Tutorial Problems

1. A wide-open channel with a plane sloping bed has a bed surface slope I = 10 -4. The bed
material characteristics are d50 = 0.003m & d90 = 0.006m. Other data are : ρ = 100kg/m3, ρ s =
2650kg/m3, ν = 1*10-6m2/s. What is the maximum discharge (per unit width) without
movement of bed material?
Given: Bed surface slope, I = 10-4
d50 = 0.003m, d90 = 0.006m
ρ = 100kg/m3, ρs = 2650kg/m3
ν = 1*10-6m2/s
Required: Maximum discharge, qmax per unit width without movement of bed material?
Solution:
The critical bed shear stress for d50 = 0.003m = 3*103μm is τb,cr = 2.2N/m2(from shields curve),
but τb,cr = ρghI from which
h = τb,cr / (ρgI)= 2.2/(1000*9.81*10-4)
⇒ h = 2.2426m

The discharge per unit width, q is given by;

q = u*h = C √ h∗I ∗h
As C depends on the flow regime, the effective bed roughness of a plane, Ks is
Ks = αd90
Taking α =3 for d50 < 0.1m (sand and gravel)
Ks = 3*0.006m = 0.018
Bed shear velocity (critical), U*,cr is given by

( )
0. 5
N
2.2
m2
Kg m
1000 3
τ
U*,cr = ( b ,cr / ρ )0.5 = m = 0.047 s
U ¿∗K S 0. 047∗0 . 018
−6
Then, Reynolds number (Re) = ν = 10 = 846>70
This implies the flow is hydraulic rough flow conditions

C=
18 log
( )
12∗h
Ks
=18 log (
12∗2 .2426
0 . 018
=57 .144 )
1
Thus the maximum discharge per unit width, qmax
2
m
qmax = C √ h∗I∗h = 57.144*(2.2426)1.5*(10-4)0.5 = 1.919 ¿ 1.92 s

⇒ Ks = αd 90 = 1*0.006 =0.006

Then, U*,cr = (
τ b ,cr / ρ )0.5= (2.2/1000)0.5=0.047m/s
U ¿∗K S 0. 047∗0 . 006
−6
(Re) = ν = 10 =282 > 70
Therefore, the flow is rough flow conditions.

C=
18 log
( )
12∗h
Ks
=18 log (
12∗2 .2426
0 . 006
=65 .73 )
Thus, maximum discharge per unit width, qmax
2 2
m m
≈¿ ¿
qmax = C √ h∗I∗h = 65.73*(2.2426)1.5*(10-4)0.5 = 2.207 s 2.2 s
Therefore, for safety of channel bed and side from erosion and deposition, the minimum value of
maximum discharge is taken i.e. qmax = 1.92m/s…… (Answer)

2. A trapezoidal channel has water depth (in middle) of h = 2m, bottom width b = 15m and side
slope 1 to 2 ( γ = 27° ). The bottom is covered with rounded stones d50 = 0.05m, Ks = 0.05m.
What are the maximum bottom slope and the maximum discharge to obtain stable bed (use
shields)?

Given:
Water depth (in middle), h=2m
Bottom width, b=15m
1
Side slope = 1:2 h =2m
γ =27o 2

Rounded stones d50 = 0.05m

Ks = 0.05m
B=15m

Required:

2
(i) Maximum bottom slope, &
(ii) Maximum discharge to obtain stable bed=?
Solution:

The critical bed shear stress for d50 = 0.05m=5*104μm from shields curve,
τ b ,cr =45N/m2

Maximum bed-shear stress in middle part of the channel,

τ b ,middle
kg m N
τ b , middle =ρ ghI =1000 m3 *9.81 s 2 *2m*I=45 m2

Maximum bed-shear stress in side part of the channel,

τ b ,side

τ b ,side =k γ * τ b ,middle

( )
0 .5
tan2 Γ
cos Γ 1−
kΓ = tan2 Φ
= 0.656

Then,
τ b ,side = kΓ * τ b ,middle
N N
2 2
=0.656*45 m =29.52 m
For side slope 1 to 2
N
τ b ,side =0.75ghI = 29.52 m2
⇒ I = 2*10-3 ⇒ (Answer)

For safety of the channel take the minimum value;

Therefore, I = 2810-3
Then, the maximum discharge will be
Qmax = A*C*(R*I) 0.5
Area = by+my2 =15*2+2*22 = 38m2

