Identification of critical depth and lateral flow regime in symmetrical rough compound channel

Abstract

Critical depth in an open channel is most commonly known as the point of minimum specific energy, the point of minimum specific force, or the transition between supercritical and subcritical flow, where the celerity of a surface wave is equal to the velocity of the flow. In this paper, a new method to find out kinetic energy correction factor for determining critical depth in a compound channel is presented in Froude number and specific energy curve by conducting experiment in symmetrical rough compound channels. And also the types of lateral flow regime in present compound channel flow is identified at which the flow behaviour within the channel begins to change from one regime to another.