1.

0 INTRODUCTION
This project is carried out on 13th December 2016 to investigate the parameters of an
open channel. The site visit location is Babagon River in Penampang, Sabah. The map
of the location is shown as following:

The objectives of this project are:

To measure and determine the geometric elements of open channel
To calculate the slope channel, velocity and discharge of the channel
To propose an artificial channel design for the existing open channel and show
the efficiency of the proposed channel

Open channels encompass any system conveying a fluid under atmospheric

pressure. Examples of open channel are rivers, creeks, streams, brooks, canals, bayous,
streets, ditches, floodplains and sewers. The cross-sectional area of the channel might
be irregular in shape. Open channel can be classified into two main types: natural
channels and artificial channels. Natural channels have been developed throughout
history by natural processes without human interference. Artificial channels are
designed and constructed according to specifications, in order to meet certain water
conveyance requirements.

1
 The geometric elements are the parameters which define various type of
channel cross sections. Geometric elements are extremely important for flow
computation. For a simple rectangular section, the geometric elements may be
expressed in terms of the depth of flow and the width of the section. For this project,
the main geometric elements are top width, cross-sectional area, wetted perimeter,
hydraulic radius and hydraulic depth. The top width is the width of the channel section
at the free surface. The cross-sectional area of flow is the area normal to the direction
of flow. The wetted perimeter is the length of the line of intersection of the channel
wetted surface with a cross-sectional plane normal to the direction of flow. The
hydraulic radius is the ratio of the cross-sectional area to its wetted perimeter. The
hydraulic depth is the ratio of the cross-sectional area to the top width. The slope
channel has a profound effect on the velocity of flow in the channel. The channel slope
must be defined in order to determine velocity and discharge using the Manning
equation. Manning coefficient for this project is in between 0.011 to 0.013.

During the site visit, a levelling staff is used to determine the bed shape. The
staff indicates the bed level at the point of measurement, as compared to the water
level. The difference between the water level and the bed level indicates the depth of
flow at the point of measurement. Repeating this measurement at interval of 2.0
meters across the river width will lead to a good identification of the river bed. Two
river sections are measured and the distance between the sections are 5.0 meters. In
modern times, hydrographic techniques, such as sonar, are more often employed to
determine the channel cross-sectional geometry.

2
2.0 PROCEDURE
Equipment involved:
Leveling staff, 100m open reel fiberglass tape, empty water bottle, thread

Works involved:
1. The open reel fiberglass tape was used to measure the top width of Babagon
River.
2. The tape was held by two persons at both sides of the river.
3. The levelling staff was held by one person at every 2.0 meters from the left
bank of the river to the right bank of the river.
4. The point of measurement were observed and recorded for every 2.0 meters.
5. The steps were repeated for another section which is 5.0m away from the first
section.

3
3.0 DATA COLLECTION AND RESULTS
Table 1: Raw data of river beds depth
Horizontal distance Water depth for Section 1 Water depth for Section 2 (m)
from left bank (m) (m)
2 0.86 0.86
4 0.76 0.97
6 0.67 0.66
8 0.69 0.68
10 0.53 0.65
12 0.59 0.55
14 0.58 0.55
16 0.40 0.55
18 0.57 0.52
20 0.52 0.41
22 0.55 0.45
24 0.53 0.49
26 0.45 0.50
28 0.46 0.55
30 0.45 0.43
32 0.36 0.45
34 0.38 0.40
36 0.30 0.50
38 0.48 0.43
40 0.39 0.34
42 0 0

4
Table 2 & 3: Cross sectional area and perimeter of river bed
SECTION 1: SECTION 2:

Area, A(m2) Perimeter, P(m) Area, A(m2) Perimeter, P(m)

2.1771 2.1771
0.86 0.86
2.0025 2.0030
1.62 1.83
2.0020 2.0239
1.43 1.63
2.0001 2.0001
1.36 1.34
2.0064 2.0002
1.22 1.33
2.0009 2.0025
1.12 1.2
2.0000 2.0000
1.17 1.1
2.0081 2.0000
0.98 1.1
2.0072 2.0002
0.97 1.07
2.0006 2.0030
1.09 0.93
2.0002 2.0004
1.07 0.86
2.0001 2.0004
1.08 0.94
2.0016 2.0000
0.98 0.99
2.0000 2.0006
0.91 1.05
2.0000 2.0036
0.91 0.98
2.0020 2.0001
0.81 0.88
2.0001 2.0006
0.74 0.85
2.0016 2.0025
0.68 0.9
2.0081 2.0012
0.78 0.93
2.0020 2.0020
0.87 0.77
2.0377 2.0287
0.39 0.34
=21.04 = 42.2584 = 21.88 = 42.2503

5
Table 4: Velocity of river measured

Trials 1 2 3
Distance (m) 22 22 22
Time (s) 107 112 127
Velocity, v (m/s) 0.21 0.20 0.17
Average 0.19

SECTION 1
Top width, B = 42.0 m
Hydraulic radius, R = A/P = 0.50 m
Hydraulic depth, D = A/B = 0.50 m
Discharge, Q = Av = (21.04)(0.19) = 3.99 m/s
Channel slope, So is obtained from HEC-RAS software which is 0.023152 m/m.

SECTION 2
Top width, B = 42.0 m
Hydraulic radius, R = A/P = 0.52 m
Hydraulic depth, D = A/B = 0.52 m
Discharge, Q = Av = (21.88)(0.19) = 4.16 m/s
Channel slope, So is obtained from HEC-RAS software which is 0.003772 m/m.

6
Figure 1(a): First cross section view of the natural river profile.

Figure 1(b): Second cross section view of the natural river profile.