Perimeter = b+2*2 √ 5 = 15+4 √ 5 = 23.93m

2
A 38 m
= =1. 588 m
R= P 23. 93 m
Therefore the maximum discharge of the trapezoidal channel will be
Qmax = A*C*(R*I) 0.5

3
 = A*
log
( )
R∗12
KS
*(R*I) 0.5 , C=
log
( )
R∗12
KS
=46.6
= 38m2*46.6*(1.588*2*10-3)0.5
3
m
= 100 s ……… (Answer)
3. A sediment transporting river with an approximately rectangular cross section has a mean
flow of 125 m3/s. The average width and depth of the river is 20 m and 5 m, respectively.
Bed material median grain size is 2 mm, d90 = 8 mm, and slope I = 0.1m/km. The water
temperature is 20oC. Other data are: ρs = 2650 kg/m3, ρ = 103 kg/m3, ν = 10-6 m2/s.

Calculate the bed load sediment transport along the bottom using the Meyer-Peter and
Mueller formula and the Van Rijn formula.
By using Meyer Peter and Mueller formula
The given river has a rectangular cross section
A = h*w = 5*20 = 100m2
Q = Aū , ū = Q/A where ū= depth average flow velocity
Ū = 125/(5*20) = 1.25m/s.
C=ū/(RI)0.5 = 1.25/(3.33*10-4 ) 0.5=68.46m1/2/s
C’ = 18log (12R/d90) = 18log(12*3.33/(8*10-3 )) = 66.57m1/2/s
μ =(C/C’)1.5 = (68.46/66.57)1.5 =1.04
Ө = (τb,c)/(ρs-ρ)gdm = (hI)/(s-1)d50 = (5*10-4 )/(1.65*2*10-3 ) = 0.151515
μӨ = 0.151515*1.04 = 0.1576
φb = 8(μӨ – 0.047)1.5 = 0.294
qb,c = φb *(s-1)0.5g0.5dm0.5 = 0.294*1.650.5 *9.810.5*2*10-3 = 1.057*10-4m2/s.
By using Van Rijn formula
C’ = 18 log (12R/3d90) = 18*log (12*3.33/(3*8*10-3)) = 58 m1/2/s
τ'b = ρg(ū/C’) 2 = 1000*9.81*(1.25/58)2 = 4.56N/m2
τb,cr = 1.35 N/m2
T = ( τ'b - τb,cr )/ τb,cr = (4.56-1.35)/1.35 = 2.377

4
 ( ) ( )
1/ 3 1/3
( s−1 ) g −3 ( 2.65−1 ) 9.81
D ¿ =d 50 2 =2∗10 ¿ −12 = 50.59
v 10

Since the value of T is less than 3

0.5 0.5 1.5 −0.3 2.1
q b ,c =0.053(s−1) g d 50 D ¿ T = 3.621*10-5 m2/s.

4. The following data were measured from a river station: discharge Q = 198 m3/s, mean depth h = 3
m, width w = 60 m, channel slope I = 0.00044, d50 = 0.26 mm, d90 = 0.52 mm, T = 20oC. Other data
are: ρs = 2650 kg/m3, ρ = 103 kg/m3, ν = 10-6 m2/s. The bed material size distribution is given in the
following table. The Chézy-coefficient is C = 50 m1/2/s.

Size fraction (mm) Geometric mean, di Percentage available, pi (%)

(mm)
0.002 – 0.0625 0.011 0.9
0.0625 – 0.125 0.0884 4.4
0.125 – 0.25 0.177 14.2
0.25 – 0.5 0.354 74.9
0.5 – 1.0 0.707 5.0
1.0 – 2.0 1.41 0.5
2.0 – 4.0 2.83 0.1

Compute the bed-load transport using the mean particle size and size fraction method (Meyer-Peter-
Mueller formula).

 Mean particle size method

R= A/P = 60*3/(3*2+60) = 2.727 dm =Σpidi = 0.0003395m
C’ = 18 log (12R/d90) = 18*log (12*3/(0.52*10-3) =87.13m1/2/s
τb = ρghI = 2650*9.81*3*0.00044 = 12.95N/m2
Ө = τb/((ρs-ρ)gdm) = 12.95/(1650*9.81*0.0003395) = 2.356
φb = 8(μӨ-0.047)1.5 = 8*(1.025-0.047)1.5 = 7.74
qb = φb*(s-1)0.5*g0.5dm1.5 =1.94*10-4m2/s
 Size fraction method
D* = dm ((s-1)g/v2)1/3 = 8.5879 Өcr = τb,cr/(( ρs-ρ)gdm) = 0.0327

