The Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology

Civil Engineering Department

Water Flow in Open Channels

BENG18-CE-1, BENG18-CE-2 FULL TIME STUDENTS
CEU 07315 Open Channel Hydraulics
TT3-1
Time: 13:25-15:20

BENG18-CE –EVENING STUDENTS

CEU 07315 Open Channel Hydraulics
TT5-1
Time: 19:05-20:50

Dr Shija Kazumba - 0786331037 1

Module Code: CEU 07303
Module Name: Open Channel Hydraulics
Number of Credits: 6
Sub-Enabling outcomes
1.4.4 Describe characteristics of open channels flow
-Define open channel flow,
-Describe types of channels
-Describe types of flow in open channel flows
-Differentiate open channel flow to pressurized flow

1.4.5 Analyse different types of flows in open

channels
-Derive energy equations for open channels flows
-Use energy equations to analyse gradual varied flows
-Compute water surface profiles in gradual varied flows

1.5.3 Design cross section for open channels

-Describe design criteria for different open channels
-Describe limitation for open channels
-Derive equations for design of open channels,
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-Apply design criteria and equations for design of open
Required References
1. A. Osman Akan, (2011) Open Channel Hydraulics. Elsevier Ltd. Oxford
UK.
2. Terry W. Sturm, (2010) Open Channel Hydraulics. McGraw-Hill Hill
Education (India) Private Limited, India.

Recommended References
1. Ven Te Chow, (2010) Open Channel Hydraulics. Blackburn Press, UK.
2. Le Anh Tuan, (2011) Open Channel Hydraulics for Engineers. Lambert
Academic Publishing.
3. Donald W. Knight, Caroline McGahey, Rob Lamb & Paul Samuels,
(2010) Practical Channel Hydraulics: Roughness, Conveyance and Afflux.
CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group, Boca Raton USA.
4. Chow, V. T. (2001), Open Channel Hydraulics, McGraw Hill Books,
India.

Integrated Method of Assessment

Continuous Assessment (Tests 35% and Assignments 5%) = 40%
Final Examination 60%
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 Introduction
An open channel is a duct or conduit in which the liquid flows
with a free surface. This is in contrast with pipe flow in which
the fluid completely fills the pipe and the flow is under
pressure.
Open channel hydraulics is of great importance in civil
engineers, it deals with flows having a free surface, for
example:
• Channels constructed for water supply, irrigation, drainage,
Sewers, culverts, Tunnels flowing partially full;
• Natural streams and rivers.
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 Difference between Pipe Flow and Open
Channel Flow
Pipe Flow Open Channel Flow
• The liquid completely fills the
• Flow takes place due to
pipe and the flow is under
pressure. the slope of the channel
bed (due to gravity).
• The flow in a pipe takes place
due to difference of pressure • Note: The flow must be
(pressure gradient), classified as open
channel flow if the liquid
• Note: The flow in a closed has a free surface.
conduit is not necessarily a
pipe flow.

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Fig (a) Pipe Flow Fig. (b) Open Channel Flow

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For Pipe flow (Fig. a):
• The hydraulic gradient (grade) line (HGL) is the sum of the elevation and the
pressure head (connecting the water surfaces in piezometers).
• The energy gradient (grade) line (EGL) is the sum of the HGL and velocity
head.
• The amount of energy loss when the liquid flows from section 1 to section 2 is
indicated by hL.
For open channel flow (Fig. b):
• The hydraulic gradient (grade) line (HGL) corresponds to the water surface
line (WSL); where it subjected to only atmospheric pressure which is
commonly referred to as the zero pressure reference.

• The energy gradient (grade) line (EGL) is the sum of the HGL and velocity
head.
• The amount of energy loss when the liquid flows from section 1 to section 2 is
indicated by hL. For uniform flow in an open channel, this drop in the EGL is
equal to the drop in the channel bed.
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 Types of Open Channel Flow
Classification based on the time criterion:
1. Steady Flow (time independent)
(At a particular section discharge and water depth do not change with time)
2. Unsteady Flow (time dependent)
(At a particular section discharge and water depth change with time)

Classification based on the space criterion:

3. Uniform flow (are mostly steady)
(discharge and water depth remains the same at every section in the
channel)
2. Non-uniform Flow
(discharge and water depth change at any section in the channel)

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 Non-uniform flow is also called varied flow ( the flow in
which the water depth and or discharge change along the
length of the channel), it can be further classified as:

• Gradually varied flow (GVF) where the depth of the flow

changes gradually along the length of the channel.

