Notes Answers PDF

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS IN THE NOTES AUTUMN 2018
Section 1.2
Example.
The discharge in a channel with bottom width 3 m is 12 m3 s–1. If Manning’s n is
0.013 m-1/3 s and the streamwise slope is 1 in 200, find the normal depth if:
(a) the channel has vertical sides (i.e. rectangular channel);
(b) the channel is trapezoidal with side slopes 2H:1V.
b = 3 m (base width)
Q = 12 m3 s–1
n = 0.013 m–1/3 s
S = 0.005
(a)
Discharge:
where, in normal flow,
Hence,
Rearranging as an iterative formula for h:
Here, with lengths in metres,
Iteration (from, e.g., h = 0.8316) gives

hn = 1.024 m
Answer: normal depth = 1.02 m.
(b) Geometry: trapezoidal cross-section with base width b, surface width and
two sloping side lengths .
Area and wetted perimeter:
Hydraulics 3 Answers - 1 Dr David Apsley

Hydraulic radius:
Discharge:
Hence,

hn = 0.7487 m

Section 1.4
Example.
The discharge in a rectangular channel of width 6 m with Manning’s n = 0.012 m–1/3 s is
24 m3 s–1. If the streamwise slope is 1 in 200 find:
(a) the normal depth;
(b) the Froude number at the normal depth;
(c) the critical depth.
State whether the normal flow is subcritical or supercritical.
b=6m
n = 0.012 m–1/3
Q = 24 m3 s–1
S = 0.005
(a)
Discharge:
where, in normal flow,
Hence,
or, rearranging as an iterative formula for h:

hn = 0.8783 m
(b) At the normal depth, h = 0.8783 m:
Answer: Froude number = 1.55.

(c) The critical depth is that depth (at the given flow rate) for which Fr = 1. It is not normal
flow, and does not depend on the slope S or the roughness n.
where
(in general)
or (for a rectangular channel; q is the flow per unit width)
Hence, for a rectangular channel,
For critical flow, Fr = 1 and so
Here, the flow per unit width is , so that
Answer: critical depth = 1.18 m.
The normal depth is supercritical because, when h = hn, then Fr > 1 (part (b)).
Alternatively (and often more conveniently), the normal depth is supercritical because
hn < hc; then speed V is larger, and depth h is smaller in normal flow than critical flow, so that
must be greater than 1.

Section 2.2
Example.
A 3-m wide channel carries a total discharge of 12 m3 s–1. Calculate:
(a) the critical depth;
(b) the minimum specific energy;
(c) the alternate depths when E = 4 m.
b=3m
Q = 12 m3 s–1
(a)
Discharge per unit width:
Then, for a rectangular channel:
(b) For a rectangular channel,
Answer: minimum specific energy = 1.77 m.
(c) As E > Ec, there are two possible depths for a given specific energy.
where (for a rectangular channel)
Substituting values in metre-second units:
For the subcritical (slow, deep) solution, the first term, associated with potential energy,
dominates, so rearrange as:

Iteration (from, e.g., h = 4) gives h = 3.948 m.
For the supercritical (fast, shallow) solution, the second term, associated with kinetic energy,
dominates, so rearrange as:
Answer: alternate depths are 3.95 m and 0.481 m.

Section 2.3.1
Example. (Exam 2009 – reworded and extended)

(a) Define specific energy and explain its relevance in determining critical conditions in a
channel flow.
A long, wide channel has a slope of 1:1000, a Manning’s n of 0.015 m–1/3 s and a discharge of
5 m3 s–1 per metre width.
(b) Calculate the normal depth.

