CHAPTER II

UNIFORM FLOW AND ITS FORMULAS MODULE 1

2.1 Introduction and Objective

This experiment was designed to observe the characteristics of uniform flow in
the teaching flume and to utilize the common uniform flow formulas to explain the
conditions that were observed. The Mannings roughness coefficient was calculated
based on observations of flow width, flow depth, flow rate, channel slope, and channel
surface material. This data was then used to calculate the Chezys C, and the DarcyWeisbach friction factor, f.

2.2 Theory and Background

Uniform flow is a unique flow condition that is not extremely common in natural
streams and channels. In order for uniform flow to exist, the depth, cross-sectional area,
velocity, and flow at each section of a channel reach must be constant. In addition, the
energy line, water surface, and channel bed must be parallel. Because uniform unsteady
flow does not exist, it is always classified as steady uniform flow. For practical purposes
uniform flow is often assumed in order to compute the discharge of a natural stream
(Chow 1959).

The two most common uniform flow formulas are Mannings equation and
Chezys equation. Of these two Mannings is the most widely used to compute flow in
open channels.
2

1
V ! R3S 2
n

(2-1)

V is the velocity in m/s, R is the hydraulic radius in m, S is the slope, and n is the
roughness coefficient called Mannings n. The hydraulic radius is computed be dividing
the cross-sectional area in m2 by the wetted perimeter in m. The Chezy equation was
developed much earlier and is considered by most to be the first uniform flow equation.
V ! C RS

(2-2)

V is the velocity in m/s, R is the hydraulic radius in m, S is the slope, and C is a flow
resistance factor called Chezys C. By combining the two equations, the relationship
between Chezys C and Mannings n can be experessed in the following equation.
1

1
C ! R6
n

(2-3)

Even though the Darcy-Weisbach formula was developed primarily for pipe flow, it can
be modified to compute the friction factor in open channels with uniform flow conditions.

f !

8 gRS
V2

(2-4)

f !

8g
C2

(2-5)

2.3 Experimental Procedure

For this experiment, the Mannings n, Chezys C and Darcy-Weisbach f were

calculated for a smooth section and rough section of a channel. To simulate a rough

channel section, a one-meter section of artificial turf was installed in the in the upstream
bed of the teaching flume. It is important that each end is secured to the bottom of the
flume bed with duct-tape. Figure 2-1 illustrates the correct installation of the turf. The
next step was to place one vernier scale over a smooth section of the flume and place the
other over a rough section as shown in figure 2-2. Both scales were then zeroed.

Figure 2-1 Turf installation.

Figure 2-2 Zeroed vernier scales.

A total of nine trials were performed for this experiment. To begin, the initial
channel slope was measured. Refer to chapter I for the channel slope measurement
procedure. The flume was then turned on and the flow rate was set on 1.0 L/s. The water
depths for the rough and smooth sections of channel were recorded in millimeters. Then
the exact flow rate was measured and recorded using the volumetric time method
discussed in chapter I. This concluded trial one. This procedure was repeated for the
remaining trials.
Of the nine trials recorded, there were three different slopes for each measured
flow rate. The water depths were measured over the rough and smooth channel sections
and recorded. This information was then tabulated and manipulated in order to calculate
Mannings n, Chezys C and Darcy-Weisbachs friction factor f.

2.4 Experimental Data and Results

Table 2-1. Raw experimental data.

Run

Time (sec)

Q (L/s)

Q (m3/s)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

8.40
8.40
8.40
6.25
6.25
6.25
4.60
4.60
4.60

1.19
1.19
1.19
1.60
1.60
1.60
2.17
2.17
2.17

0.00119
0.00119
0.00119
0.00160
0.00160
0.00160
0.00217
0.00217
0.00217

Height (in) Slope (in/in)

49.25
50.13
50.88
49.25
50.13
50.88
49.25
50.13
50.88

0.0044
0.0106
0.0159
0.0044
0.0106
0.0159
0.0044
0.0106
0.0159

Smooth Depth Rough Depth

(mm)
(mm)
21.0
41.0
18.8
34.6
18.1
31.5
26.2
48.1
24.2
41.0
22.9
37.0
33.5
58.1
31.1
50.8
29.6
45.8

Table 2-2. Results for smooth channel section.

