Gradually Varied Flow

Learning Outcomes
Aims: To develop an understanding of Gradually Varied Flow in civil
engineering hydraulics as applied to the behaviour of water in channels.

Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of this topic, you should be

able to:
1. Identify the different types of channel slopes and gradually varied flow
profiles
2. Analyse gradually varied flow in open channels.
3. Compute gradually varied flow profiles

Indicative Reading:
1. Chadwick, A. J., Morfett, J. C. And Borthwick, M. (2004), Hydraulics in Civil
and Environmental Engineering,( 4th Ed) Spon Press, London.
2. Nalluri, C. and Featherstone, R. (2006) Civil engineering Hydraulics ,( 4th Ed)
Blackwell.
 Gradually-varied flow
Introduction
The flow in an open-channel is termed as gradually varied flow (GVF) when
the depth of flow varies gradually with longitudinal distance.
GVF are encountered both on upstream and downstream sides of control
sections.
The most common occurrence of gradually varied flow in storm drainage is
the backwater created by culverts, storm sewer inlets, or channel
constrictions.
Analysis and computation of gradually varied flow profiles in open-
channels are important from the point of view of safe and optimal
design and operation of any hydraulic structure.
Basic Assumptions in GVF Analysis:
1. Steady flow
2. We can use the same equation as in uniform flow
3. Velocity is the same across the entire cross-section
4. Gradual changes in flow depth starting from controlling boundary
condition. No sudden changes.
5. If section length is long, flow approaches normal depth.
 Gradually-Varied Flow
Slope Classification
Classification of the slope is based on the critical depth (dc)of flow in relation to the
normal depth (do or dn) do
dc Critical depth dc
Mild (M) : do > dc
Critical (C) : do = dc
Steep (S) : do < dc Mild Slope

Horizontal channel (H): S0=0 Steep Slope do

Are undefined from Manning's Eq.
Adverse slope (A): S0=-ve
(water is forced to flow uphill)

The critical depth may be found by using the following equation for a rectangular
channel 𝑞2 3 𝑄
𝑑𝑐 = 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑞 =
𝑔 𝐵

The normal depth may be found by using Manning equation (or Chezy) for a given Q
1 2/3 1/2 1 2/3 1/2
0 and 𝑜 0
𝑛 𝑛
 Gradually-Varied Flow
Example

Example 1: A wide channel conveys a discharge

of 0.18m3/s/m and has two reaches (reach is a
length of a river). Upper slope with n = 0.02,
So = 1:120 and the lower slope n = 0.03 and So
= 1:2900. Find dc and do for each slope and
determine slope type.
 Gradually-Varied Flow
Flow Zone Classification
Classification of the flow zone is based on the
actual depth (d) of flow in relation to the
normal depth (do) and critical depth(dc).

Zone 1: flow depth d > do & dc

d Zone 2: d is between dc& do
Zone 3: d < dc& do
do d
dc do
dc d
do
dc
 Gradually-Varied Flow
Profile Classification

Profile classification of GVF is based on slope type and Flow Zone Classification
e.g. M1

Letter relates to Number for Flow

slope Type Zone

Letter relates to the slope type Mild, Steep, Critical

The number relates to where the actual depth is in relation to both dc and do
d M1

M3
.

do
dc
 Gradually-Varied Flow
Profile Classification
Determine slope type and classify GVF profiles
d
d
do
do
dc dc d
do
d dc
d
dc
dc d
dc
do do do
d
d

do dc d
dc do dc do
 Gradually-Varied Flow
Profile Classification-Examples
M1 profile occurs behind a dam or a sluice gate located on a mild channel. The dam or
a sluice gate piles up water behind it such that the flow depth is greater than the
normal depth. Far away from the dam or sluice gate on the upstream side, the flow
would be occurring under uniform conditions and the flow depth would be normal.
d M1

M3

M2
dc do

In a similar manner, S1 and C1 profiles occur on the upstream side of

a sluice gate located on a channel with steep and critical slopes, respectively.
An M3 occurs downstream of a gate.
An M2 profile occurs on the upstream side of a free over fall at the downstream end of
a mild channel since a critical depth occurs in the vicinity of a free over fall.
Similarly, a H2 profile occurs on the upstream side of a free over fall at the
downstream end of a horizontal channel.
 Gradually-Varied Flow
Profile Classification-Examples
Critical flow conditions occur at the entrance to a steep channel from a
lake or a reservoir. However, flow should tend towards uniform flow
conditions far away from the entrance if the channel is long.
Therefore, a S2 profile occurs in steep channels, on the downstream
side of the entrance.

