Shree Siddheshwar Women’s College of

Engineering, Solapur
Department of Civil Engineering
Subject : Hydraulics Engineering II
Chapter 1: Uniform Flow in Open Channel

Syllabus :
Introduction, difference between pipe flow and open channel flow, types of open channels, types of
flows in open channel, geometric elements, velocity distribution, measurement of velocity-(pitot
tube, current meter)
weir & spillway: sharp, broad & round crested weirs, calibration of weir, time of emptying tank with
weir, profile of ogee spillway, flow below gates
 Introduction

• The term open channel flow represents flows through channels that are open to the
atmosphere.
• Flow in a closed conduit (e.g., a circular pipe) may also be classified as open channel
flow, if the fluid level falls below the crown of the pipe and atmos- pheric pressure
exists on the surface.
• Free surface flows would probably be a more appropriate term for open channel flows
• For flow through a culvert draining water across and under a road the flow may be an
open channel flow for small discharges and may become a closed conduit flow for
larger discharges.
• Sometimes, part of the channel may have a closed conduit flow and part may behave as
an open.
Examples of open Channel Flow
Importance of the Study of Open Channel Flows

1. Measuring the Discharge in a River or Canal

Importance of the Study of Open Channel Flows
1. Designing a Canal to Carry Given Amount of Water
Importance of the Study of Open Channel Flows

1. Estimating the Area of Submergence due to Construction of a Dam on a River

Importance of the Study of Open Channel Flows

1. Preventing Very High Velocity Flows from Damaging the Channel

Importance of the Study of Open Channel Flows

• Studying the Spread of Pollutants in a River

• Estimating the Amount of Sediment Carried by a Channel
• Estimating the time taken by a Flood Wave to Pass through a Given Length of a River
• Estimating the Change in the Flow Conditions due to a Change in the Bed Width or Bed
Elevation
Classification of Open Channel Flows

• Channels can be classified as following based on Channel Characteristics :

1. prismatic and non-prismatic channels
2. natural and artificial channels
3. rigid boundary and mobile boundary channels.
Prismatic and Non-Prismatic channels
• A channel is said to be prismatic if it is in the form of a prism, i.e., the cross section and the bed
slope do not change along the channel length
• If there is a change in cross section and/or slope, the channel is non prismatic.

• Eg. A laboratory flume laid at a constant bed slope and with a uniform cross section is a prismatic
channel while a river with varying cross-section and bed slope is a non prismatic channel
Natural and artificial Channels

• A river, an estuary, and a land surface during overland runoff, are all examples of natural channels
while a laboratory flume, a canal, and a parking lot during overland runoff, represent artificial (or
human-made) channels.
• Generally, natural channels would be non prismatic while the artificial channels are likely to be
prismatic.
• Also, natural channels typically have an irregular cross section while artificial channels have
regular (e.g., circular, trapezoidal, rectangular) cross sections.
• This may lead to ambiguity in defining the flow depth for natural channels.
Rigid boundary and mobile boundary Channels

• If the material on the bed and sides of a channel is loose and easily movable due to the flow of
water, the channel is called a mobile boundary channel.
• Conversely, if the material is not easily movable (e.g., a metal flume, concrete lined canal), the
channel is a rigid boundary channel.
• Clearly, analysis of flow through a mobile boundary channel is more complicated than that of flow
through a rigid boundary channel, due to the process of sediment erosion and deposition and the
resulting additional resistance to flow.
• These processes may also occur in rigid boundary channels due to sediment inflow from elsewhere
(e.g., from the river into a lined canal or from upstream areas to a parking lot).
Classification Based on Flow Properties

• Temporal variation—steady and unsteady Flows

• Spatial variation—one-dimensional, two-dimensional, and three-dimensional Flows
• Spatial variation—uniform and non uniform Flow
• Effect of Viscosity – Laminar and turbulent Flow (RVF and GVF)
• Effect of Gravity – Sub critical and super critical flow
DISCHARGE THROUGH OPEN CHANNEL BY CHEZY'S
FORMULA
• Consider uniform flow of water in a channel as shown in Fig.
• As the flow is uniform, it means the velocity, depth of flow and area of
flow will be constant for a given length of the channel.
• Consider sections 1-1 and 2-2.
• Let
L = Length of channel,
A = Area of flow of water,
i = Slope of the bed,
V = Mean velocity of flow of water,
P = Wetted perimeter of the cross-section,
f = Frictional resistance per unit velocity per unit area.
The weight of water between sections I-1 and 2-2.
W= Specific weight of water x volume of water = wxAxL
Component of W along direction of flow = W x sin i = wAL sin I
Frictional resistance against motion of water = f x surface area x (velocity )"
The forces acting on the water between sections 1-I and 2-2 are:
I. Component of weight of water along the direction of flow,
2. Friction resistance against flow of water,
3. Pressure force at section I-1,
4. Pressure force at section 2-2.
As the depths of water at the sections 1-1 and 2-2 are the same, the pressure forces on these two sections are
same and acting in the opposite direction.
Hence they cancel each other. In case of uniform flow, the velocity of flow is constant for the given length of the
channel. Hence there is no acceleration acting on the water.
Hence the resultant force acting in the direction of flow must be zero.
 MOST ECONOMICAL SECTION OF CHANNELS

