Dr Heidi Burgess CE551 Hydraulics February 2021

HYDRAULICS

CE551

OPEN CHANNEL FLOW

Dr Heidi Burgess

[email protected]

If you have any queries ask me during the classroom session or book an
appointment via email.

PLEASE NOTE:
This element of the module is delivered in a flipped format. This means that the
‘passive’ learning element is delivered through pre-recorded mini-lectures. These
mini-lectures will be released a week before the live session and it is essential that
you have watched all of the mini-lectures beforehand. During the live sessions you
will be expected to work in groups (as you would in a real life work situation) and
you will be deepening your understanding and practicing applying the theory learnt.

These notes are a summary of contain all of the important information contained in
the pre-recorded lecture slides, therefore you will not need a copy of the lecture
slides. You can of pause the pre-recorded mini-lectures and watch them as many
times as you like. You should annotate these notes as you watch the online lectures
and bring them to each of the classroom sessions.

Neither the lecture slides or these notes contain all of the information you will need
to pass the hydraulics exam. You will also have to read the sections in the suggested
text books, all of which are available through the library as hard copies or electronic
versions.

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 Dr Heidi Burgess CE551 Hydraulics February 2021

HOW TO PASS THIS PART OF THE MODULE

1. Attend all lectures

• Listen
• Take notes
• Ask questions
• Follow / do worked tutorials

2. Watch all pre-recorded mini-lectures

• Listen
• Take notes

3. Do all tutorial questions each week

• Practising with formulae introduced
• Under take background reading

4. READ
• Read the lecture notes supplied
• Read the suggested sections in the texts books.

It is suggested that you complete all of the tutorial questions which relate to a topic, in the week
following the lecture. This will provide you with a better understanding of topic as well as giving
you a good source for revision. For the tutorial questions, numeric answers are supplied, but
written (essay type) answers are not supplied. Some of the answers will have been provided in
the classroom sessions or in the lecture notes, but other answers will only be found through
conducting the suggested background reading.

You may be examined on any subject area which is covered in the lectures, in the labs or in the
suggested background reading.

For undergraduate modules, every hours spent in the classroom is supposed to be backed upon
with 4 hours of self-study.
Editions
Authors

E-Book
Libary
Title

UoB

Hydraulics in Civil and Environmental Chadwick, Morfett and any Yes Yes
Engineering ** Borthwick edition
Understanding Hydraulics ** Hamill any Yes Yes
edition 627/HAM
Practical Hydraulics and Water Resources Kay Any Yes Yes
Engineering edition 627/KAY

** These are core text books which you will use throughout your time at university and probably beyond, therefore it is strongly
suggested that you obtain your own personal copy (any edition is fine as the fundamental basics remain the same). They are
however all available as E-books through the UoB library.

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Dr Heidi Burgess CE551 Hydraulics February 2021

1.0 Introduction – What is Open Channel Flow?

The initial basics of open channel flow build upon the principles of pipe flow with a fundamental difference
that the upper surface of the pipe has now been cut off and the top surface of water exposed to the air.

The key characteristic of open channel flow is existence of a free surface, making the flow characteristics
distinctive from that in pipes.
• The cross-sectional area is defined by the channel geometry and the free surface.
• The free surface has a constant pressure equal to the atmospheric pressure.
• The gravity rather than pressure gradient is the driving force for the fluid motion.
• The longitudinal profile of the free surface defines the hydraulic gradient of the flow.

In these introductory lectures to open channel flow we will cover:

• Factors Affecting flow P. 3
• Energy and Momentum Coefficients P. 7
• Water properties and the Reynold’s Number P. 9
• Flow classifications P. 11
• Uniform Flow Equations and its application P. 13
• Channel Conveyance P. 15

These are the basic principles of open channel flow and will be built upon in the next level of hydraulics in
the final year.

In the classroom sessions we will be going into these areas in more depth and you will be shown the
methodologies and practice using the appropriate equations, which you have been introduced to, in order
to solve numerical hydraulic problems.

Remember that exam questions will test both your numerical skill and your understanding of the
application of the methodologies, therefore the background theory should be given as much weight in your
revision as the numerical practice. i.e. as a practicing Engineer you are not only expected to be able to
solve problems but also explain why you are solving them and communicate how you are solving them,
both in words and diagrammatically.

