Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences

Swinburne University of Technology

www.swin.edu.au

HES3112 Urban Water Resources

Open Channel Flow Project
Location: Beech worth
Creek Channel Properties: Case 2

Suman SAHA
Student ID Number: 6726143

HES 3112 - OPEN CHANNEL FLOW PROJECT

Task 4

Determine a stage discharge relationship for the road crossing of Wilsons Creek.
3

The Discharge (Q) and 3 hours (180 mins) rainfall Intensity ( I Y

location are listed in the table below;

Rural

I Y3

/s

Discharge (Q)

ARI(Y)
(year/s)

) values for ARI 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 year/s for Beechworth

Urban

(mm/hr)

0.599

2.97

8.55

0.904

4.13

11

1.44

6.09

14

10

1.85

7.41

15.8

20

2.4

9.16

18.2

50

3.16

12.10

21.5

100

3.92

14.44

24

Where I Y is 3 hours rainfall intensity in mm/hr for ARI of y years. These values are obtained from the rainfall frequency
distribution data for; Beech worth in task 1 (based on the 9 parameters inputted into the IFD software).
Creek Channel Properties (Case 2) :
Parameters

Case 2

WMC (in metres) =

0.56.I 53

0.48

Main channel width

YC (in metres) =

0.19.I 53

0.34

Channel depth
S0 (in m/km) =

4.57I 23

0.18

Slope of channel
WLB=WRB(in
metres) =width of
flood plain

3.2I100

0.53

Given

= 14 mm/ hr,

= 11mm/hr

WMC (m) =

0.56.I 53

24mm/hr

0.48

0.19.I 53

= 0.56

= 1.9876 m

0.34

YC (m) =

= 0.19

4.57I 23

= 0.4661m

0.18

S0 (m/km) =

= 4.57

3.2I100

= 2.968 m/km =

0.53

WLB=WRB (in metres) =

S.SAHA

m /m =0.002968 m/m

= 17.2449m 17.25m

Page 1/12

HES 3112 - OPEN CHANNEL FLOW PROJECT

Final Creek Channel Parameters:
Parameter
WMC (m)
YC(m)
S0(m/m)
WLB=WRB(m/m)

Computed Value
1.99
0.466
0.02968
17.25

Selection of appropriate Mannings n values parameter .

Channel Cross-Section
From Mannings n Tables for Main Channel,
n = 0.045 (max) i.e. clean, winding, some pools and shoals
The flood plain is predominantly composed of light brush and trees (both in summer and winter).
Therefore, from Mannings n Tables for Floodplains,
n (winter) = 0.06 (maximum)

and

n (summer) = 0.08 (maximum) ; Adopt n =0.08

Assumptions

(I) Uniform depth along the depth of the channel. Depth (YC) for the main channel and depth (y YC) uniform adopted
across the flood plains.

(II) In general, the Mannings parameter n accounts for roughness (friction) between the water surface and the
channel or flood plain.

(III) For the worst case scenario, adopt the maximum column for Mannings parameter n for either the main
channel or flood plain. This is because the higher Mannings parameter n caters for high flow/ discharge downstream
(more potential flooding) as a result of less flow on the adjacent flood plains.

(IV) Moreover due to the presence of shoals at some sections during summer period (dry season), the flow rate is reduced
which consequently results in an increase in the water level. Hence it is critical that a higher Mannings parameter n
is adopted for the worst case due to gradual increase of water flow in the main channel (increased friction/roughness)
which will eventually overflow unto the surrounding the flood plains.

(V) For flood plain, n summer is the critical since the winter period is usually characterised by dormant growth of
vegetative cover such as light bushes and trees compared to the summer period. The vegetative cover is essential in
reducing the flow / discharge rate, thereby resulting in an increase discharge downstream (rise in water level in main
channel). Consequently over time, this results in flooding of the adjacent flood plains of the road embankment.

(VI) Given; the slope of the embankments on either side of the main channel and the flood plains are 1 Horizontal: 2
Vertical.