Size
class(mm) di(mm) pi dipi ξi μӨi A qb
0.002-0.0625 0.011 0.009 1.415709
0.000000099 6.0693 29.12 2 1.66238E-06
0.0625-0.125 0.0884 0.044 3.8896E-06 1.84161 3.62352 0.302736 8.0986E-06

5
 9 6
0.125-0.25 0.177 0.142 1.28403 1.80971 0.344499
0.000025134 3 7 6 2.61105E-05
0.25-0.5 0.354 0.749 0.98599 0.90485 0.641244
0.000265146 4 9 4 0.000137466
0.5-1.0 0.707 0.05 0.80055 0.45306
0.00003535 5 9 0.015116 9.146E-06
1.0-2.0 1.41 0.005 0.67404 0.22717 0.000533
0.00000705 5 7 5 9.09181E-07
2.0-4.0 2.83 0.001 0.58133 0.11318 3.712E-
0.00000283 1 7 05 1.79883E-07
0.00018357
Total 2
Thus the rate of bed load transport is 1.836*10-4m2/s

5. The bottom of a wide open channel is protected with uniform round stones (diameter
d).The stones have a mass of 30 kg and a sediment density of ρs = 2800 kg/m3. The water
depth is h = 4 m. Other data are: ρ = 1000 kg/m3, v = 1*10-6m2/s.What is the critical depth-
averaged velocity using Өcr = 0.03?
 solution
Given:

Bed surface slope, I=10-4

d50 = 0.003m, d90 = 0.006m

kg
ρ = 1000 m3

kg
ρ s = 2650 m3

2
m
ν =1*10-6 s

Required:

1. Maximum discharge per unit width with out movement of bed material =?
N
The critical bed shear stress for d50 = 0.003m=3*103 μm from shields curve,
τ b ,cr =2.2 m2 .

Therefore, water depth (h) will be

kg m
τ b ,cr = ρ *g*h*I = 1000 m3 2
*9.81 s *h*10-4

6
⇒ h = 2.2426m

The discharge per unit width is given by;

q = u*h = C √ h∗I∗h
But, C is depend on the flow regime then the effective bed roughness of a plane is

⇒ Ks = αd 90

Take α =3 – for d50 < 0.1m (sand and gravel)

Ks = 3*0.006m = 0.018

Bed shear velocity (U*) is

( )
0. 5
N
2.2
m2
Kg m
1000 3
U*,cr
τ
= ( b ,cr / ρ )0.5 =
m
= 0.047 s

U ¿∗K S 0. 047∗0 . 018

−6
Then, Reynolds number (Re) = ν = 10 = 846>70

Therefore, the flow is hydraulic rough flow conditions.

C=
18 log
( )12∗h
Ks
=18 log (
12∗2 .2426
0 . 018
=57 .144 )
The, maximum discharge per unit width

2
m
q = C √ h∗I∗h = 57.144*(2.2426)1.5*(10-4)0.5 = 1.919 ¿ 1.92 s

⇒ Ks = αd 90 = 1*0.006 =0.006

( )
0. 5
N
2.2
m2
Kg m
1000 3
Then, U*,cr
τ
= ( b ,cr / ρ )0.5=
m
=0.047 s

U ¿∗K S 0. 047∗0 . 006

−6
(Re) = ν = 10 =282 > 70

7
Therefore, the flow is rough flow conditions.

C=
18 log
( )
12∗h
Ks
=18 log (
12∗2 .2426
0 . 006 )
=65 .73

Then, maximum discharge per unit width, q

2 2
m m
≈¿ ¿
q = C √ h∗I∗h = 65.73*(2.2426)1.5*(10-4)0.5 = 2.207 s 2.2 s

Therefore, for safety of channel bed and side from erosion and deposition; take the minimum value of
2
m
maximum discharge (q) = 1.92 s

6. Design a guide bank required for a bridge on a river having the following particulars:

Design flood discharge = 50000 cumecs Silt factor = 1.10

Bed level of river= 130.00m High flood level = 140.00m

Solution:
Q = 50000 cumecs; f = 1.10
Lacey’s water way = 4.75 √ 50000 = 1062 m.
Provide 20% more length to account for thickness of piers and end contractions due to piers and
abutments, = 212 m
Cross length between banks = L = 1274 m.
5
L=1592 m.
Upstream length of guide bank = 4
L
=318 m .
Downstream length of the guide bank = 4
Radius of the u/s curved head = 0.45 L = 573 m.
The u/s end of the guide bank may, therefore, be curved at 1400 with the radius of 573m.
Radius of the d/s curved head may be kept as 287m with an angle of 600 at the center.
Cross-section of the guide bank
The given HFL at the bridge site = 140.00m
Assuming free board = 1.5 m,
Level of top of guide bank equals 141.5 m. To be more safe and making an allowance for future
settlement etc., the final level of top of guide bank is taken as 142.00 m.

