Factors Affecting Velocity Distribution in Open Channels

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In an open channel flow, velocity distribution is non-uniform which means velocity is different at different depths. Various Factors such as channel slope, alignment, shape, roughness etc plays key role in velocity distribution.

Velocity Distribution in Open Channels

An open channel is a conduit which has free water surface exposed to the atmosphere. Rivers, canals etc come under open channel category. Because of free water surface and frictional resistance along the channel boundary velocity distribution is non-uniform in open channels. To measure velocity of open channel at required depth, Pitot tube or current meter are used. In general, to find average velocity of a particular open channel, velocity at a depth of 0.6 m from free water surface is measured. In the other case, velocity at 0.2 m depth, 0.8 m depth from free water surface is taken and average velocity of these two values is considered as channel average velocity.

Factors Affecting Velocity Distribution in Open Channels

Velocity distribution in open channels is mainly depends upon the following factors.

1. Shape of the channel section
2. Roughness of channel
3. Alignment of channel
4. Slope of Channel bed

1. Shape of the Channel Section

Open channels may be naturally formed or artificially developed. Natural open channels do not have any particular shape and they contain irregular sections while artificial channels are provided with certain designed shapes such as rectangular, circular, trapezoidal, triangular etc. Contour lines of equal velocities in different shapes of channel sections are shown in below figure.

2. Roughness of Channel

Roughness of channel is the measure of amount frictional resistance offered by channel bed material against flow of water. In natural channels, the flow velocity is affected by the presence of large angular boulders as bed material, vegetation, obstructions etc. If the channel is made of smooth clay or silt, its roughness is very low and water flows faster. In case of artificial channels, smooth finishing is required to maintain required flow velocity. The average velocity in open channels can be calculated using manning’s formula mentioned below. Where, V = Average velocity of channel R = hydraulic radius of channel = Area/Perimeter S = Slope of channel n = Manning’s roughness coefficient Manning’s roughness coefficient values are different for different materials used to construct channels and the values for different materials are tabulated below. Table 1:  Manning's Roughness Coefficient (n) values for Different Types of Channel Materials

Channel Surface Material	Channel Condition/Description	Manning’s Roughness Coefficient (n)
Earth	Newly excavated	0.018
	After weathering	0.022
	Gravel	0.025
	No vegetation	0.028
	Grass  and Weeds	0.030
	Presence of Aquatic Plants	0.035
	Earth bottom and rubble sides	0.030
	Stoney bottom and weedy banks	0.035
	Cobble bottom and Clean sides	0.040
Rock cuts	Smooth and uniform	0.035
	Jagged and irregular	0.040
Concrete	Trowel finish	0.013
	Float finish	0.015
	Finished with gravel on bottom	0.017
	unfinished	0.017
	Gunite, good section	0.019
	Gunite, wavy section	0.022
	on good excavated rock	0.020
	on irregular excavated rock	0.027
Brick	Glazed bricks	0.013
	Cement mortar finish	0.015
Asphalt	Smooth	0.013
	Rough	0.016
Wood	Planed, untreated	0.012
	Planed, creosoted	0.012
	Unplaned	0.013
	Plank with battens	0.015
	Lined with roofing paper	0.014
Masonry	Cemented rubble masonry	0.025
	Dry rubble masonry	0.032

Below figure represents velocity distribution curves of different shaped channels. If the channel roughness is more, the curvature increases.

3. Alignment of Channel

The velocity of flow in channel also depends up on the alignment of channel. If the channel is straight there will be no change is velocity with respect to alignment. In straight channels, maximum velocity is generally occurs at 0.05 to 0.15 m depth from free water surface. If it is sinuous or meandering, the velocity will vary at bends. At bend, due to centrifugal action of flow the velocity becomes more at convex side compared to concave side.

4. Slope of Channel Bed

Slope of channel bed or gradient of channel will also effects the velocity of flow in open channels. At steeper gradients, velocity increases while at normal gradients velocity decreases.