Open Channel Flow

Open Channel Flow
Open Channel Flow is flow in which the water surface is at atmospheric pressure.
This type of flow occurs in streams, rivers, and even in subsurface drainage pipes.
These pipes rarely flow full for any extended period of time.
Bernoulli Equation
The main equation used in describing open channel flow is the Bernoulli Equation.
This equation can be derived by integrating the expression resulting from the
application of Newton's second law to open channel flow.
1
V1
d
z
V2
Datum
2
v
+d+z
=
H
2g
where
H = total flow energy

v = flow velocity
d = flow depth
z = elevation above an arbitrary datum
g = gravitational acceleration
Based on the law of energy conservation, this equation can be used to estimate
friction losses in channels or to determine flow rates:
The flow depths just upstream and
downstream of a sluice gate in a
horizontal channel are 8 ft and 2
ft, respectively. If the channel is
rectangular and 10 ft wide,
determine the flow rate under the
gate.
8'
2'
Open Channel Flow

By continuity
80v1 = 20 v2
Conservation of energy
v1 = 5.07 ft/s
8+
v 21
v2
= 2+ 2
2g
2g
and Q = 406 ft3/s
Coriolis Coefficient
In real flow situations, the velocity is not constant across an entire flow section, due
to variations in viscous drag at different distances from the boundary. The true mean
2
v 2m
v
velocity head across the section
is not necessarily equal to
.A
2g m
2g
coefficient can be introduced to express the true velocity head in terms of the mean
velocity:
v 2 = v 2m
2g m
2g
where
v 3 dA
=
v 3m A
This coefficient is called the Coriolis coefficient and the value rarely exceeds 1.15 in
constructed channels. However in natural channels that can be subdivided into
distinct regions, each with a different mean velocity, the coefficient can be as high
as 2. The coefficient is particularly important in times of floods when flow is
occurring in the flood plains of a channel. Flow tends to be shallow over the flood
plains due to increased roughness.
V1
A1
v 31 A 1 + v 32 A 2 + v 33 A 3
= 3
v m (A 1 + A 2 + A 3 )
V2
V3
A3
A2
vm =
v1A1 + v2A2 + v3A3

A1 + A 2 + A 3
Open Channel Flow
Specific Energy
Specify energy, E, is defined as the energy when the bottom of the channel is used
as datum.
2
v
E=
+d
2g
In moving from one flow section to another, specific energy is conserved only if the
channel is horizontal. The concept of specific energy is useful in solving transition
problems.
2
Q2
Q2
v
+d=
+d=
+d
E=
2g
2gA 2
2g.(d 2 )
Flow Depth
G
G
Specific Energy
For most specific energy values, flow takes place at two depths.
There is a minimum energy value at which flow can take place for a specified discharge in a given
channel. At this energy value, flow takes place at only one depth. This flow condition is termed
critical flow.
For specific energy values less that the critical value, backwaters are formed.
Open Channel Flow
2
v
+d
E=
2g
Q2 1
=
+d
A 2 2g
dd
2
dE = Q 2 dA +1
dd 2g A 3 dd
dA
dE = 1 Q T = 0 for minimum energy

g A3
dd
Q2 A3
g = T
v2 = 1
gD
where D = A/T is called the Hydraulic Mean Depth
Critical flow
Super-critical flow
Sub-critical flow
Fr = 1
Fr > 1
Fr < 1
High velocities
Low velocities
Low flow depths

High flow depths
Critical flow is of importance in the measurement of flow in open channels. At

critical conditions, one depth measurement is sufficient to determine flow volumes.
Flumes and broad-crested weirs are based on critical flow:
Open Channel Flow
Broad-crested Weir
v 2 /2g
H
d
dc
2H L 12.5H
L < 2H
: Streamlines are curved; pressure not hydrostatic
L > 12.5H
: Significant energy loss above the weir crest; undulations
2
H= v +d
2g
=>
v = [2g(H d)]
0.5
Q = A[2g(H d)]
0.5
On the weir crest where critical flow occurs;
Q = A c [2g(H d c )]
0.5
This equation is the general equation for flow over a broad-crested weir. It is usually
simplified for different weir shapes:
Rectangular weir
For a rectangular section d c = 3 H

2
=>
Q=
2 2g
3 3
0.5
bH 1.5
Open Channel Flow
where b is the width of the channel.

In actuality;
0.5
Q=
2g
C d 23 3
Q=
2g
C v C d 23 3
bH 1.5
0.5
bh 1.5
(1)
where Cd is a discharge coefficient that takes into account increased force and
turbulence on the weir crest, and end contractions; and Cv is a correction factor for
the upstream velocity head.

Open Channel Flow

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Open Channel Flow

H = total flow energy