THE OPEN UNIVERSITY OF SRI LANKA – DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY (CIVIL) – LEVEL 05

CEX 5231 – MECHANICS OF FLUIDS – YEAR 2015/2016

ASSIGNMENT #05 – SUGGESTED ANSWERS

01)a) The discharge through the sluice gate is obtained by equating =

the specific energy upstream and downstream of the gate. Here
we neglect energy losses at the gate and we also neglect any 2+ .
= 0.2 + . .
contraction effects (See question 4 of assignment 4.)
A (05) – Equating the specific energy on both sides of the gate = 3.6
B (10)- Solving for the discharge

The full equation has to be solved by trial and error. However

Note that an approximate solution can be obtained by neglecting
the upstream velocity head.

b) For section AB we now know the discharge. Then we can = = 1.2

calculate the critical depth for both sections AB and BC

(Remember the critical depth depends only on the discharge and the = = 0.53
Shape of the channel).

C (10) – Critical depth for AB and BC 3.6 = (0.0005)

.

The slope and the Manning’s coefficient are also given. Therefore
We can also calculate the uniform depth-by trial and error. As the
Uniform depth is greater than the critical depth the uniform flow = 0.82
In AB will be sub-critical and therefore AB has a mild slope.
D (10) – Calculation of uniform depth for AB > →
E (05) – Conclusion on type of slope for AB

Note that whether a channel has a mild or steep slope depends on the discharge, channel shape, slope and
roughness. Another way by which we can determine whether a channel has a mild or steep slope for a given
discharge is to calculate the critical slope- this is the slope at which the uniform depth will be equal to the critical
depth (See section 14.4 – and note that there is an error in equation 14.23).

C) For section BC it is given that the flow far downstream is uniform

And sub – critical. Therefore BC also has a mild slope.
F (10) – Conclusion on type of slope for BC

d) In order to identify the profile elements we need to think about the relative positions of the critical depth , the
uniform depth and the actual flow depth at any location. Both AB and BC have mild slopes that means that the
uniform depth is always above the critical depth and we can only have M-type profile elements or uniform flow.

In other words the water level variation everywhere in the given problem will have to follow one of the three
curves M1, M2 and M3 . However, remember that these curves are valid only for the case of gradually varied flow.
Please see the course material for the assumptions under which the flow can be considered “gradually varied”.

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How do we know which of these three profiles will be present? The type of profile is determined by the boundary
conditions. Remember that the equation for gradually varied flow = is a differential equation and as you
know from your mathematics courses the solution of a differential equation begins from the boundary conditions.
A boundary condition is a know value of the dependent variables (In this case y) on the boundary of the domain of
the problem (range of values of the independent variables in this case x.)

For problem of gradually varied flow in open channels we have two types of boundary conditions- upstream
boundary conditions and downstream boundary conditions. As we have learned before, super-critical flows are
controlled by the upstream boundary condition while sub – critical flows are controlled by the downstream
boundary condition.

For the given problem we know the water level (boundary condition) at three locations. These are
1) Upstream of the gate - subcritical
2) Downstream of the gate – supercritical M1
3) Far downstream on BC –sub-critical
Therefore, we have to solve the problem beginning from the D
boundary conditions. We have to make the calculations in the Y0
M2
upstream direction for a sub-critical flow (from a downstream OYc
boundary condition) and in the downstream direction for a super B
-critical flow (from an upstream boundary condition).

The direction of calculation for the given problem is shown in the figure. Let us consider each section in turn.

Upstream of the gate

Upstream of the depth is y = 2m which is greater than the uniform depth y0 = 0.82 m. Therefore the flow will have
an M1 profile upstream of the gate. An M1 profile increases in the downstream direction. As we have been told that
the section AB is “long” we can expect that uniform flow conditions exists upstream of the gate.
G (15) – Clear explanation and conclusion on flow profile upstream of gate

(i)
Upstream of the Uniform flow condition on BC
(ii)
Let us consider the flow downstream of B. Somewhere far (iii) YOBA
Downstream the flow is uniform and sub-critical. What O YC
Water level variation can we have between B and this Location?
B
C
There are three possibilities - as shown in the figure.

i) The water level at B is greater than the uniform depth on BC and decreases from B to the uniform depth.
ii) The water level at B is less than the uniform depth on BC and increases from B to the uniform depth.
iii) The water level at B is equal to the uniform depth and remains constant at the uniform depth along BC.

