CHAPTER 3

NON - UNIFORM FLOW IN

OPEN CHANNEL
(PART 2)

3.3 Control Sections

3.4 Rapid Varied Flow (RVF)

3.3 : Control Section

A section where a certain relationship can be

established between flowrate and water level, Q and h

It also controls the flow so that it can prevent the

changes of flow types from happening (critical flow,
subcritical & supercritical)

Gauge station to get flow rating curve which

represents the 'flowrate' vs 'depth' relationship for
the channel.

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Control point

Point where depth of steady flow can be determined

due to grade change, dam, weir, etc.

Examples;

The change of slope from mild to steep

Free drop

Entrance point from reservoir to steep channel

Outlet point from steep channel to reservoir

Flow over weir

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a) Presence of Broad Crested Weir

A rectangular channel with width b (constant along the

channel) flows with q m/s/m. Assume this channel's
slope is 0 degree (flat) and no roughness coefficient
(subcritical flow).
EGL
q/2gy1 q/2gy2

E1 E2
y1 q y2

B
z
A
Broad Crested Weir

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 SED for Presence of Broad Crested Weir
y
q (constant)

y1
A
E = y + q/2gy
y2
B

yc C
A'

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E2 Z E1 E

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E1 = E2 + Z
note:- Z = height of Broad crested weir
y1 + v1/2g = y2 + v2/2g + Z
or E2 = E1 - Z

From that figure, depth of water flow become lesser from point A to
point B,

Specific Energy at point A, E1 > E2 (at point B)

If y2 = yc ; E2 = Emin ;
Therefore
z = zc
(critical flow and this broad crested weir represent as control point)

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If the weir increase more than before, specific energy will be
decreased and water depth, y2 become lower until one point (point
C). Specific energy, E2 become minimum and y2 turn to yc. At this
point, z = zc, flow is critical and weir known as control point.

If the height of weir increase greater than (z > zc), E-y curve for
same q can not be used because minimum point for this curve is
achieved and E2 < Emin. Therefore, for E2 and water depth above
weir is constant, yc so z move to right side from point C. At this
point, E1 not enough for same q.
E1 = Emin + z

In this condition, total flow at point A cannot flow over weir but
maintain at the back of the weir. This condition called choke and
water depth at the upstream is increase. The depth at the upstream
called backwater situation. At the downstream of the weir
supercritical flow will be happened.

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Example 5
Water flows uniformly at 15m/s in a rectangular channel
with 3 m width and 2.5 m depth. If broad crested weir is
constructed, calculate the minimum height of this weir
which can cause critical flow above the weir (critical
depth).

Solution:-

E1 = Emin + Zc
= 1.5 yc + Zc

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Example 6
A rectangular channel with 5 m width, constructed on a
mild slope conveying 8 m/s and the normal depth is 1.25
m.

a) Determine the critical depth

b) How the broad crested weir height effect the normal
depth at the upstream and downstream of channel
(assume no energy loss)
c) Shows that, if broad crested weir in critical condition, it
can be use as a flow gauge (use depth at upstream)

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Examples of Weirs

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b) Change of channels width (Narrowing channel)
The similar concept like weir will be applied in this topic but
the relationship between q-y is used because the width of
channel will be changed and q also.

For same Q :
Q = q1b1 = q2b2
q1 = Q/b1
q2 = Q/b2

b2 < b1 therefore q2 > q1

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Plan

Side plan

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At critical point, b2 become minimum and q is maximum at
same specific energy.

When the channels become smaller, E1 do not enough to

support q so E1 need to increase for achieve suitable
specific energy, E for critical depth yc. Therefore, the
depth at upstream, y1 increase for E.

y1 + q1/2gy1 = E
y1+ Q/2gb1y12 = E
where E = 1.5yc and
yc = (q/g)
= (Q/b2g)

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Therefore,

if E > E1, b < bmin and specific energy at upstream E =

1.5yc

If control situation happened, the structure will be

controlled flow at upstream and this structure called venturi
flume.

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Example of flume

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Example 7
A rectangular channel flows at 3 m3/s with 2.0m width. The
normal depth is 0.8m. The width will be decreased at
downstream.

a. Determine the maximum width for critical flow obtained

at this part (downstream)
b. Calculate the depth at upstream (before throat) if the
throat is 1.2 m

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Example 8

The water flows uniformly at 16.5 m3/s in a rectangular

channel with 3.0 m width and 1.8 m depth. If one part of
the channel was narrowing, calculate the maximum width
of narrowing that can obtain critical water depth.

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Example 9
A rectangular channel with 3.0 m width and water depth
3.0 m at velocity 3.0 m/s. If the channel bed increase at
0.61 m, how much the width will be increased for maintain
the same flow at the upstream?

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3.4 : Rapid Varied Flow (RVF)

Developed mainly at hydraulic structures and most of the
related problems can be solved by using the continuity
equations and energy principles provided that the energy
losses are known.

However, if losses are unknown, the momentum

principle must be used;
Net force= rate of change of momentum

For RVF, the momentum equation will be introduced in

the context of the HYDRAULIC JUMP (an important
phenomenon in open channel flow and an example of
RVF stationary surge wave)
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3.4.1: Hydraulic Jump: Types and Uses

Hydraulic jump analysis is the most common

application of the momentum equation in open channel
flow.

The hydraulic jump, an abrupt change in depth from

supercritical to subcritical flow, always is accompanied
by a significant energy loss.

