ENERGY PRINCIPLES

The total energy expressed as the total head is

v2
H  zy 
2g
1 Energy Grade Line 2
2
v1 hL
2g
2
v2
y1 2g
y2

z1
Datum z2
ENERGY PRINCIPLES
According to principles of conservation energy,

v12 v22
z1 + y1 + = z2 + y2 + + hL
2g 2g

This in known as Bernoulli’s Equation

SPECIFIC ENERGY
Specific energy is the energy of water measured with
respect to channel bottom, i.e z= 0
v2 Q2
Ey y
2g 2gA 2
Applying the principles of conservation of energy
2 2
v1 v2
y1   y2   hL
2g 2g
SPECIFIC ENERGY CURVE
Is a graph of depth plotted against specific energy

Typical shape of specific energy curve, for a

given Q

y
Increasing Q

E
SPECIFIC ENERGY CURVE
General Characteristics

 The upper limb is asymptotic to the line 45°

 The lower limb is asymptotic to the x axis
 For a given E other than minimum E, there are two
possible depths
 Minimum E occurs at critical depth, yc
 If y > yc the flow is subcritical
 If y < yc the flow is supercritical
DIMENSIONLESS ENERGY
EQUATION AND CURVE
Dimensionless form of specific energy equation
E y Q2
 
yc yc 2gA 2 y c

Dimensionless specific energy curve

y/yc
This curve can be applied
for any discharge, Q

E/yc