UDFCD OPEN CHANNEL DESIGN WORKBOOK

Version 1.04 Released October 2006

Urban Drainage and Flood Control District
Denver, Colorado
Purpose:

This workbook aids in determining channel cross sectional dimensions and flow capacity.

Function:

1. To calculate normal & critical flow conditions.

2. To develop a rating curve for a trapezoidal channel.
3. To develop specific energy and specific force curves.
4. To apply Direct Step Method to analyze M1, M2, and S2 curves.
5. To apply Standard Step Method to analyze M1, M2, and S2 curves.
6. To design or analyze a grass-lined channel cross-section.
7. To select rock size for riprap-lined channel cross-section.
8. To calculate the conveyance capacity for a composite (two-stage) channel section.
9. To determine the flow characteristics in a supercritical steep channel.

Content:

The workbook consists of the following 13 sheets:

Basics Applies Manning's formula to analyze the normal flow condition, and
applies Froude Number Fr = 1.0 to determine the critical flow condition.
Rating Produces a rating curve for a trapezoidal channel.
SP-Es Produces a specific energy curve for a given flow in a trapezoidal channel.
SP-Fs Produces a specific force curve for a given flow in a trapezoidal channel.
D-Step Applies the Direct Step Method to develop M1, M2, & S2 analyses
S-Step Applies the Standard Step Method to develop M1, M2, & S2 analyses

Channel Design Aids in designing a grass channel with drop structures.

SCS Retardance Employs the SCS vegetal retardance curves for types C and D grass-lined channels.
Riprap Aids in the design of a riprap-lined channel.
Composite Design Aids in designing a composite (two-stage) channel section.
Composite Analysis Aids in analyzing an existing composite (two-stage) channel section.
Steep Channel Aids in the design of concrete lined supercritical-flow channels.
Design Info Provides recommended Manning's n value guidance for low-flow section and overbanks in composite channels.
Acknowledgements: Spreadsheet Development Team:
Dr. James C.Y. Guo, P.E.
Professor, Department of Civil Engineering
University of Colorado at Denver
Ken A. MacKenzie, P.E., and Katie Farnum
Urban Drainage and Flood Control District
Wright Water Engineers, Inc.
Denver, Colorado
Comments? Direct all comments regarding this spreadsheet workbook to:
Revisions? Check for revised versions of this or any other workbook at:
320116269.xls, Intro

UDFCD E-Mail
Downloads
06/03/2016, 16:08:30

Normal Flow Analysis - Trapezoidal Channel

Project:
Channel ID:

Design Information (Input)

Channel Invert Slope

So =

Manning's n

n=

Bottom Width

B=

ft/ft
ft

Left Side Slope

Z1 =

ft/ft

Right Side Slope

Z2 =

ft/ft

Freeboard Height

F=

ft

Design Water Depth

Y=

ft

Discharge

Q=

cfs

Froude Number

Fr =

Normal Flow Condtion (Calculated)

Flow Velocity

V=

fps

Flow Area

A=

sq ft

Top Width

T=

ft

Wetted Perimeter

P=

ft

Hydraulic Radius

R=

ft

Hydraulic Depth

D=

ft

Specific Energy

Es =

ft

Centroid of Flow Area

Yo =

ft

Specific Force

Fs =

kip

320116269.xls, Basics

06/03/2016, 16:08:30

Critical Flow Analysis - Trapezoidal Channel

Project:
Channel ID:

Design Information (Input)

Bottom Width

B=

ft

Left Side Slope

Z1 =

ft/ft

Right Side Slope

Z2 =

ft/ft

Design Discharge

Q=

cfs

Critical Flow Depth

Y=

ft

Critical Flow Area

A=

sq ft

Critical Top Width

T=

ft

Critical Hydraulic Depth

D=

ft

Critical Flow Velocity

V=

fps

Critical Flow Condition (Calculated)

Froude Number

Fr =

Critical Wetted Perimeter

P=

ft

Critical Hydraulic Radius

R=

ft

Critical (min) Specific Energy

Esc =

ft

Centroid on the Critical Flow Area

Yoc =

ft

Critical (min) Specific Force

Fsc =

kip

320116269.xls, Basics

06/03/2016, 16:08:30

RATING CURVE FOR TRAPEZOIDAL CHANNEL

Depth v s. Flow
12

10

Depth (ft)

