Flow in Open Channels

Learning Objectives

• Solve basic steady uniform open channel

flow problems in rectangular and
trapezoidal channels.

• An open channel is one in which a liquid

flows with a free surface. A free surface
means that the liquid surface is exposed to
the atmosphere (ps = 0 gauge).
 Geometric Elements of Open
Channels
•Prismatic manmade channels

•Natural channels/rivers

Figure 1.1 Definition sketch for section elements.

Definition of Geometric Parameters
Key concept & parameter: Hydraulics Radius
Example Problem: A trapezoidal channel: b = 6 ft, m
= 2 (1V:2H), water depth y = 3 ft, compute the
hydraulic radius R and hydraulic depth D = A/T

R = 2 ft and D = 18 ft
 Uniform Free-Surface Flow

Figure Open-channel relations.

•Normal flow is steady uniform flow in an open channel, and its water depth
is called as normal depth (yn)
•It has the same water depth and velocity along the flow direction.
•The water surface is HGL, and EGL = HGL + V2/(2g), so HGL, EGL and the
channel bottom are parallel, it means channel bottom slope So = Sf = hf /L
(energy slope).
•Wetted perimeter, flow cross section area, and hydraulics radius:
P = B+ 2y, A = B*y, Rh = A/P = (B*y)/(B+2y)
Uniform Free-Surface Flow
 Typical open channel flow is turbulent flow

Examples
Reynolds number for open channel = (VRh)/ν < 500 for laminar
flow (because of D = 4Rh)
Rh = (B*y)/(B+2y), ν = 1.22*10-5 ft2/s
•W = 10 ft, y= 6ft, V = 0.1 ft/s, Rh = 2.727 ft, Re = 22352
•W = 10 ft, y = 0.062 ft = Rh, V = 0.1 ft/s, Re = 500 (laminar flow)
•Typically open channel flow is turbulent flow.
 Steady Uniform Flow
Steady Uniform Flow – Normal Flow
2
f V
So = S f = h f / L =
4 Rh 2 g
8g k s V 4 Rh
V= Rh S o , f( , )
f 4 Rh 

1
f = 2
(for rock-bedded
  Rh  rivers / channels)
1.2 + 2.03 log 
  d 84 
 Table

Manning’s
Equation

1.0
Q= A Rh2 / 3 S 01/ 2 ( SI )
n
1.49
Q= A Rh2 / 3 S 01/ 2 ( FPS )
n

So is the channel bottom

slope (dimensionless)
along the flow direction.

where A is the flow area, P is the wetted perimeter, and Rh is the hydraulic radius
Example: A trapezoidal concrete channel is
2.5 m wide and the side slope m = 2, and
water flows in it uniformly at a depth of 1.8
m. If the channel slope is 9 m in a length
of 10000 m, what is the discharge and
Froude number for the flow? Assume
Manning’s n = 0.013.

Slope = elevation drop over horizontal distance

Subcritical and Supercritical Flows
V
Fr = , D = A/T Equation (15.2)
gD
V
Fr = (For rectangular channel only)
gy

•Supercritical flow, Fr > 1, y < yc

•Subcritical flow, Fr < 1, y > yc
•Critical flow, Fr = 1 (with minimum specific
energy)