Open Channel Flow Gate Notes 65
Open Channel Flow Gate Notes 65
Open-channel flow, a branch of hydraulics and fluid mechanics, is a type of liquid flow
within a conduit with a free surface, known as a channel. The other type of flow within a
conduit is pipe flow. These two types of flow are similar in many ways but differ in one
important aspect: the free surface.
• Open channel flow has a free surface, whereas pipe flow does not.
• Open channels can be natural or manmade conveyance structures has a free surface at
atmospheric pressure. For example, flow in rivers, streams, and sanitary and storm
• sewers is partially full.
Uniform Flow: If flow parameters like velocity, depth of flow, etc., are constant along
the channel length, then the flow is said to be uniform. For such flows, ∂F/∂x = 0, where
F is the flow parameter.
Non-uniform Flow: If flow parameters like velocity, depth of flow, etc., vary along the
channel length, then the flow is considered to be a non-uniform flow. For such flows,
∂F/∂x ≠ 0, where F is the flow parameter.
Steady Flow: If flow parameters like velocity, depth of flow, etc., are constant with
respect to time at a particular cross-section, then the flow is considered a steady flow.
For such flows, ∂F/∂t = 0, where F is the flow parameter.
Unsteady Flow: If flow parameters like velocity, depth of flow, etc., vary with respect to
time at a particular cross-section, then the flow is considered unsteady. For such flows,
∂F/∂t ≠ 0, where F is the flow parameter.