Height of river bank above river bed = 142.0 – 130.0 = 12.00m

8
 Keep the top width of the bank as 4.0 m and side slope as 2.1 (as per requirement and site
condition).
The stone pitching and the launching apron must be provided on the slope of the waterside
through the bank length. The rear side of the bank must also be pitched on the curve portion of
the band.
Design of stone pitching and apron
The thickness of stone pitching is given by
1
T =0 . 06 (Q ) 3 =2. 21 m.
This can be kept 1.0 m above HFL, i.e., up to level 141.00 m
1

Depth of scour, R =
Q
()
0.47 3 =16.77m.
f
For straight reach of guide bank, Maximum scour = C.R., where C = 1.25 for the straight portion.
Maximum scour = 1.25 R = 1.25 x 16.77 = 20.97 m.
R.L. at maximum anticipated scour = 140 – 20.97 = 119.03 m.
Depth of maximum scour, D = 130 – 119.03 = 10.97 m.
Length of apron = 1.5 D = 1.5 x 10.97 = 16.45 m.
For curvilinear transition portion of guide bank, Maximum scour = C.R., where C = 1.5 for the
transition from the nose of the guide banks to the straight portion.
Maximum scour = 1.5 R = 1.5 x 16.77 = 25.16 m
R.L. of maximum scour = 140 – 25.16 = 114.84 m
Depth of maximum scour D = 130 – 114.84 = 15.16 m
Length of apron = 1.5 D = 1.5 x 15.16 = 22.74 m.
Thickness of launching apron = 1.9T = 1.9 x 2.21 = 4.2 m.

7. Given a trapezoidal channel with non-deformable bed, bottom width b = 40 m, side slope m =2,
mean depth h = 2.0 m and longitudinal slope S = 0.02%. The flow is supposed to be uniform, or
very nearly so, and fully turbulent (Re > 106). Ratio of b/h = 20, hence in the middle of the stream the
effect of the sidewalls may be neglected.

Required: a) Find the theoretical velocity distribution for the following boundary-roughness
conditions: i) Smooth boundary; ii) Rough boundary; iii) Transitional zone, and (b) Average
velocities for the three roughness conditions.

Solution:

Area of flow section: A = 2.0 (40 + 2 x 2.0) = 88 m²

Wetted perimeter: P = 40 +2 x 2.0 (5)1/2 = 49 m

Hydraulic radius: R = A/P = 88/49 =1.8 m

Shear stress at the bottom: τ = γ R S = 1000 x 1.8 x 0.0002 = 3.5 N/M²

9
Bed shear velocity, u* = (g R S)1/2 = (9.81 x 1.8 x 0.0002)1/2 ≈ 0.059

Estimated thickness of the laminar sublayer, δ ≈11.6ν/u* = 11.6 x(10-6/0.06)≈ 0.0002 m

Smooth boundary:
u
u¿
zu
= 5.57 log ¿ +5.5
υ →
[
u=0. 059 5 .75 log
0 . 059 z
10−6
+5 .5
]
Rough boundary:
u
u¿
= 5 .75 log
z
Ks
+8 .5
→
[
u =0 .059 5 . 75log
z
ks
+8 .5
]
Assuming the roughness height, ks = 3 mm, we have

ks u¿ 0. 003 x 0 . 059
= ≃177 > 70
υ 10−6 ,
Hence being much larger than 70, the boundary conditions are definitely rough.
Transition:
Roughness height is assumed to be ks = 0.5 mm, hence

k s u ¿ 0. 0005 x 0 . 059
= −6 ≃29 >5
υ 10 , the roughness is in the transition state. The velocity distribution
equation is given by
u
u¿ [ z
= 5 .75 log 30 . 2 x
ks ]
k s 0 . 0005
= =2 .5
Parameter, δ 0. 0002 , here the thickness of the laminar sublayer δ for the transition was
assumed to be approximately equal to that of smooth boundary obtained previously. From
Figure 2.8, the correction factor, x = 1.22, and the equation for the velocity distribution is given
by

