CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES

Canals are the structures constructed to carry or

transport water from the reservoir to the area which is
to be irrigated

CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4

Irrigation Canals

Classification of Canals

Based on source of supply

1. Permanent Canal
Permanent canal is one which is fed by a
permanent source of supply

2. Inundation canal

Inundation canal usually draws supplies whenever

there is flood

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 CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4
Irrigation Canals

Classification of Canals

Based on Function

1. Irrigation canal
Carries water to agriculture field

2. Feeder canal
Feeds another canal

3. Navigation canal
Provides navigation facilities

CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4

Irrigation Canals

Classification of Canals

based on position of canal in a canal network

1. Main canal
2. Branch canal

3. Major Distributary

4. Minor Distributary
5. Field Channel

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 CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4
Irrigation Canals

Classification of Canals
based on position of canal in a canal network

Branch Canal

Main Canal

Minor Distributory
Major Distributary
Water Course
(Field Channel)

CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4

Irrigation Canals

Classification of Canals

based on Canal Alignment

1. Contour Canal
In this alignment the canal generally follows a contour
except for necessary slopes.

2. Ridge canal
The canal aligned along natural watershed is known as
ridge canal.

3. Side slope canal

Canal is aligned across contour

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 CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4
Irrigation Canals

Classification of Canals based on Canal Alignment

CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4

Irrigation Canals

Classification of Canals based on Canal Alignment

3. Side slope canal
 Canal is aligned across contour
at right angles to it.

 Since such a channel runs

parallel to the natural drainage
flow, usually does not intercept
drainage channels.

 Hence no need to construct cross drainage works.

 It is a canal which is aligned roughly at right angles to the

contour of the country, but not on watershed or valley.

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 CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4
Irrigation Canals

Classification of Canals

based on Boundary surface

1. Non Alluvial Canals

Excavated in non alluvial soils such as loam, clay, boulder
etc. No silt problems and canals are stable

2. Rigid Boundary canals

The surface of canal is lined. No silting problem. High
velocity of flow can be permitted.

3. Alluvial Canals
Excavated in alluvial soil such as silt, sand etc. -

CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4

Irrigation Canals
Factors to be considered for alignment of a canal
1. The alignment of canal should be such as to ensure
(a) The most economical way of distributing water (b) High command area
(c)Minimum number of cross drainage works

2. A ridge canal is most preferred as it will have a larger command area

3. The length of the main canal from the point at which the canal take off
from a river to the point where it mount on a watershed should be
minimum.
4. The contour alignment should be changed to reduce number of cross
drainage works.
5. The alignment should avoid places of social, religious and economic
importance..
6. The alignment should pass through the balanced depth of cutting and
filling.
7. The number of acute curves should be minimum.
8. Idle length of canal should be minimum and branch canal should be
properly planned.
9. Rocky, brakish or cracked strata should be avoided

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 CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4
Irrigation Canals
Exercise 4 - 1
Calculate the balancing depth for a channel section having a bed width
equal to 18 m and side slopes of 1:1 in cutting and 2:1 in filling. The
bank embankments are kept 3.0 m higher than the ground level (berm
level) and crest width of banks is kept as 2.0 m.

2m 2m
3m 2:1 2:1

6m 6m
1:1 d 1:1
2m

18 m

CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4

Irrigation Canals

2m 2m
3m 2:1 2:1

18 + 2d
6m 6m
1:1 d 1:1
2m

18 m

18 + (18 + 2𝑑)
Area in cutting = × 𝑑 = 18𝑑 + 𝑑
2
14 + 2
Area in filling = 2 × × 3 = 48 m2 d = 2.36 m
2
Area in cutting = Area in filling 18𝑑 + 𝑑 = 48

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 CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4
Irrigation Canals
Considerations for fixing Longitudinal slope of canal

1. Topography of the area in the suggested alignment.

2. The head required to carry the design flow.
3. The purpose of the flow channel

CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4

Irrigation Canals

Cross Section of an
irrigation canal

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 CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4
Irrigation Canals
Cross Section of an Irrigation Canal

FSL= Full Supply Level. NSL=Natural Surface Level

CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4

Irrigation Canals
Cross Section of an Irrigation Canal

When the NSL is above the top of the bank, the

entire canal section will have to be in cutting, and it
shall be called ‘canal in cutting’.