(c) Calculate the critical depth.
(d) In a region of the channel the bed is raised by a height of 0.5 m over a length
sufficient for the flow to be parallel to the bed over this length. Determine the depths
upstream, downstream and over the raised bed, ignoring any friction losses. Sketch
the flow, including gradually-varied flow upstream and downstream.
(e) In the same channel, the bed is lowered by 0.5 m from its original level. Again,
determine the depths upstream, downstream and over the lowered bed, ignoring any
friction losses. Sketch the flow.
(a) Specific energy is the head relative to the local bed of the channel and is given by
(Compare the total head, where the potential-energy part is the level of the free surface
relative to an absolute datum: .)
Critical conditions (where Fr = 1) correspond to minimum specific energy at given discharge.
(b)
S = 0.001
n = 0.015 m–1/3 s
q = 5 m2 s–1
Discharge per unit width:
where (Manning), (“wide” channel)

(c) Critical depth:
(d) To determine the type of behaviour over the raised bed, compare the total head under
critical conditions (the minimum energy necessary to get over the weir at this flow rate) with
that available in the approach flow.
Critical
Approach Flow
Because the channel is described as “long” it will have sufficient fetch to develop normal
flow; hence the approach-flow head is that for the normal depth (h = 1.679 m):
At the normal depth the available head (Ha) is less than the minimum required to get over the
weir (Hc). Hence the water depth must increase upstream (“backing up”), to raise the head
immediately upstream of the weir. Thus:
 critical conditions do occur;
 the total head through the device is the critical head (H = Hc = 2.549 m).
Over the weir there is a critical flow transition, so the depth here is critical: h = hc = 1.366 m.
Just up- or downstream,
where


Upstream, rearrange for the deep, subcritical, solution:
Iteration (from, e.g., h = 2.549) gives h = 2.310 m.
Downstream, rearrange for the shallow, supercritical solution:
normal GVF RVF

normal
hc
hn h1
h2 GVF hydraulic hn
jump
Answer: depths upstream, over, downstream of the weir: 2.31 m, 1.37 m, 0.871 m.
(e) The flow does not require additional energy to pass a depressed section; hence, the total
head throughout is that supplied by the approach flow (H = Ha = 2.131 m) and the flow
remains subcritical. The depths just upstream and downstream of the lowered section are
those in the approach flow; i.e. normal depth.
As bed height zb decreases, specific energy E must increase to maintain the same total head.
In the lowered section:
Then
where


As we require the subcritical solution, rearrange as
(Note that this is the depth of the water column. The actual surface level here is
so the overall water level also rises in this section.)
normal RVF
normal
hn
hn
Answer: depths upstream, within, downstream of the lowered section: 1.68 m, 2.41 m,
1.68 m.

Section 2.3.1
Example.
A long channel of rectangular cross-section with width 3.5 m and streamwise slope 1 in 800
carries a discharge of 15 m3 s–1. Manning’s n may be taken as 0.016 m–1/3 s. A broad-crested
weir of height 0.7 m is constructed at the centre of the channel. Determine:
(a) the depth far upstream of the weir;
(b) the depth just upstream of the weir;
(c) whether or not a region of supercritical gradually-varied flow exists downstream of
the weir.
b = 3.5 m
S = 0.00125
Q = 15 m3 s–1
n = 0.016 m–1/3 s
zweir = 0.7 m
(a) The depth far upstream is normal since the channel is described as “long”. For normal
flow in a rectangular channel:
where:
Hence,

h = 2.023 m
Answer: depth far upstream = 2.02 m.
(b) To establish depths near the weir we need to know the flow behaviour at the weir.
Compare the energy in the approach flow with that under critical conditions.
Approach flow

h = 2.023 m (from part (a))
Specific energy in the approach flow:
Referring heads to the undisturbed bed near the weir:
Critical conditions
Since the head required to flow over the weir (Hc = 2.550 m) exceeds that in the approach
flow (Ha = 2.252 m), the depth just upstream of the weir must increase and the flow back up.
The total head at any position in the vicinity of the weir is H = Hc = 2.550 m.
Just upstream and downstream of the weir (i.e. at undisturbed bed level):
 (*)
The depth just upstream is the deep, subcritical solution. Hence, rearrange as

h = 2.385 m
Answer: depth just upstream of the weir = 2.39 m.