How do we determine which variation is correct? We can use our knowledge of gradually varied flow. We know
that the slope is a mild slope. Therefore the only water level variations (Profile types) possible near the uniform
depth are M1 and M2 . However these profile types both diverge from the uniform depth in the downstream
direction.
Therefore Case i) and Case ii) are not possible and the only possible solution is Case iii). The flow is uniform at B
and remains uniform along BC.
H (20) – Clear explanation and conclusion on flow profile on BC

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Downstream of Gate
Downstream of the gate, the flow depth begins at y = 0.2 m which is less than the critical depth y0 = 0.52m.
Therefore the flow will have an M3 profile downstream of the gate. An M3 profile also increases in the downstream
direction.
I (10) - Clear explanation and conclusion on flow profile downstream of gate

While the flow downstream of the gate is super-critical M1

the depth at B is the uniform depth, which is sub-critical.
As the M3 profile approaches the critical depth the slope ?
of the water surface will increase. However as the gradually Jump YOBC
M3
varied flow equation is not valid for large water surface YC
slopes the theoretical curve will not be found in practice A O

B
near the critical depth. Instead there will be a hydraulic C
Jump somewhere downstream of the gate so that the flow
depth can change from super-critical to sub-critical. M1

Drowned jump
This hydraulic jump can be a “free hydraulic jump “or
a “submerged hydraulic jump” (drowned sluice condition). YOBC
YC
We can sketch the water surface profiles that we have identified A O

B
so far. We already have two possible conditions – a free C
hydraulic jump after the gate and a submerged hydraulic jump
(drowned sluice condition).
J (20) - Conclusion that a free or submerged hydraulic jump must exist between the gate and B

Finally what profile type will exist between the jump and B? This will depend on the difference
between the uniform depths in AB (y0AB) and BC (y0BC). We have three cases to look at

Y0AB > Y0BC

Let us first consider the case when there is a free jump. YOAB
We can think of the possible cases based on the flow depth A
after jump. Let this depth be Y . The following cases B
C
the should be considered are shown in the figure. D
E YOBC
Y’ > Y0AB - Case A M3
Y’ = Y0AB - Case B YC
A O

Y0AB > Y’ >YOBC - Case C

B
Y’ = YOBC - Case D C
Y’ < Y0BC - Case E

Remember that after the jump the flow can follow only the possible gradually varied profiles for the channel
section AB. You should be able to prove that only Case B ( with uniform flow and then an M2 profile after the jump)
and case C (with an M2 profile after the jump) are possible.
Now consider the cases of a submerged hydraulic jump (drowned sluice). When is a submerged jump observed?

Consider the flow downstream of the sluice gate. The opening Sub-critical
of the gate is less than the critical depth- therefore the boundary (Jump)
condition at the sluice gate (upstream boundary condition for the
channel between the gate and B ) is super-critical flow. However, Super-critical YC
in this problem, at some point downstream of the gate the flow A

B
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depth will have to change from super – critical to sub-critical through
a hydraulic jump, as shown in the figure. This is because the downstream
boundary condition, at B. is sub-critical.
How do we calculate the location of the hydraulic jump?
To calculate the location of the hydraulic jump, we make use of the following relationships.

1) The depth upstream of the jump must be on the M3 curve that begins from the sluice gate. In other words
the M3 curve is a relationship between the location of the jump and the depth upstream of the jump.

2) The depth downstream of the jump must lie on the M2 curve that begins from B. In other words the M2
curve is a relationship between the location of the jump and the depth downstream of the jump. The M2
curve is known as a backwater curve. This is because we calculate backwards – that is in the downstream
direction – along the M2 curve because it is for sub – critical flow.

3) The upstream and downstream depths of a hydraulic jump are related by = 1+8 −1

From condition 1) we see that every point on the M3 curve gives us a possible location of the jump and a value for
the depth upstream of the hydraulic jump. From condition 3) we can calculate the corresponding downstream
depth of the jump if the jump is located at this particular point on the M3 curve.

The possible downstream depths of the jump will also from a curve. This curve is known as the conjugate curve for
the M3 profile. It is called the conjugate curve because the two depths Y1 and Y2 in condition 3) are known as the
conjugate depths.