S1
S2
d

S3
dc
.

do
 Gradually-Varied Flow
Example 2: Sketch and label type of GVF water surface
profiles in the Channel shown. Assume that all the
channels are long.

dc

do
Reservoir do
dc
Channel 1

Channel 2
Reservoir
 Gradually-Varied Flow
Example 3: Two long reaches end in a precipice
(free fall). The channel is a wide channel with
q = 0.15m3/s/m. Reach (1) with n = 0.013, So =
1:300, Reach (2) with n = 0.018, So = 1:2500.
1. Calculate the critical depth and normal depth for
each slope
2. Indicate whether a hydraulic jump will occur
3. If a hydraulic jump occurs on reach 1, clarify GVF
profiles
 Gradually-Varied Flow Solution
Revision of Terminology
Total Energy H is the sum of energy
heads related to the datum

H=
V2/2g
Energy Slope Sf= dH/dx
Es
The Specific Energy Head is
H
related to the channel bed
y or d Water surface gradient = dy/dx

Bed slope So = dz/dx

z
Datum
.

Distance along x
 Gradually-Varied Flow Solution
General Equations
To understand fully the flow profile through GVF, we need to derive the general
equation for GVF.
The general equation is derived by finding the change in energy with respect to
distance (Sf)

Sf is also known as the friction slope

Differentiate the specific energy and rearrange the equation to get the general
equation for GVF

How to find Sf
- For uniform flow, Sf and So are coincidence
- For non uniform flow, such as GVF, Sf can be obtained from Manning or Chezy equations
 Gradually-Varied Flow Solution
Solution Methods
Solving the GVF equation means finding the change of depth with respect to
distance to be able to plot the profile accurately.
The need to solve the GVF equation:
1. Determine the distance where a particular depth occurs
2. Determine the depth of flow at some distance from a control point
There are three solution methods to the GVF equation:
1. Approximate Method – for short sections of channels
2. The Direct Step Method – used when channel dimensions and properties
do not change.
3. The Standard Step Method – used when channel dimensions and
properties change.
For prismatic channels, the GVF profile calculation can be computed manually
using the direct step method. For an irregular non uniform channel, the
standard step method is recommended, although it is a more tedious and
iterative process.
 Gradually-Varied Flow Solution
Approximate Method
It is applicable for short sections of channels

Steps for the Approximate Method: dy/dx

∆y
(a) Calculate the dy/dx water Surface
slope at one point where information
are known
(b) Assume this slope over the
∆x
whole channel reach
(c) Assume that dy/dx = ∆y/∆x
(d) If the depths are known at the start and end of the profile, we can find the
distance between them or the total distance of the profile.
 Gradually-Varied Flow Solution
Approximate Method
Example 4: Flow comes from below a sluice gate
into a long wide channel. The depth of flow at the
vena contracta is 0.3m. The Chezy coefficient is
55m1/2/s and the discharge per unit width is 2
m3/s/m. The bed slope is 1:1600.
1. Show that a hydraulic jump occurs
2. Determine the initial and sequent depths of the
jump
3. Classify the GVF profile
4. Estimate the distance from the vena contracta to the
hydraulic jump.
 Gradually-Varied Flow Solution
Direct Step Method
This method is used when channel dimensions and properties do not change.
The method works when the depth of flow is known at two sections and it averages the slope
of the energy line Sf.
The conservation of Energy Equation
hL

V12/2g Energy
hL can be found from the average of the Slope = Sf
V22/2g
energy slope multiplied by ∆x
Water surface
dy/dx
v1
y1
Rearrange and substitute v2
y2

To get ∆x Bed Slope

=So
.
z1 ∆x z2
Datum
(1) (2)
 Gradually-Varied Flow Solution
Direct Step Method
Method Steps:
(a) Divide the channel reach to smaller intervals. The smaller
the length of intervals used, the smaller will be the error
associated with the method.
(b) For the desired range of flow depths, compute the specific
energy and the Sf for each depth.
(c) For adjacent depths calculate the difference in specific
energy and the average Sf for the reach.
(d) Calculate the change in distance between the adjacent
sections of the channel using the equation;

(e) Calculate the total distance by summing up ∆x.

 Gradually-Varied Flow Solution
Direct Step Method

Example 5: A wide channel with a bed slope of

1:1000 and Chezy coefficient = 55m1/2/s,
conveys a discharge of 2.286 m3/s/m. Over a
reach the depth increases from 1.35m to 2.4m
moving downstream. Use the direct step
method to calculate the length of the reach.
Divide the reach into four sections.
Direct Step Method
From Chezy Sf = V2/C2R

Specific Energy and change in distance

Depth Hydraulic Velocity Velocity Specific ∆Es Sf (Sf)av So – (Sf)av ∆x

(y) Radius (R) (V) head Energy (Es)

Total Distance
Direct Step Method
From Chezy Sf = V2/C2R

Specific Energy and change in distance

Depth Hydraulic Velocity Velocity Specific ∆Es Sf (Sf)av So – (Sf)av ∆x

(y) Radius (R) (V) head Energy (Es)

Total Distance