0
0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5
Flow (cfs)

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

Bottom Width
Left Side Slope
Right Side Slope
Manning's n or SCS Retardance Curve
Longitudinal Slope

Flow
Depth
Y
(ft)

Manning's
Roughness
n

320116269.xls, Rating

Flow
Area
A
(sq ft)
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00

Wetted
Perimeter
P
(ft)
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00

B=
Z1 =
Z2 =
n=
S=

Hydraulic
Radius
R
(ft)
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00

feet
ft/ft
ft/ft

UDFCD:
If you want to use
the SCS Retardance
Method, just enter
A, B, C, D,or E in this
cell. Otherwise,
enter a numeric
value

ft/ft

Flow
Velocity
V
(fps)
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0

Flow
rate
Q
(cfs)

Froude
Number
Fr
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0

0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00

06/03/2016, 16:08:30

Velocity, Froude Number, & Manning's n vs. Flow Depth

VR Product
0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

12.00

12

10.00

10

8.00

6.00

4.00

2.00

0.00

Mannin'g n

Velocity (fps), Froude Number

0
0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

0.9

1.0

Flow Depth (ft)

Froude Number

Manning's n

VR Product
0
Velocity, Flow Depth, Froude Number & Manning's n vs. Discharge
0
0
VR Product
0
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0
1
0
0.9
0
0.8
0
0
0.7
0
0.6
0
0.5
0
0
0.4
0
0.3
0
0
0.2
0
0.1
0
0
0
0.0
0.1
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0 0.2
0
Flow Rate in cfs
Flow Depth

320116269.xls, Rating

Velocity

Froude No.

12
10
8
6
4
2
0
0.9

1.0

Manning's n

06/03/2016, 16:08:30

Manning's n

Velocity (fps)

Flow Depth (ft), Velocity (fps), Froude No.

to use
tardance
st enter
or E in this
wise,
meric

RATING CURVE FOR TRAPEZOIDAL CHANNEL

SPECIFIC ENERGY CURVE FOR TRAPEZOIDAL CHANNEL

12

Bottom Width
Left Side Slope
Right Side Slope
Design Flow

B=
Z1 =
Z2 =
Q=

feet
ft/ft
ft/ft
cfs

10

Flow
Depth
Y
(ft)

Flow
Area
A
(sq ft)

Top
Width
T
(ft)
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00

320116269.xls, SP-Es

0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00

Flow
Velocity
V
(fps)
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00

Sp.
Energy
Es
(ft)
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00

Froude
Numer
Fr
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00

Flow Depth in ft

06/03/2016, 16:08:30

0
0.00

SPECIFIC ENERGY CURVE FOR TRAPEZOIDAL CHANNEL

Specific Energy
12

10

Flow Depth in ft

0
0.00

0.10

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

0.80

0.90

1.00

Es in feet

320116269.xls, SP-Es

06/03/2016, 16:08:30

SPECIFIC FORCE CURVE FOR TRAPEZOIDAL CHANNEL

Bottom Width
Left Side Slope
Right Side Slope
Design Flow

Flow
Depth
Y
ft

320116269.xls, SP-Fs

Flow
Area
A
sq ft
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00

B=
Z1 =
Z2 =
Q=

Top
Width
T
ft
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00

Central
Depth
Yo
ft
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00

feet
ft/ft
ft/ft
cfs

Flow
Velocity
V
fps
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00

Sp.
Force
Fs
Klbs
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00

Froude
Numer
Fr
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00

06/03/2016, 16:08:30

SPECIFIC FORCE CURVE FOR TRAPEZOIDAL CHANNEL

Specific Force
12

10

Flow Depth in ft

0
0.00

0.10

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

0.80

0.90

1.00

Fs in Klb

320116269.xls, SP-Fs

06/03/2016, 16:08:30

DIRECT STEP METHOD FOR TRAPEZOIDAL CHANNEL

Given Design Information:
Bottom Width
Left Side Slope
Right Side Slope
Manning's n
Longitudinal Slope
Design Flow

