Best Hydraulic Sections

Faculty of Engineering &

Technology
INTI International University

Best hydraulic section (or) Most

economical section
It is known that the conveyance of a channel section increases with
increase in the hydraulic radius or with decrease in the wetted
perimeter.

Q AC

A
S
P

From a hydraulic view point, therefore the channel section having the
least wetted perimeter for a given area has the maximum conveyance;
such a section is known as the best hydraulic section.
Best hydraulic section is also called as
Most economical section, or
Optimum cross section, or
Optimum shape, or
Optimum depth

Best hydraulic section for a rectangular

channel
Rectangular channel
Width = B, Depth = D,
wetted perimeter P = B + 2D
D

Area = BD, B = A/D

To obtain best hydraulic section, minimize the wetted perimeter by

differentiating P with respect to the controlling variable and equate
to zero.
P = B + 2D = A/D + 2D
For a given value of A, surface roughness and channel slope, P will
be minimum when dP/dD = 0,
dP/dD = -AD-2 + 2 = 0
A/D2 = 2
B = 2D
So, for the maximum discharge, the width B should be twice the
depth D.

Best hydraulic section for a rectangular

channel
Rectangular channel
For a given value of area, surface roughness and channel slope,
B = 2D
For the maximum discharge, the width B should be twice the
depth D.
Hydraulic radius:
R = A/P = BD/(B + 2D) = 2D2/4D = D/2
R = D/2
Hydraulic radius is half the depth of water

Best hydraulic section for a trapezoidal

channel
Trapezoidal channel
P = B + 2D(1+z2)
A = (B + 2zD + B) D = D (B + zD)

B + 2zD

B = A/D zD
1
D
Substituting B into P
Z
P = B + 2D(1+z2) = A/D zD + 2D(1+z2)
(1)
If A and z are fixed, P will be a minimum when dP/dD = 0.
Differentiating equation (1) with respect to D,
dP/dD = -AD-2 z + 2(1+z2) = 0
A = D2(2(1+z2) z)
BD + zD2 = D2(2(1+z2) z)
BD = 2D2(1+z2) 2zD2
B = 2D((1+z2) z)
B + 2zD = 2D(1+z2)
Top width is twice the wetted slope length

Best hydraulic section for a trapezoidal

channel
Trapezoidal channel
For a given value of area, surface roughness and channel slope,
B + 2zD = 2D(1+z2)
For maximum discharge, the top width is twice the wetted slope
length
Hydraulic radius:
R = A/P = (B + zD)D/(B + 2D(1+z2)) = (B + zD)D/(B + B + 2zD)
R = (B + zD)D/2(B + zD)
R = D/2
Hydraulic radius is half the depth of water

Hydraulically efficient trapezoidal

channel
O
R
1
T

Le

Be

OS = ye
OT = OR sin = OR/(z2 +1)
OR = 1/2Be +zye = (2ye 1+z2 - 2zye ) + zye
= ye (z2 +1)
OT = OS = ye

The proportions of a hydraulically efficient trapezoidal

channel will be such that a semicircle.

Hydraulically efficient trapezoidal

channel

The side slope m was held constant. If m is allowed to vary, the optimum value of m to make P e most efficient is obtained by dPe /dz = 0

A
zD 2 D z 2 1
D
dPe
1
1
D 2D
2z
2
dz
2 1 z
Pe

Setting dPe /dz = 0,

0 1

1
1 z

2z

Hydraulically efficient trapezoidal

channel
2z 1 z 2

zem

4z2 = 1 + z2
= 1/3 = cot

m = 60
Pem = 2/3 yem
Bem = 2/3 yem
A = 3 yem 2
Lem = 2/3 yem = Bem

Table 1 Proportion of some most efficient sections

No Channel shape
1
Rectangular
2
Trapezoidal
(half hexagon)
3
Circular
(semicircle)
4
Triangle
(vertex angle =
90)

A
Pem
2yem2 4yem
3 yem2 23
yem
/2
yem
yem2
yem2
23
yem

Bem
2yem
2/3
yem
-

Rem
Tem
Yem/2 2yem
yem/2 4/3 yem

yem/2 2yem
2

yem/2

2yem

Example 15.2
A trapezoidal channel has side slopes of 3 horizontal to 4
vertical and the slope of its bed is 1 in 2000.
Determine the optimum dimensions of the channel if it is to
carry water at 0.5 m3 /s.
Use the Chezy formula, assuming that C = 80 m 1/2 s-1

