Open channel flow, mannings equation and specific energy

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the uniform depth of flow in an open channel using Manning's equation, as well as determining the depth of water over a broad crested weir. The context includes homework-related problem-solving involving fluid mechanics concepts such as specific energy and Bernoulli's equation.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant calculates the uniform depth of flow using Manning's equation and finds it to be 1.22m, but struggles with determining the depth over the weir.
  • Another participant proposes an alternative calculation method, arriving at a depth of 1.891m, but later realizes they used an incorrect slope value.
  • There is a challenge regarding the flow rate calculations, with one participant asserting that their depth calculation yields a flow rate of 10.47 m³/s, while another claims their calculation with a different depth gives 10.5 m³/s.
  • Participants express confusion over the correct value for the slope (S), with one admitting to misreading the slope value and subsequently agreeing that the correct depth is indeed 1.22m when using the right slope.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants initially disagree on the correct depth of flow, with conflicting calculations presented. However, there is a later agreement on the depth being 1.22m once the correct slope value is acknowledged.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved issues regarding the application of the weir in the calculations and the potential impact of using different slope values on the results. The discussion reflects uncertainty in procedural details and the implications of assumptions made during calculations.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students or practitioners interested in open channel flow, fluid mechanics, and the application of Manning's equation in practical scenarios.

ShawnCohen
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Homework Statement


A 4m wide channel has a bed slope of 1 in 1500 and a Manning's roughness coef n=0.01. A broad crested measuring weir in the form of a streamlined hump 0.4m high spans across the full width of the channel. the discharge is 10.5m^3/s. Determine
i)the uniform depth of flow
iv)the depth of water on the weir, is this critial


Homework Equations


Mannings equation: Q=A^(5/3)*(S)^(1/2)/(n*P^(2/3)) where A is cross sectional area, S is bed slope, P is wetted perimeter

Bernoulli equation elevation+(v^2)/(2*g)=constant (i ignore pressure head here as I am working on surface so use atmospheric pressure as zero)

Specific energy - E=d+(Q/w)^2/(2*g*d^2) where d is the depth and w is the width

The Attempt at a Solution


i use mannings equation to determine the depth and i get 1.22m, but then when i try and find the depth on top of weir i get nowhere, in face if i work out the minimum possible specific energy i get 1.333 and on top of the weir i get 1.05, so I am clearly going wrong somewhere. any help anyone??
 
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I admit up front that I don't know much about channel flow rates... but I took your Manning's equation and assumed that if ww = 4m is the channel width, and wd is the unknown water depth, then A = ww*wd and P = ww + 2wd, and take the other constants as given. I inserted a constant ##k = 1m^{1/3}s^{-1}## to make the units balance for flow rate.

Then, using a numerical solver I find that wd = 1.891m.

Of course I may be missing some procedural details regarding taking the weir into account...EDIT: I discovered later that I had used S = 1/5000 instead of 1/1500 for this calculation. See below for further groveling.
 
Last edited:
thanks for the reply, but I am pretty sure that's not right, if you put in 1.22m you get Q=10.47 as required, but if you put in 1.891 you get Q=19.16 don't you?
 
ShawnCohen said:
thanks for the reply, but I am pretty sure that's not right, if you put in 1.22m you get Q=10.47 as required, but if you put in 1.891 you get Q=19.16 don't you?

Hmm. If I plug wd = 1.891 m into the formula I find Q = 10.5 m3/s. That formula being:

$$Q = k \frac{(ww\;wd)^{5/3}\sqrt{S}}{n (ww + 2wd)^{2/3}}~~~~~~~k = m^{1/3}s^{-1}$$
 
really?? i keep trying it again and again and i get 1.22 as the answer. what value are you using for S? 1/1500=6.67x10^-4 right?
 
ShawnCohen said:
really?? i keep trying it again and again and i get 1.22 as the answer. what value are you using for S? 1/1500=6.67x10^-4 right?

D'OH! I've been wasting your time :blushing: For some reason when I copied down the constants I "saw" the slope as 1 in 5000. Much apologies.

If I use the correct value for S then I too get 1.22 m for the depth.
 
aha i thought i was going insane for a minute. thanks for attempting anyway
 

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