• A section of a channel is said to be most economical when the cost of construction of the channel is
minimum.
• But the cost of construction of a channel depends upon the excavation and the lining.
• To keep the cost down or minimum, the wetted perimeter, for a given discharge, should be
minimum.
• This condition is utilized for determining the dimensions of a economical sections of different form
of channels.
• Most economical section is also called the best section or most efficient section as the discharge,
passing through a most economical section of channel for a given cross-sectional area (A), slope of
the bed (i), Discharge is given by formula ,
 Most economical Rectangular Section

• The condition for most economic section is that for given area perimeter should be
minimum.
• Consider rectangular section as shown

b= width of channel
d= depth of channel
A= b x d ; b= A/d …..(1)
P= d + b + d = b+2d …..(2)
From equation 1 and 2
 Pitot Tube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zEdtkuNYLU
Current meter
• The velocity of flow at any point in the open channel can be most accurately and conveniently
determined by means of a mechanical device named current-meter.
• Current-meter of common use may be classified in two categories according to the type of revolving
part used.
Working of Current-Meters:

• When the meter is lowered in water and when it faces the current of water in the channel the wheel
rotates.

• To keep the meter facing the direction of flow a tail is attached. This tail aligns the meter in the direction
of flow.

• The meter is also fitted with a streamlined weight (fish weight) which keeps the meter in a vertical
position.

• The rate of rotation of the wheel depends on the velocity of flow.

• A dry battery is kept on the shore or in a boat and an electric current is passed to the wheel from it.

• A commentator is fixed to the shaft of the revolving wheel.

Cup type Current meter
Weir & Spillway
• A weir is a concrete or masonry
structure which is constructed across
the open channel (such as a river) to
change its water flow characteristics.
• Weirs are constructed as an obstruction
to flow of water.
• These are commonly used to measure
the volumetric rate of water flow,
prevent flooding and make rivers
navigable.
 Weir
• A weir is a small barrier built across a stream or river to raise the water level slightly
on the upstream side; essentially a small-scale dam. Weirs allow water to pool behind
them, while allowing water to flow steadily over top of the weir. Additionally, the
term weir can be used to refer to the crest of a spillway on a large embankment dam.
• Weirs can be constructed out of several different materials, depending on their age
and purpose. Wood, concrete or a mixture of rocks, gravel, and boulders can all be
used to construct a weir.
• In a weir, the surface over which the water flows is known as the crest. The flow of
water that moves overtop of this crest is known as the nappe, which is simply the
water that makes it overtop the weir. This nappe does not exist with dams, as dams
permit no flow of water over the structure. If this nappe falls a significant distance
through the air - meaning that the weir increases the elevation of the water prior to the
weir - the weir is said to have free discharge. However, if water flows partially
underwater as a result of little elevation increase from the weir it is said to be
submerged or drowned.
Nappe profile
• Weirs differ from dams in one major way. First and foremost, in a weir the water from
upstream runs over top of the weir itself, constantly overflowing. In a dam, water
flows through spillways and penstock instead of over top of the dam, which could
actually cause damage and is known as overtopping.
 Advantages of weir

• Weirs can be built to measure water Flow rate , to alter the flow of rivers, or to
prevent flooding.

• Additionally, small-size weirs can be used in large hydropower developments as a

way to mitigate potential harm that may come about as a result of dam development.

• Small weirs can help improve fish numbers, stabilize water levels, and stabilize
effects of river alteration
 Types of Weirs:
• Weirs are classified according to:
1. Types of Weirs based on Shape of the Opening
Rectangular weir
Triangular weir
Trapezoidal weir
2. Types of Weirs based on Shape of the Crest
• Sharp-crested weir
• Broad- crested weir
• Narrow-crested weir
• Ogee-shaped weir
3. Types of weirs based on Effect of the sides on the emerging nappe
• Weir with end contraction (contracted weir)
• Weir without end contraction (suppressed weir)
 Classification Based on Shape of Opening

• Rectangular weir:
• It is a standard shape of
weir. The top edge of weir
may be sharp crested or
narrow crested.
• It is generally suitable for
larger flowing channels.
 Sharp Crested Weir

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkR79oDAgOg
Broad Crested Weir
What is a spillway?
 Assignment Questions
1. What is the difference between open channel flow and pipe flow.
2. Explain Classification of flow in open channel and Types of channel ,
3. Distinguish between:
a. Steady and Uniform flow
b. Unsteady and non-uniform flow
c. Gradually and Spatially varied flow
d. Critical and Super critical flows
e. Prismatic and non-prismatic channel.
Assignment Questions
4. Write a short note on velocity distribution in a open channel.
5. Enlist flow measuring devices and explain pitot tube
6. Determine the height of rectangular weir of length 6m to be built
across a rectangular channel. The maximum depth of water on
upstream side of weir is 1.8 m and discharge is 2000 lit/sec. Take Cd=
0.6 and neglect end contractions
7. Explain charactertics the nature of the flow in an open channel with
the help of ‘Froud number’
8. Define hydraulic depth(D) of an open channel flow and What are the
different types of varied flows?
Assignment Questions
9. Write down the Chezy’s formula for determining velocity of flow in
an open channel.
10. Define conveyance of open channel and define Frouds number and
its significance