B=
Z1 =
Z2 =
n=
S=
Q=

Normal Flow Condition

Normal Flow Depth
Wetted Periemeter
Normal Flow Area
Hydraulic Radius
Froude Number
Calculated Q
Critical Flow Condition:
Critical Depth
Critical Top Width
Critical Flow Area
Froude Number

feet
ft/ft
ft/ft
ft/ft
cfs

Yn =
P=
An =
R=
Fr =
Q=

feet
ft/ft
sq ft
feet

Yc =
Tc =
Ac =
Fr =

feet
feet
sq ft

ft/ft

M-1 BACKWATER CURVE FROM DAM DEPTH TO NORMAL DEPTH

At Control Point
Flow Depth at D/S Dam
Channel Bottom Elevation at D/S Dam

1
Flow
Depth
Y

2
Flow
Area
A

ft

ft^2

320116269.xls, D-Step

3
Wetted
P-meter
P
ft

4
Hyradius
R
ft

5
Flow
Velo.
V
fps

feet
feet

6
Velo
Head
V^2/2g
ft

7
Spec.
Energy
Es
1+6
ft

8
D Es

ft
0.00

9
Friciton
Slope
Sf

10
Avg.
Slope

ft/ft

ft/ft

11
Distance

12
Station

DX
8/10
ft

X
ft
0.0

13
Central
Depth
Yo

14
Spec.
Force
Fs

ft

klb's

15
Invert
Elev.
Z
ft
0.00

16
Water
Eelv.
1+15
ft

06/03/2016, 16:08:30

DIRECT STEP METHOD FOR TRAPEZOIDAL CHANNEL

Given Design Information:
Bottom Width
Left Side Slope
Right Side Slope
Manning's n
Longitudinal Slope
Design Flow

B=
Z1 =
Z2 =
n=
S=
Q=

0.00
0.00
0.00
0.0000
0.0000
0.00

Normal Flow Condition

Normal Flow Depth
Wetted Periemeter
Normal Flow Area
Hydraulic Radius
Froude Number
Calculated Q
Critical Flow Condition:
Critical Depth
Critical Top Width
Critical Flow Area
Froude Number

feet
ft/ft
ft/ft
ft/ft
cfs

Yn =
P=
An =
R=
Fr =
Q=

feet
ft/ft
sq ft
feet

Yc =
Tc =
Ac =
Fr =

feet
feet
sq ft

ft/ft

M-2 DRAWDOWN CURVE FROM CRITICAL DEPTH TO NORMAL DEPTH

At Control Point
Downstream Critical Depth
Channel Bottom Elevation at D/S Critical Section

1
Flow
Depth
Y

2
Flow
Area
A

ft

ft^2

320116269.xls, D-Step

3
Wetted
P-meter
P
ft

4
Hyradius
R
ft

5
Flow
Velo.
V
fps

feet
100.00 feet

6
Velo
Head
V^2/2g
ft

7
Spec.
Energy
Es
1+6
ft

8
D Es

ft
0.00

9
Friciton
Slope
Sf

10
Avg.
Slope

ft/ft

ft/ft

11
Distance

12
Station

DX
8/10
ft

X
ft
0.0

13
Central
Depth
Yo

14
Spec.
Force
Fs

ft

klb's

15
Invert
Elev.
Z
ft

16
Water
Eelv.
1+15
ft

06/03/2016, 16:08:30

DIRECT STEP METHOD FOR TRAPEZOIDAL CHANNEL

Given Design Information:
Bottom Width
Left Side Slope
Right Side Slope
Manning's n
Longitudinal Slope
Design Flow

B=
Z1 =
Z2 =
n=
S=
Q=

0.00
0.00
0.00
0.0000
0.0000
0.00

Normal Flow Condition

Normal Flow Depth
Wetted Periemeter
Normal Flow Area
Hydraulic Radius
Froude Number
Calculated Q
Critical Flow Condition:
Critical Depth
Critical Top Width
Critical Flow Area
Froude Number

feet
ft/ft
ft/ft
ft/ft
cfs

Yn =
P=
An =
R=
Fr =
Q=

feet
ft/ft
sq ft
feet

Yc =
Tc =
Ac =
Fr =

feet
feet
sq ft

ft/ft

S-2 DRAWDOWN CURVE FROM CRITICAL DEPTH TO NORMAL DEPTH

At Control Point
Upstream Critical Depth
Channel Bottom Elevation at U/S Critical Section