Similarly, when the NSL is lower than the bed level

of the canal, the entire canal section will have to be
built in filling, and it is called ‘canal in filling’.

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 CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4
Irrigation Canals
Components of Cross Section of an Irrigation Canal

 Side slope
 Berm
 Freeboard
 Bank
 Service road
 Back Berm or Counter Berm
 Spoil Bank
 Borrow Pit

CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4

Irrigation Canals
Components of Cross Section of an Irrigation Canal
Side Slope

 The side slopes should be such that they are stable, depending
upon the type of the soil.

 A comparatively steeper slope can be provided in cutting rather

than in filling, as the soil in the former case shall be more
stable.

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 CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4
Irrigation Canals
Components of Cross Section of an Irrigation Canal
Berm
 Berm is the horizontal distance left at ground level between
the toe of the bank and the top edge of cutting.

CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4

Irrigation Canals
Components of Cross Section of an Irrigation Canal
Purposes of Berms:

 They give additional strength to the banks and

provide protection against erosion and breaches.

 They protect the banks from erosion due to wave

action.

 They provide a scope for future widening of the

canal.

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 CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4
Irrigation Canals
Components of Cross Section of an Irrigation Canal
Freeboard :
The margin between FSL and bank level is known as
freeboard. The amount of freeboard depends upon the
discharge of the channel.

CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4

Irrigation Canals
Components of Cross Section of an Irrigation Canal
Bank :
The primary purpose of banks in to retain water. This
can be used as means of communication and as
inspection paths.

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 CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4
Irrigation Canals
Components of Cross Section of an Irrigation Canal
Bank :
The primary purpose of banks in to retain water. This
can be used as means of communication and as
inspection paths.

CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4

Irrigation Canals
Components of Cross Section of an Irrigation Canal
Service Road
Service roads are provided on canals for inspection
purposes, and may simultaneously serve as the means
of communication in remote areas.

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 CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4
Irrigation Canals
Components of Cross Section of an Irrigation Canal
Back Berm or Counter Berm

Even after providing sufficient section for bank

embankment, the saturation gradient line may cut the
downstream end of the bank. In such a case, the
saturation line can be kept covered at least by 0.5 m
with the help of counter berms as shown in figure

CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4

Irrigation Canals
Components of Cross Section of an Irrigation Canal
Back Berm or Counter Berm

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 CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4
Irrigation Canals
Components of Cross Section of an Irrigation Canal
Spoil Bank
 When the earthwork in excavation exceeds earthworks
in filling, the extra earth has to be disposed of
economically.
 Economical mode of its disposal may be collecting this
soil on the edge of the bank embankment itself.

CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4

Irrigation Canals
Components of Cross Section of an Irrigation Canal
Borrow Pit
 When earthwork in filling exceeds the earthwork in
excavation, the earth has to be brought from
somewhere.
 The pits, which are dug for bringing earth, are known
as borrow pits.
 If such pits are excavated outside the channel, they
are known as external borrow pits, and if they are
excavated somewhere within the channel, they are
known as internal borrow pits.
 Internal borrow pits are more preferred than external
one.

