Upper Bari Doab canal system is one of the oldest

irrigation systems. Mr. R.G. Kennedy, Executive

Engineer in Punjab, PWD was in-charge of this
canal system in 1895. The canal was not silt cleared
for a long period. He recognized that the canal has
attained stable stage and hence he pleaded that the
velocity of flow has also attained critical stage. He
studied nearly 20 sites on the stable reach of this
canal system and finally developed a theory which
is known after his name.
 Kennedy’s study revealed that

 The flowing water has to counteract some

amount of friction against bed of the canal.
This give rise to vertical eddies which is
responsible for keeping most of the silt in
suspension. The silt supporting power is
proportional to the bed width of the stream
not to its wetted perimeter.
 He also defined critical velocity as non-silting
non-scouring velocity and gave a relation
between critical velocity to the depth of flowing
water. The relation is
𝑉𝑜 =0.55*𝐷 0.64

Kennedy later realised the importance of silt

grade on critical velocity and introduced a
factor m known as ‘critical velocity ratio’ in his
equation
𝑉𝑜 =0.55𝑚𝐷 0.64
 In the absence of B/D relation Kennedy theory do
not provide easy basis for for fixing channel
dimensions.
 Perfect definition of silt grade and silt charge is
not given.
 Complex phenomenon of silt transportation is
not fully accounted and only critical velocity ratio
(m) concept is considered sufficient.
 There is no provision to decide longitudinal slope
under the scope of the theory.
 By use of Kutter’s formula inherent limitations
therein remain applicable in Kennedy’s channel
design procedure.
Type equation here.For the design of channel
,the following equations are used:
Continuity equ. :
𝑄 = 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 × 𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦
Kutter’s equ. :
1 0.00155
23 + +
𝑉= 𝑁 𝑆 𝑅𝑆 = 𝐶√𝑅𝑆
0.00155 𝑁
1 + (23 + )
𝑆 √𝑅
Kennedy’s equ. :
𝑉𝑜 =0.55𝑚𝐷 0.64
1. Assume D=1.25
2. Find 𝑉𝑂 = 0.55𝑚𝐷 0.64
𝑄
3. 𝐴=
𝑉𝑂
𝐷2
4. 𝐴 = 𝐵𝐷 +
2
5. 𝑃 =𝐵+𝐷 5
𝐴
6. 𝑅=
𝑃
7. 𝑉 = 𝐶 𝑅𝑆
𝑉
8. Check =1
𝑉𝑂