Momentum Applications in Open

Channel Flow
Thanks to Prof. SJWright, UM, for animations
 Momentum
Basic relationship in mechanics:
Change in momentum in
the s direction

 Fs    mv s 
mass
Sum of forces in the Velocity in the s
s direction direction
 Momentum cont.
• For a constant mass and a per unit width
consideration: (rectangular channel)

 mvs   q v2  v1 
Momentum forces – Open Channel
Application

L
P1
Wsin

v1

P2
v2

Rf

 Fs  P1  W sin   P2  R f
 Momentum Forces cont.
• Rf is the frictional resistance.
• P1 and P2 are pressure forces per unit width given
by:

y 2
P
2
 Momentum contd.
• Combining terms we get:

y 2
y 2

1
 W sin   R f  q ( v 2  v1 )
2
2 2
 Momentum cont.
• Considering a short section so that Rf is negligible
and the channel slope is small so that sin is near
zero the equation can be written as:
y2
y 2
1
 qv1   qv 2 2
2 2
or
2 2
y qv1 y qv 2
 1
  M 2
2 g 2 g
 Momentum cont.
• M is called the momentum function or the
specific force plus momentum.
• For a constant q, M can be plotted against
depth to create a curve similar to the
specific energy curve.
• Under steady conditions, M is constant
from point to point along a channel reach.
Specific force plus momentum
curve.
y

q1
y2 q2

y = yc
yc
y1

Mc M M
 Momentum cont.

q = q 1 = q2 y1

v1
y2
v2

1
2
y12 qv1 y 22 qv 2
   M
2 g 2 g
Hydraulic Jump as an application of
Momentum Equation (p. 458-465 text)
Lab Jump in Flume (Right to
Left)
 Hydraulic Jump in a Sink?
• http://www.eng.vt.edu/fluids/msc/gallery/waves/sink.htm
hydrojump.mov
 Hydraulic Jumps
• Occurs when there is a sudden transition
from supercritical (y < yc) to subcritical (y >
yc) flow.
• Examples of where this may occur are :
– At the foot of a spillway
– Where a channel slope suddenly turns flat.
 • In analyzing hydraulic jumps we assume
there is conservation of momentum, i.e. :
y12 q 2 y 22 q 2
  
2 gy1 2 gy 2
We can algebraically manipulate this to find:

y2 1

y1 2

1  8F12  1 
y1 1

y2 2

1  8F22  1 
• y1 is known as the initial depth and is < y c
(supercritical flow).
• y2 is known as the sequent depth and is > y c
(subcritical flow).
• The energy loss in a hydraulic jump can be
found by:

E1 
 y 2  y1 
3

4 y1 y 2
 2 2
y1  y1  2V1 y1
y2      
2  2  g
 Example

Example 3.18, Streeter, et al.

If 12 m3/sec of water per meter of width flows down a
spillway onto a horizontal floor and the velocity is 20
m/sec, determine (a) the downstream depth required to
cause a hydraulic jump, (b) the loss in energy head, and
(c) the losses in power by the jump per meter of width.
Solution for depth, losses, power
lost
2(20 2 )(0.6)
 0.3  0.3 2
 6.7 m
9.806
(6.7  0.6) 3
losses   14.1mN / N
4(0.6)(6.7)
power / m  Q(losses)  (9806 N / m 3 )(12m 3 / sec)(14.1m)  1659kW