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 CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4
Irrigation Canals
Components of Cross Section of an Irrigation Canal
Borrow Pit
The inside borrow pit
may be located at the
centre of canal. The idea
behind this is that the
borrow pits will act as
water pockets where the
silt will be deposited and
ultimately the canal bed
will get levelled up

CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4

Irrigation Canals

Design of channel

1. Design of non erodible channel.

2. Design of erodible channels

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 CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4
Irrigation Canals

Given Data

1. Design discharge

2. Soil properties (Mannings n)

3. Bed slope (S)

4. Side slope (z)

CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4

Irrigation Canals
Design of non erodible channels

1. Determine the area of cross section from continuity equation Q = AV

2. Determine the hydraulic radius from mannings equation or chezy’s
equation. 1 ⁄ ⁄
𝑉= 𝑅 𝑆 ; 𝑉 = 𝐶 𝑅𝑆
𝑛
3. Determine the wetted perimeter from R = A/P
4. Determine the depth of flow and Bed width B

B+ 2 zD
A= (B+zD)D
D 1 P= 𝐵 + 2𝐷 1 + 𝑧
z

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 CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4
Irrigation Canals
Exercise 4 - 2
Design a lined canal for 250 cumecs discharge, side slope 1.25 : 1, bed slope
1 in 6666 and n = 0.018. Assume a permissible velocity of 1.75 m/s

B+ 2 zD

D 1
z

A= (B+zD)D

P= 𝐵 + 2𝐷 1 + 𝑧

CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4

Irrigation Canals
Kennedy’s theory

According to Kennedy the critical velocity Vc in a channel may

be defined as the mean velocity of flow which will just keep the
channel free from silting or scouring.

.
𝑉 = 0.55 𝑚 𝑑

m = Critical velocity ratio

= 1.1 to 1.2 for coarse sand
= 0.8 to 0.9 for fine sand

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 CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4
Irrigation Canals
Exercise 4 - 3
An irrigation canal having aside slope 1:1 has bottom width of
3m. It runs at a depth of 1m with a bed slope of 1 in 2500.
Manning’s n = 0.028. Using Kennedy’s theory, determine whether
the canal will be silting, scouring or remain stable.

CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4

Irrigation Canals
Kennedy’s theory – Design Procedure
Case a : Given Q, n, m and S
1. Assume a value for D
2. Calculate velocity V from 𝑉 = 0.55 𝑚 𝐷 .

3. Calculate area of flow A from A = Q/V

4. Calculate B from 𝐴 = 𝐷 𝐵 + 𝑧𝐷 (Assume z = 0.5)
5. Calculate P from 𝑃 = 𝐵 + 2𝐷 1 + 𝑧 and R = A/P
6. Calculate V from Chezy’s equation. Use Kutter’s equation to estimate C.

1 0.00155
23 + +
𝐶= 𝑛 𝑆
0.00155 𝑛
1 + 23 +
𝑆 𝑅
7. Compare the velocities obtained in steps 2 and 6. If they are not
matching revise the value of D

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 CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4
Irrigation Canals

Exercise 4 - 4
Design an irrigation channel according to Kennedy’s theory to
carry a discharge of 15 cumecs. Assume n = 0.0225 and m = 1.
The channel has a bed slope of 0.2 m per kilometre.

CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4

Irrigation Canals
Kennedy’s theory – Design Procedure
Case b : Given Q, n, m and B/D Ratio

1. Calculate A in terms of D using the given B/D ratio

2. Calculate velocity V in terms of D from 𝑉 = 0.55 𝑚 𝐷 .

3. Using continuity equation Q = AV, express D in terms of Q, and

calculate D

4. Calculate P from 𝑃 = 𝐵 + 2𝐷 1 + 𝑧 , A from A = D(B+zD)

and R = A/P
5. Calculate S from Chezy’s equation. Use Kutter’s equation to
estimate C.

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 CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4
Irrigation Canals
Kennedy’s theory – Design Procedure
Case b : Given Q, N, m and B/D

Exercise 4 - 5
Design an irrigation channel to carry a discharge of 14 cumecs.
Assume n = 0.0025 and m = 1 and B/D = 5.7

CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4

Irrigation Canals
Drawbacks in Kennedy’s theory
1. Kennedy did not notice the importance of B/D ratio.

2. He aimed to find out only the average regime conditions for the
design of channel.

3. No account was given of silt concentration and bed load and the
complex silt carrying phenomenon was incorporated in a single
factor m.

4. Silt grade and Silt charge were not identified.

5. Kennedy did not give any slope equation.

6. Kennedy use Kutters equation for determination of mean velocity

and therefore the limitations of Kutter’s equation is incorporated
in Kennedy’s method

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 CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4
Irrigation Canals
Lacey’s Regime theory

Dimensions, width, depth and slope of a regime

channel to carry a given discharge loaded with a given
silt charge are all fixed by nature.

Regime channel : -

A stable channel, transporting a regime silt charge

CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4

Irrigation Canals
Lacey’s Regime theory - Regime conditions

A channel is said to be in regime, if the following

conditions are satisfied.

1. The channel is flowing in unlimited incoherent

alluvium of the same character as that
transported.

2. Silt grade and silt charge is constant.

3. Discharge is constant

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 CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4
Irrigation Canals
Lacey’s Regime theory
Initial Regime

Initial regime is the state of channel, that has formed its

section only and not yet secured the longitudinal slope.

Final Regime

The channel after attaining its section and longitudinal

slope is said to be in final regime.

CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4

Irrigation Canals
Lacey’s Regime theory
 If a channel is constructed with too small a cross
section for a particular discharge, and slope steeper
than required, scour will occur till the final regime is
attained.
 For a channel with a wider cross section and flatter
slope than required, silting will occur till the final regime
is attained.
 Silt is kept in suspension due to force of vertical eddies,
generated from bed and sides, normal to surface of
generations.
 Hydraulic mean depth is the major variable.

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 CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4
Irrigation Canals
Lacey’s Regime equations

𝑉= 2⁄5 𝑓𝑅
Lacey’s fundamental
𝐴𝑓 = 140 𝑉 equations

⁄ ⁄
𝑉 = 10.8 𝑅 𝑆

𝑓: Lacey’s silt factor

CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4

Irrigation Canals
Lacey’s Regime equations : Other derived flow equations

1. P – Q Relations : 𝑃 = 4.75 𝑄

𝑄𝑓
2. V-Q-f Relations : 𝑉=
140

⁄
3. Regime slope equations: S= 0.000178 ⁄

4. Silt factor Regime equations: 𝑓 = 1.76 𝑚

Mr : the mean particle diameter of silt in mm

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 CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4
Irrigation Canals
Lacey’s Theory : Channel Design Procedure

1. Calculate Silt Factor 𝑓 = 1.76 𝑚

𝑄𝑓
2. Calculate Velocity 𝑉=
140

3. Find out area A = Q/V and wetted perimeter 𝑃 = 4.75 𝑄

4. Calculate B and D from values of A and P. Assume z = 0.5

5. Calculate R from R = A/P and 𝑅 = . and compare them

⁄
6. Calculate bed slope S= 0.000178 ⁄

CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4

Irrigation Canals
Lacey’s Theory : Channel Design Procedure

Exercise 4 - 6
Design a channel section to carry a discharge of 30 cumecs, using
Lacey’s theory. Assume silt factor = 1.00

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 CE 302 : DESIGN OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES Unit 4
Irrigation Canals
Comparison of Kennedy’s theory and Lacey’s Theory
Criteria Kennedy’s theory Lacey’s theory
Different grades Term CVR (m). Did not Silt factor f. Related f to the
of silt suggest how to evaluate particle size
that
Suspension of silt Due to eddies from bed. Due to normal components of
Proposed relation eddies from entire perimeter.
between V and D Proposed relation between V
and R
Evaluation of Kutter’s Equation Suggested his own formula
mean velocity
Determination of No equation Suggested a formula
longitudinal slope
Shape of channel Did not suggest a shape Suggested a semi elliptical
shape
Method Trial and error Does not involve trial and
error procedure

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