Fortier and Scobey’s Table

1. the values are applicable for water depth y < 3 ft (0.9m)
2. For y > 3 ft (0.9m), increase v by 0.5 ft/s (0.15 m/s)
3. The values are applicable for straight channel
i. For curve channels, reduce v by 25%

DESIGN METHODOLOGY

1. Estimate the slope roughness coefficient n, side slope z, bottom slope S, max
permissible velocity v, for the given material forming the channel bed.
2. Compute the hydraulic radius R using Manning’s velocity equation.
3. Compute the water area for the given design discharge and permissible velocity.
A=Q/V
4. Compute the wetted perimeter
P=A/R
5. Express A & P in terms of b, y, & z:
a. A = by + zy2
b. P = b + 2y (z2 + 1)1/2
6. Solve for b & y by solving Eqn’s a & b simultaneously.
7. Provide proper freeboard

Velocity Distribution in an Open Channel

-Maximum velocity occurs near the center of the stream and slightly below the
surface.

4.0

3.4
2.8

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Problem # 2:
Design a trapezoidal irrigation canal to carry a maximum discharge of 1500 li/s & to
be laid on a slope of 0.0015. The bed material is cohesive compact clay, n = 0.025 & a
maximum permissible velocity of 3 ft/s.
Given:
Q = 1,500 li/s = 1.5 m3/s
S = 0.0015
n = 0.025
v = 3 ft/s = 0.9 m/s
Soln:
3
 Vn  2  0.90.025   2
3

R   1  =   = 0.443
S 2   0.0015 
Q  1 .5 m 3 
A =   = 1.67 m2
V  0 . 9 
1.67
P = 3.77 m
0.443

A  by  zy 2 = 1.67  by  1.5 y 2
P  b  2 y z 2  1 = 3.77  b  2 y 1.5 2  1 = 3.77  b  3.61y = b  3.77  3.6 y
By Substitution:
1.67  3.77  3.6 y y  1.5 y 2 = 1.67  3.77 y  3.61y 2  1.5 y 2

y1 = 0.81 m y2 = 0.975 m
b1 = 0.85 m b2 = 0.25 m

recommendable

Checking:
Q
1 2 3 12
n

R S A = A  0.850.81  1.50.81
2

A = 1.67 P = 3.77 R = 0.443
V = 0.9 m/s Q = 1.5 m/s
Therefore: accept b1 & y1

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 DESIGN OF OPEN CHANNEL by TRACTIVE FORCE

Tractive Force = shearing force exerted by the water on the wetted surface of the
channel.
= shearing force per unit area on the periphery of the channel (Schwab)


ALSin 
Tractivefo rce  ; A/P = R ; Sin  = Slope S
PL
Tractive force = RS

 For wide channels (R ≈ y)

Unit TF = y S ; y = depth ; S = bottom slope ;  = spec. wt of H2O=9.806 N/m3

Case I For cohesive soil material

K = 1; critical tractive force on the sides = critical tractive force on the bottom

s = l
Case II For non-cohesive soil material
critical tractive force on the sides < critical tractive force on the bottom

Sin 2
K = s/l = 1 ;
Sin 2
 = side slope angle ;
 = angle of repose of the material (bottom slope)



DESIGN METHODOLOGY

1. Select an approximate slope (e.g. trapezoidal)

 Set b/y & z ()
2. Determine the maximum permissible unit tractive force on the channel
bottom & or the sloping sides.
3. Proportion the section dimensions for the maximum unit tractive force on
the sides.
 Actual TF ≤ Maximum permissible TF

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   y S =  critical
4. Check the resulting discharge using Manning’s equation & modify the
section dimensions until the required design Q is satisfied.
5. Check the proportional dimension for the maximum permissible TF on the
bottom.
Actual l = allowable l
6. Add as proper freeboard

