Uniform Flow in Open Channels

OBJECTIVE

To establish uniform flow and determine the Manning roughness coefficientn for a rectangular open channel with glass walls.

INTRODUCTION

In open channels, uniform flow occurs when all the forces exerted on the water are in balance and there is no flow acceleration except the gravity.

APPARATUS Figure (4.13) shows the general layout for the flume. The flume is a long glass rectangular channel of constant cross section with a varying bed slope (tilting flume). A centrifugal pump draws water from the water storage tank and delivers it to the flume through the supply pipe. The rate of flow can be controlled by a gate valve. The depth of water in the flume can be measured with a point gauge.