(c) Since the normal flow is subcritical, the flow must return to it via a hydraulic jump on the
downstream side of the weir.
If the flow in the vicinity of the weir is unaffected by the hydraulic jump the flow goes
smoothly supercritical on the downstream side, with total head H = 2.550 m (equation (*)).
Rearranging to get an iterative formula for the supercritical solution:
Iteration (from, e.g., h = 0) gives
Denote by subscripts A and B respectively the conditions upstream and downstream of the
hydraulic jump. On the downstream side conditions may be assumed normal, since the
channel is “long” and hence there is sufficient fetch to develop the preferred depth:
(from part (b))
Hence, from the hydraulic-jump relation for the sequent depths:
Any gradually-varied supercritical flow downstream of the weir would increase in depth until
a hydraulic jump occurred (see the lectures on GVF). Since the depth downstream of the weir
is already greater than any sequent depth upstream of the hydraulic jump, no such increasing-
depth GVF is possible and the hydraulic jump must actually occur at (or just before) the
downstream end of the weir.

Section 2.3.1
Example.
A reservoir has a plan area of 50 000 m2. The outflow passes over a broad-crested weir of
width 8 m and discharge coefficient 0.9. Calculate:
(a) the discharge when the level in the reservoir is 0.6 m above the top of the weir;
(b) the time taken for the level of water in the reservoir to fall by 0.3 m.
(a)
Total head:
where levels z can be measured relative to any convenient datum. Relative to the top of the
weir, assuming constant head, still water in the reservoir and critical conditions over the weir:
head upstream = head over weir
Hence, in ideal flow,
 (in metre-second units)
Representing non-ideal behaviour via a discharge coefficient cd, and taking b = 8 m,
When h0 = 0.6 m,
Answer: initial discharge = 5.71 m3 s–1.
(b) Drop the subscript 0 and write the freeboard as h.
Consider the change in volume of a tank, water surface area Aws. When the water level
changes by dh the change in volume is
Hence, by continuity,


Separating variables,
Apply boundary conditions h = 0.6 when t = 0 and h = 0.3 when t = T, and integrate:
 T = 4355 s
Answer: time = 4360 s (about 73 min).

Section 2.3.2
Example (Exam 2008 – modified, including a change in the value of n)
A venturi flume is placed near the middle of a long rectangular channel with Manning’s
n = 0.012 m–1/3 s. The channel has a width of 5 m, a discharge of 12.5 m3 s–1 and a slope of
1:2500.
(a) Determine the critical depth and the normal depth in the main channel.
(b) Determine the venturi flume width which will just make the flow critical at the
contraction.
(c) If the contraction width is 2 m find the depths just upstream, downstream and at the
throat of the venturi flume (neglecting friction in this short section).
(d) Sketch the surface profile.
n = 0.012 m–1/3 s
b = 5 m (main channel)
Q = 12.5 m3 s–1
S = 410–4
(a)
In the main channel,
Critical Depth
Normal Depth
where:
Hence,

hn = 1.546 m
Answer: critical depth = 0.860 m; normal depth = 1.55 m.
(b) The flow will just go critical if the head in the throat (Hc) is exactly equal to that in the
approach flow (Ha). Measure heads relative to the bed of the channel in the vicinity of the
venturi.
Critical Head
where
(Note that the critical depth is different at the throat to that in the main channel, due to the
narrower width.)
Approach Flow
The approach flow is normal, since the channel is “long”. Hence,
For the flow just to go critical at the throat,
Answer: throat width = 3.37 m.
(c) If the throat width is reduced further, then the flow will back up and undergo a critical
transition at the throat.

At the throat,
The head throughout the venturi will be the critical head (H = Hc = 2.378 m).
Anywhere in the flume,
where
At the throat the depth will be the critical depth there; i.e. h = hc = 1.585 m.
Just upstream and downstream, b = 5 m; hence,
Upstream
Rearrange for the deep, subcritical solution:
Downstream
Rearrange for the shallow, supercritical solution:
Answer: depths upstream, in the throat, downstream = 2.32 m, 1.59 m, 0.401 m.
(d)

PLAN VIEW
bmin
WATER PROFILE
critical

Section 2.3.3
Example.
The water depth upstream of a sluice gate is 0.8 m and the depth just downstream (at the vena
contracta) is 0.2 m. Calculate:
(a) the discharge per unit width;
(b) the Froude numbers upstream and downstream.
h1 = 0.8 m
h2 = 0.2 m
(a) Assuming total head the same on either side of the gate:
Substituting zs = h and :
From the given data, in metre-second units:
Answer: discharge per unit width = 0.709 m2 s–1.
(b) Use, on each side of the gate,
to get
and then
Answer: Froude numbers upstream, downstream = 0.316, 2.53.