B + 2zD

1
4

1
z

3/4
B

Example 15.2
For optimum dimensions: Top width (B+2zD) is twice the wetted slope length
B + 2zD = 2D(1+z2)
B = 2D (1+z2) 2zD = = 2D [(1+z2) z] = 2D [(1+9/16) 3/4] =
2D[(25/16) 3/4]
B = 2D(5/4 3/4) = 2D(1/2)
B=D

Area A = (B + zD))D
= (D + zD)D = D2(1 + z) = D2 (1 + 3/4) = 7/4 D2

Hydraulic radius R = D/2

Q AC RS
0.5 = (7/4D2) (80)(D/2)1/2(1/2000)1/2 = 7/4[80D5/2 / (2x2000)1/2]
D = 7/4[(80D5/2/(63.25)1/2]
4 0.5x 63.25 2 / 5
D( x
)
7
80

D = 0.552 m

Therefore, B = D = 0.552 m

Best hydraulic section for a circular channel

For circular channels which are not flowing full, there will be optimum
depths of flow for maximum velocity and for maximum discharge.
Chezys formula,
V = C RS = C(A/P)S
If the free surface subtends an angle 2 at the center O for any depth y,
Area A= sector OSTU triangle OSU
= r.(r2) (r sin)(r cos)2
= r.(r2) r2sin.cos
= r2 - r2 sin2
O
= r2( - sin 2)
r

Wetted perimeter, P = 2r

U
y
T
P

Best hydraulic section for a circular channel

(a) For maximum velocity:

V = C RS = C(A/P)S
For constant values of C and S, the maximum value of v will occur
when A/P is maximum.
Differentiating (A/P) with respect to and equal to zero,
dA
dP
A
A
d( ) P
d 0
P d
(1)
2
d
P
By substituting A, P, dA/d and dP/d into (1), we obtain
2 = tan 2
giving 2 = 257.5
Depth of flow, y = r r cos = 1.62 r
y
= 0.81 D
Depth of flow = 0.81 Diameter of pipe

Best hydraulic section for a circular channel

(b) For maximum discharge:

Q = ACRS = AC(A/P)S = C(A3/P)1/2CS1/2
For given values of C and S, the discharge Q will be a maximum
when A3/P is a maximum. Differentiating (A3/P) with respect to
and 3equating to zero.
dA
dP
A
A3
) P 3A 2
d
d 0
P
2
d
P

d(

(1)

By substituting A, P, dA/d and dP/d into (1), we obtain

2 = 308, = 154 = 2.68 radians
Depth for maximum discharge, y = r(1 cos ) = 1.9 r
y = 0.95D
Depth of flow = 0.95 Diameter of pipe

Example on circular section

A sewer diameter D = 0.6 m, has a slope of 1 in 200.
What will be the maximum velocity of flow that can occur
and what is the discharge at this velocity?
Take Chezy C = 55 SI units.

Example on circular section

For max. velocity, depth of flow y = 1.62r = 1.62(D/2) = 1.62x0.3
= 0.486 m
Velocity V = CRS
For max. velocity, 2 = 257.5 = 4.5 radians
128.75 = 2.247 rad.
Area A = r2( - sin 2)
A = 0.32 (2.247 sin257.5) = 0.246 m2
P = 2r = 2x0.3x2.247 = 1.35 m
R = A/P = 0.246/1.35 = 0.1825 m

(or)

V = 55(0.1825x1/200) = 1.66 m/s

Discharge at max. velocity, Q = AV = 0.246x1.66 = 0.408 m 3/s

Most economical triangular

channel section

A = 2( y tan * y) = y2 tan
P = 2y sec
y = (A/tan )0.5
A
P2
sec
tan

2 A

sec
tan

dP
2 A
d

tan sec tan sec x

tan

1
(tan ) 0.5 sec 2
2

1
tan sec tan sec
sec 2 0
2 tan
2tan sec tan = sec3
Sec (2 tan2 - sec2 ) = 0
2 tan2 = sec2
2 tan = sec
2 sin /cos = 1/cos
sin = 1/2
= 45

