14.3.5. Velocity Distributions

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is open channel flow?

   Hint

   Think about how rivers and streams act.

2. 2.

   Define hydraulic radius.

   Hint

   It's important for characterizing flow in channels.

3. 3.

   What represents the highest velocity in an open channel?

   • At the free surface
   • At the bottom boundary
   • In the middle of the flow

   Hint

   Where do you think the water moves the fastest?

4. 4.

   True or False: The pressure at the free surface in an open channel is above atmospheric pressure.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Consider how pressure behaves at the surface of a fluid.

5. 5.

   Given a trapezoidal channel with a bottom width of 5 m, side slopes of 2:1, and a flow depth of 3 m, calculate the hydraulic radius and determine if the flow is uniform.

   Hint

   Make sure to correctly apply the trapezoidal area formula.

6. 6.

   Analyze how changing the channel slope from 1% to 2% affects the velocity distribution at a depth of 2 meters.

   Hint

   Consider how gravitational forces influence flow characteristics in this scenario.