CHAPTER 3

NON - UNIFORM FLOW IN

OPEN CHANNEL
(PART 1)
3.1 Use of Specific energy
3.2 Determination of critical depth by various method
3.3 Control Sections

Non Uniform Flow

The energy grade line, water surface and channel bottom are not
parallel;
Sf Sw So
Sf = slope energy grade line , Sw= slope of the water surface , So= slope of the channel
bed

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Total Energy

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3.1 : USE OF SPECIFIC ENERGY

The concept of specific energy introduced by Bakhmeteff (1932)

Specific energy is defined as the sum of depth and velocity head.

A more formal definition of specific energy is the height of the

energy grade line above the channel bottom.

In uniform flow, for example, the energy grade line by definition is

parallel to the channel bottom, so that the specific energy is

constant in the flow direction.

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v1/2g

EGL

v2/2g

Q
y2 = ?
y1

Figure 1 :Transition with bottom step

The specific energy decreases in the flow direction, but it would be

equally possible for the specific energy to increase in the flow

direction by dropping rather than raising the channel bottom.

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If for the moment we neglect the energy loss, the energy equation

combined with continuity can be written as

E1
y1 + Q/2gA1

=
=

E2 + z
y2 + Q/2gA2 + z

(4.1)

Where is
y
Q
A
z

=
=
=
=
=

depth
discharge
Cross-sectional area of flow
z2 z1
change in bottom elevation from cross section 1 to 2

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Specific Energy in Open Channel

Considered square channel (prismatic and straight)

E = y + q/2gy

(4.2)

where, q = flowrate per unit width (m/s/m)

q = Q/b , and A = by

Equation 4.2 (energy, E, depth of flow, y and flowrate, q) may be

written/defined in 2 conditions as below;i.

ii.

E and y if q is constant
q and y if E is constant

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i) E and y if q is constant
From Eq (4.2)
E
0

=
=

y + q/2gy
y Ey + q/2g

(4.3)

It is apparent from Equation (4.3) that there indeed is a unique

functional variation between y and E for a constant value of q, and

it is sketched as the specific energy diagram.

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Specific Energy Diagrams (E-y)

y
D
y

v/2g (head of
velocity)

y > yc
y
yc

C
A

45

y < yc

E = y + q/2gy

Emin

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Specific Energy Diagrams

y

y2

yc
y1

Emin

*Note q is constant.

Eo

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At C, specific energy is minimum and normal depth at this point is

'critical depth', yc
If
y > yc ;
v < vc ==> Subcritical flow (steady)
y < yc ;
v > vc ==>Supercritical flow (turbulant)
Differentiation of Equation (4.2)
E = y + Q/2gA
dE/dy = 1 - (Q/2g)(2/A)dA/dy
dE/dy = 1 (Q/gA).T
= 1 (v/gA).T
= 1 v/gD

T
dy

dA
= T.dy
dA/dy = T

At critical point, E is minimum i.e. dE/dy = 0

therefore;v/gD = 1
;
(froude,Fr = 1)
v/(gD) = 1
v/2g = D/2 or

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For a rectangular channel,

Hydraulic Depth, D = A /T
= by/b = y
Therefore, at critical condition ==>>
Fr
=1
(y = yc, v = vc)
vc /(g yc )
=1
vc/2g
= yc/2

(a)
(b)

From the schematic diagram;E

= y + q/2gy
dE/dy = 1 q/gyc
q
= gyc
yc
= (q/g)

(c)

(E = min, y = yc )
=0

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q
vc yc
vc
vc

= gyc but
q = vy = vcyc
= gyc
= gyc
=(gyc) or vc /2g = yc

(d)

Emin

= yc + q/2gyc
= yc +(g yc) / (gyc)
= yc + yc2
= 1.5yc or
yc

(e)

Emin

=(2/3)Emin

The point of minimum E is found by setting dE/dy equal to zero, and solving

for y. The result is yc = 2E/3, which is called the critical depth yc. The
corresponding velocity V is called the critical velocity Vc. The critical depth
divides the energy curve into two branches. On the upper branch, y
increases with E, while on the lower branch y decreases with E.
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ii) q and y if E is constant

E = y + q/2gy
q = 2gy(E - y)
At critical point, dq/dy

(4.4)
=0

Differentiation of Equation (4.4):

q
= 2gy
(E - y) = 2g(Ey y)
2qdq/dy = 2g(E 2yc 3yc = 0
2ycE
= 3yc
E
= 1.5yc
yc
= 2/3E
qmax

qmax

= 2gy (E y) (from Eq. 4.7)

= 2gy (1.5yc yc)
= gyc
= (gyc)

(f)

(g)

Note;

Subcritical and supercritical flow normally depend on the channel slope, S. Therefore, for the supercritical flow, value of S is
high.
*Critical Slope = slope at critical depth.

