Gradually Varied Flow

The flow is said to be gradually varied when the depth

changes gradually over a long distance, whereas in
rapidly varied flow, the change in depth takes place in a
short distance.
If flow is gradually varied, the depth y and other flow
factors vary smoothly from section to another.

In varied flow, depth y and other flow factors change

abruptly over a very short distance. Discontinuity of
flow is also possible. Rapidly varied flow can be seen
e.g. at a weir, at a change in channel width, at an
hydraulic jump or an hydraulic drop.
Non-Uniform & Uniform Flow
GVF

Uniform Flow
Gradually varied flow may be caused as a
result of one or more of the following factors:

Change in the shape and size of the channel

cross-section
Change in the channel slope.
Presence of obstruction, such as a weir
Change in the frictional forces at the
boundaries.
 Equation of Gradually Varied Flow
The following assumptions are necessary for analyzing
the gradually varied flow:

1. That the flow is steady.

2. That the pressure distribution over the channel section
is hydrostatic, i.e., streamlines are practically straight
and parallel,
3. That the head loss is same ass for uniform flow
4. That the channel slope is small, so that the depth
measured vertically is the same as depth measured
normal to the channel bottom,
5. That the channel is prismatic.
6. That the kinetic energy correction factor is very close
to unity and
7. That the channel roughness does not depend upon the
depth of flow, and is constant along the channel length.
Equation of Gradually Varied Flow
V2 Q2
H Zy Zy 2
Eq.1
2g 2gA
line dH dz dy Q2 d 1

dx dx dx 2g dx A 2
By definition,

dH dz
S f (energy slope); So Bed slope
dx dx

The negative sign of Sf and So indicates

that both H and Z decrease as x increases.

d 1 d 1 dA d 1 dA dy
2 2 2
dx A dA A dx dA A dy dx
d 1 2T dy dA
2 3 sin ce T
dx A A dx dy
Equation of Gradually Varied Flow
By substituting values in Eq(1) and rearranging the resulting equation

As,
dy S0 S f
Eq.(2)
dx
1

TQ 2 TQ2 (Q / A )2
Fr
2

gA3 gA 3 gA

T

dy S0 S f
Eq(3)
dx 1 Fr2
Eq(2) is known as Equation of Gradually varied Flow
Sf may be estimated using the Manning's equation.
n2Q 2
Sf 2 4 / 3
A Rh
 Gradually Varied Flow
Governing equation for
dy So S f
2
gradually varied flow
dx 1 Fr
Gives change of water depth with distance along
channel
Note
I. So and Sf are positive when sloping down
in direction of flow
II. y is measured from the channel bottom
III. dy/dx =0 means water depth is constant
Depth is yn when Uniform flow So = S f
 Various forms of GVF
dy S0 S f
Eq.(2) S Sf
dx
1

TQ 2 For =1
dy
dx
0

TQ 2 Eq(2A)
gA3 1
gA3

1
Q AV AC R hS o A R h2 / 3S1o/ 2
n
Q K o So (for Uniform flow condition)
Q K Sf (for non Uniform flow condition)

n2 Q 2 Q2
The friction slope' S f ' 2 4 / 3 2 and
A Rh K
Q2
bed slope (Uniform flow )' So ' 2
Ko
S f K 2o
i.e. 2 Eq(4 )
So K
 Similarly sec tion factor ' Z' at depth ' y'
2 A3
Sf K 2
Z
o
2
Eq(4) T
So K Similarly sec tion factor ' Z c ' at Critical depth ' y c '
2 A 3c Q 2
Z
c
Tc g
Using Eq(4) and Eq(5) in Z 2c Q 2 T
Hence, Eq.(5)
GVF equation 2 we obtain Z 2 gA 3
the following
dy S Sf
0 Eq(2 A)
dx
1

TQ 2 Equation 6 is useful in developing
gA 3
direct integration techniques
S S
1 f 1 f
dy
So So
So So
dx
1
TQ 2


Z 2c
1 2
3
gA Z
K o 2
1
K
dy
So Eq.6
dx Z c 2
1
Z