MCCCD Program Description

Basic Hydraulic Principles

Course: WRT253

First Term: 2008 Spring

Lecture 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s) 3 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S

Description: Basic open channel flow principles including velocity profiles, roughness coefficients, and backwater computation

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Explain fluid properties. (I) 2. Explain hydraulic forces on submerged objects. (II) 3. Define similitude and dimensional analysis. (III) 4. Explain the energy equation for an ideal fluid. (IV) 5. Describe steady uniform flow of real fluids in open channels. (V) 6. Determine velocity profiles. (VI) 7. Explain flow resistance in open channels. (VII) 8. Explain the momentum principle and the specific-energy equation. (VIII) 9. Explain gradually varied flow. (IX) 10. Determine roughness coefficients. (X) 11. Perform backwater computations. (XI) 12. Describe principles of energy loss. (XII) 13. Determine discharge for rapidly varied flow conditions. (XIII) 14. Use one-dimensional, conservation laws (mass, energy, momentum) to analyze flow. (XIV)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Fluid Properties A. Definitions B. Mechanical properties of some fluids II. Hydraulic forces on submerged objects III. Similitude and dimensional analysis A. Definitions B. Examples and exercises IV. Energy equation for an ideal fluid A. Streamlines B. The continuity equation C. The energy equation V. Real fluids in open channels VI. Velocity profiles A. General concepts B. Reynolds Number C. Laminar flow D. Turbulent flow VII. Flow resistance in open channels A. General concepts B. Chezy, Darcy-Weisbach, and Manning`s equations C. Flow in channel sections with variable roughness VIII. Momentum Principle and Specific Energy A. Definitions B. The momentum equation C. The specific-energy equation IX. Gradually Varied Flow A. Theory B. Examples X. Roughness Coefficients A. Flow resistance for gradually varied flow in open channels B. Measures of flow resistance (Manning`s N) C. Estimating resistance in stable channels D. Special considerations in mobile-bed channels XI. Backwater Computations A. Classification of water-surface profiles B. Modeling using step-backwater computation XII. Local Energy Losses in Natural Channels A. Concept and definitions B. Methods of computation XIII. Discharge Computations for Rapidly Varied Flow A. Rapidly varied flow at constrictions B. Flow through culverts C. Flow over weirs XIV. Conservation of mass, momentum, and energy A. Steady and unsteady B. Gradually and rapidly varied flows C. Specific energy D. Specific force E. Critical depth

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 11/27/2007

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.