Page 2

Q1
Thin plate or sharp-crested weirs may be used to gauge the discharge in open channel flows. The idealised
theoretical equation for the discharge, Q, over a rectangular thin plate weir is given by

Q=

2
B 2g H 3 / 2
3

where B is the width of the weir crest, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and H is the upstream depth of
water above the weir crest.
(a)

List and explain the theoretical assumptions made in deriving this equation.
(6 marks)

(b)

Explain the modifications which should be made to this equation in order to

use it to determine the actual discharge in an open channel.
(7 marks)

(c)

You are designing a broad crested weir to gauge discharges up to

4 m3/s, in a channel 3 m wide. At this maximum discharge, the depth of
flow upstream is 1 m relative to the channel bottom.
Calculate the height of the weir required, stating any assumptions you make.
(12 marks)

Q2.
(a). Describe the characteristics of super-critical, sub-critical and critical flow in a hydraulic channel.
(8 marks)
(b). A rectangular hydraulic channel contains water flowing at a depth of 1.3m and with a velocity of 1.6 m/s.
Is the flow sub- or super-critical?
(5marks)
(c). Water flows down a rectangular channel with a velocity of 12 m/s and a depth of 45 cm. A downstream
obstacle causes a hydraulic jump to form.
(i). What is the upstream value of the Froude number?
(3 marks)
(ii). What will be depth of the flow downstream of the jump?
(5 marks)
(ii). What will be velocity downstream of the jump?
(4 marks)

The University of the West Indies

Course Code CVNG 2005

2009/ 03/ 13

DO NOT WRITE OR TYPE ON THE BACK OF THIS SHEET: USE ONE SIDE ONLY

INSTRUCTIONS: Each page must be signed by the Examiners and where applicable, the University Examiner and/or the
External Examiner. Where the examination does not require a University Examiner, the form must be signed by the First and
Second Examiners. Completed forms should be handed to the Assistant Registrar (Examinations). The EXTERNAL
EXAMINER is requested to sign the question paper and return it with comments, if any, (on a separate sheet), to the Assistant
Registrar (Examinations).
..
First Examiner

..
University Examiner

..
Second Examiner

..
External Examiner (where applicable)

Date: 2009/03/

Date: 20//

Page 3

Q3

(a) Define the terms mild slope and steep slope. Specify what is meant by regions 1, 2 and 3, as applied to
gradually varied flow profiles in a mild sloped channel.
(5 Marks)
(b) Sketch a typical example of each of the three flow profiles that can exist on a mild slope,

carefully showing the positions of the normal and critical depths.

(6 Marks)
(c) A rectangular channel, width 25m, Mannings roughness coefficient 0.015, bed slope 1 in
2000, discharges directly to sea. If the water depth at the downstream end of this channel is
4.0m at high tide and the discharge is 50 m3/s, determine the distance upstream at which the
depth returns to within 5% of the normal depth, using four steps in the solution. (14 marks)
Q4 (a) Sketch the flow fields of a hurricane and a tornado, and show the spatial variation in the respective
Pressure and velocity fields.
[8]
(b)

A crude model of a tornado is defined by combining a sink of strength m = -2800 m2 / s and a free
vortex of circulation, = 5600 m2 / s. Estimate the velocity and gauge pressure at a distance of 8 m
from the centre.
[12]

Given:
Q5

sin k

m
2

and

free vortex =

ln r
2

At a discharge of 10 m3/s the depth of uniform flow in a straight rectangular channel, which is 3 m
wide, is 2.2 m. The water flows around a 900 bend of inner radius 5 m; as shown in Figure? Assuming
that the flow through this bend approximates a free vortex, calculate the depth of water at its inner
and outer radii. Ignore the bed slope and the energy losses.
[20]

900
3m.
5m.

Center

Figure ? Schematic of a Channel Bend Plan

The University of the West Indies

Course Code CVNG 2005

2009/ 03/ 13

DO NOT WRITE OR TYPE ON THE BACK OF THIS SHEET: USE ONE SIDE ONLY

INSTRUCTIONS: Each page must be signed by the Examiners and where applicable, the University Examiner and/or the
External Examiner. Where the examination does not require a University Examiner, the form must be signed by the First and
Second Examiners. Completed forms should be handed to the Assistant Registrar (Examinations). The EXTERNAL
EXAMINER is requested to sign the question paper and return it with comments, if any, (on a separate sheet), to the Assistant
Registrar (Examinations).
..
First Examiner

..
University Examiner

..
Second Examiner

..
External Examiner (where applicable)

Date: 2009/03/

Date: 20//