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Dr Heidi Burgess CE551 Hydraulics February 2021

2.0 Factors Affecting Flow

Essential background reading for this section:

• Chadwick, Morfett and Borthwick sections 5.1 to 5.5
• Hamill section 4.8.1 and 8.1
• Kay sections 5.3, 5.5

In this section we will cover the range of parameters which impact on flow, introducing the terminology
used and the variables used in calculations and measurements.

2.1 Channel Parameters

Open channels may be classified into two groups:
• Natural channels
• Artificial or Man-made channels

Natural channel formed naturally with running water initially taking advantage of low points in topography
to flow, then as time and flow develop the water itself will incise and shape the development of the
channel. In UK English the terms river normally refers to a large stream, however the terms are often inter-
used. There are also many local or regional names for streams such as brook, creek, beck, bourne, rife – so
depending on where you are working you will need to make sure that you understand the size and
parameters of the watercourse that you are working on.

Smaller streams which flow into a main river are known as tributaries of that river. Most rivers eventually
flow into the sea, but before reaching this point the tidal water starts interacting with the riverine water,
occasionally you will hear this referred to as a ‘tidal river’ but its correct definition is an estuary.

Because of the methods of construction artificial or man-made channels tend to be regular in cross section
area and longitudinally straighter than natural channels. They are built for a variety of reasons including
irrigation channels, navigation canals, spillway channels, sewers, culverts, drainage ditches.

In order to solve problems related to channels we need to be able to describe them in terms of their
parameters which include:
Depth (y) - The vertical distance of the lowest point of a channel section from the free surface.
Stage (h) - The vertical distance of the free surface from an arbitrary datum.
Area (A) - The cross-sectional area of
flow normal to the direction of flow.
Wetted perimeter (P) - The length of Free surface A
the wetted surface of a channel cross-
B
section normal to the direction of flow.
Surface width (B) - The width of the y
d u
Q
channel section at the free surface. A
Hydraulic radius (R) - The ratio of the
h

area to the wetted perimeter (A/P).

Hydraulic mean depth (D m ) - The ratio P

of the area to the surface width (A/B). A Section A-A

In practical applications, the channel Figure 2.1. Channel geometry and velocity distribution
bed slope (S o ) is very small (~1/100), (after Chadwick, Morfett and Borthwick, 2013).
and the geometric properties are
calculated using y for d.

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Dr Heidi Burgess CE551 Hydraulics February 2021

Cross sectional (flow) area = A d

y = depth of flow y=
cos θ
cross-sectional area of the flow taken normal to the direction of flow.

d = depth of flow of section

It is dependant upon section shape and depth of flow

d≠y
d

d=y y

P = wetted perimeter R = hydraulic radius Dm = hydraulic depth

the length of the line which is the interface between the fluid and the
channel boundary the ratio of the flow area to the the ratio of the flow area to the top
wetted perimeter width

A
R= Dm =
A
P B
B = top width h = stage height
the top width of a channel is the width of the channel section at the
water surface the elevation of the water surface in relation to a datum

h1
h2
B

datum

S0 = Bed Slope
x
The gradient of the

Summary of slides from

bed longitudinal
with flow

mini-lectures
Δz z1 − z 2
S0 = = ΔZ
x x
z1 z2
datum

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Dr Heidi Burgess CE551 Hydraulics February 2021

Geometric properties of typical artificial channels are given in Table 2.1., however many of these
dimensions can be worked out through simple geometry and trigonometry.

B B B

y 1 y D
d
x φ
b b

Rectangle Trapezoidal
Circle
Area A by (b+xy)y (φ-sinφ)D2
8
Wetted Perimeter P b+2y b+2y 1+x2 φD
2
Top Width B b b+2xy φ
Dsin
2
Hydraulic radius R by/(b+2y) (b+xy)y (φ-sinφ)D
( b+2y 1+x2 ) 4φ
Hydraulic mean depth D m y (b+xy)y (φ-sinφ)D
( b+2xy) 8 sinφ/2

Table 2.1. Geometric properties of some common prismatic channels,

(after Chadwick, Morfett and Borthwick, 2013)

2.2 Roughness
Because of the free surface, open channel flow problems are more difficult to deal with than pipe flow
problems.

In pipe flow you were introduced to the Bernoulli Equation, where for two points in a pipe (ignoring energy
losses) the equation is:

P v12 P v22
z1 + + = z2 + +
ρg 2g ρg 2g [2-1]

The first two terms in this equation, the elevation and the pressure head, are known as the piezometric
level. In open channel flow these are replaced with the bed elevation and the depth of water.

[2-3]

Of course, as with pipe flow there are also frictional losses which are related to the bed roughness.