Section 2.3.3
Example.
A sluice gate controls the flow in a channel of width 2 m. If the discharge is 0.5 m3 s–1 and
the upstream water depth is 1.5 m, calculate the downstream depth and velocity.
b=2m
Q = 0.5 m3 s–1
h1 = 1.5 m
Use upstream conditions to get total head. Then, assuming no losses, find the supercritical
flow with the same head.
Total head (either side):
where and
The upstream depth h1 = 1.5 m gives
(dominated by h1)
Hence,
Rearrange for the shallow, supercritical solution:
Iteration (from, e.g., h = 0) gives
Answer: downstream depth = 0.0468 m; velocity = 5.34 m s–1.

Section 2.4
Example. (Exam 2018)

Water flows at 0.8 m3 s–1 per metre width down a long, wide spillway of slope 1 in 30 onto a
wide apron of slope 1 in 1000. Manning’s roughness coefficient n = 0.014 m–1/3 s on both
slopes.
(a) Find the normal depths in both sections and show that normal flow is supercritical on
the spillway and subcritical on the apron.
(b) Baffle blocks are placed a short distance downstream of the slope transition to
provoke a hydraulic jump. Assuming that flow is normal on both the spillway and
downstream of the hydraulic jump, calculate the force per metre width of channel that
the blocks must impart.
(c) Find the head loss across the blocks.
S1 = 1/30; S2 = 1/1000
q = 0.8 m2 s–1
n = 0.014 m–1/3 s
(a) Normal flow:
For the two slopes this gives

h1 = 0.1874 m
h2 = 0.5365 m
Answer: depth on spillway = 0.187 m; depth on apron = 0.536 m.
For subcritical/supercritical:
Method 1 (use critical depth)
The critical depth is

On the spillway, h1 < hc: this is shallower than critical flow (where Fr = 1) and hence faster;
both ensure Fr1 > 1, so supercritical.
On the apron, h2 > hc: this is deeper than critical flow and hence slower; both ensure Fr2 < 1,
so subcritical.
Method 2 (find Froude numbers)
Applying this for both depths we find Fr1 = 3.148 (supercritical) and Fr2 = 0.650 (subcritical).
(b)
The corresponding velocities are deduced from , whence:
V1 = 4.269 m s–1
V2 = 1.491 m s–1
Let f be the magnitude of the force per unit width exerted by the fluid on the blocks and, by
reaction, the blocks on the fluid, which is clearly acts in the upstream direction.
On each side of the blocks the hydrostatic pressure force is given by
or (per unit width)
Hence, from the steady-state momentum principle:

force = rate of change of momentum (mass flux  change in velocity)
Hence,
Answer: force (per metre width) = 982 N.
(c) Where hydrostatic, head in open-channel flow is given by
Here, relative to the bed of the apron, zs = h . Hence,

Answer: head loss = 0.467 m.

Section 2.4
Example.
A downward step of height 0.5 m causes a hydraulic
jump in a wide channel when the depth and velocity
of the flow upstream are 0.5 m and 10 m s–1,
respectively.
h2
(a) Find the downstream depth.
h1

(b) Find the head lost in the jump.
(a) The downstream depth can be deduced from the momentum principle if the reaction force
from the step is known. The approximation is that this is the same as would occur if it were in
equilibrium with a hydrostatic pressure distribution here.
Flow rate per unit width:
Steady-state momentum principle

force = rate of change of momentum (mass flux  change in velocity)
Per unit width:
Since
this gives, in metre-second units,
Rearrange for the deep, subcritical solution:
Iterating (from, e.g., ) gives h2 = 3.089 m.
Answer: downstream depth = 3.09 m.

