Open-channel flow has a free surface exposed to atmosphere. For uniform flow, the bed slope, water-surface slope, and energy slope are commonly taken equal.
$$Q=\frac{1}{n}AR^{2/3}S^{1/2}$$$$R=\frac{A}{P}$$
Critical Flow and Froude Number
Critical flow separates subcritical and supercritical conditions. For a rectangular channel:
A rectangular channel must carry 5.0 m3/s with $n=0.014$ and slope $S=0.001$. For the most efficient rectangular section, find the normal depth and width.
For the best rectangular section, $b=2y$, $A=2y^2$, and $R=y/2$.
In a rectangular channel, supercritical flow has depth $y_1=0.40\text{ m}$ and velocity $V_1=6.0\text{ m/s}$. Find the sequent depth and energy loss across the hydraulic jump.
A trapezoidal channel has a bottom width of 2.0 m and side slopes of 1.5H:1V (1.5 horizontal to 1 vertical). The channel is lined with concrete (Manning's n = 0.013) and laid on a slope of S = 0.0009. Find the normal discharge when the water depth is 1.20 m.
Compute the geometric elements for a trapezoidal section with b = 2.0 m, z = 1.5 (side slope), y = 1.20 m:
Answer: Normal discharge is Q ≈ 8.46 m³/s. Trapezoidal channels are widely used in irrigation because the sloped sides are stable in soil and the section is close to the most efficient trapezoidal shape (half-hexagon) when $z = 1/\sqrt{3} \approx 0.577$.
Problem: Most Efficient Trapezoidal Section Design
Design the most efficient (best hydraulic) trapezoidal channel to carry Q = 10 m³/s with Manning's n = 0.014 on a slope S = 0.0004. The most efficient trapezoidal section is a half-hexagon: side slopes z = 1/√3 ≈ 0.5774, and the relationship b = 2y(√(1+z²) − z) holds. Determine the required bottom width b and normal depth y.
For the most efficient trapezoidal section: $z = 1/\sqrt{3} = 0.5774$, $R = y/2$, and $b = 2y(\sqrt{1+z^2} - z) = 2y(\sqrt{1+1/3} - 1/\sqrt{3}) = 2y(2/\sqrt{3} - 1/\sqrt{3}) = 2y/\sqrt{3}$.
Answer: Normal depth y ≈ 2.01 m and bottom width b ≈ 2.32 m. The most efficient trapezoidal section minimizes wetted perimeter for a given area, reducing excavation and lining costs while maximizing conveyance.
Problem: Froude Number and Flow Classification
A 4.0 m wide rectangular channel carries a discharge of 12 m³/s at a uniform depth of 1.80 m. Determine: (a) the Froude number and classify the flow, (b) the critical depth, (c) the critical velocity, and (d) the minimum specific energy (critical specific energy).
Answer: (a) Fr = 0.397 — subcritical flow. (b) Critical depth = 0.972 m. (c) Critical velocity = 3.09 m/s. (d) Minimum specific energy = 1.457 m. The actual flow depth of 1.80 m is above critical depth (0.972 m), confirming subcritical conditions consistent with Fr < 1.
Problem: Circular Pipe Flowing Partially Full
A 1200 mm diameter concrete sewer pipe (Manning's n = 0.013) is laid on a slope of 0.0008. The pipe flows at a depth of 900 mm (75% full by depth). Find the discharge and flow velocity. Note: for a circular pipe, the geometric properties at partial depth require the central half-angle θ (in radians) where $\cos\theta = 1 - 2d/D$ and $d$ is the depth.
D = 1.2 m, d = 0.9 m, d/D = 0.75. Find the central half-angle θ:
Wait — wetted perimeter uses full angle $2\theta$: $P = D \cdot \theta_{total} = 1.2 \times 4.189/1 = ?$ Let me use $P = D\theta_{half} \times 2 = 1.2(2.094) = 2.513$ m where $\theta_{half}$ is the half-angle from top. Actually: $P = R_0 \cdot 2\theta$ where $R_0 = D/2 = 0.6$ m: $P = 0.6(4.189) = 2.513$ m.
Answer: Discharge Q ≈ 1.01 m³/s and velocity V ≈ 1.11 m/s. Interestingly, a circular pipe flowing about 93% full by depth carries slightly more discharge than when completely full — at 75% full, both Q and V are below their maximum but significantly above the full-pipe values divided by area ratio.
Problem: Hydraulic Jump — Power Dissipated and Location
Water flows at Q = 18 m³/s in a 6-m wide rectangular channel. The flow upstream of a sluice gate has depth y₁ = 0.50 m. A hydraulic jump forms downstream. Determine: (a) the upstream velocity and Froude number, (b) the sequent depth y₂, (c) the energy loss in the jump, and (d) the power dissipated (kW) if the channel width is uniform.