So far we have used conditions 1) and 3) to plot the conjugate curve. For any location of the jump the depth
downstream of the jump must lie on this curve. What about condition 2)? This is also a condition for the depth
downstream of the jump for any location of the jump. Therefore the jump must be located at the intersection of
these two curves. In other words the jump is located at the intersection of the backwater curve and the conjugate
curve. Conjugate curve
Backwater curve
Backwater curve

Jump Conjugate curve

M3 M3

A – Free jump B- Submerged jump

The location of the jump for the problem being considered is shown in figure A. Note that we are drawing the
hydraulic jump as a vertical line. However, in reality we know the change from super-critical to sub-critical flow will
occur over a certain length.

Is it possible that the backwater curve and the conjugate curve do not intersect? Note that the conjugate curve is
decreasing in the flow direction (Why?). Therefore, if the depth from the backwater curve is greater than the
conjugate depth at the sluice gate the conjugate curve and the backwater curve may not intersect downstream of
the gate.

Such a situation is shown in figure B. The opening of the sluice gate is less that the critical depth. However, the
depth on the downstream side of the sluice gate is sub- critical. This is what is known as the “drowned sluice”
condition. There is a hydraulic jump but is submerged (or ‘’ drowned”) by the downstream boundary condition (The
depth at B in this case).

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Therefore we see that the drowned sluice condition will happen if the depth of the backwater curve at the gate is
greater than the conjugate depth at the gate.

For the Case Y0AB > Y0BC that we are considering the backwater curve is the uniform flow depth on AB for Case B
and the M2 profile from B for Casa C . From this discussion we can see that drowned sluice condition is also a
possible solution for both cases B and C if the depth from the backwater curve is greater than the conjugate depth
at the sluice.

Therefore we have four possible solutions for the Case Y0AB > Y0BC -these are sketched below.
YOAB YOAB
YOAB YOAB
J M2 M2 M2
Submerged J M2 YOBC Submerged
YOBC YOBC YOBC
M3 jump M3 jump
o o o o
YC
B B B B
Y0AB < Y0BC
Here too we have to consider the five cases shown in the figure.
A

Y’ > Y0BC - Case A YOAB B

C YOBC
Y’ = Y0BC - Case B D
Y0BC > Y’ >YOAB - Case C E
M3
Y’ = YOAB - Case D YC
Y’ < Y0AB - Case E O

B
Here you should be able to show that only Case C (with an M1 profile after the jump) and Case D (with uniform
depth and then an M1 profile after the jump) are possible. A drowned sluice conditions is also possible in both cases
so we have a total of four possible solutions as shown below.

M1 M1
YOBC YOBC M1 YOBC
M1 YOBC
Jump YOAB Submerged YOAB Jump YOAB Submerged YOAB
M3 Jump YC M3 YC Jump YC
o YC o o o

B B B B
C C
Y0AB = Y0BC A
B
YOAB = YOBC
Here there only three possible cases. C
Y’ > Y0BC - Case A M3 YC
Y’ = Y0BC - Case B O

Y’ < Y0BC - Case C B

Show that only Case B is possible. With the depth remaining constant at the uniform value after the jump. Again a
drowned sluice condition is also possible – giving a total of two possible solutions as shown below.

K (45) – 15 marks each for a full analysis of each case Y0AB > = < Y0BC

YOAB = YOBC YOAB = YOBC

Submerged
M3 YC Jump YC
O O

B B

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e) To calculate the variation of the flow depth between the sluice gate and B we have follow the procedure
outlined below.

i) First identify the possible profile elements as done in section d). To do this we have to calculate the values of the
uniform depths on AB and BC (Y0AB and Y0BC).

ii) Calculate and plot the M3 profile downstream from the gate.
iii) Calculate and plot the conjugate of the M3 profile downstream of the gate.
iv) Calculate and plot the backwater curve from B. The backwater curve may be an M1 profile , and M2 profile
or a combination of an M1 or M2 profile and uniform flow on AB as discussed in section d)
v) If the conjugate curve and the backwater curve intersect there will be a free hydraulic jump between the
gate and B
vi) If the conjugate curve and the backwater curve do not intersect there will be a submerged hydraulic jump
at the gate (Drowned sluice condition)

L (20) – Clear step by step explanation of how to calculate the variation of the flow depth

02) a) The flow depth just upstream of the sluice gate can be obtained =
by assuming that there are no energy losses. Then the specific
energy on both sides is the same.
Note : In really there will be some losses. We can account for + = 0.3 + ( . )
these losses by assuming coefficients of contraction. Velocity
and discharge. As in Question 4 0f Assignments 4. = =2 → = 2.6
A (05) – Equate specific energy on both side of gate
B (10) - Calculate discharge

b) To answer this question we have to calculate the critical

depth and the uniform flow depth (normal depth). As the 6= (0.01) → = 0.42
.
channel geometry, discharge and Manning’s coefficient are
given we can calculate both these quantities.