S.SAHA

Page 2/12

HES 3112 - OPEN CHANNEL FLOW PROJECT

Main Channel (Trapezoidal channel) n =0.045

Main Channel Crossection:

WMC = 1.99m/m

YC=0.47m

1 2 Yc =0.47m

x
(Not to scale)

From similar triangles, x =

Top width = WMC + 2x = WMC + 2

Area of trap , A(m^2) =

= (WMC +

WMC)

By Phythagoras theorem;

YC

2(WMC + x)

YC= (WMC + x)

YC

WMC where l = slant height

Wetted Perimeter, P (m) = 2

S.SAHA

WMC + WMC + 2x)

YC

Wetted Perimeter, P (m) = 2

Hydraulic radius (R) (m) =

YC =

= WMC +

WMC = 2

)=

WMC =

)=

)=

where l = slant height

+ WMC

Page 3/12

HES 3112 - OPEN CHANNEL FLOW PROJECT

Flood Plain (n summer=0.08)

LEFT FLOOD PLAIN SECTION

RIGHT FLOOD PLAIN SECTION:

The parameter for one section of the flood plain is computed as shown below;

WLB=WRB = 17.25m/m

WLB =WRB = 17.25m/m

y
y

y
2

2
1

Note: The total height of the channel cross section = y

From similar triangles, x =
Top width = WLB + x = WLB +

Area of trap, A (m^2) = Cross-Sectional area of floodplains

=
= {

YC) =

WLB)

2WLB +

{WLB + (

} (y YC )= {WLB + (

By Pythagoras theorem; l

)} +WLB)
}

YC

((2WLB

))

YC

YC)
)= =

)=

where l = slant height

Wetted Perimeter, P (m) =

WLB =

WLB

Where l = slant height

Hydraulic radius (R) (m) =

S.SAHA

==

Page 4/12

HES 3112 - OPEN CHANNEL FLOW PROJECT

Discharge Q computation
If y

ie water flow hasnt overtopped the main channel

However if y >

ie water flow has overtopped the main channel and flooded the two adjacent flood plains.
(

Where n = mannings number for main channel = 0.045

n = mannings number for flood plains = 0.08

S.SAHA

Page 5/12

HES 3112 - OPEN CHANNEL FLOW PROJECT

Estimated y(m) values based on given discharge values for varying ARI (year/s)
These y values have been iteratively estimated using an excel spread sheet.
Parameters computed for the flood plains are for both (accounting for 2)
KEY
Rural
Urban
Critical

y(m)

A(m^2)

P(m)

R(m)

A'(m^2)

P'(m)

R'(m)

Q(m^3/s)

0.3

0.64128

2.658421

0.241226

0.30085

0.31

0.664206

2.680781

0.247766

0.317212

0.45

0.99567

2.993831

0.332574

0.57862

0.4598

1.019607

3.015744

0.338095

0.59907

0.46

1.020096

3.016192

0.338207

0.59949

0.465

1.032347

3.027372

0.341004

0.61003

0.466

1.0348

3.029608

0.341562

0.612147

0.467

1.037254

3.031844

0.34212

0.034501

34.50224

0.001

0.614501

0.519

1.166245

3.14812

0.370458

1.829905

34.61851

0.052859

0.903802

0.5191

1.166496

3.148343

0.370511

1.83336

34.61874

0.052959

0.90458

0.574

1.305621

3.271103

0.399138

3.731832

34.7415

0.107417

1.431142

0.5748

1.30767

3.272892

0.399546

3.759519

34.74328

0.108209

1.440171

0.6

1.37256

3.329241

0.412274

4.631978

34.79963

0.133104

1.742779

0.6083

1.394072

3.3478

0.416414

4.919475

34.81819

0.14129

1.849943

0.647

1.495282

3.434336

0.435392

6.260881

34.90473

0.179371

2.395968

0.6473

1.496072

3.435007

0.435537

6.271285

34.9054

0.179665

2.40049

0.616

1.41409

3.365018

0.420232

5.18625

34.83541

0.148879

1.952571

0.6831

1.591043

3.515058

0.452636

7.513516

34.98545

0.214761

2.970478

0.6943

1.621017

3.540102

0.457901

7.90241

35.01049

0.225715

3.160881

0.7361

1.733994

3.63357

0.477215

9.354927

35.10396

0.266492

3.920151

0.7

1.63632

3.552848

0.460566

8.100378

35.02324

0.231286

3.259934

0.747

1.763742

3.657943

0.482168

9.733981

35.12834

0.277098

4.130403

0.8388

2.018992

3.863214

0.52262

12.93109

35.33361

0.365971

6.091396

0.8934

2.174804

3.985303

0.545706

14.83664

35.4557

0.418456

7.410782

0.7315

1.721476

3.623284

0.475115

9.194995

35.09368

0.262013

3.832918

0.9598

2.368307

4.133778

0.572916

17.15802

35.60417

0.48191

9.159941

1.0606

2.670485

4.359174

0.612613

20.69047

35.82957

0.577469

12.10286

1.1337

2.89598

4.522631

0.640331

23.25856

35.99302

0.646196

14.44328

S.SAHA

Page 6/12

HES 3112 - OPEN CHANNEL FLOW PROJECT

Parameter Summary
ARI
(Year/s)

