Open Channel Hydraulics GVF

CHAPTER FOUR
4. GRADUALLY VARIED FLOW (GVF)
In uniform flows the cross section through which water flow remains constant. Also the
velocity remains the same, in magnitude and direction. In varied flow the cross section
changes in the flow direction, the water depth changes along the length of the channel.
Varied flow may be either steady or unsteady. Since unsteady uniform flow is rare, the term
"unsteady flow” is used for unsteady varied flow exclusively. Varied flow may be further
classified as either rapidly or gradually varied.

The flow is rapidly varied if the depth changes abruptly over a comparatively short distance;
otherwise, it is gradually varied. A rapidly varied flow is also known as local phenomenon
examples are the hydraulic jump and the hydraulic drop.

Gradually varied flow is a steady flow, whose depth varies gradually along the channel. This
means that 3 conditions are met.

 The hydraulic flow characteristics remain constant in time;

 The streamlines are practically parallel meaning the hydrostatic pressure prevails,
 Bed friction is assumed to be equal to the friction in uniform flow (Manning, chezy).
Also, the uniform- flow formula may be used to evaluate the energy slope of GVF at a
given channel section.

Therefore, when the depth of flow in an open channel flow varies with longitudinal distance,
the flow is termed as gradually varied. Such situations are found both upstream and
downstream of control sections. In this chapter the theory and analysis of gradually varied
flow are considered.

4.1. General Equation for Gradually varied flow

The main forces involved in open channel flow are inertia, gravity, hydrostatic force due to
change in depth and friction. The first three forces represent the kinetic and potential energy,
while the forth dissipates useful energy into the useless kinetic energy of turbulence and
eventually into heat due to action of viscosity. The total energy of an elementary volume of
water is given as:

V2
E = Z + Y + 
2g
Where:

Z + Y is the potential energy head above a datum

V2
 is the kinetic energy head (v = mean velocity in the section).
2g

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Each term of the equation represents energy. The gradually varied flow equation is derived
by assuming that for gradually varied flow the change in energy with distance is equal to the
friction loss. For the general equation other losses than friction, like eddy, bend and/or bridge
losses are not included.

Therefore, at any section, the total energy is

V2
E =Z+Y+
2g

Where y = dept of flow, Z = elevation of the channel bottom above a datum and assuming 
= 1 and cos = 1 (slope channel is small sin So). Differentiating this equation with
respect to the longitudinal distance x yields:

 V2   v2 

d Z  Y  
 d  
dE 2 g    2 g   dy  dz
 
dx dx dx dx dx

dE
The term is the change of energy with longitudinal distance or the friction slope.
dx

Define,
dE
  Sf
dx
It should be noted that the friction loss dE is always a negative quantity in the direction of
flow (unless outside energy is added)

dZ
The term is the change of elevation of the bottom of the channel with respect to distance
dx
or the bottom slope.

Define,
dZ
  So
dX

It should be noted that the slope is defined as the sine of the slope angle and that it is
assumed positive if it descends in the direction of flow and negative if it ascends. But the
change in the bottom elevation dZ is a negative quantity where the slope descends. Thus, the
dZ
slope of the channel bottom So = sin  = -
dx
v 2
d  
For a given flow rate Q, the term  2 g  becomes
dx

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 v2 
d  
 2 g    Q 2 dA dy   Q T dy
2

dx qA3 dy dx qA3 dx
dy
= Fr 2
dx
 v2 
d  
dE 2g dy dz
Substituting, in      yields
dx dx dx dx

2dy dy
 S f   Fr   So
dx dx
 So  Sf 
dy
dx

1  Fr
2

dy So  Sf
  2
dx 1  Fr
This equation is called the general equation of gradually varied flow (also known as dynamic
equation of GVF). It describes the variation of the depth of flow in a channel of arbitrary
 dE 
shape as a function of So, Sf and Fr2. Sf represents the slope of the energy line   . For
 dx 
uniform flow the bed slope (So) and the friction slope (Sf) are parallel. The friction slope (Sf)
for non-uniform, gradually varied flow is not parallel to the bottom slope, but is evaluated
using Manning’s the Chezy’s (Colebrook–white) equation. There is no general explicit
solution (although particular solutions are available for prismatic channels). Numerical
methods are normally used.
Note that

dE
  Sf
dx
dZ
  So
dx
dEs
 So  Sf
dx
The later is derived as:
v2
E = Z+Y+
2g
 v 2 
d  Z  Y  
dE  2g   S
 f
dx dx

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 v 2 
d  Y  
dEs 2 g    dZ  S
But   f
dx dx dx

dEs  dZ 
  So  Sf    So 
dx  dx 

dy dy
The slope of the water surface is equal to the bottom slope So of  o , Sw < So if is
dx dx
dy
positive, and greater than So ifis negative. In other words, the water surface is parallel to
dx
dy dy dy
the channel bottom when  o , rising when is positive, and lowering when is
dx dx dx
negative.

