School of Civil Engineering & Built Environment

Department of Civil Engineering

Doornfontein Campus

HYDRAULICS 2A
(HYDCIA2)

CLASS EXAMPLES 4:
OPEN CHANNEL FLOW
(June 2020)

QUESTION 1

An unlined open channel is to be excavated into predominantly sandy soil for which flow velocity
is to be limited to 1.22 m/s in order to protect the channel from erosion. With this material, the
Manning’s coefficient, n = 0.022, and the recommended side slope, z = 3. The channel, which
will have a bottom slope of 0.0011, must be designed to accommodate a design flow of 9.8 m3/s.
With this information, determine the minimum size of the channel (bed width and flow depth) that
can accommodate the designed flow.

ANSWER

1.0

Given,

- Channel material is sandy soil (Vmax = 1.22 m/s).

- Side slopes, z = 3
- Bed width, b = ?
- Flow depth, y = ?
 - Bed slope, S = 0.0011
- Flow rate, Q = 9.8 m3/s
- Manning’s n = 0.022

Minimum cross-sectional area that can accommodate this flow,

A,

Q 9.80
A   8.03m 2
V x 1.22
8.03  by  zy 2  by  3 y 2
by  3 y 2  8.03
8.03  3 y 2
b
y

Perimeter,

P  b  2 y 1  z 2  b  2  y  1  32
P  b  6.32 y
8.03  3 y 2
P  6.32 y
y
8.03  3 y 2  6.32 y 2
P
y
8.03  3.32 y 2
P
y

Hydraulic radius,

A 8.03 8.03 y
R  
P 8.03  3.32 y 2
8.03  3.32 y 2
y
Discharge in the channel, using the Manning’s equation

1 2 3 12
Q R S A
n
2
1  8.03 y  3
1
9.8    
2 
 0.0011 2  8.03
0.022  8.03  3.32 y 
2
 8.03 y  3
0.81   
2 
 8.03  3.32 y 
8.03 y
0.73 
8.03  3.32 y 2
8.03 y  5.86  2.42 y 2
y 2  3.32 y  2.42  0

Solving for y, using the quadratic equation,

 b  b 2  4ac
x
2a

 3.32  (3.32) 2  4  1  2.42

x
2 1
3.32  1.16 4.48 2.16
x  ...or ..
2 2 2

x  2.24 or x  1.08m

Thus,

for y = 2.24m,

8.03  3 y 2 8.03  3  2.24 2

b   3.14m
y 2.24
This means that depth of, y = 2.24 m, is not realistic since we
cannot have a corresponding bed width in negatives.

Now, we check for, y = 1.08 m, and then work out the bed width
just like before.

8.03  3 y 2 8.03  3  1.08 2

b   4.20m
y 1.08

Since the depth, y = 1.08 m gives us a bed width, b = 4.20 m

(positive and realistic), therefore,

b  4.20m and y  1.08m

With freeboard (assumed as 0.7m), total channel depth,

H  y  fb  1.08  0.7
H  1.78m
QUESTION 2

An irrigation channel in the form of a trapezoidal shape (Fig. 2.1) below is constructed and lined
with concrete. The channel is laid on a longitudinal bed slope that falls 1.0 m per 1km of length.
If the channel is designed to carry a discharge of 954.0 m3/min, calculate the following:

a) Normal depth of the channel.

b) Velocity in the channel.
c) Critical depth.

2
2
1
1

Fig. 2.1

ANSWER

2.0 Given,

- Channel as shown.
- Channel material is concrete
- Bed slope, 1 m in 1km, S  0.001
- Side slope, z  2
 - Bed width, b  3.5m
- Discharge, Q  954 .0m / min  15.9m / s
3 3

a) Making use of design charts attached (normal depth),

Qn 15.9  0.013
1 8
 1 8
 0.23
S 2b 3
0.001 2  3.5 3

From the design charts,

yn
 0.35
b

Hence, normal depth,

yn  0.35  3.5
yn  1.225m

b) Velocity in the channel,

Area, A,
A  by  zy 2  3.5  1.4  2  1.4 2
A  8.82 m 2

Wetted perimeter, P,
P  b  2 y 1  z 2  3.5  2  1.4  1  2 2
P  9.76m

Thus,

Q 15.9
V   1.8m / s
A 8.82
 c) Critical depth,

Making use of Design charts attached (Critical depth)