In pipe flow the friction factor ( λ) is applied to account for energy loss resulting from the roughness of the
pipe interior. In open channel roughness also needs to be taken into account as it can have a large impact
of flow however the roughness between bed and bank can vary considerably, especially when a channel
goes into flood. The contact surface with the air also has a small frictional resistance which results in
maximum discharge generally occurring just below the surface above the deepest point in a channel.

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Dr Heidi Burgess CE551 Hydraulics February 2021

Therefore, the hydraulic radius, which is the ratio of cross sectional area (A) with the wetted perimeter (P)
is extremely important in calculations.

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Dr Heidi Burgess CE551 Hydraulics February 2021

3.0 Energy and Momentum Correction Coefficients

Essential background reading for this section:

• Chadwick, Morfett and Borthwick section 5.4
• Hamill section 4.8.1
• Kay section 5

In general, the flow velocity over the depth of a channel cross-section is non-uniform, as shown in Figure
2.1. The velocity at the wetted perimeter is always zero. The maximum velocity does not occur at the free
surface. For most engineering applications, only the mean flow velocity 𝑉𝑉 � �= 𝑄𝑄� is of the greatest concern.
𝐴𝐴
However, this simplified equation does not take into account that bed and bank roughness impact on the
flow distribution and in many cause significant errors in the design of channels. Therefore Energy and
Momentum correction coefficients are derived to take account of the differences.

3.1 Derivation of the Energy (Kinetic) Coefficient

𝑢𝑢2 �2
𝑉𝑉
At a given channel cross-section, the kinetic energy � � is in general not the same as � �.
2𝑔𝑔 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 2𝑔𝑔

• At a given channel cross-

section, the kinetic energy:
 u2 
 
 2 g  mean
• is in general not the same
as: 2
V
2g

The ratio between the two is referred to as the energy coefficient, denoted by 𝜶𝜶 and given by

∫ 𝑢𝑢3 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 �𝑖𝑖3 𝐴𝐴𝑖𝑖

∑ 𝑉𝑉
𝛼𝛼 = � 3 𝐴𝐴
= � 3 ∑ 𝐴𝐴𝑖𝑖
[3-1]
𝑉𝑉 𝑉𝑉

Derivation of the equation for α is based on the

1
principle that total kinetic energy possessed by a ∑ 2 mu 2

bundle of stream tubes is equal to α x KE (represented =

by the mean velocity 𝑉𝑉� − For convenience, V instead of
1
V is used in channel flow calculations. α MV 2
2
1
Remember : Kinetic Energy = mv 2
2

[3-2]

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Dr Heidi Burgess CE551 Hydraulics February 2021

The ratio between the two is referred to as the energy coefficient, denoted by α and given by:

α=∫
u dA ∑ u δA
3 3
i i 2 3
= 3 3 1
V A V A

To calculate this for a channel you

would measure the velocity in small
subsections (dA), then equate the total
kinetic energy of the subsections to
that ot the total flow

Energy Coefficient (velocity distribution coefficient)

V2
• Often close to 1, hence omitted α
2g
• Important
– Pipe flow (1.01 – 1.10)
– Spillways (1.10 – 1.20)
– Natural streams (1.15 – 1.50)
– Flooded river valley (1.50 – 2.00)

3.2 Derivation of the Momentum Coefficient

Similarly, the use of 𝑉𝑉� for calculation of the mean fluid momentum also introduces a momentum
coefficient 𝜷𝜷:
∫ 𝑢𝑢2 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 ∑ 𝑢𝑢𝑖𝑖2 𝛿𝛿𝐴𝐴𝑖𝑖
𝛽𝛽 = � 2 𝐴𝐴
= � 2 𝐴𝐴
[3-3]
𝑉𝑉 𝑉𝑉

As in pipe flows, channel flows may be categorised as laminar and turbulent flows, depending on Re:

𝜌𝜌𝜌𝜌𝜌𝜌 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅
𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅(𝑐𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) = = [3-4]
𝜇𝜇 𝜈𝜈

3.3 Summary of Correction Coefficients

Energy Coefficient Momentum Coefficient

α= ∑ i Ai
u 3
∑ u A
2
i i
3 β=
V A 2
V A
α is often close to 1, hence omitted, however is β is always greater than 1, but not by much so is
especially important in often ignored
• Pipe flow (1.01 – 1.10) Examples
• Spillways (1.10 – 1.20) • Pipe flow (1.02)
• Natural streams (1.15 – 1.50) • Spillways (1.03 – 1.07)
• Flooded river valley (1.50 – 2.00) • Natural streams (1.05 – 1.17)
• Flooded river valley (1.17 – 1.33)

