FLOW IN OPEN CHANNEL - SAMPLE PROBLEMS

EXAMPLE 1:
Water flows uniformly at a depth of 1.20 m in a rectangular canal 3 m wide, laid on a slope of 1 m per
kilometer. What is the average shear stress at the sides and bottom of the canal?
SOLUTION:
Here , we have d = 1.20 m , b = 3 m and 𝑆𝑜 = 𝑆 = 0.001
Geometric properties of the section : A = b d = 3 x 1.20 = 3.60 𝑚2
𝑃 = 𝑏 + 2𝑑 = 3 + 2(1.20) = 5.40 𝑚
𝐴 3.60
𝑅 = 𝑃 = 5.40 = 0.67 m

Use eq (8.3) to get the hear stress ,

𝜏 = 9810(0.67)(0.001)
𝑵
𝝉 = 𝟔. 𝟔𝟎 𝑷𝒂 ( )
𝒎𝟐

EXAMPLE 2:
What uniform flow will occur in a rectangular planed timber flume ( n = 0.010) 1.5 m wide and having a
slope of 0.001 when the depth therein is 1 m? Use Manning C and check by the Kutter C.
Solution:
1. With the given data : A = 1.5 x 1 = 1.5 𝑚2

P = 1.5 + 2(1) = 3.5 m

R = A/P = 1.5/3.5 = 0.43 m
𝑅1/6 (0.43)1/6
2. Manning C: 𝐶 = = = 86.9
𝑛 0.01

𝑄 = 𝐴 𝑉 = 𝐴 𝐶 √𝑅 𝑆

= 1.5 𝑥 86.9√(0.43)(0.001)

= 𝟐. 𝟕𝟎 𝒎𝟑 /𝒔
3. Kutter C :
0.00155 1
23+ +
𝑆 𝑛
𝐶= 𝑛
1+
√𝑅{23+0.00155/𝑆}

C = 90.9

𝑄 = 𝐴 𝑉 = 𝐴 𝐶 √𝑅 𝑆
 = 1.5 𝑥 90.9√(0.43)(0.001)

= 𝟐. 𝟖𝟑 𝒎𝟑 /𝒔
EXAMPLE 3:
An earth-lined trapezoidal canal (n = 0.020) has a base width of 3 m and SS 1 H to 3V. if the canal is
2.80 𝑚3 /𝑠 of water at a uniform of 0.60 m/s , what slope is necessary?

Solution:
𝑄 2𝑑
1. 𝐴 = 𝑉
= 1/2 (3 + 3 + 3
)𝑑

2.80 2𝑑2
= 3𝑑+ = 𝑑 2 + 9𝑑 − 14 = 0
0.60 3

𝑑 = 1.35 𝑚

So the length of each sloping side , 𝑆 = √(𝑑/3)2 + 𝑑 2 = 1.42 m

𝑄 2.80
2. Area , 𝐴 = 𝑉 = 0.60 = 4.67 𝑚2

Perimeter, P = 3 + 2(1.42) =5.84 m

R= A/P = 4.67/5.84 = 0.80 m
3. By the Manning Equation,
1
𝑉 = 𝑛 𝑅2/3 𝑆 1/2

𝑛2 𝑉 2
𝑆= 𝑅4/3

(0.020)2(0.60)2
𝑆= (0.80)4/3

𝑆 = 0.00020
EXAMPLE 4 :
Calculate the depth at which 0.70 𝑚3 /𝑠 will flow uniformly in a smooth cement-lined circular conduit
(n=0.010) 2 m in diameter laid on slope of 1 to 7000
Solution:
1
1. 𝐴 = 2 𝑟 2 (𝜃 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)
1
= 2 (1)2 (𝜃 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)(𝑚2 )

𝑃 = 𝑟𝜃 = 1𝜃 = 𝜃𝑚
𝐴 0.50 (𝜃−𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)
𝑅=𝑃= 𝜃
1
2. Since = 𝐴 𝑉 = 𝐴 𝑅 2/3 𝑆 1/2 , then
𝑛
2
1 0.5(𝜃−𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃) 3 1
0.70 = 0.50 (𝜃 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 ) { } −( )1/2
0.010 𝜃 7000