=0

Compound sections
Some channel sections may be formed as a
combination of elementary sections. Typically
natural channels, such as rivers, have flood plains
which are wide and shallow compared to the deep
main channel.
A simplified section of a stream with flood banks
are known as compound sections.
K

1
B

H
3

2
y

F
h
E

Compound sections
method of discharge estimation
The discharge is calculated as the sum of the
partial discharges in the sub-areas; for e.g.
units 1, 2 and 3 in the figure
QP = Qi = Vi Ai
The discharge is also calculated by
considering the whole section as one unit,
(portion ABCDEFGH in the figure), say Qw
The larger of the above two discharges Qi and
Qw is adopted as the discharge at the depth
y.

 Poseys method
In this method, while calculating the wetted
perimeter for the sub-area, the imaginary
divisions (FJ and CK) are considered as
boundaries for the deeper portion only and
neglected completely in the calculation relating
to the shallower portion. This way the shear
stress that occurs at the interface of the deeper
and shallower parts is empirically accounted for.

Zero shear method

The interfaces are not counted as perimeter
either for the deep portion or for the shallow
portion.

Example
For the compound channel shown in the figure
below determine the discharge for a depth of flow
of 1.2 m. Calculate the discharge.
17 m

2
7m

3
y

3m

0.9 m

n = 0.02
So = 0.0002

Solution
Partial area discharge by Poseys method
Subarea 1: A1 = 7x0.3 = 2.1 m2
P1 = 0.3 + 7 = 7.3 m
R = 2.1/7.3 = 0.288 m

1 m /s
= 0.647
2/3
1/ 2
Q

x
2
.
1
x
0
.
288
x
0
.
0002
Q 1 = 0.647
0.02m /s
3

Subarea 2: A2 = 3x1.2 = 3.6 m2

P2 = 3 + 1.2 + 1.2 = 5.4 m

R = 3.6/5.4 = 0.667 m
Q2 = 1.943 m3 /s
Q = Q1 + Q2 + Q3 = 0.647 + 1.943 + 0.647 = 3.237 m 3 /s

Solution
Partial area discharge by zero shear method
Subarea 1: A1 = 7x0.3 = 2.1 m2
P1 = 0.3 + 7 = 7.3 m
R = 2.1/7.3 = 0.288 m

1 m /s
= 0.647
2/3
1/ 2
Q

x
2
.
1
x
0
.
288
x
0
.
0002
Q 1 = 0.647
0.02m /s
3

Subarea 2: A2 = 3x1.2 = 3.6 m2

P2 = 3 + 0.9 + 0.9 = 4.8 m

R = 3.6/4.8 = 0.75 m
Q2 = 2.1 m3 /s
Q = Q1 + Q2 + Q3 = 0.647 + 2.1 + 0.647 = 3.395 m 3 /s

Solution
Total section method
A = 2.1 + 2.1 + 3.6 = 7.8 m2
P = 0.3 + 7 + 0.9 + 3 + 0.9 + 7 + 0.3 = 19.4 m
R = 7.8/19.4 = 0.402 m

1
Q = 3.005
x 7.8mx30/s.4022 / 3 x 0.00021 / 2
0.02

Example
A circular channel of 1 meter diameter
has a bed slope of 1 in 1500. (i) Find the
maximum discharge through the channel.
Assume maximum discharge when the
wetted perimeter subtends an angle of
308 degrees at the centre and take C =
50 in the Chezy formula. (ii) Using that
maximum discharge, find the optimum
dimension of a rectangular channel while
the bed slope and C is same as the
circular section.

Optimum section for a circular channel:

A = r2 ( - sin cos ) 2 = 308, =
2.688 rad
= 0.52x2.688 0.52 sin 154 cos 154
= 0.77 m2
P = 2r = 2x0.5x2.688 = 2.688 m
R = A/P = 0.286 m
Q CAR1 / 2 S 1 / 2
= 50 x 0.77 x 0.2861/2 x (1/1500)1/2
= 0.532 m3/s

For optimum section for

rectangular section,
B = 2D
R = D/2
A = BD = 2D2
P = B + 2D = 4D

Q = 2D2x50x(0.5D)1/2x(1/1500)1/2
0.532 = 1.826 D5/2
D = 0.611 m
B = 2D = 1.221 m

The End