A hydraulic jump primarily serves as an energy

dissipater to dissipate the excess energy of flowing
water downstream of hydraulic structures such as
spillway and sluice gate.

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supercritical
subcritical

hydraulic jump

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 one
two
three
four

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3.4.1 (a)Types of Jump

Hydraulic jumps on horizontal floor are of several distinct
types. These types can be conveniently classified
according to the Froude number, Fr.

For Fr = 1, ; the flow is critical, and hence no jump can form.

For Fr = 1 to 1.7, ; the water surface shoes undulations, and the

jump is called undular jump.

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For Fr = 1.7 to 2.5, ; a series of small rollers develop on the
surface of the jump, but the downstream water surface remains
smooth. The velocity throughout is fairly uniform, and the energy
lost is low. This jump may be called weak jump.

For Fr = 2.5 to 4.5, ; there is an oscillating jet entering the jump

bottom to surface and back again with no periodicity. Each
oscillation produces a large wave of irregular period which, very
commonly in canals. This jump may called an oscillating jump.

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For Fr = 4.5 to 9.0, ; the downstream extremity of the surface roller

and the point at which the high velocity jet tends to leave the flow
occur at practically the same vertical section. The action and position
of this jump are least sensitive to variation in tailwater depth. The
jump is well-balanced and the performance is at its best. The energy
dissipation ranges from 45 to 70%. This jump may be called a steady
jump.

For Fr = 9.0 and larger, ; the high-velocity jets grabs intermittent

slugs of water rolling down the front face of the jump, generating
waves downstream, and a rough surface can prevail. The jump action
is rough but effective since the energy dissipation may reach 85%.
This jump may be called a strong jump.

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3.4.1 (b) The use

1. To dissipate energy in water flowing over dams, weirs, and other
hydraulic structures and thus prevent scouring downstream from the
structures
2. To recover head or raise the water level on the downstream side of a
measuring flume and thus maintain high water level in the channel for
irrigation or other water-irrigation or other water-distribution purposes
3. To increase weight on an apron and thus reduce uplift pressure under a
masonry structure by raising the water depth on the apron
4. To increase the discharge of a sluice by holding back tailwater, since the
effective head will be reduced if the tailwater is allowed to drown the
jump
5. To indicate special flow conditions, such as the existence of supercritical
flow or the presence of a control section so that a gauging station may
be located
6. To mix chemicals used for water purification
7. To aerate water for city water supplies
8. To remove air pockets from water supply lines and thus prevent air
locking.
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3.4.2: Momentum Principles, Conjugate depth,
Dissipated energy, Power

Relationship between hydraulic jump equation and
momentum equation.

There are several assumptions;

Flat channel bed

Uniform channel cross section

Uniform velocity and water depth

Ignore the stress at channel surface

Frictionless

Hydraulic jump occurs at short distance

Momentum for water flows in the channel section per unit time (N)

From Newton Second Law, the changing of momentum per time
equal to combination of external forces

F = wQ(v2 v1)/g

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Hydraulic Jump Height/Depth

(the different of height before & after hydraulic jump) ,
yj = y2 y1 (m)

Conjugate Depth
(determine the depth before & after hydraulic jump)
y1/y2 = (1 + 8 Fr2 1) (m)
y2/y1 = (1 + 8 Fr1 1) (m)

Energy Loss from jump (into heat),

E = E1 E2 (m)
E = (y2 y1)3/4y1y2 (m)

Power dissipated or obtained from jump,

P = gQ E (W)

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Example 10
At the bottom of spillway, a rectangular channel with 30 m
width, the velocity of flow, 28.2 m/s and depth before jump
is 0.96 m. The hydraulic jump is immediately (abruptly)
occurred. Calculate the height of hydraulic jump and the
power dissipated.

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Example 11
In a rectangular channel with 0.6 m width, hydraulic jump
occurs when Froude Number is 3. Normal depth before
jump is 0.6 m. Determine the energy loss and power
dissipated in this situation.

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Example 12
A hydraulic jump is formed in a rectangular channel
conveying water. If the velocity and the depth before the
jump are 8.0 m/s and 0.3 m respectively, calculate the
depth after the jump. What is the head loss due to the
jump?

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Example 13

Water flows at a rate 20 m3/s through a rectangular

channel 4 m wide from a steep channel to a mild
channel, creating a hydraulic jump. The upstream depth of
flow is 1.2 m. Determine;
a) The downstream depth of flow
b) The energy (head) loss in the jump
c) The upstream and downstream velocities
d) Power dissipated

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Example 14
Water discharging into a 10m wide rectangular horizontal
channel from a sluice gate is observed to have undergone
a hydraulic jump. The flow depth and velocity before the
jump are 0.8m and 7m/s, respectively. Determine;
a) the flow depth and the Froude number after the
jump
b) the head loss and the dissipation ratio
c) the wasted power production potential due to the
hydraulic jump

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3.4.3: Hydraulic Jump Positions Length and
location of Hydraulic Jump

Hydraulic jump will be occurred when

y0S < yc < y0M
or
y1 < yc < y2

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Example 15
A rectangular channel 3m width carries water at 12m3/s. At
one point, the slope changes abruptly from 0.015 to
0.0016. The Mannings coefficient, n=0.013. Determine;
a) Is the hydraulic jump occurs?
b) The position of the jump (if its occurred)
c) Power dissipated

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