www.gradeup.

co

1
www.gradeup.co

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

5 DESIGN OF SEWER

1. INTRODUCTION

The sewer pipes are laid below the ground level sloping continuously at sufficiently steeper
gradient. It is different from water supply conduit as sewage pipes are designed to flow under
gravity only. Also, sewage contains lots of suspended particles which may settle down and clog
the system. To avoid the clogging, sufficient velocity known as ‘Self cleansing velocity’ is
need to be maintained in the system.

2. HYDRAULIC DESIGN OF SEWERS

2.1. Important Formulas for Determining Flow Velocity

Following formulas used to determine flow velocities in sewers:
(i) Manning’s formula: The flow velocity is given by
1 2/3
𝑣= 𝑅 √𝑆
𝑛
Where,
R = Hydraulic radius = A/P
A = Cross sectional area of sewer
P = Wetted Perimeter
S = Ground slope
n = manning’s constant
(ii) Chezy’s formula: The flow velocity is given by
𝑣 = 𝐶√𝑅𝑆
Where,
C = Chezy’s constant
2.2. Design Data
Sewage should be designed for maximum hourly discharge and it should be ensured that
velocity of flow will always be greater than self-cleansing velocity.
Maximum hourly discharge = 3 × Average daily discharge
Maximum daily discharge = 2 × Average daily discharge
It is assumed that 80% of water supply goes to sewers.

2
www.gradeup.co

The self-cleansing velocity can be calculated using the Shield’s formula

1 1/6 1/2
𝑣= 𝑅 (𝐾(𝐺 − 1)𝑑𝑝 )
𝑛
Where,
G = Specific gravity of particle
dp = Size of particle
K = A constant
R = Hydraulic radius of sewer
n = manning coefficient
2.3. Circular Sewer running Partially Full

When the sewage is running partially full at depth d such that,

𝐷 𝛼
𝑑= (1 − cos )
2 2
Proportional depth
𝑑 1 𝛼
= (1 − cos )
𝐷 2 2
Area of flow
𝜋𝐷2 𝛼 sin 𝛼
𝑎= ( − )
4 360 2𝜋
Proportional area
𝑎 𝛼 sin 𝛼
=( − )
𝐴 360 2𝜋
Wetted Perimeter
𝛼
𝑝 = 𝜋𝐷
360
Proportional wetted perimeter
𝑝 𝛼
=
𝑃 360
Hydraulic radius
𝑎 𝐷 360 sin 𝛼
𝑟= = (1 − )
𝑝 4 2𝜋𝛼

3
www.gradeup.co

Proportional hydraulic radius

𝑟 360 sin 𝛼
=1−
𝑅 2𝜋𝛼
Proportional velocity of flow
𝑣 𝑁 𝑟 2/3
= ( ) (Using manning’s formula)
𝑉 𝑛 𝑅

Proportional discharge
𝑞 𝑎×𝑣
=
𝑄 𝐴×𝑉
Note:
(i) For constant value of manning’s coefficient, the velocity will be maximum when d =
0.81D.
(ii) For constant value of manning’s coefficient, the discharge will be maximum when d =
0.95D.
Equal Degree of Self Cleansing:
For equal degree of self cleansing, the drag force under partial flow should be same as
drag force under full flow.
𝛾𝑤 𝑟𝑠 = 𝛾𝑤 𝑅𝑆
⇒ 𝑟𝑠 = 𝑅𝑆
The proportional velocity in the above case will be equal to
𝑣 𝑁 𝑟 2/3 𝑠 1/2
= ( ) ( )
𝑉 𝑛 𝑅 𝑆
2 1
𝑣 𝑁 𝑟 3 𝑅 2
⇒ = ( ) ( )
𝑉 𝑛 𝑅 𝑟
1
𝑣 𝑁 𝑟 6
⇒ = ( )
𝑉 𝑛 𝑅
If, the slope of both the sewer is same,
r=R
This is possible only when the sewer is running either half full or completely full.

Example: Determine the size of circular sewer running half full carrying a discharge of
380 lps. Assume S = 0.0002 and manning’s coefficient to be 0.045.
Sol.
Here,
d = 0.5D so α = 180˚
So, the area of flow will be
𝜋𝐷2 180 sin 180 𝜋𝐷2
𝑎= ( − )=
4 360 2𝜋 8

4
www.gradeup.co

Wetted Perimeter,
180 𝜋𝐷
𝑝 = 𝜋𝐷 =
360 2
Hydraulic radius,
𝜋𝐷2
𝑎 𝐷
𝑟= = 8 =
𝑝 𝜋𝐷 4
2
The discharge through the sewer is given by
1
𝑞 = 𝑎𝑟 2/3 √𝑠
𝑛
1 𝜋𝐷2 𝐷 2/3
⇒ 0.380 = × × ( ) √0.0002
0.045 8 4
⇒ 𝐷 = 2.156 𝑚
Example: Determine the slope of the sewer having dia 250 mm flowing at d/D = 0.4 if
the sewer ensures the same degree of self cleansing as that obtained in a sewer of dia
250 mm which is running completely full with a velocity of 0.5 m/s. Also, determine the
velocity of flow in the partially full sewer. Take manning’s roughness coefficient to be
0.016 for both sewers.
Sol.
Here,
d/D = 0.4
𝑑 1 𝛼
= (1 − cos ) = 0.4
𝐷 2 2
⇒ 𝛼 = 156.92°
So,
𝑟 360 sin 𝛼 360 sin 156.92
=1− =1− = 0.857
𝑅 2𝜋𝛼 2 × 𝜋 × 156.92
For sewer running completely full
R = D/4 = 250/4 = 62.5 mm
Velocity of flow is given by manning’s formula
1 2
𝑉 = 𝑅3 √𝑆
𝑁
1
⇒ 0.5 = (0.0625)2/3 × √𝑆
0.016
⇒ 𝑆 = 2.58 × 10−3
To ensure equal self cleansing in both the sewers
𝑟𝑠 = 𝑅𝑆
𝑆 2.58 × 10−3 1
⇒𝑠= = = 3.01 × 10−3 =
𝑟/𝑅 0.857 332.17
Velocity of flow,
𝑣 𝑟 1/6
= ( ) = (0.857)1/6 = 0.974 𝑚/𝑠
𝑉 𝑅

5
www.gradeup.co

3. PROBLEMS

Problem 1: Discuss the various factors which affects the hydraulic design of sewers in
detail.
Problem 2: Define the following terms related to sewer design.
(a) Self cleansing velocity
(b) Non- scouring velocity
(c) Hydraulically equivalent section
Problem 3: Design a circular sewer to serve a population of 20000 people when laid at a
slope of 1 in 650. Assume that the sewer is carrying 4 times the dry weather flow when
running full. Also calculate the velocity of flow.
Problem 4: Determine the diameter of a circular sewer running half full carrying a discharge
of 600 lps. The sewer is laid at a gradient of 1 in 10000. Take manning’s roughness
coefficient to be 0.015.
Ans. 1.93 m
****

6
www.gradeup.co