Summary of specific energy relationships

Variable

yc

General

Rectangular

Q2
2gA 2

No direct solution.
3
Q 2 Ac

0 or
Solve F y c
g
Bc

F yc

Q 2 Bc

1 0 for yc
3
gAc
* see Table 2.1. for common shapes

Emin

Fr

qmax

EL

CE 451/551

q2
y c
g

gDc

Vc

yc

3
yc
2

No direct solution.

gyc

1
Dc
2

Q2 B
3
gD gA

q2
2gy 2

Q2
Q2
1
1 Q2

2
2
2
2
2 gA2 2 gA1
A2
A1 2 g

q2
3
gy gy

8
3
27 gE

q2
q
1 2
2
2 gy2 2 gy1

y = flow depth

Q
= mean velocity
A

Q
= discharge per unit width or unit discharge
B

B = top width of section

A = flow area of section
Q = discharge
g = acceleration due to gravity

A
= hydraulic depth
B

EL = energy (head) loss

CE 451/551