Optimal Design of Parabolic Canal Section

Abstract

Optimal design equations for a parabolic canal section are presented in this paper. The design equations for a minimum earthwork cost section and a minimum cost lined section are in explicit form and result in optimal dimensions of a canal in single step computations. These have been obtained after applying the Fibbonaci search method on a nonlinear unconstrained optimization problem. The study also addresses the bounds on the canal dimensions and the velocity of flow. A nondimensional parameter approach has been used to simplify the analysis, and a set of graphs for nondimensional parameters are presented as an alternative for design. Design procedures for different cases have been presented to demonstrate the simplicity of the method.