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Specific Energy Diagrams (q-y)

y
E constant
y1
yc
q y curve
E
yc=2/3E
y2

qmax

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Critical flow criteria (square/rectangular channel)

Fr = 1.0
'E' is minimum for 'q' constant
Emin
= 1.5yc
yc
= (q/g)
'q' is maximum at E constant
yc
= 2/3Emin
qmax = (gyc)
Velocity head (vc/2g) is one-half of critical depth, yc
vc/2g = yc /2
Critical velocity (vc);
vc
= (gyc)
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Froude Number, Fr and Flow classification

q2/gyc3

=1

vc2/gyc

=1

Then,
at critical conditions

So,
at critical conditions, the Froude number =1

gy c is known as the Froude Number, F

If F = 1, y = yc and flow is critical.
If F < 1, y > yc and flow is subcritical.
If F > 1, y < yc and flow is supercritical.

F is independent of the slope of the channel, yc dependent only on Q.

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Flow characteristics of flow in rectangular channels

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Critical Depth in non-rectangular channels

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Critical conditions for channels of various shape

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Cross Section Factor for Critical Flow (Z)

Q /g
(4.9)

A/ T

Z
D

=
=

Q /g
A/T

or
where;

= AD

Equation (4.10) may be define as Cross Section Factor (z) for critical flow. (Where as
AD is cross section factor,z)
If

Fr
z

=
=

a,
Q/(ga)

therefore
AD

Equation (4.11) is use generally in critical flow analysis.

Q

zg

Q
z

=
=

z(ga)
Q/(ga) ===>>

or
cross section factor for
Non uniform Flow

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Example 1
Water flows in a rectangular channel with 5 m width and
8m/s flowrate. Depth of channel is 1m. Determine the
specific energy for this channel.

Example 2
From example 4.1, if the channel is a trapezoidal channel
with side slope is 1.5:1 and width of channel is 2m.
Determine the specific energy for this channel.

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Example 3
a) A wide and straight river was flows with 3.5m/s/m flow

rate. What is the value of critical depth? If normal

depth is 4.6m, calculate the Froude number for this flow
rate. (Type of flow: sub critical or supercritical).
Calculate the critical slope if Mannings Coefficient is
0.035.
b) Refer to question (a), calculate the depth (y2) for the

same specific energy. What is Froude number for this

condition?
*For (b), there are 2 solutions; trial and error and graphical

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Solution 3(a):
q
yc

= 3.5m/s/m
= (q/g) = [(3.5)/9.81] = 1.08m

(answer)

At normal depth,y = 4.6m,

Flow Velocity, v = q/y = 3.5/4.6 = 0.76m/s
Froude Number at y
Fr

= 4.6,
= v/(gy)
= 0.76/(9.81)(4.6)
= 0.113

(answer)

Note: Fr < 1.0, therefore , flow in this river is subcritical flow

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From Manning Formula:

Q = AR(2/3)S / n
Note:for a rectangular channel, q= Q/b; for a very wide channel, R = y
Therefore;
q = y(5/3)S(1/2)/n
At critical flow in Non-Uniform flow;q
=
yc(5/3)Sc(1/2)/n
Sc
=
(qn/yc (5/3))
=
[3.5 x 0.035 / (1.08)(5/3)]
=
0.012 or 1/86

(answer)

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Solution 3(a):
Specific Energy for y1
E
but
E
Where as
y2

=
=

4.6
4.6 + (3.5)/19.62 (4.6)

=
=

y2 + q/(2gy2)
depth at the same specific energy

= 4.63m

THERE ARE 2 METHODS:Trial & Error Method

y2 should be in supercritical flow, therefore, the value of y2 is smaller than
yc.
If
y2 >>>> ;E <<<<
E y Curved Method
Graph 'y' vs 'E = y+ (3.5)/19.62 (y)'
E = y + 0.624/y
y = 0 5 meter
y = 0.383 m

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Example 4
A rectangular channel with 3m width flows water at 12m/s
flow rate when Froude number is 0.8. Determine the
depths (y1 and y2) for the same flow rate and specific
energy.

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14

Solution 4:
Q
= 12m/s
V
= Q/A
= 12/3y1
= 4/y1
If Fr
= 0.8 (subcritical flow)
v/(gy1)
= 0.8
(4/y1)/(9.81y1) = 0.8
y1
= 1.366m (depth for subcritical flow, y1)
Specific Energy;E1
= y1 + q/2gy1
= 1.366 + (4)/2(9.81)(1.366)
= 1.803m

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Solution
Calculation for y2 at the same flow rate and specific energy
E1
1.803

=
E2
= y2 + q/2gy2
= y2 + 0.815/y2

Critical depth, yc = (q/g)(1/3)

= (4/9.81)(1/3)
= 1.177m

(as a reference for trial & error method)

Trial & Error Method:-

y2

= 1.02 m (depth at supercritical flow)

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Exercise
1. A trapezoidal channel designed with 6 m width and side slope
1:2, calculate the critical depth when the flow rate is 17 m3/s
using ;
-Trial and Error
- Graph
- Design Chart
2. A trapezoidal channel with side slope of 2 horizontal to 1 vertical is
to carry a flow for 16.7 m3/s. For the bottom width of 3.6 m,
calculate : a. critical depth
b. critical velocity
using :
-Trial and Error
-Design Chart
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