3 3
Qz 2
15.9  2 2

1 5
 1 5
 0.63
g 2b 2
9.81 2  3.5 2

From Design charts attached (Critical depth),

zy c
 0.54
b

Critical depth,

0.54  3.5
yc   0.95m
2
QUESTION 3

On a particular flood protection dam, a rectangular channel 12.5 m wide forms part of that dam’s
spillway. The discharge over this spillway is 38.2 m3/s. At the foot of the spillway, the channel is
almost horizontal forming a hydraulic jump as a result of the sudden change in slope. If, after the
jump, the depth of water is found to be 2.05 m, compute the following:

a) The water depth before the hydraulic jump occurred.

b) Height of the hydraulic jump.
c) Length of the jump.
d) The energy loss at the jump.
e) Critical velocity.

ANSWER

3.0 Given,

- Rectangular channel
- Q = 38.2 m3/s
- Bed width, b = 12.5 m
- Flow depth before the jump, y2 = 2.05 m
-

a) Depth after the jump,

q2  y  y2 
 y1 y 2  1 
g  2 
Where,
Q 38.2
q   3.06m3 / s / m
b 12.5

Thus,
 3.06 2  y  2.05 
 2.05 y1  1 
9.81  2 
 y  2.05 
0.95  2.05 y1  1 
 2 
1.91  2.05 y1  y1  2.05 
1.91  2.05 y12  4.2 y1
y12  2.05 y1  0.93  0

Solving for y1,

y1  2.43 or y1  0.38

Hence, flow depth before the jump,

y1  0.38m

b) Height of the hydraulic jump,

h j  y 2  y1  2.05  0.38
h j  1.67 m

c) Length of the jump,

Froude number in the supercritical zone,

V1
N F1 
gy1
Where,
Q 38.2
V1    8.04 m / s
by1 12.5  0.38

Hence,
 8.04
N F1   4.17
9.81  0.38

From Lecture notes, NF1 yields hydraulic length of:

L j  5.8 y 2  5.8  2.05

L j  11.89 m

d) Energy loss at the jump,

E 
 y 2  y1 3
4 y1 y 2

E 
2.05  0.383  1.4947
4  0.38  2.05

E  1.49m

e) Critical velocity,

Critical depth,
Q2 3 38.2 2
yc  3   0.98m
gb 2 9.81  12.5 2

Critical velocity,

Q Q 38.2
Vc   
Ac byc 12.5  0.98
Vc  3.13m / s
QUESTION 4

Fig. 4.2 shows a rectangular channel that is used to carry a volume of 330 m3 of water every
minute from one process tank to another within a wastewater treatment works. With this flow, the
channel flows with a depth of (y = 0.5 m) over a channel width of (b = 2.0 m). For the channel
lined with unfinished concrete (n = 0.017), complete the following design tasks:

a) Calculate the critical depth.

b) Calculate the minimum specific energy in the channel.
c) State whether the flow in the channel is critical, subcritical or supercritical.
d) For the flow depth, y = 0.50 m, determine the specific energy and the alternate depth for
this energy.
e) Determine the Froude number for each depth in (d).

Fig. 4.2

ANSWER

4.0 Given,
 - Channel width, b = 2.0 m
- Discharge, Q = 330/min = 5.5 m3/s
- Channel is lined – unfinished concrete, n = 0.017
- Flow depth, y = 0.5 m

a) Critical depth,

Q2 5.52
yc  3  3  0.917
gb 2 9.81 22
yc  0.92m

Critical velocity, Vc,

Q Q 5.5
Vc   
Ac byc 2  0.92
Vc  2.999m / s

b) Minimum specific energy,

Vc2
E min  yc 
2g

Hence,
 2.9992
Emin  0.92   1.3785
2  9.81
Emin  1.38m

c) With y  yc
Flow is SUPERCRITICAL

d) (i) Specific energy when y  0.5m

Now, because the critical depth is more than 0.5 m,

then this flow depth is for supercritical flow,

Thus,

y1  0.5m

Velocity at this flow depth,

Q Q
V1  
A1 by1
5.5 5.5
V1  
2  0.5 1.0
V1  5.5m / s

Hence,

V12 5.5 2
E1  y1   0.5 
2g 2  9.81
E1  2.04m
ii) Alternate depth, y1

q2 y  y2
 y1 y 2 1
g 2

Where,

Q 5.5
q   2.75m 2 / s
b 2

Hence,

q2 y  y2
 y1 y2 1
g 2
2.752 0.5  y2
 0.5 y2
9.81 2
1.54  0.25 y2  0.5 y22
y22  0.5 y2  3.08  0

