UH-Downtown White Oak Buffalo

Brays Bayou Concrete Channel under a bridge June 9, 2001

Uniform Open Channel Flow Uniform flow - Manning’s Eqn in a prismatic channel - Q, V, y, A, P, B, S and roughness are all constant Critical flow - Specific Energy Eqn (Froude No.) Non-uniform flow - gradually varied flow (steady flow) - determination of floodplains Unsteady and Non-uniform flow - flood waves

Critical Flow in Open Channels In general for any channel shape, B = top width Critical Flow ---- Q2/g = (A3/B) (y = yc) Finally Fr = v/(gy)1/2 = Froude No. Fr = 1 for critical flow Fr < 1 for subcritical flow Fr > 1 for supercritical flow Critical Flow in Open Channels

Non-Uniform Open Channel Flow With natural or man-made channels, the shape, size, and slope may vary along the stream length, x. In addition, velocity and flow rate may also vary with x. Non-uniform flow can be best approximated using a numerical method called the Standard Step Method.

Non-Uniform Computations Typically start at downstream end with known water level - yo. Proceed upstream with calculations using new water levels as they are computed. The limits of calculation range between normal and critical depths. In the case of mild slopes, calculations start downstream. In the case of steep slopes, calculations start upstream. Calc. Q Mild Slope

Non-Uniform Open Channel Flow Let’s evaluate H, total energy, as a function of x. Take derivative, Where H = total energy head z = elevation head, v2/2g = velocity head

Replace terms for various values of S and So Replace terms for various values of S and So. Let v = q/y = flow/unit width - solve for dy/dx, the slope of the water surface

Given the Froude number, we can simplify and solve for dy/dx as a fcn of measurable parameters *Note that the eqn blows up when Fr = 1 and goes to    zero if So = S, the case of uniform OCF. where S = total energy slope So = bed slope, dy/dx = water surface slope

Now apply Energy Eqn. for a reach of length L This Eqn is the basis for the Standard Step Method Solve for L = Dx to compute water surface profiles as function of y1 and y2, v1 and v2, and S and S0

ALL POSSIBLE PROFILES

Mild Slopes where --- Yn > Yc Uniform Depth Mild Slopes where --- Yn > Yc

Numerical Solver – select y value and break into small steps and solve for Dx x

Backwater Profiles - Compute Numerically y3 y2 y1

Routine Backwater Calculations Select Y1 (starting depth) Calculate A1 (cross sectional area) Calculate P1 (wetted perimeter) Calculate R1 = A1/P1 Calculate V1 = Q1/A1 Select Y2 (ending depth) Calculate A2 Calculate P2 Calculate R2 = A2/P2 Calculate V2 = Q2/A2

Backwater Calculations (cont’d) Prepare a table of values Calculate Vm = (V1 + V2) / 2 Calculate Rm = (R1 + R2) / 2 Calculate Manning’s Calculate L = ∆X from first equation X = ∑∆Xi for each stream reach (SEE SPREADSHEETS) Energy Slope Approx.

100 Year Floodplain Bridge D QD Floodplain C QC Bridge Section B QB A Tributary Floodplain C QC Main Stream Bridge Section B QB A QA Cross Sections Cross Sections

Floodplain Determination

The Floodplain Top Width

The Woodlands The Woodlands planners wanted to design the community to withstand a 100-year storm. In doing this, they would attempt to minimize any changes to the existing, undeveloped floodplain as development proceeded through time.

HEC RAS (River Analysis System, 1995) HEC RAS is a computer model designed for cross sections in natural rivers. It solves the governing equations for the standard step method, generally in a downstream to upstream direction. It can also handle the presence of bridges, culverts, and variable roughness, flow rate, depth, and velocity.

HEC - RAS Orientation - looking downstream

BRIDGES

BRIDGES

BRIDGES

River Multiple Cross Sections

HEC RAS (River Analysis System, 2016)

HEC RAS Bridge CS

HEC RAS Input Window

XS A XS B XS C Laser Beam GIS LIDAR TECHNOLOGY LIDAR DATA

Current Brays Bayou Watershed 100-yr Floodplain

Brays Bayou-Typical Urban System Bridges cause unique problems in hydraulics Piers, low chords, and top of road is considered Expansion/contraction can cause hydraulic losses Several cross sections are needed for a bridge 288 Bridge causes a 2 ft 288 Crossing