1
Flow
Depth
Y

2
Flow
Area
A

ft

ft^2

320116269.xls, D-Step

3
Wetted
P-meter
P
ft

4
Hyradius
R
ft

5
Flow
Velo.
V
fps

100.00

6
Velo
Head
V^2/2g
ft

feet
feet

7
Spec.
Energy
Es
1+6
ft

8
D Es

ft

9
Friciton
Slope
Sf

10
Avg.
Slope

ft/ft

ft/ft

11
Distance

12
Station

DX
8/10
ft

X
ft
1000.0

13
Central
Depth
Yo

14
Spec.
Force
Fs

ft

klb's

15
Invert
Elev.
Z
ft
100.00

16
Water
Eelv.
1+15
ft

06/03/2016, 16:08:30

STANDARD STEP METHOD FOR TRAPEZOIDAL CHANNEL

Given Design Information:
Bottom Width
Left Side Slope
Right Side Slope
Manning's n
Longitudinal Slope
Design Flow

B=
Z1 =
Z2 =
n=
S=
Q=

feet
ft/ft
ft/ft
ft/ft
cfs

Normal Flow Condition

Normal Flow Depth
Wetted Periemeter
Normal Flow Area
Hydraulic Radius
Froude Number
Calculated Q
Critical Flow Condition:
Critical Depth
Critical Top Width
Critical Flow Area
Froude Number

Yn =
P=
An =
R=
Fr =
Q=

feet
ft/ft
sq ft
feet

Yc =
Tc =
Ac =
Fr =

feet
feet
sq ft

ft/ft

M-1 BACKWATER CURVE FROM DAM DEPTH TO NORMAL DEPTH

At Control Point
Flow Depth at D/S Dam
Channel Bottom Elevation

1
Station

X
ft

2
Distance

DX
ft
0.00

320116269.xls, S-Step

3
Invert
Elev

4
GUESS
Flow
Depth
Z
Y
ft
ft
0.00
0.00

5
Flow
Area
A
ft
0.00

feet
feet

6
Flow
Velo.
V
fps
0.00

7
Velo.
Head
V^2/2g
ft
0.00

8
9
Cal.
Wetted
Head
P-meter
3+6+7
H**
P
ft
ft
0.00
0.00

10
Hy.
Radius
R
ft
0.00

11
Friction
Slope
Sf
ft/ft
0.00000

12
Ave.
Sf

ft/ft

13
Friction
Loss
2x12
hf
ft

14
Minor
Loss
He
ft

15
Cal.
Head
H
ft
0.00

16
CHECK
Difference
H**-H=0
ft

06/03/2016, 16:08:30

STANDARD STEP METHOD FOR TRAPEZOIDAL CHANNEL

Given Design Information:
Bottom Width
Left Side Slope
Right Side Slope
Manning's n
Longitudinal Slope
Design Flow

B=
Z1 =
Z2 =
n=
S=
Q=

feet
ft/ft
ft/ft
ft/ft
cfs

Normal Flow Condition

Normal Flow Depth
Wetted Periemeter
Normal Flow Area
Hydraulic Radius
Froude Number
Calculated Q
Critical Flow Condition:
Critical Depth
Critical Top Width
Critical Flow Area
Froude Number

Yn =
P=
An =
R=
Fr =
Q=

feet
ft/ft
sq ft
feet

Yc =
Tc =
Ac =
Fr =

feet
feet
sq ft

ft/ft

M-2 DRAWDOWN CURVE FROM CRITICAL DEPTH TO NORMAL DEPTH

At Control Point
Downstream Critical Depth
Channel Bottom Elevation

1
Station

X
ft

2
Distance

DX
ft
0.00

320116269.xls, S-Step

3
Invert
Elev
Z
ft
0.00

4
GUESS
Flow
Depth
Y
ft

feet
feet

5
Flow
Area

6
Flow
Velo.

7
Velo.
Head

A
ft
#VALUE!

V
fps
#VALUE!

V^2/2g
ft
#VALUE!

8
9
Cal.
Wetted
Head
P-meter
3+6+7
H**
P
ft
ft
#VALUE! #VALUE!

10
Hy.
Radius

11
Friction
Slope

12
Ave.
Sf

R
ft
#VALUE!

Sf
ft/ft
#VALUE!

ft/ft

13
Friction
Loss
2x12
hf
ft

14
Minor
Loss

15
Cal.
Head

He
ft

H
ft
#VALUE!

