Description
In open channel flows, the critical flow conditions occurred when the specific energy (of the mean flow) is minimum. The critical flow conditions constitute a singularity of the depth-averaged Bernoulli principle for open channel flow. While there is a direct solution of critical flow calculations for rectangular channels, the complete calculations for channels of irregular cross-sections are more complicated.
The calculations of critical flow are conducted iteratively or graphically. In the former, the calculations are typically conducted by trial and error.
Hubert Chanson.
Author
Hubert Chanson
Date
2021
Copyright
Hubert Chanson
References
BÉLANGER, J.B. (1828). "Essai sur la Solution Numérique de quelques Problèmes Relatifs au Mouvement Permanent des Eaux Courantes." ('Essay on the Numerical Solution of Some Problems relative to Steady Flow of Water.') Carilian-Goeury, Paris, France, 38 pages & 5 tables (in French).
HENDERSON, F.M. (1966). "Open Channel Flow." MacMillan Company, New York, USA.
LIGGETT, J.A. (1993). "Critical Depth, Velocity Profiles and Averaging." Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 119, No. 2, pp. 416-422.
CHANSON, H. (2006). "Minimum Specific Energy and Critical Flow Conditions in Open Channels." Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering., ASCE, Vol. 132, No. 5, pp. 498-502 (DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9437(2006)132:5(498)).
CHANSON, H. (2004). "The Hydraulics of Open Channel Flow: An Introduction." Butterworth-Heinemann, 2nd edition, Oxford, UK, 630 pages (ISBN 978 0 7506 5978 9).
IAHR Media Library
This web site was launched by Prof. Michele Mossa of the Polytechnic University of Bari (Italy) with the initial support of Fondazione Caripuglia, Bari, Italy for the Research Project LIC-MON of 2003 and of the Project IMCA (Integrated Monitoring of Coastal Areas) financed by MIUR PON D.M. 593/00. Later, the initiative was supported with other Prof. Michele Mossa’s funds, most recently provided by the RITMARE Project.
