UNLINED

CHANNELS
 A channel/canal is to have the extent of its
cross-section adequate enough to carry the
required discharge. Therefore. its bed slope,
and cross-sectional dimensions have to be
designed with reference to the designed
discharge.

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 CHANNELS

Unlined Channels Lined Channels

 Unlined Channels
Lined Channels

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 Unlined Channels exist mostly in
underdeveloped countries when lining cannot
be easily afforded. Many theories are
available regarding these designs.

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DESIGN OF
UNLINED
CHANNELS
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 Design of a canal in general, amongst other
things, involves the determination of the
velocity of flow.

For the design of unlined channels, there

are three basic approaches used:
 Tractive Force approach
 Kennedy's Silt-Theory based approach
 Lacey's Silt-Theory based design procedure

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 Kennedy’s Silt-Theory
Kennedy proposed his theory based on the
charge and grade of silt. He observed that there is
always one velocity for a given condition called
"critical velocity", V.

Where:
Vo = Velocity (m/s)
D = Depth (m)
Mean Velocity

Discharge

Q = AV

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He introduced a factor called the “Critical Velocity Ratio
(CVR)”, m in his equation to account for the varying
grades of silt in other regions.

Where:
m = V/Vo

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 Lacey’s Silt-Theory
Lacey stated that a channel flowing in
incoherent alluvium of infinite depth of the same
grade as the material carried by it would reach
final stability or final regime conditions, if the flow
is continuous, that is, both the discharge and silt
remain constant over a reasonably long period.
 A particular grade of silt can be carried by a given
discharge through a channel of a particular section and
a particular slope. Channels transporting natural silt
have a tendency to attain a semi-elliptical section.

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 “
DEFINITION OF
TERMS
Silt Theories
 Empirical theories correlating the conveyance of
silt with the discharge in a canal.

Kennedy’s Silt-Theory
 Theory propounded by Kennedy for the silt
carrying capacity of canals.
Lacey’s Silt-Theory
 Theory suggested by Lacey considers regime
conditions of flow that include silting and scouring
in alluvial soils (known as incoherent alluvium).

Transmission Losses
 Reduction in discharge of a channel, while the
flow is taking place, due to seepage as well as
evaporation.

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