HU-IoT Open Channel Hydraulics Course Lecture Note

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION TO OPEN CHANNEL FLOW

When the flow takes place in a channel or pipe such that the water has a free surface exposed to
the atmosphere, we spoke of open channels, curvets, spillways, and similar human made
structures are designed & analyzed by the method of open channel hydraulics.
The primary differences b/n the confined flow in pipes & open channel flow is that the pipe flow
is closed channel, which is the top surface is covered by solid boundary, it is not exposed to
atmospheric pressure but open channel flow is exposed to atmospheric pressure. In open
channels the cross-sectional area of the flow is variable that depends on many parameters of the
flow. For this reason, hydraulic computations related to open channel flow are more complicated.
The prime motivating force (the force causing motion) for open channel flow is gravity or the
slope provided at the bottom (bed).
Differences b/n the flow in pipes & open channel flow
OPEN CHANNEL FLOW PIPE FLOW
Is exposed to atmospheric pressure. Is closed channel
The cross-sectional area of the flow is variable. The top surface is covered by solid boundary
(that depends on many parameters of the flow)
The force causing motion is gravity. It is no exposed to atmospheric pressure
Z+P/γ; HGL indicated by the free water Z+P/γ; HGL indicated in the lining of the piezo
surface metric surface
For uniform flow of open channel, the drop in No relationship between drop of EGL and
EGL equal to the drop in the bed slope of the pipe

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 HU-IoT Open Channel Hydraulics Course Lecture Note

Let’s compare the two flow types using figure.

EL Hf

Hf
Y1 HGL V 2
EL
2g
HGL
Y1
Y2
Y2
Z1 Z1
Z2
Z2
Fig. 1(b) Open channel flow
Fig 1(a) Pipe flow

Where HGL - Hydraulic grade line (coincide with water surface)

EGL - Energy grade line
Hf - head loss due to friction
V2/2g - velocity head
Despite the similarity between these two flows it is much more difficult and complex to solve
problems of the open channel case. This is due to the fact that the flow condition in open channel
flow varies as per time and place. When we say the flow condition it includes depth of flow,
cross-sectional area and slope of the channel. In turn the depth of flow , discharge and slope of
the channel and water surface are related to each other.
In addition, the bed roughness varies greatly leading the selection of friction coefficient to
uncertainty. The cause of flow in open channel the gravitational forces and viscous shear forces
along the channel wetted perimeter resists flow.
Types of channels
Natural channels: These channels naturally exist without the influence of human beings.
E.g. Rivers, streams, tidal estuaries, aqueducts.
Aqueducts are under ground conduits which carry water with free surface.

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 HU-IoT Open Channel Hydraulics Course Lecture Note

Artificial channels: Such channels are formed by man’s activity for various purposes.
E.g. irrigation channel, navigation channel, sewerage channel, culverts, power canal……
etc.
The above two channels can have either of the following features:
Prismatic channel: - channels with constant shape and slope.
Non-prismatic channels: - channels with varying shape and slope.
Open channel: -channel having no cover at the top
Closed channel: - channels having cover at the top
Generally, the natural channels fall into the non prismatic group. That is why intensive study
of the behavior of flow in natural channels requires other fields of studies like, sediment
transport, geomorphology, hydrology, river engineering.

Types of flow in open channel

According to the characteristics of the flow with respect to time and place, different
categories can be set.
a) Steady flow and unsteady flow
b) Uniform flow and non uniform flow
c) Steady uniform & unsteady uniform flow
d) Unsteady non uniform flow
A. Steady flow: - Here the criterion is time. A flow can be said steady if the fluid
characteristics like velocity, pressure density, depth of flow doesn’t change or if it can be
assumed constant between the time of consideration.

V p y
=0 , = 0 and =0
t t t
B. Unsteady flow: - Here the fluid characteristics vary with time such that

V p y
0 0 0
t , t and t

C. Uniform flow: - A space as a criterion is used. Open channel flow is said to be uniform if
the depth of flow, velocity remains constant or the same at every section of the channel.
Uniform flow may be steady or unsteady, depending on whether or not the depth changes
with time.