• Rapidly varied flow (RVF) where the depth of flow changes

suddenly over a small length of the channel.

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 a) Uniform flow are mostly b) Unsteady uniform flows
steady are very rare in nature

c) Steady varied flow d) Unsteady varied flow (flood wave)

(over a spillway crest) e) Unsteady varied flow (tidal surge)

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Uniform and Non Uniform Flows
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Steady Non-Uniform flow

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 Uniform Flow in Open Channel
Uniform flow in an open channel must satisfy the following main features:
1. The water depth y, flow area A, discharge Q, and the velocity distribution V at
all sections throughout the entire channel length must remain constant.
2. The slope of the energy gradient line (Se), the water surface slope (Sws), and
the channel bed slope (S0) are equal.

Se = Sws = S0

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This is possible when the gravity force (W sin q) component equal the
resistance to the flow (Ff)
W sin   F1  F2  F f  0
F1  F 2  Hydrostati c forces at 2 ends
For small angle sin   tan   S 0
W sin   (AL) sin   ALS0 where   g; A  cross sec tion area
F f   0 PL  ( KV 2 ) PL where P  wetted per imeter of the channel
 0  resisting force per unit area of channel ,
K  constant of proportion ality

   A
ALS0  ( KV 2 ) PL  V   . .S0  V C R S
 K  P
The Chezy Formula
 A
C  Chezy constant R   Hydraulic Radius
K P
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 Manning’s formula
• Substituting into Chezy equation, we obtain the Manning’s formula for
uniform flow:

1 1
V R 2/3
S OR Q  VA  A R 2/3
S
n n
Where:
• Q in m3/sec,
• V in m/sec,
• Rh in m,
• Se in (m/m),
• n is dimensionless

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 Example 1
Open channel of width = 3m as shown, bed slope = 1:5000,
d=1.5m find the flow rate using Manning equation, n=0.025.
1 2
 
V  R S; 3

n
A   3  2 x1.5  1.5  9 m 2

1.5m
1

P  3  2 x1.5x 1  2   9.708
2
2
3.0m

A 9
R    0.927
P 9.708
1 2

V  0.927 1 3
 0.538 m/s
0.025 5000
Q  VA  0.538  9  4.84 m / s 3 19
 Example 2

The cross section of an open channel is a trapezoid with a

bottom width of 4 m and side slopes 1:2, calculate the
discharge if the depth of water is 1.5 m and bed slope =
1/1600. Take Chezy constant C = 50.

y=1.5

b=4

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 Example 3
Open channel as shown, bed slope = 69:1584, find the flow
rate using Chezy equation, take C=35.

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V C RS
2.52  5.04
A  2.52  16.8  1 / 2x1.8x3.6 3.6x0.72 0.72 150  162.52 m 2

2
P  0.72  150  1.8  3.6   16.8   2.52  5.04   177.18 m
2 2 2 2

A 162.52
R   0.917
P 177.18
0.69
V  35 0.917   0.7 m/s
1584
Q  VA  0.7  162.52  113.76 m / s
3

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 OPEN CHANNEL HYDRAULICS: Exercise 1

1. Water flows in a rectangular, concrete, open channel that is 12 m wide at a depth

of 2.5m. The channel slope is 0.0028. Find the water velocity and the flow rate.
(n = 0.013)

2.Water flows in a rectangular, concrete, open channel that is 12 m wide. The

channel slope is 0.0028. If the velocity of the flow is 6 m/s, find the depth h of the
flow. (n = 0.013)

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 3. A trapezoidal channel with side slopes of 2/3, a depth of 2 m, a
bottom width of 8 m and a channel slope of 0.0009 has a discharge
of 56 m3/s. Find the Manning’s n.

4. Determine the depth in a trapezoidal channel with side slopes of 1 to 1.5, a

bottom width of 8 m and a channel slope of 0.0009. The discharge is 56 m3/s and
n = 0.017.

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