Flow in open channels

CE 219
Fluid mechanics 1
Spring 2024
Flow in open channels
• The flow of liquid through a channel
with a free surface is defined as open
channel flow.
• This free surface of the liquid is
subjected to atmospheric pressure.
• Hence, open channel flow can also be
defined as the flow of liquid through a
passage at atmospheric pressure.
• The flow in an open channel takes
place due to gravity that is achieved by
providing a bed slope.
Flow in open channels
• An open channel is a conduit which has free water surface exposed to
the atmosphere. Rivers, canals etc come under open channel
category.
• The flow of liquid through the open channel can be of several types
like
• steady and unsteady flow,
• laminar or turbulent flow or
• uniform or non-uniform flow and finally
• sub-critical, critical and supercritical flow.
1. Steady and Unsteady Flow
• In an open channel flow, if the flow parameters such as depth of flow,
the velocity of flow and the rate of flow at a particular point on the
fluid do not change with respect to time, then it is called as steady
flow.
• And is at any point on the open channel flow, the flow parameters like
depth of flow, the velocity of flow and rate of flow do change their
value with respect to time, then it is called as an unsteady flow.
2. Uniform Flow and Non-Uniform Flow
• The flow in the channel is said to be uniform, if, for a given length of
the channel, the velocity of flow, the depth of flow remains constant.
i.e.
• In a Non-uniform flow, the flow parameters like velocity, depth of
flow, etc do not remain constant for a given length of the channel.
• The Non-uniform flow can
be defined as Rapidly
varying flow (R.V.F) and
Gradually Varied Flow
(G.V.F).
• In the case of R.V.F, the
depth of flow rapidly
changes over a smaller
length of the channel. It
rises up suddenly for a
short length and settles
back. While in a G.V.F, the
depth of flow changes
gradually over a longer
length of the channel.
3. Laminar Flow and Turbulent Flow
• Laminar and turbulent flow in open channel flow is defined based on
the Reynolds Number, Re.
4. Critical, Sub-Critical and Super - Critical
Flow
• The open channel flow is categorized as critical or sub-critical or
super-critical based on the Froude number Fe. Froude number is
given by the relation:
4. Critical, Sub-Critical and Super - Critical
Flow
• Open channel flow is Sub-critical if the Froude number is less than 1.
• Sub-Critical open channel flow is also defined as a tranquil or
streaming flow.
• An open channel flow with a Froude number equal to one is a critical
flow.
• And super-critical flow in open channel has a Froude number greater
than 1.
• A supercritical flow is also termed as rapid flow or torrential flow or
shooting flow.
Velocity Distribution in Open Channels
• Because of free water surface and frictional resistance along the
channel boundary velocity distribution is non-uniform in open
channels.
• To measure velocity of open channel at required depth, Pitot tube or
current meter are used.
• In general, to find average velocity of a particular open channel,
velocity at a depth of 0.6 m from free water surface is measured.
• In the other case, velocity at 0.2 m depth, 0.8 m depth from free
water surface is taken and average velocity of these two values is
considered as channel average velocity.
 Factors Affecting Velocity Distribution in
Open Channels

Velocity distribution in open

channels is mainly depends upon
the following factors.
1.Shape of the channel section
2.Roughness of channel
3.Alignment of channel
4.Slope of Channel bed
 1. Shape of the Channel Section
• Open channels may be naturally formed or artificially developed. Natural
open channels do not have any particular shape and they contain
irregular sections while artificial channels are provided with certain
designed shapes such as rectangular, circular, trapezoidal, triangular etc.
2. Roughness of Channel
• Roughness of channel is the measure of amount frictional resistance
offered by channel bed material against flow of water.
• In natural channels, the flow velocity is affected by the presence of
large angular boulders as bed material, vegetation, obstructions etc.
• If the channel is made of smooth clay or silt, its roughness is very low
and water flows faster.
• In case of artificial channels, smooth finishing is required to maintain
required flow velocity.
• The average velocity in open channels can be calculated using
manning’s formula.
 Mannings Equation

Where,
V = Average velocity of channel
R = hydraulic radius of channel = Area/Perimeter
S = Slope of channel
n = Manning’s roughness coefficient Manning’s roughness coefficient
values are different for different materials used to construct channels
 3. Alignment of Channel
• The velocity of flow in channel also depends
up on the alignment of channel.
• If the channel is straight there will be no
change is velocity with respect to alignment.
• In straight channels, maximum velocity is
generally occurs at 0.05 to 0.15 m depth from
free water surface.
• If it is sinuous or meandering, the velocity will
vary at bends.
• At bend, due to centrifugal action of flow the
velocity becomes more at convex side
compared to concave side.
4. Slope of Channel Bed
• Slope of channel bed or gradient of channel will also effects the
velocity of flow in open channels. At steeper gradients, velocity
increases while at normal gradients velocity decreases.