Modeling the Kinematic Wave Parameters with Regression Methods

Abstract

The momentum equation in the kinematic wave model is a power law equation and involves two kinematic wave parameters. It is a common practice to use Manning’s equation to calculate the kinematic wave parameters. One can obtain a kinematic wave equation by inserting the momentum equation into the continuity equation. The kinematic wave equation becomes a partial differential equation with kinematic wave parameters that depend on the flow depth. However, working with the kinematic wave equation comprised of kinematic wave parameters that are independent of the flow depth, is a lot more convenient. Here, regression methods were used to calculate the kinematic wave parameters that are independent of the flow depth for a trapezoidal channel cross-section, which is a common cross-section shape. The developed expressions for the kinematic wave parameters provided very good approximation for the momentum equation of the kinematic wave model. The relationships among the geometry parameters of natural channel cross-sections were also investigated.