C (05) – Calculate critical depth = = 0.74

D (10) – Calculate uniform depth
As the critical depth is greater than the normal depth the < −
channel has a steep slope.

E(05) – Conclusion on whether slope is steep or mild 6= → = 0.0019

.
A quicker way of deciding whether the channel has a mild or steep
slope is to calculate the critical slope. This is the slope at which the <
uniform flow depth will be equal to the critical depth. However
In this problem we will need the value of the uniform depth later.

c) Upstream of the gate, the flow depth is greater than both the critical
depth and the normal depth. Therefore there will be an S1 profile
upstream of the gate. S1
Downstream of the gate, the depth is less than the critical depth and
Jump
the normal depth. Therefore there will be an S3 profile YC
As the channel is a long channel we can expect to find uniform flow Yo
S3
far upstream and downstream of the gate. The S3 profile will continue
A
6
until reach the uniform depth value smoothly.
F (10) – Identification of S1 and S3 profiles upstream and downstream
G (10) – Sketch of solution including uniform depth
d) The depth just downstream of gate A is super-critical while the depth just upstream of gate B is sub- critical. As
the flow depth cannot change smoothly from super- critical to sub-critical there has to be a hydraulic jump
between the gates.
H (05) - Conclusion that the flow upstream of B is sub-critical Conjugate curve
J (10) - Conclusion that there must be a hydraulic jump between the gates
S1
YC
However, we cannot say whether the jump is a free jump or a submerged
S3 Yo
jump. As we have discussed in the answer to Question 01, the jump will be
submerged if the backwater depth at the Gate A is greater than the conjugate A
depth at Gate A. The conjugate depth for Y = 0.3m is found to be 1.5 m.
Free Jump
The backwater curve will be an S1 curve – which will start at 3m at Gate B
and decrease towards Gate A. Therefore the jump can be a submerged jump
if the distance between the gates is short enough. If the conjugate depth S1
was greater than 3m (the depth just upstream of Gate B) we can say that a
Conjugate curve YC
submerged jump is not possible(WHY?)
Yo
J(10) – Discussion on the possibility of a submerged jump

e) The water level variations for the two cases- submerged jump and free jump A
are sketched. For the free hydraulic jump there are two possibilities – the S3 curve Submerged Jump
can lead to the jump directly or the S3 curve can reach the uniform depth
smoothly and the jump begin from the uniform depth.
K (15) – Sketch of water surface profiles between the gates for the three cases

f) We know that sub-critical flows are influenced only by downstream controls while super-critical flows are only
influenced by upstream controls. When we calculate the variation of flow depth we have to begin from the correct
control.
For the sub- critical flow we calculate from gate B along the S1 profile in the upstream direction. This curve will
reduce in the upstream direction towards the critical depth. However, we cannot continue the calculation when the
depth approaches the critical depth because the slope of the free surface increases and makes the use of the
gradually varied flow equation. Remember that we have assumed small free surface slopes when we derived this
equation.

For the super-critical flow we have to begin at gate A and calculate the profile along the S3 curve in the downstream
direction. As described above this profile will approach the uniform depth smoothly.

In order to find the location of the jump we have to use the relationship between the upstream and downstream
depths of a jump. For every point along the S3 curve we can plot the conjugate depths –this plotted as another
curve (Which is decreasing as we go down the channel – WHY?)
The jump has to be located at the point where the conjugate depth curve meets S1 curve plotted back from gate B
(WHY?)
If the depth at Gate A from the backwater curve is greater than the conjugate depth at Gate A the jump will be a
submerged jump and we will have only the S1 profile between the two gates.
L (20) –Clear explanation of how the variation of depth between the gates is calculated

g) If gate B is lowered the depth upstream of the gate will increase (WHY?). Then the S1 curve plotted in the figure
above will be raised. However the conjugate depth curve will not change as the S3 curve only depends on the
opening of Gate A. Therefore the location of the jump will have to move upstream to satisfy the condition
explained in section f).
M(15) – Clear explanation of what will happen when Gate B is lowered

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h) This is the opposite situation – If the gate is raised the upstream depth will decrease and the jump will move
downstream.
N(15) – Clear explanation of what will happen when Gate A is lowered

03)a) We can calculate the critical depth and the uniform depth = =2 , = = 0.74
from the given data.

