CHAPTER III

Hydraulic Design of Canal Regulators

3.1 Introduction
The water which enters into the parent canal (main canal) from a river may be divide
into branches and distributary canals according to the designer decision for irrigation
network. This distribution is needed to control water levels at the intake of canals
system and can be achieved by head regulators to control the supply of the off taking
channels as shown in Figure 1. While a cross regulator is a hydraulic structure
constructs across a main canal, branch canal or distributary canal to regulate
supplying water discharge and to control water level.
3.2 Functions of head Regulators:
1. To regulate and control supplies entering the off take channel (branch or
distributary) from the main canal.
2. To control silt entering into the distributary.
3. To measure the flow rate of the channel.
3.3 Functions of Cross Regulators:
1. To regulate the canal system.
2. Raising water level in parent canal in order to supply the off take channels (see
Fig. 1). Also, a cross regulator may be designed according to civil engineer
decision across the branch canals or any distributary canals at each 2.5 km
distance apart.
3. To facilitate communication by building a road over the cross regulator with
little extra cost.
4. To absorb the fluctuations in the canal system.
 Fig.1 Canal regulators.
A regulator generally consists of piers placed across the canal at regular intervals with
grooves. Gates are usually used either hand operated or mechanically operated. The
hand operated gates can have spans of 6 to 8 meters, while mechanically operated
gates can be as wide as 20 m or so.
3.4 Hydraulic design of head and cross regulator
Crest level
The crest of a cross regulator is generally kept at the upstream bed level of the
channel. While, the crest level of distributary head regulator is generally kept 0.3 to
0.6 m higher than the crest level of the cross regulator.
Water way
The general vertical gate formula in the case of fully opened reads:
Q = Cd b yt√ 2 g H 1………………………………………………………………..… (1)
Where, Q is the designed discharge in m3/s, b is the width of the gate in m, Cd is the
discharge coefficient = 0.82 for square opening = 0.92 for round opening, and is
calculated as follows: Cd = 0.6 + 0.08b ≤ 0.92, yt is the water level above the sill level,
or it is opening of the vertical gate in m and is calculated as w = D/s water level – bed
level under the gate (see Fig.2), H1 is the upstream water depth above the sill in m and
g = 9.8 m/s2.

H1 = h + ha
h = U/S water level – D/S water level
ha = v2/2g (velocity head)
Example (1) Given the following data:
U/S canal bed level = 10.0 m
U/S canal water level = 12.20 m
D/S canal bed level = 10.0 m
D/s canal water level = 12.0 m
Side slope of the canal 1:1
U/S canal bed width = 6.0 m
Discharge = 15 m3/sec
Calculate (a) the velocity head (ha)
(b) Width of the head regulator (b)

Solution:
ha = V2/2g
V= Q/A
A = (B + z y) y = By + zy2
= 6 (2.2) + 1 (2.2)2
= 18.04 m2
V = 15/18.04 = 0.831 m/s

( 0.831 )2
ha = = 0.035 m
2 x 9.81
Apply equation 1:
Q = Cd b yt √ 2 g H 1
yt = D/S water level – Bed level of the gate = 12.0-10.0 = 2.0 m
H1 = h+ ha
h = U/S water level – D/S water level
= 12.2 – 12.0 = 0.2 m
H1 = 0.2 + 0.035 = 0.235 m
Cd = 0.6 +0.08b
Now:
15 = (0.6 +0.08b) x b x 2 √ 2 X 9.81 X 0.235
b = 3.9 m
Check Cd
Cd = 0.6 + 0.08 (3.9) = 0.912 ≤ 0.92 its ok
Use b = 3.9 m
If the calculated Cd is greater than 0.92, in this case use Cd = 0.92 and then find b from
equation (1).
3.5 Hydraulics of underflow gates
3.5.1 Types of flow
The flow through a gated discharge regulator is quite complex. Basically, there are
five different flow types through a structure with a gated discharge regulator; free
flow, conveyance flow, free underflow, partially submerged underflow, and fully
submerged underflow. In this course we will focus on free flow and submerged flow.
3.5.2 Hydraulics of the vertical gate under free flow
A sluice gate is an opening in a hydraulic structure used for controlling the discharge.
Fig. 2 shows flow through a sluice gate with no side or bottom contraction.
Downstream free flow occurs at a (relatively) large ratio of upstream depth to the
gate-opening height. However, submerged flow at the downstream would occur for
low values of this ratio. For a freely issuing stream from a sluice gate, the water
surface is quite smooth whereas for a submerged flow, the corresponding flow profile
is extremely rough. We considered two cases of flow under gate, a) free flow and b)
submerged flow.
Free flow: Free flow condition under vertical gates occur when the tail water depth,
y3 is sufficient low to allow hydraulic jump to happen down-stream of the gate (see
Fig. 2). The general vertical gate formula in the case of fully opened reads:

