HYDRAULICS LAB MANUAL 2015-CIV-13

Experiment No. 1
To Estimate Manning’s Roughness Coefficient (n) and Chezy’s Coefficient
(c) for open channel flow
1.1. Objectives
1) To study the variation of Chezy’s “C” and Manning’s “ȵ” as a function of velocity in the
flume.
2) To study the applications of Manning’s and Chezy’s formulas.
3) To investigate the relationship between the Manning’s and Chezy’s coefficients for the
flume.
1.2. Apparatus
1) S-6 Glass Sided Tilted Flume
2) Point Gauge
1.3. Related Theory
1.3.1. S-6 Glass Sided Tilted Flume
It is a rectangular flume with dimensions of (10 m* 0.3 m* 0.45 m) long, wide and deep,
respectively was used to carry out the tests. Acrylic glass is the material that the flume wall
made of to grant visual observation, with stainless steel bed. An electrical control unit is
located at the upstream of the flume to control the slope and the pump changing system.

Safety Precautions for the use of Flume

a) During the test, do not remove any covers or attempt any adjustments.
b) Ensure all the moving parts are tightly screwed.
c) Do not throw anything into the channel during the test.
d) Be aware of electrical hazards.
e) External components like weirs, spillways and sluice gates must be fixed properly at the
location provided.
f) Carefully move the pointer horizontally for the measurement of depths.
1.3.2. Flume
It is an open channel, which is supported on or above ground and is used for conveying
water. It is in the form of an open declined gravity chute whose walls are raised above the
surrounding terrain.
HYDRAULICS LAB MANUAL 2015-CIV-13

1.3.3. Types of Fluid Flows

There are flows w.r.t the distance
1) Uniform Flow
In this type of flow, parameters like discharge, velocity, pressure etc. remains constant in
between two cross-section at any given time.
2) Non-Uniform Flow
In this type of flow, parameters like discharge, velocity, pressure etc. does not remain
constant in between two cross-section at any given time.
There are flows w.r.t the time
1) Steady Flow
In this type of flow, parameters like discharge, velocity, pressure etc. remains constant in a
given interval at any cross-section.
2) Unsteady Flow
In this type of flow, parameters like discharge, velocity, pressure etc. does not remain
constant in a given interval at any cross-section.
1.3.4. Classification of Fluids Flows
There are two type of fluid flows
I. Laminar Flow (Rn < 2000)
II. Turbulent Flow (Rn > 2000)
1.3.5. Chezy’s Equation
Chezy’s formula was presented in 1775. It states that Velocity is an open channel is a
function of hydraulics radius and slope of the channel bed.
Mathematically it is equal to

𝑉 = 𝐶√𝑅𝑆 …………………… 1.1

Where
V = Velocity of the flow
R = Hydraulic Radius
S= Slope of Channel Bed
C = Chezy’s Coefficient

1.3.6. Manning’s Equation

Manning’s equation is given as
2 1
1
𝑉 = 𝑛 𝑅3 𝑆 2 ………………………1.2

Where
V = Velocity of the flow
R = Hydraulic Radius

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C = Slope of Channel Bed

n = Manning’s Coefficient

1.3.7. Relationship between Manning’s and Chezy’s Equations

From 1.1 and 1.2;
1 2 1
𝐶√𝑅𝑆 = 𝑅3𝑆 2
𝑛
1
𝑅6
𝑛= ………………..…...1.3
𝐶

1.4. Procedure
1) Turn on the Apparatus.
2) Allow the water in the flume to stabilize so that the flow becomes uniform that is the
depth and velocity of flow becomes constant.
3) Set a constant slope of the flow in the glass tilted flume.
4) Note the reading from the manometer. The manometric head difference will give total
discharge ‘Q’. (Can be seen from the table).
5) Measure depth at 2 different locations for each discharge value.
6) Measure the hydraulic radius of the area.
7) Determine the roughness coefficients of Manning and Chezy using their respective
equations.

1.5. Observations and Calculation

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4
B 300 mm L 4.52 m S 1/500
h1 h2 Δh Q Y1 Y2 A1 A2 P1 P2 R1 R2 Ravg V1 V2 Vavg El1 El2 h=E2-E1
Sr. No s=hL/L n c
(mm) (mm) (mm) (m3/s) (mm) (mm) (m2) (m2) (m) (m) (m) (m) (m) (m/s) (m/s) (m/s) (m) (m) (m)
1 568 609 41 0.008 36.000 30.600 0.011 0.009 0.372 0.361 0.029 0.025 0.027 0.741 0.871 0.806 0.064 0.069 0.005 0.002 0.005 109.217
2 604 664 60 0.010 50.000 35.800 0.015 0.011 0.400 0.372 0.038 0.029 0.033 0.653 0.912 0.783 0.072 0.078 0.006 0.002 0.006 96.028
3 615 683 68 0.011 47.300 45.100 0.014 0.014 0.395 0.390 0.036 0.035 0.035 0.745 0.781 0.763 0.076 0.076 0.001 0.002 0.006 90.775
4 630 716 86 0.012 59.800 46.400 0.018 0.014 0.420 0.393 0.043 0.035 0.039 0.652 0.840 0.746 0.081 0.082 0.001 0.002 0.007 84.323
HYDRAULICS LAB MANUAL
HYDRAULICS LAB MANUAL 2015-CIV-13

Manning's velocity Profile

0.008
0.007
Manning's Coefficient

0.006
0.005
0.004
0.003
0.002
0.001
0.000
0.740 0.750 0.760 0.770 0.780 0.790 0.800 0.810
Velocity (m/s)

Chezy's velocity Profile

120.000

100.000
Chezy's Coefficient

80.000

60.000

40.000

20.000

0.000
0.740 0.750 0.760 0.770 0.780 0.790 0.800 0.810
Velocity (m/s)

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Manning's Discharge Profile

0.008
0.007
Manning's Coefficient

0.006
0.005
0.004
0.003
0.002
0.001
0.000
0.000 0.002 0.004 0.006 0.008 0.010 0.012 0.014
Discharge (m3/s)

Chezy's Discharge Profile

120.000

100.000
Chezy's Coefficient

80.000

60.000

40.000

20.000

0.000
0.000 0.002 0.004 0.006 0.008 0.010 0.012 0.014
Discharge (m3/s)

1.6. Comments
The results show that Manning’s coefficient is inversely proportional to the discharge (Q) so
the value of Manning’s coefficient decreases as the discharge (Q) increases while keeping the
slope of flume constant. Moreover, Chezy’s coefficient is directly proportional to the
discharge (Q).