DYMAMICS OF FLUID FLOW  

UNIFORM DEPTH OPEN CHANNEL FLOW

In an open channel, if the depth of flow is constant , then it is treated as "uniform depth". In some cases, the uniform depth flow can be accomplished by adjusting the bottom slope so that it precisely equals to the slope of the energy line. Physically, the loss of potential energy of the fluid as it flows downhill is exactly balanced by the dissipation of energy through viscous effects.

Consider the flow in an open channel as shown in Fig. 1. The cross-sectional area is constant in shape and size. If the cross-sectional area is and the "wetted perimeter" (i.e. length of perimeter of the cross section in contact with fluid) is , then a new parameter may be defined as "hydraulic radius" i.e.
                                                                              (1)

 
 

Fig. 1: Concept of hydraulic radius.

     
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