Q = Cd b w√ 2 g y 1…………………………………………………………..….…… (2)
Where, Q is the sluice gate discharge in m3/s, b is the width of the gate in m, w is the
vertical gate opening, y1 is the upstream water depth and Cd is the discharge
coefficient. Hydraulically the sluice gate ceases to exist when y1 = w or less. Thus for
y1 = w the discharge coefficient Cd = 0. Considering this limiting value and the
coordinates of the free flow discharge curve, the following equation is obtained
(Swamee 1992):
Cd = 0.611¿ ……………………………………………………………. (3)
Using (2) and (3) the following equation for the sluice gate discharge is obtained:

Cd = 0.864 b w √ gy1 ¿ …………………………………………………. (4)

Submerged flow: When the tail water y3 rises, the jump is drowned and flow is
submerged and this effect the discharge coefficient (see Fig. 2). An easy method is to
be used to the curve which plotted from energy and momentum equations (see Fig. 3).

Fig. 2. Flow under a vertical gate

 Fig. 3 Vertical gate discharge relationship
3
m /sec
From the aforementioned Figure (3), q is discharge per unit width ( ¿ and is
m
defined as:
Q
q= ………………………………………………………………………………
b
(4)
yt = D/s water level – Bed level under gate
= depth of water above the crest of the structure.
Example (2): The head regulator of a canal has three openings each 3 m wide. The
water is flowing between the upper and lower gates. The vertical opening of the gate
is W = 1.0 m. The head on the regulator is 0.45 m. If the upstream water level rises by
0.2 m, how much the upper gates must be lowered to maintain the canal discharge
unaltered. Use Cd = 0.62.
Solution: The widths of regulator openings = 3 x 3 = 9.0 m
When the gate opening is 1.0 m, the discharge can be calculated by submerged orifice
formula i.e.
Q = Cd. b. w√ 2 g y 1…………………………………………………………………

= 0.62 x (1 x 9) √ 2 X 9.81 X 0.45 ………………..………………….. (i)

 In the second case, when upstream water level rises by 0.20 m, let the gate opening
be x m to keep the discharge unaltered.
Q = 0.62 (x X 9) √ 2 X 9.81 X 0.65 …………………………………… (ii)
Equating (i) and (ii), we get:
0.62 x (1 x 9) √ 2 X 9.81 X 0.45 = 0.62 (x X 9) √ 2 X 9.81 X 0.65
x = 0.83 m
Hence, the get must be lowered by an amount of 1.0-0.83 = 0.17m.
Example (3): Given the following data, y1 = 2.5 m, b = 3.9 m and y t = 2.0 m, find the
gate height w if the u/s water level is 12.50 m and the discharge is 12 m 3/s. Assume
submerged flow condition.
Solution:
Q 12
q= = = 3.076 m3/s/m
b 3.9
2
q 3.0762
Find 3 = = 0.605
y1 2.53
y t 2.0
And = = 0.8
y 1 2.5

W q
2
yt
From Fig. (3), read for 3 =¿ 0.605 and = 0.8
y1 y1 y1

W
So, = 0.42
y1

and, w = 0.42 x y1 = 0.42 x 2.5 = 1.05 m

Example 4: A regulator was constructed on canal with the following site information
as shown in Fig. 4:
 Fig. 4
 U/S normal water level = 36.45 m
 U/S flood level = 39.2 m
 D/S water level = 36.2 m
 U/S and D/S floor level = 33.2 m
 U/S and D/S bed width of the canal (B) = 8 m
 Side slope of the canal z = 1:1
 Manning's coefficient of the canal, n = 0.015
 Longitudinal slope of the canal, S = 0.00013
 Gcon. = 2.4
1. Find the regulator gate width, b.
2. With flood conditions, the flow under the gate is free flow. Calculate the velocity of
flow through the gate opening, assume b = 6 m.
3. Calculate the floor thickness at point A, using Bligh's creep theory.
Assume b = 6 m.
4. Is this structure safe against piping?
Use C1 = 12.

Solution:
1. Q = Cd. b. w√ 2 g y 1

1 2 /3 1/ 2
Q= AR S
n
A = By + zy2
B=8m
y = 36.45 – 33.20 =3.25 m
A = 8 (3.25) + 1 (3.25)2 = 36.56 m2
P = B + 2y √ 1+ z 2

