St Venant Equations

Reading: Sections 9.1 9.2

 Types of flow routing
Lumped/hydrologic
Flow is calculated as a function of time alone at a
particular location
Governed by continuity equation and
flow/storage relationship
Distributed/hydraulic
Flow is calculated as a function of space and time
throughout the system
Governed by continuity and momentum
equations

2
 Distributed Flow routing in channels
Distributed Routing
St. Venant equations
Continuity equation
Q A
0
x t
Momentum Equation
1 Q 1 Q 2 y
g g ( So S f ) 0
A t A x A x

What are all these terms, and where are they coming from?
 Assumptions for St. Venant Equations

Flow is one-dimensional
Hydrostatic pressure prevails and vertical
accelerations are negligible
Streamline curvature is small.
Bottom slope of the channel is small.
Mannings equation is used to describe
resistance effects
The fluid is incompressible
 Continuity Equation
Q = inflow to the control volume
q = lateral inflow

Q Rate of change of flow

x with distance
Q
Q dx Outflow from the C.V.
x

( Adx) Change in mass

t

Elevation View
Reynolds transport theorem

d
0
dt c.v.
d V .dA
c. s .

Plan View
 Continuity Equation (2)
Q A
0 Conservation form
x t

(Vy) y
0
x t
Non-conservation form (velocity is dependent
variable)
y V y
V y 0
x x t
 Momentum Equation
From Newtons 2nd Law:
Net force = time rate of change of momentum
d
F dt Vd VV .dA
c .v . c. s .

Sum of forces on
the C.V.

Momentum stored Momentum flow

within the C.V across the C. S.
 Forces acting on the C.V.
Fg = Gravity force due to
weight of water in the C.V.
Ff = friction force due to shear
stress along the bottom and
sides of the C.V.
Fe = contraction/expansion
force due to abrupt changes
in the channel cross-section
Fw = wind shear force due to
Elevation View frictional resistance of wind at
the water surface
Fp = unbalanced pressure
forces due to hydrostatic
forces on the left and right
hand side of the C.V. and
pressure force exerted by
banks

Plan View
 Momentum Equation
d
F dt Vd VV .dA
c .v . c. s .

Sum of forces on
the C.V.

Momentum stored Momentum flow

within the C.V across the C. S.

1 Q 1 Q 2 y


g g ( So S f ) 0
A t A x A x
 Momentum Equation(2)
1 Q 1 Q
2
y
g g ( So S f ) 0
A t A x A x
Local Convective Pressure Gravity Friction
acceleration acceleration force force force
term term term term term

V V y
V g g (So S f ) 0
t x x
Kinematic Wave

Diffusion Wave

Dynamic Wave
 Momentum Equation (3)
1 V V V y
So S f
g t g x x
Steady, uniform flow

Steady, non-uniform flow

Unsteady, non-uniform flow