Chapter 4
Uniform Open Channel
Learning Contents :
4.0 Uniform Open Channel
4.1 Explain the concept of uniform flow in open channel
4.1.1 Describe uniform flow
4.1.2 Explain hydraulic gradient, wet perimeter and hydraulic
radius
4.2 Identify Manning's Equation and coefficients for several types of
surface channel
4.2.1 Calculate the flow rate, section dimension or channel slope
using Manning's Equation
4.2.2 Distinguish the best hydraulic cross section using Manning’s
Equation
Tandop Pasang Surut
Alator-Alator Pelubang
Ampang Jajar
Refer to the flow of liquids in channels open to the atmosphere or in
partially filled conduits and characterized by the presence of liquid-gas
interface called the free surface.
An open channel classified as Natural Channel and Artificial
Channel :
DCC5022 : HYDRAULICSI
Natural channels
Natural channels can be very different. They are not regular nor prismatic
and their materials of construction can vary widely (although they are
mainly of earth this can possess many different properties.)
The surface roughness will often change with time distance and even
elevation.
Consequently it becomes more difficult to accurately analyse and obtain
satisfactory results for natural channels than is does for man made ones.
The situation may be further complicated if the boundary is not fixed i.e.
erosion and deposition of sediments.
Artificial Channel :
UNIFORM FLOW
• When depth of flow does
not change over a length
of channel.
• When of flow is known as
normal depth.
NON-UNIFORM FLOW
When depth of flow changes
over given length of
channel.
Comparison Open Pipe Flow
Channel Flow and
P 𝑣2
Pipe Flow 𝐻 = + +𝑧
ρg 2g
Open Channel
Flow
𝑉2
𝐻 = 𝑦 +
2g
Diploma in Civil Engineering CC303 Hydraulics I
The wetted perimeter is the
perimeter of the cross sectional
area that is "wet." and does not
include the free surface.
Cross sectional area of a
trapezoidal open channel, red
highlights wetted perimeter
Table 2.1
Diploma in Civil Engineering CC303 Hydraulics I
The ratio of the cross-sectional area of a channel
or pipe in which a fluid is flowing to the wetted
perimeter of the conduit
𝐴 𝐴
𝑚= 𝑜𝑟 𝑅 =
𝑃 𝑃
CC303 Hydraulics I
1 2/3 1/2
𝑀𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦, 𝑣 = 𝑚 𝑆𝑜
𝑁
𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒, 𝑄 = 𝐴𝑣
1 2/3 1/2
𝑄 =𝐴( 𝑚 𝑆𝑜 )
𝑁
𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒
N = 𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝑆𝑜 = 𝑏𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒
CC303 Hydraulics I
VALUES OF MANNING'S ROUGHNESS COEFFICIENT
EXAMPLES
1. Find the discharge through rectangular channel of width 2m,
having a bed slope 1 in 2000. The depth of flow is 1.5m and
take the Manning’s N as 0.012 . [Ans: 3.977 m3/s]
2. An earthen channel with a 3 m wide base and side CC303 Hydraulics I
slope 1:1 carries water with a depth of 1m. The bed
slope is 1 in 1600. Estimate the discharge.
Take value of N in manning formula as 0.04.
Diploma in Civil Engineering CC303 Hydraulics I
3. Water at the rate of 0.4 m3/s flows through a
1m diameter vitrified sewer, when the sewer
pipe is haft full. Find the slope of the water, if
manning’s coefficient is 0.013.
4. A cement-lined rectangular channel 6m wide
carries water at the rate of 30m3/s. Find the
value of Manning’s constant, if the slope
1
required to maintain a depth of 1.5m is .
625
EXERCISE
QUESTION 1
Calculate the flow rate, Q in the channel
shown in Figure 1, if the roughness
coefficient N = 0.025 and the slope of the
channel is 1:1600. [Ans: 7.956 m3/s]
Figure 1
QUESTION 2
A sewer pipe 1000mm in diameter discharge water at the rate 400
liters per second. The sewer runs half full. If the sewer is laid at a slope
of 1 in 900. Determine the Manning’s N . [Ans: 0.013]
QUESTION 3
Find the discharge through rectangular channel of width 2m, having a
bed slope 1 in 2000. The depth of flow is 1.5m and take the Manning’s
N as 0.012 . [Ans: 3.977 m3/s]
QUESTION 4
Find the bed slope of a trapezoidal channel of bed width 4m, depth of
water 3m and the side of 2H:3V, when the discharge through the
channel is 20 m3/s. Take Manning’s N = 0.03. [Ans: 𝟓. 𝟗𝟏 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟒 ]
QUESTION 5
Find the diameter of a circular sewer pipe which is laid at slope of 1 in
1500 and carries a discharge of 7.1 m3/s when flowing half full. Take
Manning’s N as 0.015 . [Ans: 3.42m]
QUESTION 6
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 of the
flow. (n = 0.013) [Ans: 2.551m]
QUESTION 7
A trapezoidal channel with side slopes of 1v:1.5h, 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. [Ans: 0.01507 ]
QUESTION 8
Water flows in the triangular steel channel
shown in the Figure 2.7. Find the depth of
flow if the channel slope is 0.0015 and the
discharge is 0.22 m3 /s. (n=0.014)
[Ans: 𝟎. 𝟔𝟕𝟐m]
Figure 2.7
QUESTION 9
Water flows in the triangular steel channel shown in the Figure 2.7. Find the
bed slope if the depth of flow is 250mm and the discharge is 0.04 m3 /s.
Given N=0.012. [Ans: 𝟕. 𝟐𝟒𝟒 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑]
QUESTION 10
A roadside ditch is triangular in cross section and has side slope 2H to 1V. If
the longitudinal slope is 0.005 and Manning’s roughness coefficient is
0.028. Find the depth of water for a discharge of 0.3 m3 /s.
[Ans: 0.424m]