Run

A (mm2)

A (m2)

P (mm)

P (m)

R (m)

V (m/s)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

1596
1429
1376
1991
1839
1740
2546
2364
2250

0.00160
0.00143
0.00138
0.00199
0.00184
0.00174
0.00255
0.00236
0.00225

118.0
113.6
112.2
128.4
124.4
121.8
143.0
138.2
135.2

0.118
0.114
0.112
0.128
0.124
0.122
0.143
0.138
0.135

0.0135
0.0126
0.0123
0.0155
0.0148
0.0143
0.0178
0.0171
0.0166

0.746
0.833
0.865
0.804
0.870
0.919
0.854
0.920
0.966

Manning's
"n"
0.00506
0.00668
0.00775
0.00514
0.00713
0.00808
0.00531
0.00743
0.00850

Chezy's "C"
96.51
72.16
61.98
97.09
69.49
60.99
96.29
68.31
59.41

DarcyWeisbach's ""
0.0084
0.0151
0.0204
0.0083
0.0163
0.0211
0.0085
0.0168
0.0222

Table 2-3. Results for rough channel section.

Run

A (mm2)

A (m2)

P (mm)

P (m)

R (m)

V (m/s)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

3116
2630
2394
3656
3116
2812
4416
3861
3481

0.00312
0.00263
0.00239
0.00366
0.00312
0.00281
0.00442
0.00386
0.00348

158.0
145.2
139.0
172.2
158.0
150.0
192.2
177.6
167.6

0.158
0.145
0.139
0.172
0.158
0.150
0.192
0.178
0.168

0.0197
0.0181
0.0172
0.0212
0.0197
0.0187
0.0230
0.0217
0.0208

0.382
0.453
0.497
0.438
0.513
0.569
0.492
0.563
0.625

Manning's
"n"
0.0127
0.0157
0.0169
0.0116
0.0146
0.0156
0.0109
0.0142
0.0153

Chezy's "C"
40.93
32.67
30.05
45.20
35.51
32.96
48.87
37.09
34.37

Table 2-4. Summary of results.

Average Manning's "n" values for

Average values for

Slope...

Smooth

Rough

Coefficients

Smooth

Rough

0.44%

0.005

0.012

Manning's "n"

0.007

0.014

1.06%

0.007

0.015

Chezy's "C"

75.8

37.5

1.59%

0.008

0.016

Darcy
Weisbach's
""

0.015

0.060

DarcyWeisbach's ""
0.0468
0.0735
0.0869
0.0384
0.0622
0.0723
0.0329
0.0570
0.0664

2.5 Discussion of Results

The determination of the Mannings roughness coefficient, Chezys C, and the

Darcy-Weisbach friction factor was completed upon analyzing the recorded data. Upon
further inspection of these numbers in comparison with commonly utilized civil
engineering structures and materials, several conclusions could be drawn.
Based on the calculated values for the Mannings roughness coefficient in the
smooth channel, it was found that the comparable surfaces in real world applications
were plastic or glass. Though the computed value was lower than the tabulated accepted
value, this could be explained by the inherent experimental errors or variations in the real
world application of such material including scaling and buildup that occurs in open
channel flow.
Furthermore, upon determination of the Mannings coefficient for the rough
channel surface, it was determined that a variety of materials could be utilized based on
the values computed. These materials included asbestos cement, brass, new cast iron,
copper, lead, new unlined steel, wood stave, galvanized iron pipe, and formed concrete
with either steel or wooden forms. Because the rough channel was a combination of a turf
bottom and smooth plastic sides, the Mannings n values were lower than the accepted
values for short grass or turf.
Some of the experimental error in this laboratory experiment included the
possible variation in recordings from the measuring tape and vernier scales as well as the
timing process for finding the flow rate. Human error is also a factor in any experiment
and can be introduced from the possible reading error to recording errors to calculation

errors. Some variation may have been accrued as a result of flume irregularities in the
surfaces themselves or mechanical reasons within the flume components as well.

