Free overfalls in flat-based circular and U-shaped channels

Abstract

This paper presents a theoretical model based on the free vortex theorem that is capable of predicting the pressure head distribution at the brink of free overfalls in open channels. This approach is coupled with the momentum equations to obtain the end-depth-ratio (EDR) from which the discharge can be estimated. In order to illustrate its flexibility, the theory is successfully applied to flat-based circular and U-shaped channels. Using previous experimental data, the proposed method is validated.