Summer Internship Presentation

by
S Siva Rami Reddy
15CE10047
Gradually Varied Flow
Computations
Using MS Excel
Under the guidance of
Prof. Dhrubajyoti Sen of IIT KHARAGPUR
 Objective
To get or simulate backwater curves for different
gradually varied flow conditions in EXCEL using
VBA.
 Why do we need this?
This is an attempt to recreate simulations using Excel VBA which can also
be done through a good software or coding.

The graphs and data obtained can be used to predict upstream or

downstream water depths which can be useful in flood warning systems
and sluice gate management.
.
 Some Basic terms
● Steady & unsteady flow - Variation of fluid properties wrt to time
● Uniform & non-uniform flow - Variation wrt distance

As the name implies, the flow is called gradually varied flow, if the flow depth
varies at a slow rate with respect to distance, whereas the flow is called rapidly
varied flow if the flow depth varies significantly in a short distance.
 Some Basic terms
● Hydraulic depth

● Hydraulic radius

.
● Froude number
● Reynolds number
● Normal depth yn: depth at which loss of energy due to friction forces equals
that to gravitational force component.
● Critical depth yc: depth at which Froude number=1
Some assumptions in gradually varied flow for prismatic
channels for our simplification in the analysis:
1. The slope of the channel bottom is small.
2. The channel is a prismatic channel and there is no lateral inflow or outflow
from the channel. (Conservation of Mass)
3. The pressure distribution is hydrostatic at all channel sections.
4. The head losses in gradually varied flow may be determined by using the
equations for head losses in uniform flows.
By differentiation of Total energy

Equation wrt x

We get
 Use of Macros
● To filter the raw data into tables
● Plot the type of graph as per user requirement
● To delete previous or wrong data and charts
N
 Conclusion - Remarks

● Some manual data entry is required as input

● The code has given some errors if the change in depth is

too small, so we need to take data for a large range also
see that depth is varying relatively.
 Conclusion - Benefits
● Time saver when no better alternative is available.
● It can give accurate results for large data which is
generally available on field.
● Easily modifiable for different conditions.
● Can be useful for Lab trials
 References
Chaudhry, M. (2008). Open-channel flow. New York:
Springer.
THANK YOU