Critical Channel Dimensions for Open-Channel Transition Design

Abstract

The channel dimensions leading to the critical state of flow are important in the design of channel transition. This work describes a methodology for determining the channel dimensions leading to the critical state of flow to maintain given specific energy or specific force conditions. The developed methodology works on extracting a two equal roots/factors of the specific energy and specific force expressions, where the two equal roots/factors yield the critical flow depth. The methodology is illustrated for trapezoidal, rectangular, triangular, and parabolic channels.