Q
Rural
(

y Rural
(m)

Q
Urban

y
Urban
(m)

0.599

0.4598

2.97

0.6831

0.904

0.5191

4.13

0.747

1.44

0.5748

6.09

0.8388

10

1.85

0.6083

7.41

0.8934

20

2.4

0.6473

9.16

0.9598

50

3.16

0.6943

12.10

1.0606

100

3.92

0.7361

14.44

1.1337

Comment: As expected the successive y values obtained indicate the discharge (m^3/s) will flow in the main channel and the
consequently unto the flood plains as time proceeds. (Refer to assumption IV)

S.SAHA

Page 7/12

HES 3112 - OPEN CHANNEL FLOW PROJECT

Stage,y (m)

STAGE VS DISCHARGE PLOT

1.2
1.15
1.1
1.05
1
0.95
0.9
0.85
0.8
0.75
0.7
0.65
0.6
0.55
0.5
0.45
0.4
0.35
0.3
0.25
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
0

Rural
Urban

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10 10.5 11 11.5 12 12.5 13 13.5 14 14.5 15

S.SAHA

Discharge,Q (m / s)

Page 8/12

HES 3112 - OPEN CHANNEL FLOW PROJECT

Stage VS ARI Plot

1.2

Stage,y (m)

0.8

0.6
Rural
Urban

0.4

0.2

0
1

S.SAHA

10

ARI (Year/s)

100

Page 9/12

HES 3112 - OPEN CHANNEL FLOW PROJECT

Stage VS ARI Plot(Trend line Used)

1.2

Stage,y (m)

0.8

Rural

0.6

Urban
Log. (Rural)
Log. (Urban)
0.4

0.2

ARI (Year/s)

0
1

S.SAHA

10

100

Page 10/12

HES 3112 - OPEN CHANNEL FLOW PROJECT

SAMPLE COMPUTATIONS
CASE I
y = 0.465 <

= 0.466

A = (WMC +

YC where

can be replaced with y = (WMC +

Wetted Perimeter, P (m) =

Hydraulic radius (R) (m) =

+ WMC =
=

y = ( 1.99 +

+ WMC =

0.465= 1.03

= 3.03m

= 0.34m

n = 0.045 (main channel)

S0(m/m) = 0.002968

= 0.6075

CASE II
y=

= 0.466

A = (WMC +

can be replaced with y = (WMC +

YC where

Wetted Perimeter, P (m) =

Hydraulic radius (R) (m) =
n = 0.045 (main channel)

+ WMC =
=

y = (1.99 +

+ WMC =

0.466= 1.04

= 3.03m

= 0.34m

S0 (m/m) = 0.02968

= 0.6133

CASE III
y = 0.467 >
A = (WMC +

= 0.466
YC where

can be replaced with y = (WMC +

Wetted Perimeter, P (m) =

Hydraulic radius (R) (m) =

+ WMC =
=

y = ( 1.99 +

+ WMC =

0.467= 1.04

= 3.03m

= 0.34m

n = 0.045 (main channel)

S0(m/m) = 0.002968

A = {WLB + (

S.SAHA

} YC = {WLB + (

} (y YC) = {17.25 + (

0.466) = 0.017

Page 11/12

HES 3112 - OPEN CHANNEL FLOW PROJECT

(accounting for single flood plain only)

Wetted Perimeter, P (m) =

WLB =
(accounting for single flood plain only)
Hydraulic radius (R) (m) =
n' = 0.08 (flood plains)

WLB =

+ 17.25 = 17.251m

)
= (0.6133 +

= 0.000985

= 0.61352

Comment:
The slight discrepancy in the computed discharge values obtained from the hand computations and the excel spread sheet are due
to rounding off, Hence the results obtained are accurate, however not precise.

S.SAHA

Page 12/12