Nondimensional analysis of spatially varied flow in rectangular channels

A nondimensional form of the basic differential equation for spatially varied flow with increasing discharge was developed in section VI. The main purpose of this thesis is the application of this nondimensional equation to rectangular channels of various roughness values.

A rectangular channel with continuous flow was constructed in order to establish uniform flow. The channel roughness was altered by placing screen wire and wooden cubes in the channel. Manning roughness coefficients were determined from the observed values for uniform depth.

The law of conservation of linear momentum was used to develop a differential equation for spatially varied flow with increasing discharge. By defining certain dimensionless parameters, this equation was altered to a dimensionless form. An IBM 7040 computer was used to solve this nondimensional equation for various conditions of slope, roughness, and discharge. When the channel slope and roughness were held constant, the theoretical profiles varied slightly over a wide range of discharge.