The term, Sf in the general GVF equation represents the energy slope. According to our
initial assumption, this slope at a channel section of GVF is equal to the energy slope of the
uniform flow that has the velocity and hydraulic radius of the section. When Manning’s
 1 
formula is used V  R 2 / 3 S 1 / 2  .
 n 

n 2v 2 q 2n2
Sf = 
R4 / 3 y10 / 3

When the Chezy formula is used V  C RS 

V2
Sf = 2
C R

For uniform flow (So = Sf)

V 2n2 q 2n2
So   10 / 3
R4 / 3 yn

10 / 3
Sf  yn 
Yn – normal or equilibrium depth   
So  y 

This general equation for GVF can also be driven as:

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 v2   Q2   Q2   Q2 
d   d  2
 d  2
 d  2 
 2 g    2 gA    2 gA   A 
dx dx dx dx 2 g

1 1
 2
dQ 2  Q 2 d 2
A A

1 2
 2
2Q dQ  Q 2 3 dA
A A
2
2Q Q
 2 dQ  2 3 dA
A A

 Q2 
d  2 
A  2Q dQ Q 2 dA
   2 2 3
dx A dx A dx

dA dA dy dy
but   Bs
dx dy dx dx

Substituting,

 Q2 
d   2
 A   2Q dQ  2Q Bs dy
dx A2 dx A3 dx

dQ
But  0 Assuming there is no inflow and outflow across the reach ,
dx
 Q2 
d  2  2
  A   2Q Bs dy
dx A3 dx

Putting back 2g (i. e dividing by 2g)

 Q2 
d  2 
 A    2Q Bs dy   Fr 2 dy
2

2 g dx 2 g A3 dx dx

  S f   Fr
2dy
dx
 So 
dy
dx
 So  S f  1  Fr 2
dy
dx
 

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4.2. Classification of Flow Profiles

Surface profiles for gradually varied flow conditions in wide rectangular channels are
dy So  Sr
analyzed by using the expression: 
dx 1  Fr 2

The term dy/dx represents the slope of the water surface relative to the channel bottom. If
dy/dx is positive, the depth is increasing in downstream direction (x). When the channel
bottom is going down in the direction of flow, So is positive. Similarly Sf in downstream
direction is always positive; the energy is decreasing in downstream direction. For uniform
flow Sf = So, which means dy/dx is zero and the water surface parallel to the bottom.

For a given discharge Q, Sf and Fr2 are functions of depth (y) only, e.g.

n 2Q 2 P 4 / 3
Sr 
A10 / 3

Q 2 Bs
Fr 2 
gA3

Both parameters decrease with increasing A and hence increasing y; Sf = So when y = yo

(uniform flow).
Hence:
Sf > So When y < yo Fr2 > 1 when y < yc
Sr < So when y > yo Fr2 < 1 when y > yc

These inequalities are used to find the sign of dy/dx for any condition. For gradually varied
flow the surface profile may occupy 3 regions and the sign of dy/dx is found for each region.
The profiles of the water surface depend on:

a. Bed slope
Horizontal slope So = 0 Type H
Mild slope 0 < So < Sc Type M
Critical slope So = Sc Type C
Steep slope So > Sc Type S
Adverse slope (negative) So < 0 Type A or N
b. Depth range
Region 1 y > yn and y > yc
Region 2 yn < y < yc
Region3 y < yn and y < yc

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Letter Type of bottom Characteristics

slope
S Steep So > Sc
C Critical So = Sc
M Mild 0 < So <Sc
H Horizontal So = 0
A Adverse So < 0

The common classification of varied flow consists of 12 classes.

Classification of varied flow profiles

S1 C1 M1 - -
S2 - M2 H2 A2
S3 C3 M3 H3 A3

The classification is based on the relationship between the actual water depth and the normal
water depth (if existing) and the critical water depth.

Some frequent encountered curves are:

M1: The back water curve upstream of a dam or a gate. At the dam the water depth is given
and y > yn and y > yc. Also is given a mild slope (M), which means yn > yc. The flow is
sub–critical and dy/dx is positive, the water depth y increases in the downstream
direction; or the water depth decreases in an upstream direction.

