GVF Problems
Dr. R. Manjula
Associate Professor/ Civil
Engineering
Problem 1
A rectangular channel of 4.0-m width has a Manning’s coefficient of
0.025. For a discharge of 6.0 m3/s in this channel, identify the
possible GVF profiles produced in the following break in grades.
a) S01 = 0.0004 to S02 = 0.015
b) S01 = 0.005 to S02 = 0.0004
Solution: q =6.0 / 4.0 =1.50m3 /s/m
For normal depth calculation: φ =
Problem 1(cont.,)
Using this relation, the normal depth for various cases are calculated as:
S0 φ Y0/B y0 Note: Y0/B values taken
0.0004 0.1860 0.4764 1.906 from table: values of φ for
0.015 0.0303 0.1350 0.540 Trapezoidal Channels (ref.
next slide)
0.005 0.0526 0.1950 0.780
Reference table: values of φ for Trapezoidal Channels
Problem 1(cont.,)
Various possible GVF profiles in these two cases: (i)
Problem 1(cont.,)
Various possible GVF profiles in these two cases: (ii)
Problem 1(Alternative Solution)
Instead of calculating normal depth through use of tables, the critical
slope is calculated.
Here, η = yc/ B = 0.612/4.0 = 0.153. Substituting,
Problem 1(Alternative Solution) cont.,
Classification of Channels based on value of slope relative to Sc = 0.013
Problem 2
Identify and sketch the GVF profiles in three mild slopes which could be described
as mild, steeper mild and milder. The three slopes are in series. The last slope has a
sluice gate in the middle of the reach and the downstream end of the channel has a
free overfall.
Solution The longitudinal section of the channel, critical-depth line and normal depth
lines for the various reaches are shown in figure below.
Problem 2 (Cont.,)
The controls are: (i) Free overfall at E.
(ii) Vena contracta downstream of the sluice gate at D
For subcritical flow the control is at the downstream end of the channel, the higher
of the two normal depths at C acts as a control for the reach CB, giving rise to an
M1 profile over CB.
At B, the normal depth of the channel CB acts as a control giving rise to an M2
profile over AB.
With these controls the possible flow profiles are:
(i) an M2 profile on channel AB
(ii) M1 profile on channel BC
(iii) M3 profile and M2 profile connected through a jump on the stretch
DC.
Problem 3
A trapezoidal channel has three reaches A, B and C connected in series with the
following properties:
Solution:
For a discharge of 22.5 m3/s through this channel, sketch the resulting water-surface
profiles. The length of the reaches can be assumed to be sufficiently long for the GVF
profiles to develop fully.
Problem 3 (Cont.,)
The normal depth and critical depths in the reaches AB and BC are calculated
by using normal depth table and table: Values of ψ for computation of critical
depth in trapezioidal channels.
The resulting profile as above is a serial combination.
Reference table:
Problem 3 (Cont.,)
Reach A is a mild-slope channel as y0 > yc and reaches B and C are steep slope
channels. Reach B is steeper than reach C.
Reach A will have an M2 drawdown curve, reach B and S2 drawdown curve and
reach C and S3 rising curve.
The CDL is drawn at a height of 1.316 m
above the bed level and the NDLs are
drawn at the appropriate y0 values.
Problem 4
In a rectangular channel, two reaches M and N are in series, with reach M
being upstream of reach N. These channel reaches have the following
characteristics:
Sketch the resulting GVF profile due to the change in the channel
characteristics as above.
Solution:
Problem 4 (Cont.,)
Normal depth calculations: η from table: values of
Reach φ η Normal depth y0(m) φ for Trapezoidal
Channels (ref. next
M 0.256496 0.6071 3.036 slide)
N 0.32220 0.7254 2.902
Reference table: values of φ for Trapezoidal Channels
Problem 4 (Cont.,)
The channel slope changes from Mild Slope to Steeper mild slope and an M2
curve is formed in the reach M.
The curve has the upstream asymptote of y0m = 3.3036 m and ends at a depth
of 2.902 m at the junction of the two reaches.