Lab Data
8 Data inputs shown in yellow cells
0.0345 Data output shown in blue cells
Trial

Volume, L
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
7
7

10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10

Flow, sec
15.5
15.5
15.5
24.9
24.9
24.9
56.5
56.5
56.5

Flow
0.6452
0.6452
0.6452
0.4016
0.4016
0.4016
0.1770
0.1770
0.1770

Units
L/sec
L/sec
L/sec
L/sec
L/sec
L/sec
L/sec
L/sec
L/sec

Flow
0.00065
0.00065
0.00065
0.00040
0.00040
0.00040
0.00018
0.00018
0.00018

Units
m3/sec
m3/sec
m3/sec
m3/sec
m3/sec
m3/sec
m3/sec
m3/sec
m3/sec

Converted
0.0228
0.0228
0.0228
0.0142
0.0142
0.0142
0.0062
0.0062
0.0062

Flow Measurements for Smooth Section

Trial
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Flow, m3/sec
0.000645
0.000645
0.000645
0.000402
0.000402
0.000402
0.000177
0.000177
0.000177
Flow Area,

Trial
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

mm2
2,310.4
2,234.4
2,173.6
1,307.2
1,231.2
1,694.8
760.0

Flume Height,
in
49.875
50.5
51.5
51.5
52.5
50
50
49
48.75

Slope, m/m
0.008833922
0.013250883
0.020318021
0.020318021
0.027385159
0.009717314
0.009717314
0.002650177
0.000883392

Flume Width, Flume Width,

mm
m
76
0.0760
76
0.0760
76
0.0760
76
0.0760
76
0.0760
76
0.0760
76
0.0760
76
0.0760
76
0.0760

Wetted
Wetted
Flow Area, m2 Perimeter, mm Perimeter, m
0.0023104
136.8
0.1368
0.0022344
134.8
0.1348
0.0021736
133.2
0.1332
0.0013072
110.4
0.1104
0.0012312
108.4
0.1084
0.0016948
120.6
0.1206
0.0007600
96
0.096

Flow Depth,
mm
Flow Depth, m
30.4
0.0304
29.4
0.0294
28.6
0.0286
17.2
0.0172
16.2
0.0162
22.3
0.0223
10
0.01
17.4
0.0174
12.1
0.0121

Hydraulic
Radius, m
Velocity, m/sec Roughness, n
0.016888889
0.279242248
0.022156256
0.016575668
0.288740284
0.025917656
0.016318318
0.296816935
0.030896003
0.01184058
0.307226458
0.02410261
0.011357934
0.326191054
0.025634123
0.014053068
0.236963905
0.024225441
0.007916667
0.232883093
0.016813704

Units
ft3/sec
ft3/sec
ft3/sec
ft3/sec
ft3/sec
ft3/sec
ft3/sec
ft3/sec
ft3/sec

8
9

1,322.4
919.6

0.0013224
0.0009196

110.8
100.2

0.1108
0.1002

0.011935018
0.009177645

0.133840858
0.192465366

0.020087725
0.00676932

Average
0.02184476

Flow Measurements for Rough Section

Trial
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Flow, m3/sec
0.000645
0.000645
0.000645
0.000402
0.000402
0.000402
0.000177
0.000177
0.000177
Flow Area,
mm2

Trial
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

4218
3990
3199.6
2606.8
2295.2
3154
2059.6
2705.6
2865.2

Flume Height,
in
49.25
50.13
50.88
49.25
50.13
50.88
49.25
50.13
50.88

Slope, m/m
0.004416961
0.010636042
0.015936396
0.004416961
0.010636042
0.015936396
0.004416961
0.010636042
0.015936396

Wetted
Flow Area, m2 Perimeter, mm
0.0042180
187.0
0.0039900
181.0
0.0031996
160.2
0.0026068
144.6
0.0022952
136.4
0.0031540
159.0
0.0020596
130.2
0.0027056
147.2
0.0028652
151.4

Flume Width, Flume Width,

mm
m
76
0.0760
76
0.0760
76
0.0760
76
0.0760
76
0.0760
76
0.0760
76
0.0760
76
0.0760
76
0.0760
Wetted
Perimeter, m
0.187
0.181
0.1602
0.1446
0.1364
0.159
0.1302
0.1472
0.1514

Flow Depth,
mm
Flow Depth, m
55.5
0.0555
52.5
0.0525
42.1
0.0421
34.3
0.0343
30.2
0.0302
41.5
0.0415
27.1
0.0271
35.6
0.0356
37.7
0.0377

Hydraulic
Radius, m
Velocity, m/sec Roughness, n
0.02255615
0.152954313
0.034687796
0.022044199
0.161694559
0.0501446
0.019972534
0.201638108
0.046086942
0.018027663
0.154061081
0.029659361
0.016826979
0.174976658
0.038703243
0.019836478
0.127332411
0.072649473
0.01581874
0.085934721
0.048735009
0.018380435
0.065416599
0.109800905
0.018924703
0.061772704
0.145127982

Average
0.063955035