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 HU-IoT Open Channel Hydraulics Course Lecture Note

V y
=0 =0
s , and s

D. Non uniform flow: - In case when the velocity, depth of flow in a channel change with
space:

V y
0 0
s , and s

E. Steady uniform flow: - The depth of flow does not change during time interval and space
under consideration.
F. Steady non uniform flow: - This is a rare phenomenon when the depth of flow fluctuates
while remaining parallel to the channel bottom keeping flows constant at a point for different
time.
G. Unsteady uniform flow: - This is a flow in which the depth is varying time but not with
space.
H. Unsteady non uniform flow: - Is the flow in which the depth is varying with space and
time.
Geometric elements of open channel section
Geometric elements are properties of a channel section that can be defined entirely by the geometry
of the section and the depth of flow. The most used geometric properties include:
1. Depth of flow(y): it the vertical distance from the lowest point of the channel to the free
surface.
2. Top width (T): it is the width of channel section at free surface.
3. Stage (h): is the elevation or vertical distance of the free surface above a datum.
4. Wetted perimeter (p): it is the length of the channel boundary which is in contact with
water.
5. Wetted area (A): is the cross-sectional area of the flow normal to the direction of flow.
6. Hydraulic radius (hydraulic mean depth) (R): it is the ratio of wetted area to its wetted
perimeter
A
R=
P
A
7. Hydraulic depth(D): the ratio of wetted area to the top width, D=
T

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8. Section factor (Z): is the product of the wetted area and the two-third power of the hydraulic
radius
1
A  A3  2
2

Z=A D =A =   =A R 3
T T 

9. Conveyance (K): is division of section factor to manning constant (n)

2
1
K= AR3 n= Mannings constant
1
2 1 n
Q=VA…………………………. V= R S 3 2
n = CA R
1
2 1
c= Chezy’s constant
Q=A R 3 S 2
n
2 1
1 2
=A R 3 S
n
1
Q=K S 2 S= bed slope
As discussed above in open channel such as depth area of the cross section, velocity said when
the flow parameter such as depth area of the cross section, velocity discharge etc… remain
constant throughout the entire length of the channel.
The total energy line, water surface and channel bottom are parallel to each other, also their slope

are equal channel bed slope (So) = water surface slope (Sw) = energy line slope (sE.)
Energy and Momentum Principles in OC Flow
Uniform flow is the result of exact balance between the gravity and friction force

Figure 1.2: Open channel control section

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 HU-IoT Open Channel Hydraulics Course Lecture Note

Where S0- bed slope of channel W – Weight of water

Sw- Water surface slope 0 – Shear force
S- Slope of EGL L- Length of channel
Consider figure 1.2 uniform flow between two section 1-1 and 2-2, L distant apart as shown and
various forces acting on the control volume are:
I. Hydrostatic forces
II. Component of weight along the flow
III. Shear or resistance to flow acting along the wetted perimeter in opposite direction
From second law of Newton

Force= Mass X acceleration as the flow is uniform, acceleration = zero therefore forces =0
Force=+F1-F2 + wsin -  o x contact area
Uniform flow is the result of exact balance between the gravity and friction force
Wsin =  o .P.L…………………………….(1)

A L sin =  o .P.L

But sin  = hf/L = S, solving for  o , also for small value of , sin = tan
A
 o = .S = R.S ………………………………… (2)
P
Where - unit weight of the water
From experiment it is established that shear stress is

……… (3)

Assumed proportional to the square of the mean velocity,

Or o= kV2…………………………………..……..(3)

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Therefore, kv2=RS

V2= RS ,
k

Let = C 2 -constant (b/c &k- are constant)
k

V = C RS . ……………………………………………….... (4)
This is the Chezy –formula
C= Chezy coefficient (Chezy’s resistance factor)
V= Average velocity of flow

Manning Formula
Robert Manning in 1889, proposed the formula
1 2 1
V= R 3 S0 2 ………………………………………………(5)
n
 The best as well as most widely used formula for uniform flow.
n- is the roughness coefficient
A relation between the Chezy’s C and Manning’s n may be obtained by comparing eqn (4) & (5)
1

R6
C= …………………………………………..(6)
n
 The value of n ranges from 0.009 (for smooth straight surfaces) to 0.22 (for very
dense flood plain forests).

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