FLOW IN OPEN CHANNEL

I INTRODUCTION

Flow in an open channel has been nature’s way of conveying water in the
surface of the earth through rivers and streams since the beginning of time.
Furthermore, these streams have constantly been the subject of study by man,
as he has been alternatively blessed by the life giving quality of stream under
control and plagued by the destructive ability of streams out of control, such as
in time of flood.

Open channel include not only those are completely open overhead, but
also closed conduits which are not flowing full.

In this module, the general theory applies to all liquids, but since there
are few test data available on open channel flow liquids other than water at
natural temperatures, the empirical coefficient cited apply only to water.

II OBJECTIVES

At the end of this module, the student should be able to:

1. Distinguish between open channel and closed conduits;

2. Understand the purpose and uses of open channel;
3. Show that the Manning’s Equation is a form of the Chezy’s Equation
4. Determine the best hydraulic section for an open channel;
5. Write the energy equation for flow in open channel;
6. Characterize the type of flow i.e. critical, subcritical or supercritical flow;
7. Write the governing equation used in deriving the equation relating the
conjugate depths in a hydraulic jump, and;
8. Solve problem utilizing the principles developed in this module and other
previous modules.

III KEY/CONCEPTS:

Open Channel – is a conduit in which a liquid flows with

free surface
Solis , M.R.

7.1 Classification of Open Channel

1. Natural Channel – refers to all channel which have

been developed by natural processes.

Example: creeks and rivers

2. Artificial Channel –channel which have been developed

by human efforts.

Example: power or irrigation canal

7.2 Purposes of Artificial Channel

Artificial channel is used to convey water from the source to the

distribution area. These channels are commonly used for water power
development, irrigation, city water supply, sewerage, drainage and flood control.

7.3 Kinds of Artificial Channel

a. Prismatic – both have constant cross-section shape and

bottom slope

b. Canal - long channel of mild slope, maybe unlined

or lined with concrete, cement, grass or wood

c. Flume - channel built above the ground surface to

convey a flow across a depression

d. Chute - channel having steep slope

e. Culvert - flowing only partially full

Difference between Pipes and Open Channel

Pipes:

The flow is caused by pressure. It will take place regardless of the

alignment of conduits.
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Cross-section is constant along the pipe and defined by the diameter.

Open Channel:

Flow is caused by gravity. The channel must have a downward slope.

The channel cross-section may vary along the path of flow.

7.4 Classification of Flow in Open Channel

Steady uniform flow occurs in very long inclined channel of constant

cross-section. The depth for steady uniform flow is called the normal depth. In
steady uniform flow, the discharge is constant and the depth is everywhere
constant along the length of the channel.

Steady non-uniform flow occurs in any irregular channel in which the

discharge does not change with time, it also occurs in regular channel when the
flow depth and hence the average velocity change from one cross-section to
another. Fig. 7.1 shows the steady flow.

Y>Yo

Y=Yo
A
B
non uniform Y<Yo
C

D E
non uniform

Figure 7.1 Steady flow down a chute or spillway

Unsteady Uniform Flow rarely occurs in open channel. Unsteady non-

uniform flow is common but is difficult to analyse. Wave motion is an example of
this type of flow.
Solis , M.R.

Flow is also classified as tranquil or rapid. When flow occurs at low

velocities so that a small disturbance can travel upstream and thus change
conditions it is said to be tranquil.

When flow occurs at such high velocities that a small disturbance, such as
an elementary wave is swept downstream, the flow is described as rapid flow.

7.5 Hydraulic Slope

In open channel flow we refer to the slope of the channelbed SO the slope
of the water surface SW and energy gradient S. It is quite evident that in the case
of uniform flow in an open channel the hydraulic grade line coincides with the
water surface, for if a piezometer tube is attached to the side of the channel, the
water will rise in it until its surface is level with that of the water in the channel.
To illustrate, fig. 7.2 shows the slope of the open channel.

Ѳ
hL=hf

1
V
2

Figure 7.2 Hydraulic slope for Open Channel of Uniform Flow

The energy gradient is defined by:

S = hL/L or S = hf/L (equation 7.1)

Where:

hf is the headloss and L is the length measured along the channel (not
horizontal). Thus, S = sin θ, where θ is the angle the energy grade line makes
Solis , M.R.

with the horizontal. In most open channels the bed slope is small, i.e, θ< 5°, and
thus for uniform flow sin θ = tan θ and SO = SW = S.

7.6 Equation for Uniform Flow

In the analysis of pipes, a general equation for frictional resistance in a

pressure conduit was developed (see module 6). That is:

hf = fLV2/D2g the same reasoning may also be applied to uniform

flow with a free surface as shown in fig. 7.3.

1
V
2

Figure 7.3 Resistance to uniform flow

We may let S = hf/L as the hydraulic slope

or hf = SL we can substitute this equation of hf to the general

equation for frictional resistance as mentioned previously;

We have: hf = λLV2/R2g ; SL = λLV2/R2g ; S = λV2/R2g

Solving for the velocity we got: V =√ ¿λRS)

or : V =C √ RS (equation 7.2)
Solis , M.R.

Where: 2g/λ = is constant (C)

V = the velocity in m/s,

R = the hydraulic radius (m)

S = the slope of the channel

Equation 7.2 is known as the Chezy’s Formula, which has been widely
used for pipes under pressure.

