OPEN CHANNELS

SAMPLE PROBLEMS
SAMPLE PROBLEM 1
Water flows uniformly in a rectangular, concrete, open
channel that is 10m wide at a depth of 3m. The channel
slope is 0.0025. Using n=0.013, find the velocity, flow
rate, and the boundary shear stress.
SAMPLE PROBLEM 1: SOLUTION
a) Velocity
1 2/3 1/2
𝑣= 𝑅 𝑆
𝑛
𝐴 30
Where: 𝑅 = = = 1.875 𝑚
𝑃 16
A=(10)(3) = 30m2
P=10 + 3(2) = 16 m2
1
𝑣= 1.8752/3 0.00251/2 = 𝟓. 𝟖𝟒𝟖 𝒎/𝒔
0.013
SAMPLE PROBLEM 1: SOLUTION
b) Flow Rate
𝑄 = 𝐴𝑉 = 30 5.848 = 𝟏𝟕𝟓. 𝟒𝟓 𝒎𝟑 /𝒔

c) Boundary shear stress

𝜏 = 𝛾𝑅𝑆 = 9810 1.875 0.0025 = 𝟒𝟓. 𝟗𝟖 𝐏𝐚
SAMPLE PROBLEM 2
Determine the uniform flow through a trapezoidal
concrete lined canal having side slope of 3H to 4V and
bottom width of 2m if the depth of the flow is 2m. The
channel is laid on a slope of 3m per 2 kilometer. Use
n=0.013.
SAMPLE PROBLEM 2: SOLUTION
GIVEN:

3
2
5 4

2
SAMPLE PROBLEM 2: SOLUTION
1 2 1 1 2 1
𝑄 = 𝐴 𝑅 ൗ3 𝑆 ൗ2 𝑄 = (7) (1) ൗ3 (0.0015) ൗ2
𝑛 0.013

𝐴 7
Where: 𝑅 = 𝑃 = = 1𝑚 Q= 20.85 m3/s
7

5+2
𝐴= 2 = 7 𝑚2
2
𝑃 = 2 + 2 𝑦 = 2+2(2.5) = 7 m

5
𝑦= 2 = 2.5𝑚
4

3
𝑆 = 𝑆𝑜 = = 0.0015
2000
SAMPLE PROBLEM 3
An open channel is to be designed to carry 1.5 m3/s at a slope of
0.007. The channel material has an n value of 0.012. Find the most
efficient cross section for semi-circular section.
SAMPLE PROBLEM 3: SOLUTION
1 2ൗ 1ൗ
𝑄 = 𝐴 𝑅 3𝑆 2
𝑛
For a semicircular section of radius r:
𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟 2 /2
𝐴 𝑟
𝑅= =
𝑃 22 2
𝜋𝑟 1 𝑟 ൗ3 1ൗ
𝑄= 𝑆 2
2 𝑛 2
2
𝜋𝑟 2 1 𝑟 ൗ3 1ൗ
1.5 = (0.007) 2
2 0.012 2
Solving: r=0.564 m ; D = 1.128m
SAMPLE PROBLEM 4
Find the most efficient cross section for Sample
problem 3 for rectangular section.
SAMPLE PROBLEM 4: SOLUTION
For the most efficient rectangular section:
b=2d
A=2d2
R=d/2
Then;
2ൗ
1 𝑑 3
1ൗ
1.5 = (2𝑑2) 0.007 2
0.012 2
𝑑 8/3 = 0.17076
d=0.515 m or 515 mm
b=2d=1,030 mm
SAMPLE PROBLEM 5
A triangular channel with most efficient proportion
discharges water at the rate of 1 m3/s. Assuming
n=0.018 and S=0.0021 calculate the normal depth of
flow in meters.
SAMPLE PROBLEM 5 : SOLUTION
The proportion for most efficient triangular section is that of a 90-degree triangular V-notch.
1
𝐴= 2𝑑 𝑑 = 𝑑 2
2
𝑃 = 2 𝑑 2 = 2.828𝑑

1 2ൗ 1ൗ
𝑄 = 𝐴 𝑅 3𝑆 2
𝑛
1 2 1
1= 𝑑2 (0.3536𝑑) ൗ3 (0.0021) ൗ2
0.018

1 = 1.273 d8/3

d= 0.913 m