MILITAR UNIVERSITY OF NEW GRANADA

Civil Engineering
Ing. Ricardo Vargas Laverde
Normal flow
Kevin Lara, Julián Beltrán, German Osorio, Geraldine Saavedra, Mateo Cediel
June 3, 2020

Introduction

The flow in an open channel is known as a uniform flow or normal flow, this
condition is directly related to depth, area and speed. These circumstances remain constant in
each cross section along the channel. Normal flow is only possible in prismatic channels, and
rarely occurs naturally. However, the affected flow will normalize in very long channels in
the absence of flow controls such as hydraulic structures. The equations presented throughout
this report, according to the objective, obtaining the corresponding sheets of water for each of
the 3 conditions to be analyzed. One of the aspects that directly affects this sheet of water is
the speed of the fluid that is going to transport the channel, this variation in speed is also
affected by the conditions of the channel, that is where the Manning number is involved,
which is a coefficient that depends on the roughness of the walls, since these coefficients can
calculate the flow velocities and additionally determine and analyze the conditions of a
uniform flow.

Theoretical framework

Uniform flow

It is a type of flow that is not very common in nature, since it is a criterion that takes the
space, the hydraulic characteristics do not change between two sections separated at a
distance "x", that is, the speed of the fluid does not it varies in the distance "x" and the
hydraulic mooring does not vary either.

A uniform flow can have different conditions, it can be laminar, turbulent, in transition,
critical, subcritical, supercritical. An important condition for a flow to be uniform is that its
speed must be the same through different sections, this depends on the constants α and β
being equal.

The standard tension is known as (Yn) this will be the depth that our channel will have as
long as it is a uniform flow.

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 Figure 1. Longitudinal profile and cross section of the uniform flow in an open channel.[ CITATION Ram19 \l 9226 ]

“It is considered that the uniform flow is only permanent, because the uniform flow no
permanent practically does not exist. In natural currents, even the permanent uniform ow It is
rare, because in rivers and currents in the natural state it is almost never experienced strict
condition of uniform flow. Despite this deviation from reality, it is often supposing a
condition of uniform flow for calculating flow in natural currents. The results obtained from
this assumption are approximate and general, but offer a relatively simple and satisfactory
solution to many practical problems.

The uniform flow cannot occur at very high speeds, often described like ultra-fast. This is
because when the uniform flow reaches a certain speed high, it becomes very unstable
generating waves on its surface. At higher speeds the Flow will eventually trap air and
become unstable.” [ CITATION Con99 \l 9226 ]

Equations

- Equation 1. Uncertainty: "The uncertainties associated with the measured

quantities directly propagate to the final measurement result." (instituto de
física, 2011)
n
∂z
∂ z=∑
i=1
| |
∂ x1
∂ x1

- Equation 2. Cross sectional area. (Castellanos, 2017)

A=BY
- Equation 3. Wet perimeter.

P=B+2Y

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 Methodology

Condition: Open channel

1. The system is turned on and the channel is arranged with a stable slope in the module
to work.

2. A stable flow is maintained, and a width of 8 cm is measured for the channel, then the
height of the average water sheet in the worked module is measured.

3. The slope and flow will be slightly varied 2 times.

4. Steps 1 and 2 are repeated for the new slopes and flows.

5. Change the flow for the respective condition.

6. Flow data varies.
7. The same procedure will be carried out for the conditions under which the attachments
will be changed.

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REFERENCES

C. M. (1999). Universidad de Chile. Retrieved from

file:///D:/Geral/Downloads/Apuntes_de_Flujo_Uniforme.pdf

R. J. (2019, 10 02). StuDocu. Retrieved from https://www.studocu.com/es-

mx/document/instituto-tecnologico-y-de-estudios-superiores-de-
occidente/hidraulica-de-canales/practicas/pfactica-3-flujo-uniforme/5495764/view

UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DE INGENIERIA FACULTAD DE ING CIVIL. (s. f.). FLUJO

UNIFORME. Recuperado 9 de mayo de 2020, de
http://www.imefen.uni.edu.pe/Temas_interes/FSL/07_Flujo_uniforme.pdf
monge redondo, m. (2017). Fundamentos básicos de hidráulica (I). [online] iAgua.
Available at:

https://www.iagua.es/blogs/miguel-angel-monge-redondo/fundamentos-basicos-hidraulica-
i [Accessed 9 Mayo. 2020].

instituto de fisica (2011). Propagación de Incertidumbres. [online] Biolab1.fisica.edu.uy.

Available at:

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