The channel has a mild slope and the flow in the section AB is 6= .
→ = 0.0042
Super-critical.
A(05) – Calculation of critical depth = 1.5
B(10) - Calculation of uniform depth >
Note: We can also show that the slope is mild by calculating the critical slope.

The course material describes many ways of solving the non-uniform = → ≈

flow equation. Here we use the distance from depth method with one = − , = −
step. We can write the differential equation as a difference equation.
The difference equation relates a difference ΔX to the corresponding = 0.52 − 0.3 = 0.22
. .
difference ΔY along the free surface profile. Ӯ= = 0.41
C(10) – Difference equation from differential equation
To perform the calculation we need to estimate an average value
Ӯ Ӯ
for the Froude Number-Fr and the slope of the total (Ӯ) → = (Ӯ)
head line – Sf in the section AB.

Again the course material describes many methods. Here we use the (Ӯ) = 0.0242
average of the depths at A and B to estimate these Quantities.
D(10) – Calculation of average value of Froude number
E(10) - Calculation of average value of Sf
. .
F(10) - Calculation of distance to jump (Ӯ) = = 5.92 → =
Ӯ .

We can also use the average of the values at the beginning and = 46.6 //
end of the step to estimate the average values of Fr and Sf
We see that the difference in the result is not very large. ( ) = 0.063 , ( ) = 0.0118 → = 48.4
( ) = 15.1 , ( )=9
b) From the calculation above we can conclude that the profile between A and B is an M3 profile.
G(10) – Conclusion that there is an M3 profile downstream of A

To identify the profile between B and C we have to calculate the depth downstream
of the hydraulic jump at B and the depth upstream of the gate at B. = 1+ −1 = 0.52
H(10) - Calculation of depth downstream of the jump = 1.02 //

The depth downstream of the hydraulic jump is calculated from the = → = 0.95
equation for the conjugate depth.
I(10) - Calculation of depth upstream of gate at C

We find that the depth at C is less than the uniform depth. Therefore the profile between B and C should be an M2
profile. An M2 profile has the depth decreasing in the downstream direction. This agrees with our result that the
depth downstream of the jump greater than the depth at C.
J(10) – Conclusion on profile between B and C

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e) If the gate is lowered to an opening of 0.3m we can expect the depth upstream to increase. The new depth
upstream of the gate is found to be 2.5m. This is still greater than the uniform depth. Therefore the profile
between B and C will now be an M1 profile.
K(10) - Calculation on new upstream depth at C
L(10) - Calculation on profile between B and C
The increase in depth at the gate C will also affect the location of the hydraulic jump. The downstream depth of the
hydraulic jump must agree with the conjugate of the M3 profile from the gate at A. The lowering of the gate at C
will result in an increase of the downstream depth of the jump. Therefore the jump will move towards the gate at
A. A submerged jump is also possible.
M(10) – Explanation on effect of lowering gate on jump location
04)a) The variables are defined in the course material. −
A (10) – Identification and definition of variables
Ԏ
∗ = = ℎ
Ƿ

Ԏ = ℎ , ɤ = ( − 1) , = −
b) When we consider the flow past a grain of sediment on the bed we can identify two forces that try to move the
grain. The drag force is the force trying to move the grain in the direction of the fluid flow while the lift force is the
force in the direction normal to the flow. The lift force tries to move the grain vertically off the bed. These two
force s are trying to move the grain.

We can express the Drag and Lift forces in terms of the velocity =
near the bed, the cross-sectional area of the grain and Drag and
Lift coefficients. From our study of boundary layer flow we know Ƿ ∗
that the velocity near the boundary(bed) is proportional to the
shear velocity.

On the other hand the submerged weight and the frictional = μ

forces are proportional to the product of the volume of the = μǷ( )

grain, the difference in density between the grain and the fluid
and the acceleration due to gravity. Ƿ( )

∗
Therefore we can interpret the Shields parameter as the ratio of
( )
=
the forces trying to move the sediment to the forces resisting
this motion.
See figure 23.9 and pages 23.23 – 23.24 of the course material
B(20) – Clear explanation of the physical significance of the shields parameter

c) We assume that the flow in the channel is uniform. We = 0.039 = 0.0666

also assume that there are no bedforms ( roughness is from

the gravel only). = (0.0005)

.
A(05) – Manning’s coefficient from empirical equation

From the given information we can calculate the uniform depth. =3 → ℎ = 1.55
B(10) – Calculate uniform depth
Ԏ
= ∗ = = 0.003
Ƿ
Using the uniform depth we can obtain the bottom shear stress

9
 ∗ .
for a uniform flow and therefore calculate the Shield’s parameter = ( )
= = 0.031
. . .

