KENYATTA UNIVERSITY

ECV 302 – HYDRAULICS I – MODEL ANSWERS

TIME: 50 MINUTES CAT 1 [30 Marks]
YEAR: 2021 – SEM 1 14TH July, 2021

1. Prove that for the trapezoidal channel of most economical section:

a. Half of top width = length of one of the sloping sides [5 Mks]
Solution:

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 b. Hydraulic mean depth = ½ depth of flow. [5 Mks]
Solution:

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2. Explain the terms: (i) specific energy of a flowing liquid, (ii) minimum specific energy,
(iii) critical depth, and (iv) critical velocity, as applied to non-uniform flow. [8 Mks]
Solution:
i. Specific energy of a flowing liquid: Is defined as energy per unit weight of the liquid with
respect to the bottom of the channel.
𝑉2
𝐸 =ℎ+
2𝑔
Where h = depth of liquid, and
V = Mean velocity of flow

𝑞2
ii. Minimum specific energy: Specific energy equation is given by; 𝐸 = ℎ + 2𝑔ℎ2
When specific energy is minimum, depth of flow is critical and hence above equation
𝑞2
becomes: 𝐸𝑚𝑖𝑛 = ℎ𝑐 + 2𝑔ℎ 2
𝑐
1/3
𝑞2 3 𝑞2
𝐵𝑢𝑡 ℎ𝑐 = ( ) 𝑜𝑟 ℎ𝑐 =
𝑔 𝑔
𝑞2
Therefore, substituting the value of = ℎ𝑐 3 we get;
𝑔
ℎ𝑐 3 ℎ𝑐 3ℎ𝑐
𝐸𝑚𝑖𝑛 = ℎ𝑐 + 2 = ℎ𝑐 + =
2ℎ𝑐 2 2

iii. Critical Depth: Defined as that depth of flow of water at which the specific energy is
1/3
𝑞2
minimum. It is denoted by the ‘hc’. It is mathematically expressed as ℎ𝑐 = ( 𝑔 ) when
specific energy is minimum.

iv. Critical velocity: This is the velocity of flow at the critical depth. It is denoted by ‘Vc’. It
is mathematically expressed as 𝑉𝑐 = √𝑔 × ℎ𝑐 .

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3. Derive expressions for critical depth and critical velocity. [8 Mks]

Solution:
i. Critical Depth:
In Fig. 16.26, curve ACB is a specific energy curve and point C corresponds to the minimum
specific energy. The depth of flow of water at C is known as critical depth. The mathematical
expression for critical depth is obtained by differentiating the specific energy equation with respect
to depth of flow and equating the same to zero.

ii. Critical Velocity:

The velocity of flow at the critical depth is known as critical velocity. Mathematical expression is
obtained from the following equation:

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4. Find the critical depth and critical velocity of the water flowing through a rectangular channel
of width 5 m, when discharge is 15 m3/s. [4 Mks]

Solution: