Saat Chieti PheBioeedinp Institute of Engineering 5 BASIS OF OPEN CHANNEL FLOW 5.1 Introduction ‘Open Channel Flow’ is also termed as 'Free Surface Flow’ ot 'Gravity Flow’. The flow is characterized by an interface between the air and the upper layer of water (i.e. Free surface). The flow in a channel is caused by only gravity component along the slope of channel not by some external head. The slope of flow problem in the open channels are more complex than problems in the pipes due to the variabilities of shape, size and friction coefficients. Generally, all pipes are round but the x-sections of open channels may vary from circular to any irregular shapes. Open channel flows are almost always turbulent and unaffected by surface tension, A channel may be defined as a passage through which water flows under atmospheric pressure. As such in channels the flow of water takes place with a free surface which is subjected to atmospheric pressure. Figure 5-1: Comparison Between Pipe Flow and Open Channel FlowFigure 5-1 shows a comparison between the flow through a pipe and a channel. In the case of flow through a pipe, there is no free surface as in the case of flow through a channel. This so because the water flowing in a pipe is under pressure, which at any section of a pipe is indicated by the level of column in a piezomettic tube installed on the pipe at the section. The water levels in the piezometric tubes installed at different sections of a pipe indicate the HGL. On the other hand, in the case of channel flow the water surface itself is the HGL. However, the EGL lines in both the cases lie at a distance of 'V2/2g" above the HGL at every section, where 'V' is the mean velocity of flow at that section. Since, the pressure on the top of surface of water in a channel is constant, no pressure difference can be built up between any two sections along the channel as in the case of pipes. Moreover, as the water flows in a channel, it will always be subjected to some resistance. As such in order to overcome the resistance and to cause the flow of water in a channel, it is constructed with its bottom slopping towards the direction of flow, so that a component of the weight of the flowing water in the direction of flow is developed which causes the flow of water in the channel, Tas datum a) Pipe flow b) Open channel flow Figure 5-1: Comparison Between Pipe Flow and Open Channel Flow 841PageSaat Chieti PheBioeedinp Institute of Engineering 5.1.1 Class fication of Channels ‘The channel may be classified according to different considerations as indicated below. (@ Natural and Artificial channels: ‘The natural channel is the one which has irregular sections of varying shapes, which is developed in a natural way. The example of natural channels are rivers, streams etc. On the other hand, an artificial channel is the one which is built artificially for carrying water for various purposes. Obviously artificial channels have their x-sections with regular geometrical shapes, which usually remain same throughout the length of the channel. The artificial channels may be further classified according to the shape of the x-section as triangular, rectangular, trapezoidal, circular, elliptical, parabolic channels ete. So, hydraulic properties are very much irregular in natural channel but these properties in artificial channels can be controlled to the extent desired or designed to meet given requirements. Git A channel having the same shape of various sections along its length and laid on a constant bottom slope (i.e. longitudinal slope) is termed as prismatic channel. On the other hand, either the x-sectional area or Jongitudinal slope is varying along length then it is termed as non ~ prismatic channel. So, in general; all the artificial channels are prismatic and all natural channels are non — prismatic channel, In this course only prismatic channels have been dealt with. (iii) Rigid and non — rigid boundary channels: Prismatic and non ~ prismatic channels: A channel which is not deformed in shape, size, roughness etc. along the length is known as rigid boundary channel otherwise the channel is non — rigid (or mobile boundary) channel. In the mobile boundary channel, loose sediment moving along the bed under the action of flowing water. (iv) Open and closed channels: ‘The channels without any cover at the top are known as open channels. On the other hand, the channels having cover at the top are known as closed channels. However, the closed channels will always be running partly full of water, in order that the flow may be a channel flow with atmospheric pressure prevailing over its entire top surface. Some of common examples of closed channels are closed conduits or pipes flowing partly full of water, underground drains, tunnels etc., not running full of water. 5.1.2 Types of flow in channels The flow in channels can be classified into following types depending upon the change in the depth of flow with respect to space and time. () Steady flow and unsteady flow: Flow in a channel is said to be steady if the flow characteristics at any point do not change with time (Le. 0V/6i = 0, 5/6 = 0 etc.). On the other hand if any of the flow characteristics changes with time, the flow is unsteady (i.e. OV/d #0, 6/6 #0 etc.), However, in the case of prismatic channels the conditions of steady flow may be obtained if only the depth of flow does not change with time (ie. 9/5 = 0). (i) Uniform and non — uniform (or varied flow): 851PageSaat Chieti PheBioeedinp Institute of Engineering Flow in a channel is said to be uniform if the depth, slope, x-section and velocity remain constant over a given length of the channel (ie. 6V/d = 0, 5/8 = 0 etc.). On the other hand if any of the flow characteristics changes from section to section, along the length of the channel, the flow is non — uniform (i.e. 6V/8 #0, 5/8 #0 etc.). Obviously, a uniform flow can occur only in a prismatic channel in which the flow will be uniform if only the depth of flow (y) is same at every section of the channel (i.e. 6/85 = 0). Varied flow may be further classified as Y Rapidly varied flow (RVF): If the depth of flow changes abruptly over a comparatively short distance, the flow is characterized as RVF. Typical examples of RVF are hydraulic jump and hydraulic drop. Gradually varied flow (GVF): If the depth of flow changes gradually in a long reach of the channel, the flow is characterized as GVE. (ili) Laminar and turbulent flow: Just as in pipes, the flow in channels may also be characterized as laminar, turbulent or in a transitional state, depending on the relative effect of viscous and inertia forces and alike pipes, Reynolds number (Re) isa measure of this effect in the channel flow also. We know, Reynolds number (Re) is VL o v Where, V = Mean velocity, v= Kinematic viscosity and L = Characteristics length But, for the open channel flow characteristic length (L) = Hydraulic radius or hydraulic mean depth (R) So, Reynold's number (Re) for open channel flow is VR gee a v Where, Hydraulic radius or hydraulic mean depth (R) = Wetted area (A) / Wetted perimeter (P) On the basis of experimental data, it has been found that Re < 500, the flow in channels may be considered as laminar state and Re 22000, the flow in the channels is turbulent state. Thus, for 500< Re <2000, the flow in the channels may be considered to be in transitional state, (iv) Subcritical, critical and supercritical flow: As stated earlier, gravity is a predominant force in the case of channel flow. As such depending on the relative effect of gravity and inertia forces, the channel may be classified as subcritical, critical and supercritical. The ratio of the inertia and the gravity forces is another dimensionless parameter called Froude number (Fr), which is defined as, i: Fr «amy Where, V = Mean velocity of flow, g = Acceleration due to gravity and L= Characteristics length. But, for the open channel flow characteristic length (L) = Hydraulic depth of channel section (D) 861PageSaat Chieti PheBioeedinp Institute of Engineering So, Froude number (Fr) for open channel flow is if av) [gD Now, it has been found that if Fr I(ie. V> WigD), the flow is described as supercritical or rapid or shooting or torrential Fr 5.1.3 Geometrical properties of channel section male ae f- one Y % Datum —aE L-section ae Figure 5-2: Geometric Properties of Open Channel Flow The geometrical properties of a channel section can be defined entirely by the geometry of the section and the depth of the flow, shown in Figure 5-2. Some of the geometrical properties of basic importance are defined below. (Top width (1): ‘The width of the channel section at the free surface (i.e. water surface level). (i) Depth of flow (y): The vertical distance of the lowest point of a channel section from the free surface (i.e. water surface level). (ii) Depth of flow section (a): ‘The normal distance from the free surface (i.e, water surface level). Here, d = y Cosat (iv) Wetted area or water area or area of flow section (A): tis the cross-sectional area of the flow normal to the direction of flow. 871Page