Prediction of the lateral flow regime and critical depth in compound open channels

Abstract

In this study, the common critical depth calculation in compound channels has been modified considering the effect of momentum transfer between the interface of a main channel and its floodplains. In noncorrected specific energy curves of a given slope, the flow is not necessarily entirely sub- or supercritical as it is in a single cross section and there is a possibility of both flow regimes at a certain stage, called the lateral mixed flow regimes, which makes the application of specific energy equation to determine the critical depth and transitional zone calculations questionable. In the present research, the flow distribution in a main channel and floodplains has been corrected by combining the corrected hydraulic flow in compound cross sections using the coherence method. The specific energy has been subsequently modified in the subsections. The results seem satisfactory when compared with the results based on the available laboratory data.