16
CHECK
Difference
H**-H=0
ft

06/03/2016, 16:08:30

STANDARD STEP METHOD FOR TRAPEZOIDAL CHANNEL

Given Design Information:
Bottom Width
Left Side Slope
Right Side Slope
Manning's n
Longitudinal Slope
Design Flow

B=
Z1 =
Z2 =
n=
S=
Q=

feet
ft/ft
ft/ft
ft/ft
cfs

Normal Flow Condition

Normal Flow Depth
Wetted Periemeter
Normal Flow Area
Hydraulic Radius
Froude Number
Calculated Q
Critical Flow Condition:
Critical Depth
Critical Top Width
Critical Flow Area
Froude Number

Yn =
P=
An =
R=
Fr =
Q=

feet
ft/ft
sq ft
feet

Yc =
Tc =
Ac =
Fr =

feet
feet
sq ft

ft/ft

S-2 DRAWDOWN CURVE FROM CRITICAL DEPTH TO NORMAL DEPTH

At Control Point
Upstream Critical Depth
Channel Bottom Elevation

1
Station

X
ft

2
Distance

DX
ft
0.00

320116269.xls, S-Step

3
Invert
Elev
Z
ft
0.00

4
GUESS
Flow
Depth
Y
ft

feet
feet

5
Flow
Area

6
Flow
Velo.

7
Velo.
Head

A
ft
#VALUE!

V
fps
#VALUE!

V^2/2g
ft
#VALUE!

8
9
Cal.
Wetted
Head
P-meter
3+6+7
H**
P
ft
ft
#VALUE! #VALUE!

10
Hy.
Radius

11
Friction
Slope

12
Ave.
Sf

R
ft
#VALUE!

Sf
ft/ft
#VALUE!

ft/ft

13
Friction
Loss
2x12
hf
ft

14
Minor
Loss

15
Cal.
Head

He
ft

H
ft
#VALUE!

16
CHECK
Difference
H**-H=0
ft

06/03/2016, 16:08:30

Design of Trapezoidal Grass-Lined Channel

Project:
Channel ID:

Existing Channel Condition (Input)

Design Discharge
Design Discharge Return Period
Existing Ground Slope Along Channel Centerline
100-Year Discharge
Left Side Slope
Right Side Slope
Channel Manning's N (New Condition .030 typ.)
Channel Manning's N (Mature Condition .040 typ.)
Check one of the following soil types

QD=
YearD=

cfs
years
ft/ft
cfs
ft/ft
ft/ft

So =
Q100=
Z1 =
Z2 =
nnew=
nmature=
Sandy Soil
Non-Sandy Soil

Proposed Channel Condition (Calculated)

Bottom Width
100-Year Flow Depth (5' maximum)
100-Year Flow Velocity
100-Year Top Width
100-Year Flow Area
100-Year Froude Number
100-Year Wetted Perimeter
100-Year Hydarulic Radius
Design Discharge Flow Depth
Design Discharge Flow Velocity
Design Discharge Top Width
Design Discharge Flow Area
Design Discharge Froude Number
Design Discharge Wetted Perimeter
Design Discharge Hydarulic Radius
Drop Height
Proposed New Channel Slope
Drop Height per 100 ft

320116269.xls, Channel Design

check, OR
check
New Channel

B=
Y100=
V100=
T=
A=
Fr =
P=
R=
YD=
VD=
T=
A=
Fr =
P=
R=

Sd=
D=

ft
ft
fps
ft
sq ft

Mature Channel
ft
ft
fps
ft
sq ft

ft
ft

ft
ft

ft
fps
ft
sq ft

ft
fps
ft
sq ft

ft
ft

ft
ft

ft/ft
ft/100 ft

ft/ft
ft/100 ft

06/03/2016, 16:08:30

Analysis of Trapezoidal Grass-Lined Channel Using SCS Method

Project:
Channel ID:

Design Information
Grass Type:
Limiting Manning's n

0.060

0.040

0.033

0.030

0.024

Soil Type:

Max. Velocity (Vmax)

Max. Froude No. (Fmax)

Non-Sandy
Sandy

7.0 fps
5.0 fps

0.80
0.60

Design Information
NRCS Vegetal Retardance (A,B,C,D, or E)
Manning's n (if cell D22 is NOT B or C)
n=
Channel Invert Slope
So =
Bottom Width
B=
Left Side Slope
Z1 =
Right Side Slope
Z2 =
Design Discharge
Q=
Check one of the following soil types
Sandy Soil
Non-Sandy Soil
Flow Condition (Calculated)
Water Depth
Top Width
Flow Area
Wetted Perimeter
Hydraulic Radius
Flow Velocity
Velocity-Depth Product
Hydraulic Depth
Froude Number
Discharge (Check)