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Dr Heidi Burgess CE551 Hydraulics February 2021

4.0 Water Properties

Essential background reading for this section:

• Chadwick, Morfett and Borthwick - Chapter 3
• Hamill - Section 4.1 to 4.3
• Kay - Section 5.3

4.1 Viscosity
The viscosity is an intensive property of a fluid that measures its internal resistance to motion or
deformation. It plays an important role in areas such as aerodynamics and reservoir engineering since it
determines the nature of the flow of a given fluid, such as air, water, and oil.

You can easily imagine having a glass of water in one hand and glass of honey in the other. If you tipped
the glasses at the same time (to the same angle) the water would pour out much quicker than the honey,
(assuming both were at room temperature, as viscosity reduces with increase in temperature). Intuitively,
honey is more viscous than water.

The viscosity we use in fluid dynamics is shear viscosity otherwise known as dynamic viscosity, which is
represented by the symbol µ . This is a measurement of how quickly a fluid changes shape under a shear
force (or a measure of its inability to flow). As a fluid moves across a surface, a velocity profile is created.
The closer to the surface the lower the velocity until you reach the surface boundary where the velocity is
zero. The boundary layer is the region where viscosity effects are most significant in body-fluid interaction.

The Velocity profile experiment

Figure 4.1 illustrates the velocity profile experiment is usually made with two parallel and sufficiently large
plates with a non-zero relative tangential velocity, zero normal velocity, and a fluid between the two plates.
If for simplicity the experiment is made such that one plate is fixed while the other moves tangentially with
a tangential velocity u=V, then a velocity profile would appear in the fluid. The fluid in contact with the
fixed plate would have zero velocity, while the fluid in contact with the moving plate would have the same
velocity as it, namely V. The picture below illustrates the boundary layer experiment described:

Top: two static boundary

plates either side of a
stationary fluid.

Bottom: the top boundary

plate moving at velocity = V,
creates a velocity profile,
reaching zero at the lower
stationary boundary plate.

Figure 4.1: Illustration of the Velocity Profile Experiment

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Dr Heidi Burgess CE551 Hydraulics February 2021

If the fluid is Newtonian, where the rate of deformation (or acceleration) is linearly proportional to the
shear stress, the shear viscosity can be obtained in an experiment of one-dimensional shear flow, such as
the velocity profile experiment where:

𝜏𝜏
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣 = 𝜇𝜇 = 𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕 [4-1]
𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕

The shear stress τ acting on the fluid layer in contact with the moving plate, causes an acceleration of the
𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕
fluid and is the variation of the velocity in relation to the height.
𝜕𝜕𝜕𝜕

The kinematic viscosity (ν – greek letter nu) appears frequently in fluid mechanics and heat transfer and is
related to flows under the gravity force. It is the ratio of the viscous force (μ) to the inertial force (fluid
density ρ)

𝜇𝜇
𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣 = 𝜈𝜈 = [4-2]
𝜌𝜌

Dynamic viscosity (µ) Kinematic viscosity (ν)

SI units kg kg
ν = ÷ 3
Ns kg ms m
ms
µ= or
m 2
ms kg m 3
= ×
ms kg
ms
Also measured in
m2
poise (P)  1 P = 0.1 Ns/m2 =
centipoise (cP)  1 cP = 0.001 Ns/m2 s

4.2 The Reynolds Number

One common expression that uses kinematic viscosity is the Reynolds number, which relates the
momentum (inertial forces) to the viscous forces of a fluid. The Reynolds number is defined as

𝜌𝜌𝜌𝜌𝜌𝜌 𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢
𝑅𝑅𝑒𝑒(𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔) = = [4-3]
𝜇𝜇 𝑣𝑣

Where L and u are the characteristic length and velocity. In open channel flow, L is taken to be the hydraulic
�.
radius R (see earlier in notes for the definition), whilst u would be the average cross-sectional velocity V

𝜌𝜌𝜌𝜌𝜌𝜌 𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢
𝑅𝑅𝑒𝑒(𝑐𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎) = = [4-4]
𝜇𝜇 𝑣𝑣

The Reynolds number is commonly used to measure whether a flow is turbulent or laminar, channel flow
differs from pipe flow:
Laminar channel flow: Re (channel) < 500.
Turbulent channel flow: Re (channel) > 1000.

