To compute the Gradually varied flow profiles

Gradually Varied Flow

The flow in which the changes in depth and velocity take place slowly over large distances,
resistance to fl ow dominate and acceleration forces are neglected is called gradually varied flow.

In gradually varied flow, the actual fl ow depth y is either larger or smaller than the normal
depth yo
and either larger or smaller than the critical depth yc. The water surface profiles, which are oft en
called backwater curves, depend on the magnitude of the actual depth of fl ow y in relation to the
normal depth yo and the critical depth yc. Normal depth yo is the depth of fl ow that would
exist for
steady-uniform fl ow as determined using the Manning or Chezy velocity equations, and the
critical depth is the depth of fl ow when the Froude number equals 1.0. Reasons for the depth
being different than the normal depth are changes in slope of the bed, changes in cross-section,
obstruction to fl ow and imbalances between gravitational forces accelerating the fl ow and shear
forces retarding the flow

Classification of Gradually Varied flow profiles

It is important to systematically classify the water surface profiles in a channel before computation of
flow profiles is carried out. Such classification helps to get an overall understanding of how the flow
depth varies in a channel. It also helps to detect any mistakes made in the flow computation.

We know that
Kn 2
1− ( )
K
dy ¿
= ¿ x So
dx Zc 2
1− ( )
Z ¿
¿
Where:
So = Channel bed slope
Kn = Conveyance factor for normal flow conditions where y will be equal to yn and
Q
Kn =
√ So
K = Conveyance factor for the gradually varied flow condition and
A R 0.667
K=
n
Zc = Section factor for the critical slope
Q
Zc =
√ g /∝
Z = Section factor for gradually varied flow condition
 A3
Z=
√ T
A gradually varied flow profile is classified based on the channel slope, and the
magnitude of flow depth, y in relation to yn and yc. The channel slope is classified
based on the relative magnitudes of the normal depth, y n and the critical depth, yc .
 y > y : Mild slope (M)
 y < y : Steep slope (S)
 y = y : Critical slope (C)
 S =0 : Horizontal slope (H)
 S <0 : Adverse slope (A)

Flow profiles associated with mild, steep, critical, horizontal, and adverse
slopes are designated as M, S, C, H and A profiles, respectively. The space above the
channel bed can be divided into three zones. Figure shows these zones for
a mild and a steep channel.

The space above both the CDL and the NDL is designated as zone-1. The space
between the CDL and the NDL is designated as zone-2. The space between the
channel bed and CDL/NDL (whichever is lower) is designated as zone-3. Flow profiles
are finally classified based on (i) the channel slope and (ii) the zone in which they occur.
For example, if the water surface lies in zone-1 in a channel with mild slope (Figure 2), it
is designated as M1 profile. Here, M stands for a mild channel and 1 stands for zone-
1.It may be noted that an M1 profile indicates a subcritical flow since flow depth, y is
greater than the critical depth, yc .

Similarly, an S2 profile (Figure 3) indicates the water surface lies in zone-2 in a steep
channel. It may be noted that a S2 profile indicates a supercritical flow since flow depth,
y is lower than yc.

Table 1 presents types of flow profiles in prismatic channels. In this table, a channel
slope is described as critical slope when critical conditions occur for uniform flow i.e.
when yn = yc.