Y=
T=
A=
P=
R=
V=
VR =
D=
Fr =
Q=

ft/ft
ft
ft/ft
ft/ft
cfs

UDFCD:
The program will calculate
Manning's n based on the
VR product. If you wish to
manually enter an n value
in cell D23, leave cell D22
blank.

check, OR
check
ft
ft
sq ft
ft
ft
fps
ft^2/s
ft
cfs

Iterations Processed: 6

320116269.xls, SCS Retardance

06/03/2016, 16:08:30

Design of Riprap Channel Cross Section

Project:
Channel ID:

Design Information (Input)

Channel Invert Slope

So =

Bottom Width

ft/ft

B=

ft

Left Side Slope

Z1 =

ft/ft

Right Side Slope

Z2 =

ft/ft

Specific Gravity of Rock

Ss =

Radius of Channel Centerline

Ccr =

Design Disharge

ft

Q=

cfs

Flow Condition (Calculated)

Riprap Type (Straight Channel)
Intermediate Rock Diameter (Straight Channel)

Type =
D50 =

Calculated Manning's n (Straight Channel)

Riprap Type (Outside Bend of Curved Channel)
Intermediate Rock Dia. (O.B. of Curved Channel)

inches

n =
Type =
D50 =

inches

Calculated Manning's N (Curved Channel)

n =

Water Depth

Y=

ft

Top Width of Flow

T=

ft

Flow Area

A=

sq ft

Wetted Perimeter

P=

ft

Hydraulic Radius (A/P)

R=

ft

Average Flow Velocity (Q/A)

V=

fps

Hydraulic Depth (A/T)

D=

ft

Froude Number (max. = 0.8)

Fr =

Channel Radius / Top Width

Ccr/T =

Riprap Design Velocity Factor For Curved Channel

Riprap Sizing Velocity For Curved Channel
Riprap Sizing Paramenter for Straight Channel
Riprap Sizing Paramenter for Outside Bend of Curve

Kv =
VKv =

fps

K=
Kcurve =

Superelevation (dh)

dh =

Discharge (Check)

Q=

ft
cfs

Check on Rock Size for Riprap

320116269.xls, Riprap

Range of K, Kcurve

Riprap

D50

< 3.3

VL

6 inch

> 3.3 to < 4.0

9 inch

> 4.0 to < 4.6

12 inch

> 4.6 to < 5.6

18 inch

> 5.6 to 6.4

VH

24 inch

06/03/2016, 16:08:30

Design of Composite Channel

Project:
Channel ID:
N-left

N-lf

Left Overbank Area

N-right

Low Flow Channel

Right Overbank Area

ZL

ZR
Y

Z1

Alternate
Overbank
Toe Protection

Yc

Z2
1

Ym

Bm

BL

Yob

BR

Design Information (Input)

2-Year Discharge - Total

Q-2yr =

cfs

Q-100yr =

cfs

Design Discharge - Low Flow Channel

Qlf =

cfs

Low Flow Channel Sideslope Protection

Low Flow Channel Left Side Slope

Z1 =

ft/ft

Overbank Toe Protection

Low Flow Channel Right Side Slope

Z2 =

ft/ft

100-Year Discharge - Total

0.00

0.00

Low Flow Channel Bank-full depth

0.00

Left Overbank Side Slope

0.00

Left Overbank Manning's n

0.00

Right Overbank Side Slope

0.00

Right Overbank Manning's n

Overbank Flow Depth Yob (Y - Ym)

Ym =
ZL =

Check one of the following toe protection types

ft

check, OR
check

Left overbank width as a

ft/ft

percentage of total overbank width

n-left =
ZR =

ft/ft

Check one of the following soil types

n-right =
Yob =

Sandy Soil
ft

Non-Sandy Soil

check, OR
check

Flow Condition (Calculated)