Answer: (a) V₁ = 6.0 m/s, Fr₁ = 2.71 (supercritical). (b) Sequent depth y₂ = 1.68 m. (c) Energy loss ΔE = 0.491 m. (d) Power dissipated = 86.7 kW. The hydraulic jump converts kinetic energy to heat and turbulence — this energy dissipation is deliberately exploited in stilling basins downstream of spillways and sluice gates to prevent scour.
Exam Generator Problems
Additional board-style practice items for this topic.
Determine the critical slope of a rectangular smooth concrete flume 4.5m wide which is to carry 4.5m3/s per meter of width. n = 0.013
Answer:
0.0028
0.0014
0.0036
0.0018
Critical depth for a rectangular channel using unit discharge $q=4.5$ m3/s/m: $y_c=\left(\frac{q^2}{g}\right)^{1/3}=\left(\frac{4.5^2}{9.81}\right)^{1/3}=1.273$ m At critical flow, use Manning's equation with $b=4.5$ m and $Q=4.5(4.5)=20.25$ m3/s: $S=\left[\frac{Qn}{AR^{2/3}}\right]^2$ $A=4.5(1.273),\quad R=\frac{A}{4.5+2(1.273)}$ $\boxed{S\approx 0.0028}$
An irrigation canal with trapezoidal cross-sections has the following dimensions:
Bottom width = 2 m, depth of water = 0.90 m., side slope is 1.5 horizontal to
vertical, slope of canal bed = 0.001, coefficient of roughness = 0.025. The canal
will serve clay-loam Riceland for which the duty of water per hectare in 3
liters/sec. Use Manning's Formula:
Determine the hydraulic radius of the canal in meters.
0.575
0.832
0.929
0.416
Determine the velocity of the water in m/s.
0.874
1.12
1.20
0.705
Determine the number of hectares served by the irrigation canal.
879
1130
1210
709
Part 1.
For the trapezoidal canal: $A=y(b+zy)=0.90[2+1.5(0.90)]=3.015$ m2 $P=b+2y\sqrt{1+z^2}=2+2(0.90)\sqrt{1+1.5^2}=5.245$ m $R=\frac{A}{P}=\frac{3.015}{5.245}=0.575$ m $\boxed{R=0.575\text{ m}}$
Part 2.
Using Manning's equation: $V=\frac{1}{n}R^{2/3}S^{1/2}$ With $R=0.575$, $n=0.025$, and $S=0.001$: $V=\frac{1}{0.025}(0.575)^{2/3}(0.001)^{1/2}=0.874$ m/s $\boxed{V=0.874\text{ m/s}}$
Part 3.
Discharge in the canal is: $Q=AV=3.015(0.874)=2.637$ m3/s The duty is 3 L/s per hectare, or 0.003 m3/s per hectare: $N=\frac{2.637}{0.003}=879$ hectares $\boxed{879}$
Determine the discharge of water over a 60º triangular weir if the measured head is 0.30m.
Answer:
0.04
0.08
0.12
0.16
For a triangular weir, using the standard coefficient $C_d\approx0.60$: $Q=C_d\frac{8}{15}\sqrt{2g}\tan\frac{\theta}{2}H^{5/2}$ $Q=0.60\left(\frac{8}{15}\sqrt{2(9.81)}\tan30^\circ(0.30)^{5/2}\right)$ $Q=0.0403$ m3/s $\boxed{Q\approx 0.04}$
An earth canal in good condition is to be constructed with side slopes of 1 ½ horizontal to 1 vertical and a fall of 2 m per 5 km. Determine the depth and the bottom width of the most efficient section if the discharge is 16.2 m3/s. Use n = 0.0225
Answer:
1.604m
1.405m
1.301m
1.503m
For the most efficient trapezoidal section with side slope $z=1.5$: $b=2y(\sqrt{1+z^2}-z)$ and $R=\frac{y}{2}$ Manning's equation: $Q=\frac{1}{n}AR^{2/3}S^{1/2}$, with $S=2/5000=0.0004$ Solving gives $y\approx2.67$ m and: $b=2(2.67)(\sqrt{1+1.5^2}-1.5)=1.62$ m $\boxed{b\approx1.604\text{ m}}$
Determine the proper size of a semicircular wood-stove flume that carries
13.5m3/s across a valley with a 900m side with a drop of 0.60m. n = 0.012
Answer:
2.0m
3.0m
2.5m
1.5m
For a semicircular flume of radius $r$: $A=\frac{\pi r^2}{2},\quad P=\pi r,\quad R=\frac{r}{2}$ Using Manning's equation with $S=0.60/900$: $13.5=\frac{1}{0.012}\left(\frac{\pi r^2}{2}\right)\left(\frac{r}{2}\right)^{2/3}\sqrt{\frac{0.60}{900}}$ $r\approx1.999$ m $\boxed{\text{proper size} \approx 2.0\text{ m}}$
In order to provide water from a nearby spring, a triangular flume of efficient cross-section was provided on a slope of 0.21 percent. Assuming the roughness coefficient of the channel to be n = 0.018. Obtain the depth of flow in meter(s) of the water in the flume if it is discharging at the rate of 2 m2/sec.