As the gravel begins to move at this point this will be the critical
value of the Shields parameter for the initiation of motion. = 0.031
Ԏ
Note : We use the equation = as the channel is NOT a wide channel.
C(10) – Calculation bottom shear stress using correct equation
D(10) – Calculation critical value of non- dimensional parameters

d) The shields curve is a graph of the critical value of the Shields’ parameter against the non-dimensional
parameter . Using a value of 10 m2/s for the kinematic viscosity of water we can calculate 325

from the curve Fig: 23.4 of the course material we see that the value of the Shields’ parameter that corresponds
to = 329 is about = 0.05 a value 66% greater than the value obtained here.

However you should note that the data points in the figure show a lot of scatter. There are some data points that
show even lower values of . You should remember that the Shields’ curve is drawn only from experimental
measurements.

Therefore even though the value of is below the curve, we cannot say that the results given in this problem do
not agree with the Shields’ curve. All we can say is that the point lies below the curve but within the range of the
other experimental points.

E (20) – Clear discussion with reference to Fig: 23.4

e) Before we calculate the size of gravel that will not move, we must decide on a critical value for the Shields
‘parameter. Even though the Shields’ curve indicates a value of about = 0.05 , we will choose the value of
= 0.03 obtained from the given data to be on the safe side.

From the definition of the Shields parameter we can = 0.03

obtain a relationship between the unknown diameter =( )
= 0.03
of the gravel and the hydraulic radius of the flow
(which is also not known) =

Note: The grain diameter –d is meters if R is in meters.

F(10) – Relationship from the definition of the Shields parameter

Assuming uniform flow again we can obtain another relationship = 99

between the gravel diameter, the flow depth and the hydraulic
radius. 5= (0.0005)
.

G(10) – Relationship from Manning’s equation

As the hydraulic radius is a function of the flow depth we have two = 4.39
equations for two unknowns, the grain diameter and the flow depth.

We can eliminate the grain size to obtain a single equation for the

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flow depth. ℎ = 2.03

H(10) – Obtain single equation for flow depth ℎ = 2.4

This equation can be solved by trial and error to calculate the diameter
of gravel that will not move when the new discharge is carried under = = 0.67
uniform flow conditions.
∴ = = 6.8
I(10) – Solve for the flow depth and grain size

05)a) If we want to find the ratio of some quantity in the model and prototype we should understand the physical
basis of that quantity first.
The drag force is related to the flow velocity and the cross-section area by =

A(10) – Definition of drag force

Here the drag coefficient actually varies with the Reynolds number.

However, if we assume that is the same because the flow is turbulent in both cases, we can find the ratio of
forces.
=
B(05) – Assumption of Drag Coefficient being the same.

From the requirements of Froude number similarity we can find the = . .

ratio of the velocities in the model and prototype.

Similarly the ratio of the areas is known from the scale ratio. = . =

C(05) – Expression for the ratio of forces

D(10) – Ratio of velocities in the model and prototype
E(10) - Final result for ration of forces ∴ = =

b) Read sections 23.4 and 23.8 and particularly SAQ 24.12

To calculate the bed load transport we need a value for the bottom shear stress, Ԏ . With the given data we can
only calculate this if we assume that the flow is uniform. As the river is long and straight this may be true.
Ԏ = , = 5.56
Then we can calculate the bottom shear stress and the values
of the non- dimensional parameters on the axes of the ∗ = 0.104 ⁄
∗
Shields’ curve. = ( )
= 0.45
F(05) – Assumption of uniform flow
∗
G(10) – Calculation of bottom shear stress = = 156 , = 0.05
H(10) - Calculation of Shields’ parameter
I(10) - Calculation of critical value of Shields’ parameter

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From the Shields’ curve we see that the Shields’ parameter is much larger than the critical value. So the sediment is
.
definitely moving. = 8 1− .
= 6.78
Using the Meyer-Peter and Muller formula we have = ∗ = 7.62
J(10) – Calculation of transport rate (with units!)