Channel Invert Slope

So =

ft/ft

Channel Bottom Width

Blf =

ft

Low Flow Channel Bottom Width

Bm =

ft

Channel Normal Flow Depth

Ylf =

ft

Top width

Tm =

ft

Top width

Tlf =

ft

Flow area

Am =

sq ft

Flow area

Alf =

sq ft

Wetted perimeter

Pm =

ft

Wetted perimeter

Plf =

ft

Manning's n (Calculated)

n-m =

Manning's n (Calculated)

n-lf =

Discharge

Qm =

cfs

Discharge (Calculated)

Qlf =

cfs

Velocity

Vm =

fps

Velocity

Vlf =

fps

Froude number

Frm =

100-Yr. Critical Velocity

Vmc =

fps

100-Yr. Critical Depth

Ymc =

ft

Low Flow Channel Condition for Qd

Froude number

Low Flow Channel Flow Condition for Q100

Fr-lf =

Left Overbank Flow Condition for Q100

Overbank Bench Width

Right Overbank Flow Condition for Q100

BL =

ft

Overbank Bench Width

YLob =

ft

Normal Depth in Overbanks

BR =

ft

YRob =

Top width

TL =

ft

ft

Top width

TR =

Flow area

AL =

ft

sq ft

Flow area

AR =

Wetted perimeter

sq ft

PL =

ft

Wetted perimeter

PR =

ft

Discharge

QL =

cfs

Discharge

QR =

cfs

Velocity

VL =

fps

Velocity

VR =

fps

Normal Depth in Overbanks

Froude number

FrL =

100-Yr. Critical Velocity

VLc =

100-Yr. Critical Depth in Overbanks

YLc =

Froude number

FrR =

fps

100-Yr. Critical Velocity

VRc =

fps

ft

100-Yr. Critical Depth in Overbanks

YRc =

ft

Composite Cross-Section Flow Condition for Q100

Top width

T=

ft

Discharge

Q=

cfs

Channel Depth Y

Y=

ft

Velocity (average)

V=

fps

Flow area

A=

sq ft

Froude number

Fr =

Wetted perimeter

P=

ft

100-Yr. Critical Velocity

Vc =

fps

Cross-Sectional Manning's n (Calculated)

n=

100-Yr. Critical Depth in Overbanks

Yc =

ft

0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
320116269.xls, Composite Design

06/03/2016, 16:08:30

Capacity Analysis of Composite Channel

Project:
Channel ID:
N-left

N-lf

Left Overbank Area

N-right

Low Flow Channel

Right Overbank Area

ZL

ZR
Y

Z1

Alternate
Overbank
Toe Protection

Yc

Z2
1

Bm

BL

Yob

Ym

BR

Design Information (Input)

Channel Invert Slope
Low Flow Channel Bottom Width

So =
Bm =

ft/ft

Left Overbank Bottom Width

BL =

ft

Left Overbank Side Slope

ZL =

ft/ft

ft

Left Overbank Manning's n

n-left =

Low Flow Channel Left Side Slope

Z1 =

ft/ft

Right Overbank Bottom Width

BR =

ft

Low Flow Channel Right Side Slope

Z2 =

ft/ft

Right Overbank Side Slope

ZR =

ft/ft

Low Flow Channel Manning's Nn for Qd

n-lf =

Low Flow Channel Manning's Nn for Q100

Right Overbank Manning's n

n-right =

n-m-Q100 =

(See USDCM Vol. II, n vs. Depth Graph)

Low Flow Channel Bank-full depth

Ym =

ft

Yob =

ft

Top width

Tlf =

ft

Flow area

Alf =

sq ft

Top width

Tm =

ft

Flow area

Am =

Wetted perimeter

Plf =

sq ft

ft

Wetted perimeter

Pm =

Discharge (Calculated)

ft

Qlf =

cfs

Discharge

Qm =

cfs

Vlf=

fps

Velocity

Vm =

fps

Low Flow Channel Condition for Qd

Velocity

Overbank Flow Depth Yob (Y - Ym)