This is simplified to

(𝜃 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)5/3= 1.90𝜃 2/3

And by trial solution , 𝜃 = 152°

𝜃
3. from the figure , 𝑑 = 1 − (1) cos 2

𝑑 = 1 − cos 76°
𝑑 = 0.76 𝑚

EXAMPLE 5:

A channel having a rectangular section and base width 3 m carries a flow of 5.70 𝑚3 /𝑠. Find the critical
depth, the critical velocity and the critical slope if n = 0.011
Solution:
1. The discharge per meter width is
𝑄 5.70
𝑞= = = 1.90𝑚3 /𝑠/𝑚
𝑏 3

2. Critical depth:

3 𝑞2 3 (1.90)2
𝑑𝑐 = √ =√ = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟐 𝒎
𝑔 9.81

3. Critical velocity:

𝑉𝑐 = √𝑔𝑑𝑐 = √9.81𝑥0.72 = 𝟐. 𝟔𝟔 𝒎/𝒔

 4. Critical slope:
𝑛2 𝑉 2
𝑆= 𝑅4/3

Where 𝑉 = 𝑉𝑐 = 2.66 𝑚/𝑠

𝐴 3 𝑥 0.72
𝑅 = 𝑅𝑐 = 𝑃 = 3+2(0.72)= 0.49 m

(0.011)2(2.66)2
So , 𝑆= = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟐𝟐
(0.49)4/3

EXAMPLE 6:
Water is release from a sluice gate in a rectangular channel 1.50 m wide such that the depth is 60 cm
and the velocity is 5m/s. find the critical depth 𝑑𝑐 for (a) this specific energy ,(b) this discharge.
Solution:
Since d = 0.60 m ≠ 𝑑𝑐 and V= 5 m/s ≠ 𝑉𝑐 , the critical depth 𝑑𝑐 will be different under the
two required conditions.
𝑉2
(a.) Specific energy : 𝐸𝑠 = 𝑑 + 2𝑔

(5)2
= 0.60 + = 1.87 𝑚
2𝑔

2 2
Critical depth , 𝑑𝑐 = 3 𝐸𝑠 = 3 (1.87) = 1.25 𝑚

(b.) Discharge: 𝑄 = 𝐴𝑉 = (1.5𝑥0.60)5 = 4.5 𝑚3 /𝑠

𝑄 4.5
And 𝑞= = = 3𝑚3 /𝑠/𝑚
𝑏 1.5

3 𝑞2 3 (3)2
Critical depth , 𝑑𝑐 = √ =√ = 0.97 𝑚
𝑔 𝑔

NOTE that since d= 0.60 m is less than the value of 𝑑𝑐 under both the required conditions , the
given flow is at the lower stage

EXAMPLE 7:
Water is flowing in rectangular flume with a velocity of 4m/s and depth of 1m. is the flow at upper or
lower stage? what is the other alternate depth of flow?
Solution:
𝑉2 (4)2
1. 𝐸𝑠 = 𝑑 + 2𝑔
= 1+ 2𝑔
= 1.82 𝑚
2 2
𝑑𝑐 = 3 𝐸𝑠 = 3 (1.82) = 1.21 𝑚

Since 𝑑𝑐 = 1.21 > 1.00 , the flow is at the lower stage,

 2. Use EQ (8.12a) to determine the other alternate depth,

𝑞 = 𝑑√2𝑔(𝐸𝑠 − 𝑑)

Where 𝑞 = 𝑉𝑑 = 4𝑥1 = 4𝑚3 /𝑠/𝑚

So 4 = 𝑑√2𝑔(1.82 − 𝑑)

Or 16 = 𝑑 2 (2𝑔)(1.82 − 𝑑)

𝑑 3 − 1.82𝑑 2 + 0.82 = 0

EXAMPLE 8:

A flow of 280 liters/s of water is carried in 90° 𝑉 notch flume with n = 0.011. find the critical depth.