= 8 + 2(3.25)√ 1+12 = 17.19 m

A
R=
P
36.56
R= = 2.127 m
17.19
1
Q= x 36.56 x (2.127)2/3 x (0.00013)1/2 = 45.57 m3/sec
0.015
Apply the following equation Q = Cd. b. w√ 2 g y 1
w = 36.2 – 33.2 = 3 m
45.57 = (0.6 + 0.0185b) b (3)√ 2∗9.81∗y 1
y1 = h + ha
h = U/S water level – D/S water level
h = 36.45 -36.2 = 0.25 m
2
v
ha =
2g
Q 45.57
v= = = 1.246 m/sec
A 36.56
2
1.246
ha = = 0.079 m
2∗9.81
y1 = 0.25 +0.079 = 0.329 m
Substitute this value in equation 2, yields:
45.57 = (0.6 + 0.0185b) b (3)√ 2∗9.81∗0.329
b = 5.673 m.
Check Cd
Cd = 0.60 + 0.018(5.673) ¿ 1
Use Cd = 0.92
45.57 = 0.92 b (3)√ 2∗9.81∗0.329
b = 6.5 m.
2. For free flow condition
Q = Cd.b.w√ 2 g y 1
y1 = 39.2 – 33.2 = 6 m
Cc
45.57 =
√ 1+C c
W x b x w √ 2 g y1
y1
0.61
45.57 =
√ 1+C c
W x 6 x w √ 2 x 9.81 x 6
6
w = 1.215 m
Area of flow = w x b
 = 1.215 x 6 = 7.29 m2
Q
Velocity of flow through the opening, v =
A
45.57
= = 6.25 m/sec.
7.29
hA 4
3. t = x
G−1 3
H
H L = H L- L ( l A )
LW
LW = 2 (d1+d2) + b'
= 2(2.5+4) + 20 = 33m
lA= 2d1+(b-2.5)
= 2 X 2.5 + (20 - 2.5) = 22.5 m
HL = 36.45 – 33.20 = 3.25 m
3.25
hA = 3.25 - (22.5) = 1.034 m
33.0
1.034
tA = (4/3) = 0.98 m
2.4−1
HL
4. i = =
LW
3.25 1 1
= = >
33.0 10.15 12
So, the structure is not safe against piping.
Submerged weir or Drowned weir
A weir is a small barrier that is built across a stream or river to raise the water level
slightly on the upstream side, and is essentially a small-scale dam. Weirs allow for
water to pool behind them, while still allowing water to flow steadily over top of the
weir itself.
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 overtopping of this crest is known as the nappe, which is simply the
water that makes it overtop the weir.
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 (see Fig. 5).
 Fig. 5 Diagram of two weirs, depicting both free discharge and drowned versions.
A weir which the water level on the downstream side of a weir is above the crest f the
weir is called Submerged or Drowned weir. The total discharge over the weir is
obtained by dividing the weir into two parts. The portion of water between u/s and d/s
water surface may be treated as free weir and portion between d/s water surface and
crest of weir as a drowned weir (see Fig. 5).

Fig 5

Total discharge, Q = Q1 +Q2

2
Q= Cd √ 2 g b ¿ …………… (5)
3 1
where,
yt = Depth of the d/s water level in the channel above the crest.
2
v
hv = = Head due to velocity approach.
2g
h = Difference of water level u/s and d/s
Cd1 = 0.577
Cd2 = 0.80
Example 6: Design suitable head regulator for the following data:
Full supply discharge of the canal = 180 m3/sec
D/S maximum full supply level of the canal = 60.2 m
Bed level of the canal = 57.2 m
Pond level = 60.6 m
U/S water level = 63.2 m (high flood)
Crest level of regulator = 58.5 m
Cd1 = 0.577
Cd2 = 0.80
Neglect the velocity head, determine the water way width (b).

Solution: Because the crest was given in the data and two discharge coefficients were
mentioned, apply equation 5:
2
Q= Cd √ 2 g b ¿ ……………… (5)
3 1
Substitute hv = 0 (this is because neglect the velocity head)
2
180 = x 0.577 √ 2 X 9.81 x b (0.4 ¿3 /2 + 0.8 x b x 1.70 √ 2 X 9.81 X 0.4
3
b = 180/4.23 = 42.5 m
Use b = 45 m
Full supply discharge passing down during high flood when u/s water level = 63.2 m
(high flood).
Water shall pass over the regulator and gate is opened provided between the sill level
and pond level shall be adjusted by partial opening.
To check the opening height, w to pass the full discharge at high flood level use
equation 2.
Let the gate opening = w
Q = Cd A √ 2 gh …………………………………………………………………… (2)
In this equation use, Cd = 0.62,
h = 63.2 – 60.2 = 3.0 m
Apply equation 2, yields
180 = 0.62 x (42.5 x w) √ 2∗9.81∗3 this results w = 0.89 m
Pond level = 60.6 – 60.2 = 0.4 m
180 = 0.62 (42.5 x w)√ 2∗9.81∗0.4 this results w = 2.44 m
Example 5: For the given data in example 1, if the flood water level is 15 m. 1.Find w
which needed to pass the same design discharge (15 m3/sec).2. With normal u/s water
level, find w which needed to pass a discharge of 5 m3/sec. Assume free flow.
Example 8: Given the following Figure. According to Khosla's theory, is the structure
1
safe against piping? Use GE =
6

Solution:
HL 1
G E=
d2 π √ λ
H L = 28.79 – 24.23 = 4.26 m

d 2 = D/S cutoff = 24.23 – 16.1 = 8.13 m

b = 25.0 m
25.0
α =b / d 2= =3.075
8.13
λ = 1+ √1+ α
2

λ = 1+ √1+3.075
2

2
λ = 2.116 m
HL 1
G E=
d2 π √ λ
4.56 1 1 1
GE = = 0.122 = <
8.13 π √2.116 8.14 6
The structure is safe against piping.