(b) Head either side is given by:
The datum is not important as it is only the difference in head that is required. For
convenience, measure z relative to the bed of the expanded part. Then,
zs1 = 1 m (note: water surface level, not depth), V1 = 10 m s–1  H1 = 6.097 m
zs2 = 3.089 m,  H2 = 3.223 m
Hence,
Answer: head lost = 2.87 m.

Section 3.6.2
Example. (Exam 2008 – modified)
A long, wide channel has a slope of 1:2747 with a Manning’s n of 0.015 m–1/3 s. It carries a
discharge of 2.5 m3 s–1 per metre width, and there is a free overfall at the downstream end.
An undershot sluice is placed a certain distance upstream of the free overfall which
determines the nature of the flow between sluice and overfall. The depth just downstream of
the sluice is 0.5 m.
(a) Determine the critical depth and normal depth.
(b) Sketch, with explanation, the two possible gradually-varied flows between sluice and
overfall.
(c) Calculate the particular distance between sluice and overfall which determines the
boundary between these two flows. Use one step in the gradually-varied-flow
equation.
S0 = 1/2747 = 3.64010–4
n = 0.015 m–1/3 s
q = 2.5 m2 s–1
(a)
Critical Depth
Normal Depth
Answer: critical depth = 0.860 m; normal depth = 1.50 m.
(b) The depth just downstream of the sluice is supercritical (0.5 m < hc). However, the
preferred depth is subcritical (hn > hc). Hence, if the channel is long enough then there will be
a downstream hydraulic jump, with the flow depth then decreasing to pass through critical
again near the overfall.

If the channel is too short, however, the region of supercritical flow from the sluice will
extend to the overfall.
hydraulic jump
normal
supercritical critical
normal
supercritical critical
(c) As the channel shortens, the depth change across the hydraulic jump diminishes. The
boundary between the two possible flow behaviours occurs when the supercritical GVF just
reaches critical depth at the overfall (i.e. the limiting depth change across the hydraulic jump
is zero).
As the flow is supercritical, integrate the GVF equation forward from the downstream side of
the sluice gate (where h = 0.5 m) to the overfall (where h = hc = 0.8605 m). Use 1 step.
GVF equation:
For the direct-step method invert the GVF equation:
and
For the working, write the derivative as a function of h; (all lengths in metres).

Working formulae:
where
Δh = 0.3605
i hi xi hmid Δx
0 0.5 0
0.6803 217.1 78.26
1 0.8605 78.26
Answer: length to overfall = 78 m.

An undershot sluice controls the flow in a long rectangular channel of width 2.5 m,
Manning’s roughness coefficient n = 0.012 m–1/3 s and streamwise slope 0.002. The depths of
parallel flow upstream and downstream of the gate are 1.8 m and 0.3 m, respectively.
(a) Assuming no losses at the sluice, find the volume flow rate, Q.
(b) Find the normal and critical depths in the channel.
(c) Compute the distance from the sluice gate to the hydraulic jump, assuming normal
depth downstream of the jump. Use two steps in the gradually-varied-flow equation.
b = 2.5 m
h1 = 1.8 m
h2 = 0.3 m
n = 0.012 m–1/3 s
S = 0.002
(a) Assuming the same total head on either side of the gate:
Substituting values:
Hence, the flow per unit width is
and the total discharge is
Answer: discharge = 4.13 m3 s–1.
(b)
Normal depth
where, in normal flow:

Hence,
Substitution of numerical values yields iterative formula

hn = 0.7389 m
Critical depth
Answer: normal depth = 0.739 m; critical depth = 0.653 m.
(c) The depth just upstream of the jump is the sequent depth to the normal depth:
so that the depth just upstream of the jump (call it hJ) is
We must therefore do a GVF calculation from just downstream of the sluice (where
h = 0.3 m) to just upstream of the hydraulic jump (where h = 0.5734 m).
GVF equation:
For the direct-step method rewrite the GVF equation “the other way up”:

and
Working formulae:
where
Δh = 0.1367
i hi xi hmid Δx
0 0.3 0
0.3684 338.7 46.30
1 0.4367 46.30
0.5051 288.1 39.38
2 0.5734 85.68
Answer: distance to hydraulic jump = 85.7 m.

