ABSTRACT
Open channel flow is characterised by the existence of a free surface (the water surface). In consequence, problems in open channel flow are more complex than those of pipe flow, and the solutions are more varied, making the study of such problems both interesting and challenging. In this chapter, the basic concepts are introduced, and a variety of common engineering applications are discussed. Firstly, flow classification and the properties of natural and artificial channels are described. Then, the fundamental concepts involved in the study of uniform flow, rapidly varied flow, gradually varied flow and unsteady flow, including energy and momentum concepts and the phenomenon of the hydraulic jump, the significance of the Froude number and the theory underlining critical depth metres are described and equations developed. This leads to examples of the application of the equations for uniform flow, rapidly varied flow, gradually varied flow and critical depth metres to solve typical problems. Worked examples and problems for solution are also given in the text.