Solving for y1 , using the quadratic equation,

b  b 2  4ac
x
2a
0.5  0.52  4 1 (3.08)
x
2
0.5  3.55
x
2

x  1.53 or x  2.03
Since the critical depth, yc = 0.92 m, and y2, must be positive,
therefore,

The alternate depth,

y2  1.53m

Froude Number, NF1,

V1 5.5
N F1  
gy1 9.81  0.5
N F 1  2.48

e) Velocity of flow for the alternate depths, y2,

Q Q 5.5 5.5
V2    
A2 by2 2.0 1.53 3.06
V2  1.80m / s

Froude Number, NF2,

V2 1.8
NF 2  
gy2 9.811.53
N F 2  0.46
QUESTION 5

5.1 A trapezoidal channel with a bed width of 12.5 m is constructed to transport a 24.6 m3/s
flow of water to a nearby commercial farm. The side slopes on both banks of the
channel is 1:1. For a critical flow condition in this channel, compute the following:

a) Actual flow depth.

b) Hydraulic depth for the critical condition.
c) Critical velocity.

5.2 Water flows in a rectangular irrigation channel 4.0 m wide at a depth of 1.7 m. For a
discharge of 15.0 m3/s,

a) Determine whether the flow is subcritical, critical or supercritical.

b) Calculate the alternate depth of flow that could occur in the channel at the same
discharge.
c) Determine the critical slope of the channel assuming that it is lined with concrete
(n = 0.012).

ANSWER

5.1 Given,

- trapezoidal channel with:

b  12.5m
Q  24.6m 3 / s
z 1

a) Considering critical flow condition,

Q 2T
1
gA3
Where,

T  b  2 zy c  12.5  2 y c
A  byc  zy c  12.5 y c  y c2

Therefore,

Q 2T 24.6 2  12.5  2 y c 
 1

gA3 9.81  12.5 yc  yc2 3 

Solving for yc, using Wlfram Alpha,

yc  0.719 m or yc  11.752 m

Actual flow depth,

yc  0.72m

b) Hydraulic critical depth,

Ac
Dc 
Tc
Where,
Ac  byc  zy c  12.5 y c  y c2
Ac  12.5  0.719  0.719 2
Ac  9.50m 2
 And,
Tc  b  2 zy c  12.5  2 yc
Tc  12.5  2  0.719
Tc  13.94m

Hence,

Ac 9.50
Dc  
Tc 13.94
Dc  0.682 m

c) Critical velocity
Q 24.6
Vc  
Ac 9.50
Vc  2.589 m / s

5.2 Given,

- Rectangular channel
b  4.0m
y  1.7m
Q  15.0m 3 / s
n  0.012

a) Velocity in the channel,

Q Q 15.0
V  
A by 4  1.7
V  2.21m / s
Froude number,

V 2.21
NF  
gy 9.81  1.7
N F  0.54

With the Froude number (NF) less than 1.0, the flow is
SUBCRITICAL

And therefore,
y2  1.7m

b) Alternate depth

Flow per unit width,

Q 15.0
q   3.75m 2 / s
b 4

q2  y  y2 
 y1 y 2  1 
g  2 
3.75 2  y  1.7 
 1.7 y1   1 
9.81  2 
2.87  1.7 y12  2.89 y1
y12  1.7 y1  1.69  0

Solving for y1 using the quadratic equation or Wolfram

Alpha,
y1  2.403m or y1  0.703m
The alternate depth,

y1  0.703m

c) Critical slope,

Critical depth,
Q 2 3 15.0 2
yc  3   1.13m
gb 2 9.81  4.0 2

Critical velocity,

Q Q 15.0
Vc   
Ac byc 4.0  1.13
Vc  3.33m / s

Critical hydraulic radius,

Ac byc 4  1.13
Rc   
Pc b  2 y c 4  2  1.13
Rc  0.72 m

Using the Manning’s equation to determine the critical slope,

 1 2 3 12
V R S
n
1 2 1
3.33   0.72 3  S 2
0.012

S  0.0025

QUESTION 6

Textbook, Q14.8, Q14.9, Q14.14

QUESTION 7

Textbook, Q14.15

ANSWER

7.0 Given,
(Q14.15)

River channel

S r  0.00015
nr  0.04
sideSlope  1:1

Flood channel on both sides

S r  0.00015
nr  0.04
sideSlope  1:1
 All dimensions as given in the diagram.