M2: The draw–down curve, for example above a transition from a mild slope to a less
mild.

M3: Supercritical flow downstream of a gate of weir. The transition of M3 to M2 or to M1

gives a hydraulic jump (from super to sub critical flow). The slope is mild (yn > yc) and
yn > yc > y. The flow is super–critical and dy/dx is positive, the water depth y increases
in the downstream direction; or the water depth decreases in an upstream direction.
C3 : If a channel has a critical slope, then the flow is initially critical and remains critical
throughout the channel. In the proximity of a dam or a gate, however, the flow in
upstream of the dam or gate is sub–critical and the water surface will approach the
horizontal.

Another example of a flow profile is that of a free outfall, where critical depth occurs and
with sub–critical flow upstream of the outfall. Since friction produces a constant decrease in
energy in the direction of flow, it is clear that at the outfall the total energy is less than at any
point upstream. As critical depth is the value for which the specific energy is a minimum, one
would expect critical depth to occur at the outfall. However, the value for the critical depth is
derived on the assumption that the water is flowing in straight and parallel flow lines.
However, at the free outfall gravity forces create curved streamlines, so that the depth at the
brink (outfall) yb is 0.72* yc. Critical depth occurs somewhere upstream of the brink
(between 3yc and 10yc).

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For super–critical flow conditions, upstream of the outfall, no drop–down curve develops.

A similar situation occurs when water from a reservoir enters a canal in which the uniform
depth is smaller than the critical depth (yn < yc). In this case the depth passes through critical
depth in the vicinity of the entrance. Once again, this section is the control section.

There are limiting conditions to surface profiles. For example, as y approaches yc, the
denominator approaches zero. Thus dy/dx becomes infinite and the curves will cross the
critical depth line perpendicular to it. Hence, surface profiles in the vicinity of y = yc are only
approximate. Similarly, when y approaches to yn, the numerator approaches to zero. Thus the
curves approach the normal depth, yn asymptotically.

Finally, as y approaches to zero, the surface profile approaches the channel bed
perpendicularly, which is impossible under the assumptions for gradually varied flow.

Summary of Flow Profiles

dy dy dy
0 0 0
dx dx dx
Backwater curve Uniform flow curve Draw–down curve

y > yn Sf < So So – Sf > 0 Gradually varied

y = yn Sf = So So – Sf = 0 Uniform flow
y < yn Sf > So So – Sf < 0 Gradually varied
y > yc Fr < 1 1 – Fr2 > 0 Sub –critical
y = yc Fr = 1 1 – Fr2 = 0 Critical
y < yc Fr > 1 1 – Fr2 < 0 Supercritical

y > yn y < yn
Water surface profiles y > yc y < yc y > yc y < yc
So – Sf + n.a. + -
2
1 – Fr + n.a. - -
yn > yc dy/dx + n.a. - +
type M1 n.a. M2 M3
So – Sf + n.a. n.a. -
yn = yc 1- Fr2 + n.a. n.a. -
dy/dx + n.a. n.a. +
type C1 n.a. n.a. C3
So – Sf + + n.a. -
2
yn < yc 1 – Fr + - n.a. -
dy/dx + - n.a. +
type S1 S2 n.a. S3
Remarks: + positive value; - negative; n.a. Doesn’t exist

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Bottom Flow type Depth range of y,yc and yn Type of Flow type
slope 1 2 3 Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 curve
Steep S S1 y>yc>yn Backwater Sub-critical
So >Sc S2 Yc>y>yn Draw down Supercritical
Yn<yc S3 Yc >yn > y Backwater Supercritical
Critical C C1 Y > yc = yn Backwater Sub- critical
So = Sc C2 Yc =yn= yc Uniform Critical
yn = yc C3 Y < yc = yn Backwater Supercritical
Mild M M1 Y > yn > yc Backwater Sub- critical
0 < S o < Sc M Yn >y >yc Draw down Sub-critical
yn > yc 2
M Yn > yc >y Backwater Supercritical
3
Horizontal n.a.
H H2 y> yc Draw down Sub-critical
So = 0 H3 Yc > y Backwater Supercritical
Yn = 
Adverse A n.a.
So < 0 A2 Y >yc Draw down Sub-critical
Yn = none A3 Yc > y Backwater Supercritical

Depth range
Region 1 Y > yn and y > yc
Region 2 Yn < y < yc
Region 3 Y < yn and y < yc

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Figure Examples of Flow Profiles

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Figure Flow Profiles in a closed conduit

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4.3. GVF Computations

4.3.1. The direct step method (distance from depth)

The direct step method is a simple method applicable to prismatic channels. Depths of
flow are specified and the distances between successive depths are calculated. The
equation may be used to determine directly (with means explicit) the distance between
given differences of depth y  . The equation may be rewritten in finite difference form
as:
1 Fr 2
Δx  * Δy
So  Sr
The equation can also be written as:
E s 2  E s1
Δx 
So  Sr
Es is the specific energy. In the computation Sf is calculated for the depths y1 and y2 and
the average is taken, which is denoted by Sfm.

Figure

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The hydraulic elements are independent of the distance along the (prismatic) channel. An
approximate analysis can be achieved by dividing the channel in a number of successive,
short reaches. For each of the reaches the water depth at the beginning can be estimated.
Next the length of reaches can be calculated (step by step) from one end of the reach to
the other end. The Chezy or Manning formula is applied to average conditions in each
reach to provide an estimate of Sfm and So, with the depth and velocity at one end of the
reach given, the length can be computed.
Depths of flow are specified and the distances between successive depths are calculated.
For the computations are needed:
 Discharge Q
 Depth of flow y
 Area A
 Hydraulic radius R
 Roughness coefficient n or C
 Coefficient of Coriolis
For the given data, the computations are carried out in tables.
4.3.2. Standard step method
The standard step method is carried out step by step from station to station. The distance
between the stations is given, and the procedure is to determine the depth of flow at he
stations. As mentioned the computation procedure is usually carried out by trial and error.
For the computation are needed:
1. Discharge Q
2. Length of the reach  ?
3. Area A as function of y
4. Hydraulic radius R as function of y
5. Roughness coefficient ( n or C)
6. Corilois coefficient 
The total heads at the two end sections are:
1. Prismatic Cannels

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α v12 α v 22
E1  Z1  E 2 1  Z2  E 2  2  E1  Sf * Δx
2g 2g
ΔEs  So  Sf  * Δx
2. Natural Channels
α v12 α v 22
E1  Z1  E 2 1  Z2  E 2  2  E1  Δx
2g 2g
v2
ΔEs  h f  hc   S f * x  
2g
Z = stage, level of water surface above datum in m
Compare E2-2 and E2-1; if the difference is not within prescribed limits (e.g. 0.01m),
Re-estimate Z2 and repeat until agreement is reached.
The computation of the flow profile by the standard step method is arranged in
tabular form .
Each column of the table is explained as follows:
1. The location of the stations is fixed.
2. Water-surface elevation Z at the station. A trial value is first entered in this
column; this will be verified or rejected on the basis of ht computations made in
the remaining columns of the table.
For the first step, this elevations must be given or assumed. In most cases the first
entry is known. After this value in the second step has been verified, it becomes
the basis for the verification the trial value in the next step, and so on
3. Depth of flow y corresponding to the water-surface elevation in col. 2. For
instance, the depth of flow y at the second station is equal to water-surface
elevation minus bottom elevation (distance form the first site times bed slope)
4. Water area A corresponding to y in col.3
5. Mean velocity v equal to the given discharge divided by the water area in col. 4
6. Velocity head in m, corresponding to the velocity col. 5
7. Total head E computed, equal to the sum of Z in col. 2 and the velocity head in
col. 6
8. Hydraulic radius R corresponding to y in col. 3
9. Friction slope Sf with n or C, V from col. 5 and R from col. 8

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10. Average friction Sfm slope through the reach between the sections in each step,
approximately equal to the arithmetic mean of the friction slope just computed in
col. 9 and that of the previous step.
11. Length of the reach x between the sections.
12. Friction loss in the reach, equal to the product of the values in cols. 10 and11.
13. Elevation of the total head E. this is computed by adding the values of hf (and hc if
calculated in a previous column) in col. 12 to the elevation at the lower end of the
reach, which is found in col. 13 of the previous reach.

If the value so obtained does not agree closely with that entered in col. 7, a new
trial value of the water-surface elevation is assumed, and so on, until agreement is
obtained. The value that leads to agreement is the correct water-surface elevation.
The computation may then proceed to the next step.

In the next examples the eddy losses in the reaches are equal to zero and
neglected in the calculations. If the eddy losses are not neglected an extra column
should be inserted between column 12 and 13

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