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Dr Heidi Burgess CE551 Hydraulics February 2021

5.0 Flow Classification - Time and Spatial

Essential background reading for this section:

• Chadwick, Morfett and Borthwick sections 5.1 to 5.5
• Hamill section 4.8.1 and 8.1
• Kay section 5.5 to 5.7

Flow classification provides us with a useful language for describing to each other the hydraulic
characteristics of a particular river segment. It is important to define to enable correct approach for
problem solving, therefore Engineers classify open channel flow with respect to four principal
characteristics. The first classification method you are introduced to is by time and space:

5.1 Hydraulic Variability in Space

Uniform Flow: Cross section of flow and mean Varied Flow: Flow parameters vary downstream e.g.
velocity does not change with time or distance width, depth, velocity, this can be rapid or gradual
downstream. e.g. hydraulic jump.

Depth, width (i.e. A) and mean velocity hence Q, do Flow Parameters (Q,A,V,h) vary in respect to
not vary with position. position downstream

Uniform flow is extremely rare, non-existent in

nature, although as engineers we use it to simplify
calculations

5.2 Hydraulic Variability in Time

Steady Flow: Flow that does not change at a Unsteady Flow: Velocity and depth vary over time
position in a river in time (Q hence v and h remains e.g. Flood wave propagating downstream, tidal bore
constant). (very difficult to analyse).

Q is constant in respect to time. Q varies in respect to time.

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Dr Heidi Burgess CE551 Hydraulics February 2021

5.3 Combined Time and Spatial Classification

Steady Uniform Flow Steady Non-Uniform Flow

Q is constant in respect to time and depth, width Q constant in respect to time and flow parameters
and mean velocity hence Q, do not vary with (Q,A,V,h) vary in respect to position downstream
position

Simpler to calculate More complex to calculate

Depth constant (time and space) Depth varies with space
Fundamental type flow used in open channel Depth constant with time
calculations Gradually Varying Flow
Gravity and resistance forces in equilibrium Rapidly Varying Flow

5.4 Varied Flow Classification

Varied flow can be further broken down into two types of flow conditions.

Gradually Varying Flow (GVF) – where flow gradually changes over time and/or distance (e.g. approaching
a weir) and we use the energy and friction equations to model these scenarios.

Rapidly Varying Flow (RVF) – where flow suddenly changes in nature e.g. in a hydraulic jump, for which we
use the energy and momentum principles to model these scenarios.

Image by Jyh-Cherng Shieh, National Taiwan University

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Dr Heidi Burgess CE551 Hydraulics February 2021

6.0 Uniform flow equations and applications

Essential background reading for this section:

• Chadwick and Morfett sections 5.4 to 5.6
• Hamill section 8.1 to 8.5
• Kay section 5.5.3

6.1 Modified pipe flow equation

For steady uniform flow, the free surface is parallel to the channel bed, thus the hydraulic gradient is equal
to the bed slope of the channel. Substituting the Colebrook-White equation to Darcy-Weisbach equation
(with D=4R), we have a modified equation for the mean flow velocity under steady uniform channel flow
conditions:

𝑘𝑘𝑠𝑠 0.6275𝑣𝑣
𝑉𝑉 = −2�8𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑆𝑆𝑜𝑜 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 � + � [6-1]
14.8𝑅𝑅 𝑅𝑅 �8𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑆𝑆𝑜𝑜
S0: Bed slope of Channel; Look in background
R: Hydraulic radius; reading for full
ks: Bed roughness. derivation

Note: Because 1-3 is effectively a pipe flow equation, derived under a very different flow condition, its
validity for channel flow calculations is questionable.

6.2 The friction formulae

Look in background
reading for full
derivation

Figure from Chadwick, Morfett and Borthwick

Under steady uniform flow conditions, the shear force due to bed friction is in equilibrium with the gravity
force in the direction of the flow. It can be shown that

𝜏𝜏𝑜𝑜 = 𝜌𝜌𝜌𝜌𝜌𝜌𝑆𝑆𝑜𝑜 [6-2]

The Chezy equation

Assuming a rough turbulent flow condition, the shear stress is proportional to V2, i.e,

𝜏𝜏𝑜𝑜 = 𝐾𝐾𝑉𝑉 2 [6-3]

Combining 1-5 and 1-6 leads to the Chezy equation:

𝑉𝑉 = 𝐶𝐶�𝑅𝑅𝑆𝑆𝑜𝑜 [6-4]

C is a dimensional constant. In metric units, C is given by

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Dr Heidi Burgess CE551 Hydraulics February 2021

 41.6 + 1.81/n + 0.00281/S0 

C = 0.552  [6-5]
 1 + [41.65 + (0.000281/S0)] n / R 

n is a coefficient known as Kutter’s n, and is solely determined by the boundary roughness.