An undershot sluice is used to control the flow of water in a long wide channel of slope 0.003
and Manning’s roughness coefficient 0.012 m–1/3 s. The flow rate in the channel is 2 m3 s–1
per metre width.
(a) Calculate the normal depth and critical depth in the channel and show that the channel
is hydrodynamically “steep” at this flow rate.
(b) The depth of flow just downstream of the sluice is 0.4 m. Assuming no head losses at
the sluice calculate the depth just upstream of the sluice.
(c) Sketch the depth profile along the channel, indicating clearly any flow transitions
brought about by the sluice and indicating where water depth is increasing or
decreasing.
(d) Use 2 steps in the gradually-varied flow equation to determine how far upstream of
the sluice a hydraulic jump will occur.
S0 = 0.003
n = 0.012 m–1/3 s
q = 2 m2 s–1
(a)
Normal depth
where Rh = h (wide channel)
 (*)
Critical Depth
The normal depth is smaller than the critical depth. Hence the normal flow is supercritical;
i.e. the channel is steep at this discharge.
Answer: hn = 0.610 m; hc = 0.742 m.
(b) Assuming the same total head on either side of the gate:


We require the subcritical solution, so rearrange for iteration as
Iteration (e.g. from 1.674) gives h1 = 1.594 m
Answer: h1 = 1.59 m.
(c) The depth increases in each of the GVF regions (S1 and S3) shown below.
S1
normal
hn
h1
h2 S3 normal
CP hn
(d) Upstream of the sluice there is GVF between the hydraulic jump and the sluice. This
starts at the subcritical sequent depth of the hydraulic jump (to be found below) and ends at
the depth h1 found in part (b).
For the hydraulic jump, on the upstream side (normal flow):

hA = 0.6095 m
On the downstream side of the hydraulic jump:

Do a GVF calculation (subcritical, so physically h0 = 1.594
it should start at the fixed downstream control h1 = 1.243
and work upstream, although mathematically it h2 = 0.892
can be done the other way) from just upstream
Sluice
of the sluice gate (where h = 1.594 m) to just Step 2 Step 1
downstream of the hydraulic jump (where hydraulic jump
h = 0.892 m). Using two steps the depth
increment per step is x2 x1 x0
GVF equation:
For the direct-step method rewrite the GVF equation “the other way up”:
and
Working formulae:
where
Δh = –0.351
i hi xi hmid Δx
0 1.594 0
1.419 303.9 –106.7
1 1.243 –106.7
1.068 262.2 –92.0
2 0.892 –198.7
Answer: upstream distance from sluice to hydraulic jump = 199 m.

Section 4.2
Example. (From White, 2006)

A pencil point piercing the surface of a wide rectangular channel flow creates a wedgelike
25° half-angle wave, as in the figure right. If the channel has a Manning’s n of 0.014 m–1/3 s
and the depth is 350 mm, determine: (a) the Froude number; (b) the critical depth; and (c) the
critical slope.
o
25
α = 25º
n = 0.014 m–1/3 s
h = 0.35 m
(a)
Answer: Froude number = 2.37.
(b)
(c) The critical slope is that at which the normal depth is equal to the critical depth.

Normal flow:
where (Manning) (“wide” channel)
Rearranging, and setting a depth h equal to the critical depth (hc = 0.6213 m),
Answer: critical slope = 2.2510–3.

