Quick Hydraulics

Channel hydraulics is the study of how water flows through open channels like rivers, canals, and ditches. It helps engineers understand and design systems for irrigation, drainage, stormwater, and flood control.

Important terms include:

Flow Area (A) – the cross-sectional area of water in the channel
Wetted Perimeter (P) – the part of the channel touching the water
Hydraulic Radius (R) – calculated as
Discharge (Q) – the amount of water flowing, found using $Q = A \times V$

To estimate flow speed in a channel, we often use Manning’s Equation:

V=(1.486/n)*(R^(2/3))*(S^0.5)

Where:

= flow velocity
= roughness (depends on the material, like concrete or grass)
= slope of the channel

These formulas help predict how fast water will move and how much will flow, which is important for safe and efficient water management.

Pipe & Culvert Hydraulics deals with how water moves through closed conduits like circular pipes and rectangular box culverts. This is essential for designing effective drainage, sewer, and stormwater systems.

Important terms include:

Flow Area (A) – the cross-sectional area of water in the channel
Wetted Perimeter (P) – the part of the channel touching the water
Hydraulic Radius (R) – calculated as
Discharge (Q) – the amount of water flowing, found using $Q = A \times V$

To estimate flow speed in a channel, we often use Manning’s Equation:

V=(1.486/n)*(R^(2/3))*(S^0.5)

Where:

= flow velocity
= roughness (depends on the material, like concrete or grass)
= slope of the channel

These formulas help predict how fast water will move and how much will flow, which is important for safe and efficient water management.