Solution:
𝑄2 𝐴3
𝑔
= 𝐿

1
Where 𝐴 = (2𝑑𝑐 )(𝑑𝑐 )𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑐2
2

𝐿 = 2𝑑𝑐
(0.280)2 (𝑑𝑐2 )3
So, = = 0.50 𝑑𝑐5
9.81 2𝑑𝑐

𝑑𝑐 = 0.44 𝑚

EXAMPLE 9:
An isosceles trapezoidal canal with SS 2H to IV has bottom width of 3 m and carries a flow of 17 𝑚3 /𝑠 .
find the critical depth.
Solution:
𝑄2 𝐴3
𝑔
= 𝐿

1
With 𝐿 = 3 + 4𝑑𝑐 , 𝐴 = 2 (6 + 4𝑑𝑐 )𝑑𝑐 𝑜𝑟 (3𝑑𝑐 + 2𝑑𝑐2 )

So
(17)2 (3𝑑𝑐 +2𝑑𝑐2 )3
=
9.81 3+4𝑑𝑐

29.5(3 + 4𝑑𝑐 ) = (3𝑑𝑐 + 2𝑑𝑐2 )3

And by a trial and error solution , 𝑑𝑐 = 1.15 𝑚
EXAMPLE 10:
If the most efficient of all sections can be used , what shape and size of open channel would you
recommend to carry 8.5 𝑚3 /𝑠 of the water with a velocity of 2 m/s?

Solution:
Of all section, the semi-circular section is the most efficient.
1. the properties of semi-circular section having a diameter D are:
𝜋𝐷2 𝐷
Area , 𝐴 = , 𝑃 = 𝜋 2 and R = D/4.
8

2. Since A= Q/V, then

𝜋𝐷2 8.05
=
8 2

Or D = 3.30 m
(NOTE: the most efficient semi-circular cannel section is one which is flowing at full depth)

EXAMPLE 11:
Determine the slope that a concrete circular sewer (n=0.013), 1.5 m in diameter, must have when
flowing at its maximum capacity if its mean velocity is 2.40 m/s.

For maximum capacity the pipe must flow at a depth of 0.94 D or 0.94(1.50) = 1.41 m.
1.41−0.75
1. The central angle , 𝜃 = 2 𝐴𝑟𝑐 cos
0.75

𝜃 = 57° or 1 rad.
𝜋 1
2. Flow area , 𝐴 = 4 (1.5)2 - 2 (0.75)2 (1 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛57° )

𝐴 = 1.72 𝑚2
Wetted Perimeter , 𝑃 = 𝑟(2𝜋 − 𝜃)
𝑃 = 0.75 (2𝜋 − 1) = 3.96𝑚
1.72
Hydraulic Radius , R = A/P =3.96 = 0.43 𝑚
 3. The slope is
𝑛2 𝑉 2 (0.013)2(2.40)2
𝑆= =
𝑅4/3 (0.43)4/3

S = 0.0030

EXAMPLE 12:
A rectangular flume of planed timber ( n= 0.012) is 1.5 m wide and carries 1.70 𝑚3 / s of water. The bed
slope is 0.00060. at a certain section the depth is 1m. find the distance to the section where the depth
is 0.75 m.

w.s

𝑑1 = 1 𝑚

𝑑2 = 0.75 𝑚
(1) (2)
SOLUTION:
Section 1 Section 2
A1 = 1.5 𝑚2 A2 = 1.125 𝑚2
P1 = 3.50 m P2 = 3.00 m
R1 = 0.43 m R2 = 0.38 m

𝑅1 +𝑅2
1. Mean hydraulic radius = = 0.41 m
2

𝑄 1.70
2. 𝑉1 = ⁄𝐴 = 1.50 𝑜𝑟 1.3𝑚/𝑠
1

𝑄 1.70
𝑉2 = ⁄𝐴 = 1.25 𝑜𝑟 1.51𝑚/𝑠
2
𝑉1 +𝑉2
Average velocity = = 1.32 m/s
2

𝑛2 𝑉 2 (0.0122 (1.32)2
3. S= = =0.00082
𝑅34 (0.41)43

4. By eq. (8.24),
𝑉2 𝑉 2
( 1 +𝑑1)−( 2 +𝑑2 )
2𝑔 2𝑔
𝐿= 𝑆−𝑆𝑜
 (0.065+1)−(0.116+0.75)
𝐿= 0.00082−0.00060

𝐿 = 905 𝑚
(Note: if it happens that the length L assumes a negative value then the flow is gradually
retarded that is the smaller depth will be behind the greater depth)