Calculation of Normal Depth for Uniform Open Channel Flow

Using the Manning Equation

1. Trapezoidal Channel Calculations:
Inputs
Bottom width, b =

Calculations
0.164042

Manning roughness, n =

0.012

Channel bottom slope, S =

0.0050

Side Slope, z =

ft

Q*n/(1.49*S1/2) =

ft2

0.601

A*R2/3 = (3yo + 2yo2)*{(3yo + 2yo2)/[3 + 2yo(1 + 22)]1/2}2/3

ft/ft

Iterative (trial & error) Solution:

yo ,ft

0.7

(3yo + 2yo2)*{(3yo + 2yo2)/[3 + 2yo(1 + 22)]1/2}2/3

(horiz:vert = z:1)

Volumetric Flow Rate, Q =

5.28

cfs

0.95

0.640

0.2896

0.9

0.553

0.2743

0.928

0.601

0.2829

0.84

0.459

0.256

0.82

0.430

0.2499

0.834

0.450

0.2542 m

NOTE: In this example the value of yo, correct to 3 significant figures is 1.01 ft

NOTE: For a trapezoidal channel: A*R2/3 = (3yo + 2yo2)*{(3yo + 2yo2)/[3 + 2yo(1 + 22)]1/2}2/3

0.164042

5.28
0.2
0.028317