Module Leader: Prof. I. Guymer

Co-lecturer: Dr J.M. Pearson

Module Information

Scope

This 15 CATS module is one of the third year modules for:

Aims

Knowledge of fluid mechanics is essential for good practice of civil and environmental engineering. This module provides background material on open channel hydraulics and engineering hydrology that serve as a sound base for other relevant civil and environmental modules and for future professional practice.

Learning Outcomes

To enable students to understand the principles of free surface flows and engineering hydrology applied to civil engineering problems.

Students who have successfully completed this module will be able to:

• explain the principles controlling open channel flows
• summarise the differences between flow types
• analyse free surface flow problems using friction, energy and momentum considerations
• predict rainfall and runoff characteristics for UK catchments

Syllabus

Open Channel Hydraulics

• Review of hydrostatics, pipe flow and Bernoulli equation
• Laminar and turbulent flow in open channels
• Laminar flow analysis
• Principles of uniform flow
• Development of friction equations - magnitude of friction coefficients
• Channels with distorted cross-sections & “Best form” cross-sections
• Development of energy concepts & specific energy
• Critical flow considerations
• Applications of the energy principle
• Measurement structures and dilution gauging
• Development of conservation of momentum principle
• Specific force considerations
• Analysis of hydraulic jump
• Gradually varied flow equation & classification of gradually varied flow profiles
• Methods for the calculation of gradually varied flow profiles
• Location of hydraulic jump
• Introduction to commercial numerical software

 Engineering Hydrology

• The hydrological cycle
• Precipitation, initial losses, infiltration, percolation, evapotranspiration, surface runoff, groundwater flow
• Rainfall types and spatial variability of rainfall (UK)
• Rainfall. Intensity - duration - frequency (return period) analysis
• The Flood Estimation Handbook (FEH)
• Design storm rainfall. Uniform intensity and FEH rainfall profiles
• River flow analysis
• The unit hydrograph
• FEH techniques to estimate runoff from catchment characteristics; impacts of urbanisation
• Reservoir routing

Teaching Methods

This module includes 30 hours of lectures, 3 hours of examples classes, 10 hours of seminars and 1.5 hour of laboratory session.

Required self-study: 105 hours

Assessment

A 15 CATS module: 80% examined via a 2 hour paper

Exam rubric information:

• 3 Compulsory Questions

and 20% assessed design exercise.

Links to:

Student Resources

Staff Pages

Reading List

Recommended Textbooks:

Chadwick, A, Morfett, J and Borthwick, M., 2004.  Hydraulics in Civil and Environmental Engineering.  Taylor & Francis, 4th ed., p.680

Shaw, E.M., Beven, K.J, Chappell, N.A., Lamb, R., 2010. Hydrology in Practice, Taylor & Francis, 4th ed., p.560  

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