OPEN CHANNEL HYDRAULICS

(CIE 313)
Non-uniform Flow

Assoc. Prof. Dr./ Mohamed Elsayed Gabr

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 Outline
❖Introduction

❖Classification of Channel Beds.

❖Flow profiles.

❖Gates

❖Weirs

❖Brinks

❖Change of Slope
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 Introduction
Non-uniform flow is a flow which the depth of flow is varied.
This varied flow can be either Gradually Varied Flow (GVF) or
Rapidly Varied flow (RVF).
Such situations occur when:
- Control structure are used in the channel, or
- When any obstruction is found in the channel, or
- When a change in the channel slope takes place.

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Introduction

4
 Introduction

❑For most practical implications, the flow conditions in a

gradually varied flow are required to calculate.

❑Theses calculations are performed to determine the water

surface elevations required for planning, design , and

operation of open channels so that the effects of addition

of engineering works and channel modifications on water

may be assessed.

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 Classification of channel bed slope
The slope of the channel bed is very important in determining the
characteristics of the flow and can be classified as:

1. Critical slope (C): the bottom slope of the channel is equal to the critical
slope.
𝑺𝒐 = 𝑺𝒄 & 𝒚𝒏 = 𝒚𝒄

2. Mild slope (M): the bottom slope of the channel is less than the critical
slope.
𝑺𝒐 < 𝑺𝒄 & 𝒚𝒏 > 𝒚𝒄

3. Steep slope (S):the bottom slope of the channel is greater than the critical
slope.
𝑺𝒐 > 𝑺𝒄 & 𝒚𝒏 < 𝒚𝒄
4. Horizontal slope (H): the bottom slope of the channel is equal to zero.
𝑺𝒐 = 𝟎. 𝟎
5. Adverse slope (A): the bottom slope of the channel is opposite to direction
of flow.
𝑺𝒐 = 𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒆 6
 Classification of channel bed slope

So: The slope of the channel bed.

yn: The normal depth when the discharge Q flows as uniform
on slope So .
Sc : The critical slope or the slope of the channel that sustains
a given discharge (Q) as uniform flow at the critical depth yc

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 Classification of flow profiles

❖The surface curves of water are called flow profiles (or water
surface profiles).
❖The shape of water surface profiles is mainly determined by
the slope of the channel bed So.
❖For a given discharge, the normal depth (yn) and the critical
depth yc may be calculated. Then, the following steps are
followed to classify the flow profiles:
1- A line parallel to the channel bottom with a Hight of yn is
drawn and is designated as the normal depth line (N.D.L.).
 Classification of flow profiles

2- A line parallel to the channel bottom with a Hight of yc is

drawn and is designated as the normal depth line (C.D.L.).

3- The vertical space in the longitudinal section is divided into 3

zones using the two lines drawn in steps 1 & 2 as shown in the

next figure.
 Classification of flow profiles

Depending upon the zone and the slope of the bed, the water
profiles are classified into 12 types as follows:
i. Mild slope curves M1, M2, and M3
ii. Steep slope curves S1, S2, and S3
iii. Critical slope curves C1, C3
yn
iv. Horizontal slope curves H2, H3 yc

v. Adverse slope curves A2, A3

M

In all these curves, the letter indicates the slope type and
subscript indicates the zone . For example, S2 curve occurs in
the zone 2 of the steep slope.
 Classification of flow profiles
Depending up on the zones and bed slopes, the flow profiles
are classified into 1 types
1 1

3
3

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 Classification of flow profiles

12
 Classification of flow profiles

13
Water Surface Profile Through A Sluice Gates

M1

yn H.J.

yc
M3

U.F G.V.F G.V.F R.V.F U.F

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Water Surface Profile Through A Sluice Gates

H.J.

yc
yn S3

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Water Surface Profile Through A Sluice Gates

Yc = y n
C3

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Water Surface Profile Through A Sluice Gates

D.S. Conditions
W.L

2 H.J. 2
C.D. L

Yc H3

Horizontal Slope H

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Water Surface Profile Through A Sluice Gates

W. L. D.S. Conditions
2
H.J.
2

A3
yc

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 Weirs

M1

yn
yc H.J.

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 Weirs

S1
H.J.

yn
yc

S3

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Weirs

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Weirs

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Weirs

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Weirs

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Weirs

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Brinks

Brink
Section

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Brinks

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Brinks

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Brinks

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Brinks

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Brinks

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Brinks

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Change in slope

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Change in slope

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Change in slope

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Change in slope

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Change in slope

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Change in slope

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Exercise

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Exercise

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 Exercise
1. Write True (√) or False (X) without rewriting the questions.

1) In non-uniform, the depth of flow is not constant along the length

of the channel. ( )
2) The non-uniform flow may be rapidly varied, as in hydraulic
jump, or gradually as in backwater curve. ( )
3) In the nonuniform flow, So ≠ Sw ≠ Sf. ( )
4) The form and position of the water surface profiles can be
predicted from the study of the dynamic equation of gradually
varied flow. ( )
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 Exercise

5) For a given discharge Q, the slope which causes critical flow is the
critical slope Sc. ( )

6) If the bed slope So is flatter than the critical slope Sc for that
discharge the bed slope is called mild slope (M). ( )

7) If the bed slope So is steeper than the critical slope Sc for that
discharge the bed slope is called steep slope (S). ( )

8) In the non-uniform flow, it is convenient to divide the vertical

distance above the bed in 3zones. Zone 1 is above the critical depth
line (C.D.L.) and the normal depth line (N.D.L.). ( )

9) Zone 2 is between theses lines and zone 3 is below both the lines.
( ).
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 Exercise

Vi-For a given discharge Q, the slope which causes critical flow is

the critical slope Sc. ( )

vii- If the bed slope So is flatter than the critical slope Sc for that
discharge the bed slope is called mild slope (M). ( )

viii- If the bed slope So is steeper than the critical slope Sc for that
discharge the bed slope is called steep slope (S). ( )
Ix- In the non-uniform flow, it is convenient to divide the vertical
distance above the bed in 3zones. Zone 1 is above the critical depth
line (C.D.L.) and the normal depth line (N.D.L.). ( )

X- Zone 2 is between theses lines and zone 3 is below both the

lines. ( ).
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 Exercise

10) Zone 2 is between theses lines and zone 3 is below both the
lines. ( ).
11) Depending upon the zones and bed slope, the flow profiles
are classified into 13 types. ( )
12) The length of the surface profile can be estimated either by
direct integration or step by step method. Graphical methods of
integration can also be used. ( )

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Exercise

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Exercise

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Exercise

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Exercise

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Thank you

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