Numerical Method of Computing Flow Profiles

Abstract

A simple rapidly converging iterative method of computing gradually varied steady flow profiles in open channels of any shape, prismatic or nonprismatic, is presented. The method is also applicable to spatially varied steady flow. It is not necessary to determine the shape of the expected profile or the type of flow in advance to proceed with the solution. Computations can proceed either upstream or downstream, regardless of the type of flow, once the channel, discharge, and the initial depth of flow are specified. The procedure for hand computation is illustrated by an example and a Fortran program is given.