Answer:
1.18
1.22
1.26
1.14
For the most efficient triangular flume, the side slopes are symmetrical at 45°, so: $A=y^2,\quad R=\frac{y}{2\sqrt2}$ Using Manning's equation with $Q=2$ m3/s, $S=0.21\%=0.0021$, and $n=0.018$: $2=\frac{1}{0.018}(y^2)\left(\frac{y}{2\sqrt2}\right)^{2/3}\sqrt{0.0021}$ $y=1.1846$ m $\boxed{y\approx1.18}$
An irrigation canal with trapezoidal cross-section has the following dimensions: Bottom width = 2.50 m, depth of water = 0.90 m, side slope = 1.5 horizontal to 1 vertical, slope of the canal bed = 0.001, coefficient of roughness = 0.025. The canal will serve clay-loam Riceland for which the duty of water per hectare is 3.0 liters/sec. Using Manning’s Formula:
Determine the hydraulic radius of the canal, in meters.
0.603
0.621
0.647
0.640
Compute the velocity of water in m/s.
0.903
0.912
0.974
0.942
Determine the number of hectares served by the irrigation canal.
1043
3130
1087
3260
Part 1.
For the trapezoidal canal: $A=y(b+zy)=0.90[2.50+1.5(0.90)]=3.465$ m2 $P=b+2y\sqrt{1+z^2}=2.50+2(0.90)\sqrt{1+1.5^2}=5.745$ m $R=\frac{A}{P}=\frac{3.465}{5.745}=0.603$ m $\boxed{R=0.603\text{ m}}$
Part 2.
Using Manning's equation: $V=\frac{1}{n}R^{2/3}S^{1/2}$ With $R=0.603$, $n=0.025$, and $S=0.001$: $V=\frac{1}{0.025}(0.603)^{2/3}(0.001)^{1/2}=0.903$ m/s $\boxed{V=0.903\text{ m/s}}$
Part 3.
The canal discharge is: $Q=AV=3.465(0.903)=3.129$ m3/s Duty is 3 L/s per hectare, or 0.003 m3/s per hectare: $N=\frac{3.129}{0.003}=1043$ hectares $\boxed{1043}$
A 50mm pipe 15m long extends vertically downward from the bottom of an elevated tank and discharges into air. The entrance from tank to pipe is square-cornered. When the water in the tank is 3m deep over the entrance to the pipe, what is the discharge? Neglect head loss.
Answer:
0.037
0.045
0.026
0.058
With head loss neglected, the total head from the tank surface to the pipe outlet is $3+15=18$ m: $V=\sqrt{2gH}=\sqrt{2(9.81)(18)}=18.79$ m/s $Q=AV=\frac{\pi(0.05)^2}{4}(18.79)=0.0369$ m3/s $\boxed{Q\approx0.037}$
Question Bank: v2
HGE - Hydraulics / Flow Rate / HGE May 2019
Formula-mode item rendered with fixed values for lecture/PDF export.
Water flows through a rectangular irrigation canal 500 mm deep by 1.2 m wide with a mean velocity of 1.7 m/sec. Determine the rate of flow in m3/min.
1.02 m3/min
61.20 m3/min
30.60 m3/min
73.44 m3/min
The discharge is the cross-sectional area times the mean velocity, with depth $d=\dfrac{d_{mm}}{1000}$ in metres:
Formula-mode item rendered with fixed values for lecture/PDF export.
Water flows at 6.5 m3/s under a total head of 11 m. Obtain the horsepower in the flow.
941 hp
837 hp
1223 hp
978 hp
Hydraulic power is $P=Q\gamma H$ in kW. Convert using $1$ hp $=0.7457$ kW: $$P_{hp}=\frac{Q\gamma H}{0.7457}=\frac{(6.5)(9.81)(11)}{0.7457}=940.612846989\text{ hp}.$$ Computed answer: 941 hp
Question Bank: v71
HGE - Hydraulics / Open Channels / HGE November 2019
Formula-mode item rendered with fixed values for lecture/PDF export.
Water flows in a rectangular channel 5.5 m wide at depth 1 m. The bed slope is 0.0012 and Manning roughness is 0.02. Obtain the discharge.
9.30 m³/s
6.66 m³/s
7.75 m³/s
5.66 m³/s
For the rectangular channel, $A=by$, $P=b+2y$, and $R=A/P$. Manning gives $$Q=\frac1nAR^{2/3}S^{1/2}=7.74683431451\text{ m}^3/\text{s}.$$ Computed answer: 7.75 m³/s