7
Figure 2: 3D visualization of the natural river profile.

Figure 3: Summary of natural profile report generated by HEC-RAS.

8
Design for concrete lining open channel

Figure 4(a): First cross section view of the natural river profile.

Figure 4(b): Second cross section view of the natural river profile.

9
Figure 5: 3D visualization of designed upgraded concrete lining channel.

Figure 6: Summary of designed concrete lining channel report generated by HEC-RAS.

10
Proposed Concrete Channel For Babagon River
SECTION 1
Bottom & Top width, B = 42 m
Area, A = (42)(0.3) = 12.6 m2
Perimeter, P = 2(0.3) + 42 = 42.6 m
Hydraulics radius, R = A/P = 12.6 / 42.6 = 0.30 m
Hydraulic depth, D = A/B = 12.6/ 42 = 0.30 m

SECTION 2
Bottom & Top width, B = 42 m
Area, A = (42)(0.3) = 12.6 m2
Perimeter, P = 2(0.3) + 42 = 42.6 m
Hydraulics radius, R = A/P = 12.6 / 42.6 = 0.30 m
Hydraulic depth, D = A/B = 12.6/ 42 = 0.30 m

The efficiency of a channel is dependent on its maximum discharge and wetted

perimeter. Maximum discharge and minimum wetted perimeter is the most economical
and considered as maximum hydraulic efficiency.

4.0 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

From the report generated by HEC-RAS for natural river profile, it can be seen
that the river is classified as a sub-critical flow since the Froude number is less than
one. The widest cross section occurs at both cross-section recorded with an equal span
of 42 meters. The critical depth of the river is found to be 0.47meters below water
level and the river is found to be asymmetrical towards the left bank, looking from the
direction of upstream towards downstream. The mannings coefficient used for the
natural river is 0.035 in accordance to winding, irregular natural earth channel type.
(James F. Cruise, Mohsen M. Sherif & Vijay P. Singh, 2007).

In order to combat the issue of deposition, an upgraded concrete lining channel

with mannings coefficient of 0.012 were designed. This slightly raised the subcritical
flow to a critical flow where Froudes number increase from 0.71 to 1.0 from station 1
to station 2. In this regard, the river flow will accelerate just enough to not cause any

11
deposition along the river but still doesnt causes an impact to the concrete lining. Both
cross section where designed using the same width as the natural river profile. A
rectangular channel were adopted for design. Since the width of the river is more than
10 for each and every one of the cross section, the channel is known as a wide channel.
Rectangular channel were selected because it is used extensively with unlined earth
banks. (James F. Cruise, Mohsen M. Sherif & Vijay P. Singh, 2007). It also offers the
benefits of being able to carry higher discharge without a showing a significant rise in
water level. The water surface for trapezoidal channel is design according to its critical
depth as opposed to the natural river profile where water surface is known and set as
zero while designing the boundary condition using HEC-RAS.

While conducting the measurement, several problems were encountered. For

instance, the muddy and murky river hides the appearance of the river bed which is
full with stones and tree trunks. This caused scratches and minor injuries to the
members when measuring the depth of river bed across its width. Secondly, the
sudden increase in depth near to the left bank of the river poses a threat to members
measuring the depth of river bed. Fortunately extra precaution were taken by the
members and no one were harmed while conducting the measurement. Lastly the
gushing river flow makes it difficult to hold the staff in position on the river bed let
alone to read off the correct water level which is constantly fluctuating. In order to
overcome this issue, the staff is held onto for a couple of seconds and the average
reading is taken as measurement. The measuring tape that is spanned across the
width of the river were also kept above water level to avoid it being swayed by the
current. Some difficulties were encountered while using HEC-RAS as well due to the
limitation of unfamiliarity with the software. In order to successfully plot the river
profile as well as design the channel using HEC-RAS, all members did their research
and looked for references before having a discussion and knowledge sharing session.
In conclusion, despite minor hiccups while carrying out field work and design were
encountered, the objectives of this assignment were achieved.

12
5.0 REFERENCE

1. Alex J. (2012). Long & Cross Profile. Retrieved from:

https://geographyas.info/rivers/long-and-cross-profiles/

2. Bru N. (2016). Geometric Elements of Channel Sections. Retrieved from:

https://www.academia.edu/9667122/Geometric_elements_of_channel_sectio
ns

3. James F.C., Mohsen M.S. & Vijay P.S. (2007). Elementary Hydraulics. Cengage
Learning: USA.

4. R.K. Bansal (2015). Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulic Machines. Ninth edition.
Laxmi Publications: New Delhi, India.

13
6.0 LIST NAME OF CONTRIBUTION

Site Visit:
Beh Jing Pin, Chee Chung Cher, Khew Zhen Yuan, Lim Guo Sheng, Thomas Kho

Cover page:
Lim Guo Sheng

Table of Content:
Chee Chung Cher, Lim Guo Sheng

Introduction:
Beh Jing Pin, Lim Guo Sheng

Procedure:
Lim Guo Sheng, Thomas Kho Swee Boon

Data Collection and Results:

Beh Jing Pin, Chee Chung Cher, Khew Zhen Yuan, Lim Guo Sheng,
Thomas Kho Swee Boon, Ong Peh Luen

Discussion and Conclusion:

Beh Jing Pin, Chee Chung Cher, Khew Zhen Yuan, Lim Guo Sheng,
Thomas Kho Swee Boon, Ong Peh Luen

Reference:
Khew Zhen Yuan, Lim Guo Sheng

Compile, Format and Checking:

Chee Chung Cher

14