Sample Problem:
Solve Problem # 2 using TF method max permissible TF = 8.1 N/m 3 (Design a
trapezoidal irrigation canal to carry a maximum discharge of 1500 li/s & to be laid on a
slope of 0.0015. The bed material is cohesive compact clay, n = 0.025 & a maximum
permissible velocity of 3 ft/s.)
Given:
Q = 1,500 li/s = 1.5 m3/s
S = 0.0015
n = 0.025
v = 3 ft/s = 0.9 m/s
Soln:
a) Trial 1 approximate shape and size
 Set b/y = 1 ; z = 1.5
b) Max allowable TF on the sides
a. Since cohesive; K = 1
b. s = l = 8.1 N/m2
c) Proportioning of section dimensions
 y S ≤ m
8.1
y = 0.55 m
98060.0015 
from b/y = 1 ; b = 0.55 m

Checking the resulting discharge:

1 2 1
Q  R 3S 2 A ; A = 0.756 P = 2.53 m R = 0.298 m
n
Q = 0.523 m3/s 0.15m
Since y will never change since d & S are constant m
2
AR 3  1
Qn
=
1.50.025 ; AR 2 3  0.968 0.7m 0.55m
m m 1.5
S 2 0.0015
2
 by  zy 2  3

by  zy 
2

 b  2y z2 1 
  0.968 ; substitute y = 0.55 m 2.5m
 
b = 2.5 m
Checking again Q; Q = 1.56 m3/s and the resulting v = 0.85 < 0.9
So, adapt the result of permissible TF.
DESIGN OF THE GRASSWATERWAYS

9
 2 Stages in Design
1. Design for stability
2. Design for maximum capacity

 Low retardance coefficient when grasses are still small y

∆y
 High retardance when grasses are fully developed
y

∆y = added to compensate the increase in retardance

Establishing Design Data

1. Permissible velocity
2. Roughness coefficient as a function of vR (graph is in Fig 9.4 p. 235 Schwab)

DESIGN METHODOLOGY

STAGE I
1. Assume a value of n & determine the corresponding value of vR from Fig. 9.4.
2. Select the permissible velocity & compute R = vR / v
3. Compute for vR using Manning’s equation vR = (1.49/n) R2/3S1/2 ; and check this
value of vR obtained in step 1.
4. Make another trial for n until vRgraph = vRcomputed
5. Compute for the water area & wetted perimeter
 A=Q/V; P=A/R
6. Express A & P in terms of b, y, & z, then solve for b & y.

STAGE II
1. Assume a depth y (>y from stage I) and compute the area & hydraulic radius
2. Compute the velocity V = QA & vR
3. Determine the value of n from the n-vR curve (Fig 9.4) for high vegetal retardance.
4. Compute the velocity by Manning’s eq’n & check this value of V against the value
obtained in step 2.
5. Make another trial for y until V(Q/A) = V(Manning’s)
6. Provide proper freeboard.

Sample Problem # 4
Design a trapezoidal channel lined with grass mixture laid on erosion resistant soil
@ a slope of 3% to carry a discharge of 30 ft3/s.

Given: Q = 30 ft3/s S = 0.03 Vmax = 5 ft/s z=3

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Stage I

Trial No. n vRgraph R VRcomputed =

(1.49/n)R2/3S1/2
1 0.05 1.5 0.3 0.7
2 0.039 3.3 0.66 3.3

Note: vRgraph ≠ VRcomputed in Trial 1 while in Trial 2, its equal (3.33).

Therefore : R = 0.66 ft

Q A
A = 6.0 ft P = 9.0 ft
V R
6.0  by  zy 2 = 9.0  b  2 y z 2  1 y = 1.18 ft b = 1.54 ft

Stage II

Trial # y A P R V(Q/A) vR n VR
1 2 15.1 14.2 1.06 2 2.1 0.1 2.68
2 1.7 11.2 12.2 0.92 2.65 2.44 0.09 2.7

0.5

1.7

11