Similarly with the Bagnold equation we get = 4.25 1 − = 3.78

K(10) - Calculation of transport rate (with units!) = 4.24

And with the Einstein- Brown equation we get = 40 = 12.1

L(10) - Calculation of transport rate (with units!) = 13.6

Note: The Einstein- Brown equation is named after Prof. Hans Albert Einstein famous for his work on sediment
transport – who was the son of the more famous Albert Einstein.

The bed load transport is calculated in terms of submerged weight = ( )

per unit width per unit time in the course material ( ). I like
to use volume of sediment per unit width per unit time ( ).
we can obtain a relationship between the two.

The total volumetric rate of sediment transport in the river,( ) is given by =

Then the total transport rates in the river are found to be 0.07 m3/s, 0.04 m3/s , and 0.126 m3/s from the Meyer-
Peter and Muller, Bagnold and Einstein- Brown equations, respectively.

c) The estimates of the transport vary widely. This is not surprising as the equations are obtained mostly from
laboratory data (accurate measurement of sediment transport in the field is very difficult especially at high flows)
and we know that the laboratory conditions cannot model the real conditions completely. In fact you can show that
a complete modeling of sediment transport in open channels will require changing the acceleration due to gravity
(in order words go to the Moon!)
M(10) – Discussion

You may think that a value of 0.126 m3/s for sediment transport is very small but for a whole year the total
transport would be 4 Mm3/year. This value is much greater than the average annual transport of any river in Sri
Lanka. The Mahaweli before the dams may have transported 1-2 Mm3/year and the Kelani Ganga before sand
mining may have transported 0.3 Mm3/year.

Note that we have assumed that there are no ripples or dunes on the river bed when we calculated the value of the
bed shear stress to use in these equations. As the Shields’ parameter is quite high this is probably correct (See the
graph in course material).
= = 0.05
( )
d) To calculate the river discharge when the sediment is about ∗ = 0.05
to move we can use the critical value of the Shields’ parameter. ∗ =
This gives a value for the flow depth from which we can calculate = 0.62
the discharge using the Manning’s equation (uniform flow assumed ℎ = 0.625
again).
.
N(10) – Use of critical value of Shields’ parameter to obtain shear = (0.62) (0.0002)
.
stress

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O(10) - Use of uniform flow equation to obtain hydraulic radius = 74
P(10) – Calculation of river discharge
∗ ∗
= →( )
= ( )
e) If we use sand in the model and keep constant we can obtain
the required value of the diameter of sand in the model.
∗
Q(10) – Condition for similarity of Shields’ parameter = → = 0.1
∗
R(05) - Calculation of grain size for model

However, now the parameter = 2.8 which corresponds to smooth turbulent flow at the bottom not the rough
turbulent flow found in the river bottom. See figures 23.4 and 23.8 of the course material.

In fact you will see that to keep constant in model and prototype, we have to increase the grain size!!
Therefore once again we realize that it is not possible to maintain dynamic similarity, by keeping and the
same in model and prototype for even bed load transport and bed load processes if we use the same fluid in both
model and prototype.
S(10) – Calculation of
T(10) – Discussion

f) To model scour at the piers we don’t need the full width of the river (It is a straight river). Just 2 or 3 spans will
do. As we are concerned only with scour we have to model both the parameters and or at least (If the
flow is fully rough turbulent at the boundary). We change the pier shape in the model until the scour holes are
minimized.

g) The armour stones will be quite large and their size will be selected such that they don’t move under the design
flows. As they will be large we can neglect the effect of the parameter , and keep only the same in model
and prototype.

U(10) – Explanation of the need for similarity in

Let us assume that in the model we use stones of density 2650 kg/m3. In the model study we will use armour
stones of different sizes and find the smallest size that does not move when the design flows is modeled.

To find the actual size of armour stones needed =

in the prototype we have to multiply the value
∗ ∗
obtained from the model study by a ratio that ( )
=
comes from the requirement of the same value
of the Shields’ parameter , in the model and
∗
prototype. = 15
∗

The ratio of the shear velocities is the same as ∴ = 15 = 18

.
the ratio of other velocities in the model and
prototype and is found from Froude number
similarity.

V (10)- Statement of similarity requirement

W(10)- Ratio of shear velocities from Froude similarity
X(10)- Calculation of ratio of sizes.

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