OPEN CHANNEL

HYDRAULICS
PART 6
 DESIGN OF EARTHEN
CHANNELS
1. maximum
permissible
velocity method

2. tractive force
method
General guideline: Froude number should be less than 0.35
maximum permissible velocity
sample problem
Design a trapezoidal channel with side
slopes of 3H:1V that carries a flow of 20
m3/s on a channel slope, So of 0.0015.
This channel is to be excavated in stiff
clay and to carry water with colloidal
silts. Check whether the channel will be
susceptible to erosion or not.
TABLE 1. Maximum permissible velocities proposed by Fortier and Scobey (1926).
MEAN VELOCITY (m/s)
WATER
CLEAR WATER TRANSPORTING
CANAL MATERIAL n NON COLLOIDAL
WATER (no TRANSPORTING SILTS AND OTHER
detritus) COLLOIDAL SILT COARSE-GRAINED
SOILS

FINE SAND (colloidal or C) 0.02 0.46 0.76 0.46

SANDY SOIL (non-colloidal OR NC) 0.02 0.53 0.76 0.61
SILT LOAM (NC) 0.02 0.61 0.91 0.61
ALLUVIAL SILT (NC) 0.02 0.61 1.07 0.61
ORDINARY FIRM LOAM 0.02 0.76 1.07 0.69
VOLCANIC ASH 0.02 0.76 1.07 0.61
FINE GRAVEL 0.02 0.76 1.52 1.14
STIFF CLAY 0.025 1.14 1.52 0.91
GRADED LOAM TO COBBLES (C) 0.03 1.14 1.52 1.52
ALLUVIAL SILT (C) 0.025 1.14 1.52 0.91
GRADED SILT TO COBBLES (C) 0.03 1.22 1.68 1.52
COARSE GRAVEL (NC) 0.025 1.22 1.83 1.98
COBBLES AND SHINGLES 0.035 1.52 1.68 1.98
SHALES AND HARD PANS 0.025 1.83 1.83 1.52
maximum permissible velocity
1. For a given channel material, determine n and the
mpv from the table :
 maximum permissible velocity
2. Having the channel bottom slope (S) and the design
side slope (z), compute the hydraulic radius (R) using
the Mannings Equation.
 maximum permissible velocity
3. Having the design discharge (Q) and the mpv,
determine the required flow area (A).

4. Compute the wetted perimeter (P).

 maximum permissible velocity
5. Using expressions for A and P, solve simultaneously
for b and d.
 maximum permissible velocity
6. Check the design safety.
 maximum permissible velocity
6. Add free board (FB).