Design of vegetated open channels

Mannings Equation for open-channel flow C 2 1 v R 3S 2 n where v = velocity of flow in feet per second (meters per second for SI units) C = constant: 1.00 for SI units, 1.49 for imperial units R = hydraulic radius in feet (meters), calculated by cross-sectional area of flow divided by the wetted perimeter (the length of the line of contact between the water and the sides & bottom of the channel) S = channel slope in ft/ft (m/m) n = Manning roughness coefficient. Mannings equation has the following implications: More roughness in the channel larger n slower velocity Flatter slope smaller S slower velocity Actual vs Permissible Flow velocity Actual velocity in the channel determined by channel roughness, slope, shape o Roughness determined by the vegetation height Permissible velocity is a speed limit determined by vegetation density, slope, and soil type Mannings roughness coefficient for vegetated channels Taller vegetation will slow down the water more than shorter vegetation, to a point. BUT, many types of vegetation will bend over under the force of flowing water, which decreases the channel roughness. In vegetated channels, the roughness also changes with time (growth of the vegetation, are you mowing the channel, etc.). Thus, specifying an exact value of n for design of vegetated channels is nearly impossible. Experimentation has revealed that the relationship between n and vR is relatively constant for an individual type of vegetation These relationships are broken into retardance classes o See Table 1 in the ASABE standard (or Table 7-4 in the NEH) for retardance classes for different vegetation heights o See Fig. 1 in the ASABE standard for n = f(vR ) relationships. Note that these curves are approximated by empirical equations as noted in the figure legend. There is a similar figure in the textbook, with a different approximation of the lines.

Procedure for design of vegetated channels 1. Design for stability under the short grass case when the permissible velocity is most likely to be exceeded a. For the channel vegetation youre using, determine the retardance class when the vegetation is short. This gives you an empirical equation for n as a function of vR. b. Find a value of R that makes v as calculated by Mannings equation equal to the permissible velocity. For instance, i. Using v=permissible velocity, calculate vR ii. Using the approximate empirical equation, calculate n. iii. Calculate vR using the Mannings equation

R 3S 2 vR , note the (5/3) exponent on R n iv. Iterate: Make the vR from step b.i. match the vR from step b.iii. by changing values of R. c. Calculate a value for the cross-sectional area A by using the continuity equation and your velocity value. d. Find a set of channel dimensions that satisfy A and R.
2. Confirm that the channel large enough to handle the maximum flow when the grass is long. a. Determine the retardance class when the vegetation is long. This gives you an empirical equation for n as a function of vR.

R 3S 2 b. Find a value of v for which n = f (vR) AND vR (note both n equations have n and v as unknowns two equations + two unknowns = good to go). c. Calculate q from that velocity (using the continuity equation), and compare it to the design flow rate. d. If it is too low, increase the depth. Double-check permissible velocity in part 1 with your new values.

From Fangmeier et al.:

Also, for a parabolic channel, d and t must retain their proportion to one another, for the same channel. That relationship is: ( ) where k is a constant.

Example (from USDA channel design handbook, 1954, using numerical solution) Design a parabolic channel that can accommodate a peak flow rate of 2.832 m3/s, if the channel slope is 3% and the vegetation is weeping lovegrass. Assume erosion-resistant soil. A copy of my spreadsheet-based solution is below:
Problem Parameters qp s soil Cover For weeping lovegrass cover vpermiss Ret. Class (mowed) CT (mowed) Ret. Class (unmowed) CT (unmowed) 1.1 m/s B 7.64 A 10 Source ASABE Standard EP464 Table 2 ASABE Standard EP464 Table 1 ASABE Standard EP464 Table 1 ASABE Standard EP464 Table 1 ASABE Standard EP464 Table 1
3 2.832 m /s 0.03 m/m erosion resistant (K< 0.37) weeping lovegrass

Part I. Channel is stable when grass is mowed R Manning's n v error d t k 0.299124 m 0.070426 1.100001 m/s 5.16E-07 0.448687 m 8.606937 m 0.024227 Guess a value of R Determined from relationship in Fig 1 ASABE EP464 for v=v permiss Determined from Manning's using above R and n vmanning - vpermiss = 0, by changing values of R From channel geometry for parabolic shape From continuity equation From d=k(t/2)^2

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Part II. Channel has enough capacity when grass is unmowed *** *** t d A R vcontinuity Manning's n vmannings error Part III. Final Design d t Approx. sideslope 0.7 m 11.0 m 3.8 :1 d from Part II with 0.15 m freeboard From d=k(t/2)^2 (0.25t)/d 9.760936 m 0.57707 m 3.755164 m2 0.384714 m 0.754161 m/s 0.121492 0.754118 4.37E-05 Guess wider channel From d=k(t/2)^2 From channel geometry for parabolic shape From channel geometry for parabolic shape From q=vA Determined from relationship in Fig 1 ASABE EP464 for v=v continutiy Determined from Manning's using above R and n vmanning - vcontinuity = 0, by changing values of t