The Manning equation

Look in background
Robert Manning developed a simplified equation for the calculation of the reading for full
Chezy coefficient: derivation

1
𝑅𝑅 �6
𝐶𝐶 = [6-6]
𝑛𝑛

This equation is known as the Manning equation, and the coefficient n in 1-8 is referred to as Manning’s n.
Typical values of n is shown in Table 5-2. The evaluation V and Q can be achieved by using

2
𝑅𝑅 �3�𝑆𝑆𝑜𝑜
𝑉𝑉 = [6-7]
𝑛𝑛

5
1 𝐴𝐴 �3
𝑄𝑄 = �𝑆𝑆𝑜𝑜 [6-8]
𝑛𝑛 𝑃𝑃2�3

River with earth banks/bed and straight alignment 0.02

River with earth banks/bed and meandering 0.03 - 0.05
River with gravel banks/bed and straight 0.03 - 0.04
River with gravel banks/bed and winding/braided 0.04 - 0.08
Unlined canals with earth banks/bed and straight 0.018 – 0.025
Unlined canals with rock banks/bed and straight 0.025 – 0.045
Lined canal 0.012 - 0.018
Models 0.01
Table 5-2. Typical Manning’s n

6.3 Steady uniform flow computations

There are two common types of uniform channel flow problems in practice.
Type I problem: to find the discharge for known channel properties and water depth.
Type II problem: to find the depth for a given discharge with known channel properties.
The water depth corresponding to a steady uniform flow is referred to as the normal depth.
Equation 6-11 can be directly applied to Type I problems once Manning n is selected. For Type II problems,
A and P are both functions of y, thus the depth can be evaluated by means of numerical iteration or simply
by trials and errors.

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Dr Heidi Burgess CE551 Hydraulics February 2021

7.0 Channel Conveyance

Essential background reading for this section:

• Chadwick, Morfett and Borthwick sections 5.6.6
• Hamill section 8.3

Look in background
7.1 Channel conveyance reading for full
Rewrite equation 1-11, derivation

𝑄𝑄 = 𝐾𝐾�𝑆𝑆𝑜𝑜 [7-1]

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1 𝐴𝐴 �3
𝐾𝐾 = [7-2]
𝑛𝑛 𝑃𝑃2�3

For a given channel slope, K represents a channel’s discharge carrying capacity. K is referred to as the
channel conveyance. The parameter K may be used in irregularly shaped and compound channel flow
problems. The cross-section of an irregularly-shaped and compound channel may be divided into
subsections, and the mean velocity and discharge through each subsection may be separately calculated
using 7-1 and 7-2. The overall mean velocity and discharge can thus also be calculated through K.

Two different issues may be addressed:

a) to calculate the energy and momentum coefficient. Let the cross-section be divided into N subsections,
then 𝛼𝛼 and 𝛽𝛽 are given by

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�∑𝑁𝑁
𝑖𝑖=1 𝐴𝐴𝑖𝑖 � 𝐾𝐾 3
𝛼𝛼 = 3 �∑𝑁𝑁
𝑖𝑖=1 𝐴𝐴2 �
𝑖𝑖
[7-3]
�∑𝑁𝑁
𝑖𝑖=1 𝐾𝐾𝑖𝑖 � 𝑖𝑖

�∑𝑁𝑁
𝑖𝑖=1 𝐴𝐴𝑖𝑖 � 𝑁𝑁 𝐾𝐾𝑖𝑖2
𝛽𝛽 = 2 �∑𝑖𝑖=1 � [7-4]
�∑𝑁𝑁
𝑖𝑖=1 𝐾𝐾𝑖𝑖 �
𝐴𝐴𝑖𝑖

b) To establish a simple relationship between the bed slope and discharge:

𝑄𝑄2
𝑆𝑆𝑜𝑜 = 2 [7-5]
�∑𝑁𝑁
𝑖𝑖=1 𝐾𝐾𝑖𝑖 �

channel of irregular shape

A3 A2
A1

A typical compound channel

A3 A2
A1

Figure 5-1. Subdivisions of irregular and compound channels,

(after Chadwick, Morfett and Borthwick, 2013)

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