Low Flow Channel Flow Condition for Q100

Froude number

Fr-lf =

Froude number

Frm =

Qd Critical Velocity

Vlfc =

Qd Critical Depth

Ylfc =

fps

100-Yr. Critical Velocity

Vmc =

fps

ft

100-Yr. Critical Depth

Ymc =

ft

Top width

TL =

ft

Flow area

AL =

sq ft

Top width

TR =

ft

Flow area

AR =

Wetted perimeter

PL =

sq ft

ft

Wetted perimeter

PR =

Discharge

ft

QL =

cfs

Discharge

QR =

Velocity

cfs

VL =

fps

Velocity

VR =

fps

Left Overbank Flow Condition for Q100

Right Overbank Flow Condition for Q100

Froude number

FrL =

100-Yr. Critical Velocity

VLc =

100-Yr. Critical Depth in Overbanks

YLc =

Froude number

FrR =

fps

100-Yr. Critical Velocity

VRc =

fps

ft

100-Yr. Critical Depth in Overbanks

YRc =

ft

Composite Cross-Section Flow Condition for Q100

Top width

T=

ft

Discharge

Q=

cfs

Channel Depth Y

Y=

ft

Velocity

V=

fps

Flow area

A=

sq ft

Froude number

Fr =

Wetted perimeter

P=

ft

100-Yr. Critical Velocity

Vc =

fps

Cross-Sectional Manning's n (Calculated)

n=

100-Yr. Critical Depth in Overbanks

Yc =

ft

320116269.xls, Composite Analysis

06/03/2016, 16:08:30

Analysis of Steep (Supercritical flow) Channel

(for concrete-lined channels only)
Project:
Channel ID:

Design Information (Input)

Design discharge
Bottom width
Side slope
Channel slope
Channel Manning's n
Y/B Ratio (Calculated)
Flow depth to width ratio (Y/B)
Value of k = (1+z^2)^0.5
Wetted perimeter (P/B)
Top width (T/B)
Flow area (A/B^2)
Max. Froude number without roll waves
Limiting discharge parameter
Max. discharge without roll waves
Calculated discharge in channel (check)

Q=
B=
Z=
So =
n=

Y* =
k=
P* =
T* =
A* =
F* =
Q* =
Q-limit =
Q-design =

Roll Wave Height (Calculated)

Limiting flow condition at section 1 (upstream of the jump)
Limiting Froude number (F*)
F1 =
Normal depth upstream of the jump = Y*B
Y1=
Depth to the centroid of A1 = 0.5(Y1)
Y1-bar=
Flow area upstream of the jump = A*B^2
A1 =
Flow velocity upstream of the jump = Q/A1
V1 =
Required freeboard w/o roll waves= 2+0.025*V1*Y1^0.33
Fb =
Pulsating flow condition with roll waves at section 2 (downstream of the jump)
Froude number for Q-design:
F2 =
Flow depth downstream of the jump = Y1+h
Y2 =
Depth to the centroid of A2 = 0.5(Y2)
Y2-bar=
Flow area downstream of the jump
A2 =
Calculations of roll waves
Wave speed
Vw =
Flow velocity downstream of the jump
V2 =
Wave celerity = Vw-V2
C=
Calculated roll wave height
h=
Check the solutions by momentum principle
Force upstream of jump = ((Vw-V1)*(V2-V1))
Force-u/s =
Force downstream of jump = (g*(Y2-bar -A1/A2*Y1-bar))
Force-d/s =
Required channel depth = max.(Y1+Fb, Y1+h)

320116269.xls, Steep Channel

Y-req. =

cfs
ft
ft/ft
ft/ft

cfs
cfs

ft
ft
sq ft
fps
ft

ft
ft
sq ft
fps
fps
fps
ft
lb's
lb's
ft

06/03/2016, 16:08:30

Recommended Values for Manning's N in Overflow Bank Areas in Composite Channel

Grass Type

Grass Length
2-inch
4-inch
2-inch
4-inch

0.7 ft <Depth<1.5 ft
For Minor Runoff
0.0350
0.0400
0.0350
0.0400

Depth>3.0 ft
For Major Runoff
0.0300
0.0300
0.0300
0.0300

Bermuda
Bermuda
Kentucky
Kentucky
Any Grass
Good Stand
Good Stand
Fair Stand
Fair Stand

12-inch
24-inch
12-inch
24-inch

0.0700
0.1000
0.0600
0.0700

0.0350
0.0350
0.0350
0.0350

Assumed Manning's N vs. Depth for Composite Channel and

Low-Flow Section Design
.070
.065

Manning's N Value

.060
.055
.050
.045
2

n = 0.0001(Y ) - 0.0025(Y) + 0.050

.040
2

n = 0.0018(Y ) 0.0206(Y) + 0.099

.035
.030
2

320116269.xls, Design Info

5
6
7
Depth of Flow Y, in Feet

10

06/03/2016, 16:08:30