CE 111

Hydraulic Engineering

OPEN CHANNEL FLOW – Introduction

Cornelio Q. Dizon
Associate Professor
Institute of Civil Engineering
University of the Philippines
Open Channel Flow: INTRODUCTION
 Definition
Free surface vs Pressurized flows

Free surface flow

The flow in an open channel or in a closed conduit having a free surface is

referred to as free-surface flow or open channel flow. If there is no free surface
and the conduit is flowing full, then the flow is called pipe flow, or pressurized
flow (closed conduit flow).

Pressurized flow

Introduction
 Definition
Free surface vs Pressurized flows

Hydraulic- and Energy- grade lines

Despite the similarity between these two kinds of flow, it is more difficult to
solve problems of open channels than in pipes.
o Varying position of the free-surface
o Varying channel cross-section
o Varying boundary roughness

Open channel flow is

driven by gravity rather
than pressure work in
pipes.

Introduction
 Canals
Kinds of open channel flows

Canals are long and mild-sloped conveyance channels usually

excavated on the ground.
 Flume
Kinds of open channel flows

Flume is a channel usually supported on or above the surface of the

ground to carry water across a depression.
 Culvert
Kinds of open channel flows

Chute is a channel having steep slope.

Drop is similar to chute, but the change in elevation is affected in a
short distance.
Culvert is a covered channel flowing partly full, which is installed to
drain water through highway and railroad embankments.
Open-Flow Tunnel is a comparatively long covered channel used to
carry water through a hill or any obstruction on the ground.
Prismatic and Non-Prismatic Channels
Fluid Mechanics terminologies

Prismatic channel is a channel built with unvarying cross-section and

constant slope.
Non-prismatic channel is a channel built with varying cross-section or
slope.
Channel section is the cross section of a channel taken normal to the
direction of the flow.
 Open Channel Properties
Fluid Mechanics terminologies
 Open Channel Properties
Fluid Mechanics terminologies
 Classification of Flows
General

y y
0 0
t t
y
0
x
y y
0 0
x x

Free-surface flows may be classified into various types using different

criteria: time and space.
 Classification of Flows
Steady and unsteady flows

Flow is steady if the depth of flow at a particular point does not change
or can be considered constant for the time interval under
consideration. The flow is unsteady if depth changes with time.
Flood flows in rivers and rapidly varying surges in canals are some
examples of unsteady flows. Unsteady flows are considerably more
difficult to analyse than steady flows.
 Classification of Flows
Uniform and non-uniform flows

If the flow depth and velocity along the

channel is not changing at every cross-
section for a taken time, then the flow is
uniform flow. If the flow depth and
velocity changes at every cross-section
along the flow direction for a taken time,
then it is non-uniform flow.

A prismatic channel carrying a certain

discharge with a constant velocity is an
example of uniform flow.
A flow is considered uniform as long as
the velocity in the direction of flow at
different locations along a channel
remains the same.
 Classification of Flows
Gradually-varied, Rapidly-varied flows

Gradually varied flow is the flow condition where in the flow depth
varies at a slow rate with respect to distance. Flow at the upstream of
a dam.
The flow depth varies significantly in a short distance for rapidly varied
flow, on the other hand. Flow under a sluice gate or through a weir.
 Classification of Flows
Uniform, steady flows

Uniform steady flow is the condition in which the flow depth does not
change with time at every cross section and at the same time is
constant along the flow direction. The depth of flow will be constant
along the channel length and hence the free surface will be parallel to
the bed.

y1  y2  y0
y y
0 0
t x
y0  normal depth
 Classification of Flows
Non-uniform, steady flows

Non-uniform steady flow is the condition in which the the water depth
changes along the channel cross sections but does not change with
time at each every cross section with time. A typical example of this
kind of flow is the backwater water surface profile at the upstream of a
dam.

y1  y2 y  0
x
y1 y2
0 0
t t
 Velocity Distribution
Energy and Momentum Coefficients

Velocity variation in a channel is due to stress at the bottom and at the

sides of the channel and due to the presence of free surface.

Velocity distribution with depth

Velocity distribution for different channel sections

 Kinetic Energy Correction Factor 
Energy and Momentum Coefficients
For a typical cross-section of a natural river comprising of the main
river channel and the flood plain on each side of the main channel.

Vm 
 VdA
Vm 
V1 A1  V2 A2  V3 A3
 dA A1  A2  A3

 dA
3
V V13 A1  V23 A2  V33 A3
 
Vm 3  dA Vm 3 ( A1  A2  A3 )  
N
(V 3
A )  ( A ) 2

 i 1 i i i

( Vi Ai )3

(V13 A1  V23 A2  V33 A3 )( A1  A2  A3 )2


(V1 A1  V2 A2  V3 A3 )3

Energy equation:
2 2
Vm1 Vm 2
y1  z1  1  y2  z 2   2  hL
2g 2g
 Momentum Correction Factor 
Similar to energy coefficient, a coefficient for the momentum transfer
through a channel section may be introduced to account for non-
uniform velocity distribution.
momentum passing through area A  V 2 A    V 2dA

momentum passing through area A  V 2 m  dA

 dA
2
V

Vm 2  dA

 Ai )  (  Ai )
N 2
(V
 i 1 i

( Vi Ai )2

Momentum equation:

 F  V ( V  A)    V Q   V Q
x x 1 1 2 2
Typical Values of Correction Factors