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Geometrical Properties of Channel Section

The document discusses the geometrical properties of open channel flow, including wetted area, wetted perimeter, and hydraulic radius, which are essential for designing irrigation canals and drainage systems. It provides definitions, formulas, and solved problems to illustrate the calculation of these properties. The hydraulic radius is particularly important for determining flow velocity using Manning's equation.

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59 views3 pages

Geometrical Properties of Channel Section

The document discusses the geometrical properties of open channel flow, including wetted area, wetted perimeter, and hydraulic radius, which are essential for designing irrigation canals and drainage systems. It provides definitions, formulas, and solved problems to illustrate the calculation of these properties. The hydraulic radius is particularly important for determining flow velocity using Manning's equation.

Uploaded by

My Rough
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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FLUID FLOW THROUGH OPEN CHANNEL

Geometrical Properties of Channel Section

1. Introduction to Key Terms


In open channel flow, geometrical properties like wetted area, wetted perimeter, and
hydraulic radius determine flow characteristics. These properties are crucial in designing
irrigation canals, drainage systems, and river engineering projects.

2. Term-wise Breakdown & Solved Problems

(a) Wetted Area (A)


Definition: The cross-sectional area of water in contact with the channel boundary.

Formula:

- Rectangular Channel: A = b × y

- Trapezoidal Channel: A = (b + zy) × y

Significance: Determines the volume of water a channel can carry.

Problems on Wetted Area


 Problem 1 (Easy): A rectangular channel has a bottom width of 3 m and a depth of 1.5
m. Find the wetted area.
 Solution:

A = b × y = 3 × 1.5 = 4.5 m²

✅ Answer: 4.5 m²

 Problem 2 (Moderate): A trapezoidal channel has a bottom width of 4 m, side slope z =


2, and depth 1.2 m. Find the wetted area.
 Solution:

A = (b + zy) × y = (4 + 2 × 1.2) × 1.2 = 7.68 m²

✅ Answer: 7.68 m²

 Problem 3 (Critical): A trapezoidal channel carries 20 m³/s of water. If the bottom width
is 5 m, depth is 1.5 m, and side slope is 1.5, calculate the velocity of water flow.
 Solution:

Wetted Area: A = (5 + 1.5 × 1.5) × 1.5 = 10.875 m²

Velocity: V = Q / A = 20 / 10.875 = 1.84 m/s


✅ Answer: 1.84 m/s

(b) Wetted Perimeter (P)


Definition: The length of the channel boundary in contact with the water.

Formula:

- Rectangular Channel: P = b + 2y

- Trapezoidal Channel: P = b + 2y√(1+z²)

Significance: Affects flow resistance; smaller wetted perimeter means lesser energy loss.

Problems on Wetted Perimeter


 Problem 4 (Easy): A rectangular channel has a width of 3 m and depth 2 m. Find its
wetted perimeter.
 Solution:

P = b + 2y = 3 + 2(2) = 7 m

✅ Answer: 7 m

 Problem 5 (Moderate): Find the wetted perimeter of a trapezoidal channel with bottom
width = 4 m, depth = 2 m, and side slope z = 1.5.
 Solution:

P = 4 + 2(2)√(1+1.5²) = 11.2 m

✅ Answer: 11.2 m

(c) Hydraulic Radius (R)


Definition: The ratio of wetted area to wetted perimeter.

Formula: R = A / P

Significance: Affects velocity and flow efficiency; higher R means lower friction losses.

Problems on Hydraulic Radius


 Problem 6 (Easy): A rectangular channel has A = 6 m² and P = 8 m. Find the hydraulic
radius.
 Solution:

R = A / P = 6 / 8 = 0.75 m

✅ Answer: 0.75 m

 Problem 7 (Moderate): Find the hydraulic radius of a trapezoidal channel with A = 10.5
m² and P = 12.3 m.
 Solution:
R = A / P = 10.5 / 12.3 = 0.85 m

✅ Answer: 0.85 m

3. Summary & Engineering Relevance


These properties determine flow characteristics in open channels. Used in designing
irrigation canals (Ganga basin), stormwater drains, and hydropower projects. Hydraulic
radius (R) is key for Manning’s equation in flow velocity calculation.

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