[
u = 0.059 5.75 log 30.2 [ z
0.0005
x ]
The results of the computations are shown in Table
Table: Computed velocity distributions

Smooth boundary, Rough boundary, Transition,

z(m) u (m/s) u (m/s) u (m/s)

2.0 2.04 1.46 1.75

1.5 2.00 1.42 1.71

1.0 1.94 1.36 1.65

0.5 1.84 1.25 1.55

10
 0.2 1.70 1.12 1.41

0.1 1.60 1.02 1.31

0.05 1.50 0.92 1.21

Figure : Calculated velocity distributions – 1 – smooth boundary; 2 – transition boundary; 3 – rough boundary

Average velocity:

Smooth boundary:
V
u¿ [ Ru
v ] [
1. 8 x0 .059
= 5 . 75 log 3 .67 ¿ ⇒ V =0. 059 x5 .75 log 3. 67 −6
10
≃1 .89 m/s
]
Rough boundary:
k s 0 . 003
= =15 ⇒ x=1 .0
δ 0 . 0002 , hence

11
 V
u¿ [ R
] [
= 5 . 75 log 12. 27 x ⇒ V =0 . 059 x 5 .75 log 12 . 27
Ks
1.8
0 . 003 ]
x 1 . 0 ≃ 1.31 m/s

Transition:
From previous computation, x = 1.22, and hence
V=0.059 X 5.75log (12.27 X 1.8/0.0005 X 1.22)≃1.61 m/s

8. An earth channel passing through prevalently sandy soil has to convey the design discharge of Q = 9
m³/s. Manning’s roughness coefficient has been estimated as n = 0.02, and the most convenient
longitudinal slope set at S = 0.03%. The geometry of the proposed channel is given as: bottom width,
b = 4.0 m, depth of water for uniform flow, h = 1.5 m, and side slope, m = 2.
It is requested to avoid scouring along the channel, in order to get the water as free as possible
from sand particles in the downstream pumping plant.

Solution:
1. Computation of geometric data for the proposed channel:

Wetted area, A = 10.5 m²

Wetted perimeter, P = 10.7 m
Hydraulic radius, R = A/P = 0.98 m

2. Using Manning’ s equation for uniform flow:

2 1 2 1
A 10. 5
Q= R 3 S 2 = ⋅0 .98 3 ¿ ( 0 . 0003 ) 2 =9 . 0 m3 ¿ s
n 0 . 02
and the shear stress
τ =ρ gRS=1000⋅9.81⋅0.98⋅0.0003=2.9 N /m2
The design of the channel seems to be adequate but it has to be checked whether it is below
the limit of incipient scouring.

3. Assuming density of sediment, ρs=2650 kg/m³ and size of bed material, ds= 1.4 mm, for
a water temperature of 16°C, the analysis can be done as follows:

The shear velocity is computed as

U* = (τ/ρ)1/2 =(2.9/1000)1/2 = 0.054 m/s
The parameter on the horizontal scale of Shields diagram (Grain Reynolds number) is
u ¿ d s 0 . 054⋅0. 0014
= =58 . 4
υ 1 . 11 x 10−6
The parameter on the ordinate of Shields diagram (Shields parameter) is
τ 2. 9
= =0. 13
( ρs −ρ ) gd s 1650⋅9 . 81⋅0 .0014
Locating the corresponding point on the Shields diagram shows that the proposed channel,
though hydraulically acceptable, will be scouring (the characteristic point falls above the line).
Thus an alternative channel has to be proposed. This could be achieved only by decreasing the
longitudinal slope, i.e. by inserting water drops along the layout of the channel.

4. Alternative design

12
The longitudinal slope was reduced to S = 0.01% and the bottom width increased to b= 5.0 m;
the corresponding depth of uniform flow, h = 1.83 m. Hence,

A = 15.8 m²; P = 13.2 m; R = 1.2 m; R2/3 = 1.13

Q = (15.8/0.02) x 1.13 x (0.0001)1/2 = 8.93 m³/s.

Checking for scouring,

τ = ρ g R S = 1000 x 9.81 x 1.2 x 0.0001 = 1.18 N/m²
U* = (τ/ρ)1/2 =(1.18/1000)1/2 = 0.034 m/s

u ¿ d s 0 . 034⋅0. 0014
= =42 . 9
υ 1 . 11 x 10−6
τ 1. 18
= =0. 052
( s ) s
ρ −ρ gd 1650⋅9 . 81⋅0 .0014

The characteristic point is still somewhat above the line on Shields diagram, but it nevertheless
may be taken as satisfactory.

13