Gradually Varied Flow
• The Gradually Varied Flow is defined as Steady, Non-uniform
flow in which depth of flow varies Gradually along the
Length of Prismatic Channel.
• For example: Flow upstream of a weir or dam, Flow
downstream of a sluice gate etc
The differential equation of Gradually varied flow can be
obtained from the basic equation on the basis of following
assumptions
• Bottom Slope of channel is very small
• The channel is prismatic
• Pressure distribution along any vertical section is hydrostatic.
• Energy correction factor a is unity
• The roughness coefficient is independent of depth of flow & it is
constant through out the channel reach section considered.
• The uniform flow formulae (such a Manning’s or Chezy’s) may be used
to evaluate the slope of a Gradually Varied Flow. The slope term to be
used in the equation is the energy slope and not bed slope. Thus if in
GVF, the depth of flow at any section is y, the energy slope, Sf
•
Sf = n2v2/R4/3 (Manning’s Formula)
Sf = v2/C2R (Chezy’s Formula)
where R is hydraulic radius of the section at depth y
Differential Equation of GVF
------4.1
• If dy/dx = 0 then So = Sf and the water surface is parallel to
the channel bottom representing uniform flow.
• dy/dx = +ve, the depth of flow increases gradually along the
direction of flow
Thus the water surface is no longer parallel to the bed but
forms a curved surface. This channel surface is know as Back
water curve.
• Back Water Curve
If dy/dx = -ve, if the depth of flow decreases along the
direction of flow, Drawdown curve.
Other forms of differential equation of GVF
• Q = AV = CA(RS)1/2 = KS1/2 (By using Chezy’s equation)
• K = CAR1/2
• K is known as Conveyance and AR1/2 is called Section
Factor (where C is Chezy’s Coefficient)
• Q = KSf1/2 for Gradually Varied Flow
• Q = KoSo1/2 for Uniform flow
K = Conveyance at any depth y &
Ko = Conveyance corresponding to normal depth yo
(For a given values of n, Q and So, there is only one
depth possible at which uniform flow occurs. It is
known Normal Depth).
Dynamic Equation for GVF in Wide Rectangular Channel
• In a wide rectangular channel section of width B, the hydraulic
radius can be replaced by the depth of flow y since
• Further according to Manning’s equation
Q = 1/n(By) y2/3 Sf1/2
= 1/n(Byn) yo2/3 S01/2
It may be noted that hydraulic radius has been replaced
by depth of flow and n is assumed to be same for
uniform and non –uniform flows. Therefore
Q = C(By) y1/2 Sf1/2 By Chezy’s Equation
= C(Byn) yo1/2 S01/2
Therefore
By using Manning’s Equation
By using Chezy’s Equation
Classification of Channel bed slopes
• Critical Slope Sc : For a given discharge and channel slope, critical
depth yc of flow exists. Corresponding slope may be computed for
critical depth yc and this computed slope is called Critical Slope Sc
Normal depth yo = yc i.e NDL and CDL coincide and slope is So = Sc
• Mild Slope: When the bottom slope So is less than the critical
slope i.e. So < Sc , Slope is called Mild Slope. In this case yo > yc
• Steep Slope: So>Sc and yo< yc
• Horizontal Slope : When the channel bottom slope is zero,
i.e., So = 0, yo = ∞
• Adverse Slope: When slope channel rises in flow direction, it is
called adverse slope. Hence So < 0 i.e. negative. In Negative bed,
yo is imaginary
Classifications of Channels
Classification of Flow Profiles
Gradually Varied Flow Profiles
Various GVF Profiles
All curves in region 1 have positive slopes – Back water Curves
All curves in region 2 have negative slopes – Drawdown curves
Mild Slope
M1 Profile
• --------(1)
• M1 Curve in which y>yo>yc
• Depth of flow(y) lies above the NDL &CDL
• Put the value in equation(1), y will be greater than yo & yc
• It indicates depth of flow will increase on d/s side.
• But on the upstream side depth of flow will meet somewhere at NDL
• In that case y will be approximately equal to yo , put the value of y = yo in
equation(1).,
• M1 profile will be asymptotic to NDL
Mild Slope
M1 Profile Curve
Mild Slope
M2 Curve
Mild Slope
M3 Curve
Steep Slope
S1 Curve
Steep Slope
S2 Curve
Steep Slope
S3 Curve
;.
Critical Slope
C1 Curve
Critical Slope
C3 Curve
Horizontal Slope
H2 & H3 Curve
Horizontal Slope
H2 Curve
Horizontal Slope
H3 Curve
Horizontal Slope
H2 & H3 Curve
Adverse Slope
A2 & A3 Curve
Graphical Integration Method
• The basic differential equation of GVF can be written by
inverting it as for a constant Q, So, n and channel geometry
R.H.S. is a function of y only and as such
If a curve is plotted between f(y) & y, the area under the curve
between y1 & y2 is the value of are calculated.
• A curve of y v/s f(y) is then plotted. To find the distance between the two
sections with depth y1 & y2, the area under the curve between ordinates
y1 & y2 is determined by plannimeter or Simpson’s rule and hence profile
is determined. This method is laborious is sufficient accuracy is desired.
This method is applied to prismatic channel and non – prismatic channel.
Direct Step Method
Direct Step Method
Sfa =