The coefficient C from the Chezy’s equation needed much experimental

and theoretical investigation. Several equations were proposed over the past
century for the determination of C in terms of channel roughness and one of the
most common formulas that was arrived is that of Robert Manning, who
published it in 1890. The value of the channel roughness is given by:

C = 1/nR1/6 - Manning’s Formula (equation 7.3)

Where: R = hydraulic radius

C = Chezy’s Coefficient

n = roughness coefficient.

Table 7.1 Values of n in Manning’s Formula

Nature of Surface n
Min Max
Neat cement surface 0.010 0.013
Wood stave pipe 0.010 0.013
Plank flumes, planed 0.010 0.014
Vitrified sewer pipe 0.010 0.017
Metal flumes, smooth 0.011 0.015
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Concrete, precast 0.011 0.013

Cement mortar surfaces 0.011 0.015
Plank flumes, unplanned 0.011 0.015
Common-clay drainage tile 0.011 0.017
Concrete, monolithic 0.012 0.016
Brick with cement mortar 0.012 0.017
Cast iron 0.013 0.017
Cement rubble surfaces 0.017 0.030
Riveted steel 0.017 0.020
Canals and ditches, smooth earth 0.017 0.025

Nature of Surface n
Min Max
Metal flumes, corrugated 0.022 0.030
Canals
Dredged in earth, smooth 0.025 0.033
In rock cuts, smooth 0.025 0.035
Rough beds and weeds on sides 0.025 0.040
Rock cuts, jagged and irregular 0.035 0.045
Natural streams
Smoothest 0.025 0.033
Roughest 0.045 0.060
Very Weed 0.075 0.150

From the Manning’s Coefficient, he was able to derive a formula for open
channel which was obtained from Chezy’s Formula, that is;

V =C √ RS where C = 1/nR1/6

Substitute the value of C from Chezy’s equation we have:

V = 1/n R2/3S1/2 (equation 7.4)

Solis , M.R.

Where: n = Manning’s roughness coefficient

R = hydraulic radius

S = Slope of the channel

Equation 7.4 is known as the Manning’s Velocity Equation

Other formula for roughness coefficient was proposed by

1
23+ + 0.00155/S
n
Kuttler where C=
0.00155
1+ n/ √ R (23+ )
S

87
Bazins where C= ; m = roughness
1+ m/√ R
coefficient by
Bazins

IV ILLUSTRATIVE PROBLEMS:

7-1 water flow in the symmetrical trapezoidal channel lined with cement
mortar surfaces shown in the figure. The channel bottom drops 0.03m
vertically for every 30 m of length. What are the water velocity and
flowrate?

1
y 1.4m
3

5m
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Solution:

i. Solve for the velocity by Manning’s equation

from equation 7.4 V = 1/n R2/3S1/2

from table 7.1 using nmax = 0.015

solve for A = 5(1.4) + ½ (x) (1.4)(2)

where:

x = 3(1.4) ratio and proportion ; x = 4.2

A = 5(1.4) + (4.2)(1.4) = 12.88m2

P = [√ (1.42 + 4.22)] (2) + 5 = 13.85m

R = 12.8/13.85 = 0.93

S = 0.030/30 = 0.0001

Substitute values to Manning’s equation:

V = 1/0.015 (0.93)2/3 (0.001)1/2 = 2.01 m/s

Solving for discharge:

ii. Q = AV

Q = 12.88 (2.01) = 25.88 m3/s

7-2 Water is flowing in a finished cement, semi-circular channel shown
inclined at a slope of 0.0016. What is the flow rate if the flow is uniform?

1m

Solution:
3m

i. solving for the flow rate: Q = AV

solve first for the area

A = 1/2 πr2 + 1.0(2)(3)

= 1/2 π(3)2 + 6

= 20.14m2

ii. Solve for the velocity using Manning’s equation:

V = 1/n R2/3S1/2 ; choosing minimum n = 0.012 (concrete of table 7.1)

R = A/P ; P = πr/2 + 2(1.0) = (3)/2 + 2 = 6.71 m

R = 20.14/6.71 = 3.0 m

Substitute to V:

V = 1/0.012 (3)2/3 (0.0016)1/2 = 6.93 m/s

Q = 20.14 (6.93) = 139.64 m3/s

V. STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Solve the following problems in a clean bond paper hand written. Scan and send it to
my email add: mvrsolis@yahoo.com

Submission will be on April 3, 2020

1. An earth canal containing weeds and grass has bottom of 6.6 m and side slopes of 2
hor and 1 vertical. The depth of water is 2 m and the slope is 0.07%. It is
desired to change the section to a semi circular concrete lined canal having a
slope of 1.5 m in 1 km. Determine the radius of the channel if it flows full.

Use n = 0.035 for earth canal and n = 0.012 for concrete lined canals.

2. Two circular conduits (n = 0.025) each 1.5 m in diameter , sere to carry the waters
of a creek through a railroad embankment. When carrying a flood discharges
both ends of conduits are submerged. Assuming the same slope of 0.00015,
what width would be necessary in two equal rectangular sections (n = 0.015)
each 1.2 m deep, if they are to replace the circular conduits and perform the
same service?

1.5m

b 1.2m