a) Consider water depth of y = 0.914 m

For the river channel,

Area, Ar ,

Ar  by  zy 2
Ar  3.658  0.914  1 0.9142
Ar  4.179m2

Wetted perimeter, Pr

Pr  b  2 y 1  z 2
Pr  3.658  2  0.914  1  12
Pr  6.243m
 Hydraulic radius, Rr

Ar 4.179
Rr    0.669m
Pr 6.243

Imaginary flow in the river channel cross-section,

1 2 3 12
Qr  Rr Sr Ar
nr
1 2 1
Qr   0.669 3  0.00015 2  4.179
0.04
Qr  0.979m3 / s

b) Consider water depth of y = 1.829 m

For the river channel,

yr  1.829  1.219  0.61m

 Area, Ar ,

 
Ar  by  zy 2   b  2 zy   yr
Ar   3.658 1.219  11.219    3.658  2 11.219   0.61
2

Ar  5.945  3.719
Ar  9.664m2

Wetted perimeter, Pr

Pr  b  2 y 1  z 2
Pr  3.658  2 1.219  1  12
Pr  7.106m

Hydraulic radius, Rr

Ar 9.664
Rr    1.36m
Pr 7.106

Imaginary flow in the river channel cross-section,

1 2 3 12
Qr  Rr Sr Ar
nr
1 2 1
Qr  1.36 3  0.00015 2  9.664
0.04
Qr  3.632m3 / s

For the floodway channel on the left,

Area, A f 1 ,
 1
Af 1    3.048  (0.61  3.048)   0.61
2
Af 1  2.045m 2

Wetted perimeter, Pf 1 ,

Pf 1  3.048  0.612  0.612

Pf 1  3.911m

Hydraulic radius, R f 1

Af 1 2.045
Rf 1    0.523m
Pf 1 3.911

Imaginary flow in the left floodway channel,

1 2 3 12
Qf 1  R f 1 S f Af 1
nf
1 2 1
Qf 1   0.523 3  0.00015 2  2.045
0.04
Q f 1  0.406m3 / s

For the floodway channel on the right,

Similarly,

Q f 2  Q f 1  0.406m3 / s

Total flow in the river channel and floodway channel,

 Q  Qr  Q f 1  Q f 2
Q  3.632  0.406  0.406
Q  4.445m3 / s

QUESTION 8

Textbook, Q14.19

ANSWER

8.0 Given,
(Q14.19)
- Trapezoidal channel
b  3m
3
z   1.5
2
-
0.1
S  0.001
100
y  1.5m
- For float-finished concrete, n = 0.015

Wetted area,

A  by  zy 2
A  3 1.5  1.5 1.52
A  7.875m2

Wetted perimeter,
 P  b  2 y 1 z2
P  3  2 1.5  1  1.52
P  8.408m

Hydraulic radius, R

A 7.875
R   0.937m
P 8.408

Discharge in the channel,

1 2 3 12
Q R S A
n
1 2 1
Q  0.937 3  0.001 2  7.875
0.015
Q  15.892m3 / s

Froude number,

V
NF 
gD

Velocity,

Q 15.892
V   2.018m / s
A 7.875
Top water surface width,

T  b  2 zy
T  3  2 1.5 1.5
T  7.5m

Hydraulic depth,

A 7.875
D   1.05m
T 7.5

Hence,

Froude number,

V 2.018
NF  
gD 9.811.05
N F  0.629

Critical depth of any channel,

Q 2T
1
gA3
Q 2 A3
  DA2
g T
15.8922
DA2   25.745
9.81
Where,

A  byc  zyc2  3 yc  1.5 yc2

A byc  zyc2 3 yc  1.5 yc2
D  
T b  2 zyc 3  2 1.5  yc
3 yc  1.5 yc2
D
3  3 yc

Hence,

3 yc  1.5 yc2
 
2
DA2   3 yc  1.5 yc2  25.745
3  3 yc

Solving using wolfram Alpha,

yc  1.04345
or
yc  1.1617

Critical depth is therefore,

yc  1.16m

ALL THE BEST TO YOU ALL!!!