Sediment Transport; Section 2.1
Note: removed from the present curriculum because of the reduction in teaching hours.
Example. (Exam 2007 – part)
An undershot sluice is placed in a channel with a horizontal bed covered by gravel with a
median diameter of 5 cm and density 2650 kg m–3. The flow rate is 4 m3 s–1 per metre width
and initially the depth below the sluice is 0.5 m. Assuming a critical Shields parameter τ*crit
of 0.06 and friction coefficient cf of 0.01:
(a) find the depth just upstream of the sluice and show that the bed there is stationary;
(b) show that the bed below the sluice will erode and determine the depth of scour.
d = 0.05 m
ρs = 2650 kg m–3 (s = 2.65)
q = 4 m2 s–1
cf = 0.01
(a) The bed is mobile if and only if the bed shear stress exceeds the critical shear stress for
incipient motion. (Alternatively, one could find the velocity at which incipent motion occurs.)
First find the critical shear stress for incipient motion. The local shear stress can be found by
finding velocities using open-channel flow theory and using the friction coefficient.
The critical shear stress for incipient motion is
In the accelerated flow just below the sluice gate,

h = 0.5 m
The total head relative to the undisturbed bed is thus (since zs = h initially):
Upstream of the sluice one must have the same total head:
but now we look for the subcritical (deep) solution:

Substituting numerical values, in metre-second units:
Iterating (from, e.g., h = 3.762) gives
The velocity upstream of the sluice is
and the bed shear stress upstream of the sluice is
Since the bed here is stationary.
Answer: depth upstream of sluice = 3.70 m; as demonstrated, the bed here is stationary.
(b) Initially, beneath the sluice,
Since the bed here is initially mobile.
The bed will continue to erode, the flow depth h increasing and velocity V decreasing until
At this point,
whence
This is the depth of flow. Since the downstream water level is set (at 0.5 m above the
undisturbed bed) by the gate the depth of the scour hole is
Answer: depth of scour hole = 0.784 m.

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How is critical depth calculated?

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS IN THE NOTES AUTUMN 2018

where, in normal flow,

Rearranging as an iterative formula for h:

Here, with lengths in metres,

Iteration (from, e.g., h = 0.8316) gives

Answer: normal depth = 1.02 m.

Area and wetted perimeter:

Hydraulics 3 Answers - 1 Dr David Apsley

Here, with lengths in metres,

Iteration (from, e.g., h = 0.8316) gives

Answer: normal depth = 0.749 m.

Hydraulics 3 Answers - 2 Dr David Apsley

State whether the normal flow is subcritical or supercritical.

where, in normal flow,

or, rearranging as an iterative formula for h:

Here, with lengths in metres,

Iteration (from, e.g., h = 0.7926) gives

Answer: normal depth = 0.878 m.

(b) At the normal depth, h = 0.8783 m:

Answer: Froude number = 1.55.

Hydraulics 3 Answers - 3 Dr David Apsley

or (for a rectangular channel; q is the flow per unit width)

Hence, for a rectangular channel,

For critical flow, Fr = 1 and so

Here, the flow per unit width is , so that

Answer: critical depth = 1.18 m.

Hydraulics 3 Answers - 4 Dr David Apsley

Then, for a rectangular channel:

Answer: critical depth = 1.18 m.

(b) For a rectangular channel,

Answer: minimum specific energy = 1.77 m.

where (for a rectangular channel)

Substituting values in metre-second units:

Hydraulics 3 Answers - 5 Dr David Apsley

Iteration (from, e.g., h = 0) gives h = 0.4814 m.

Answer: alternate depths are 3.95 m and 0.481 m.

Hydraulics 3 Answers - 6 Dr David Apsley

Example. (Exam 2009 – reworded and extended)

(b) Calculate the normal depth.

Critical conditions (where Fr = 1) correspond to minimum specific energy at given discharge.

Discharge per unit width:

where (Manning), (“wide” channel)

Answer: normal depth = 1.68 m.

Hydraulics 3 Answers - 7 Dr David Apsley

Answer: critical depth = 1.37 m.

Just up- or downstream,

Hydraulics 3 Answers - 8 Dr David Apsley

Upstream, rearrange for the deep, subcritical, solution:

Iteration (from, e.g., h = 2.549) gives h = 2.310 m.

Downstream, rearrange for the shallow, supercritical solution:

Iteration (from, e.g., h = 0) gives h = 0.8715 m.

normal GVF RVF

Hydraulics 3 Answers - 9 Dr David Apsley

As we require the subcritical solution, rearrange as

Iteration (from, e.g., h = 2.631) gives h = 2.412 m.