Chapter 4

Hydraulic Jumps
The most common application of the momentum equation in
open channel flow is that deals with the analysis of the
hydraulic jump. The rise in water level, which occurs during
the transformation of the unstable rapid or supercritical
flow to the stable tranquil or subcritical flow, is called a
hydraulic jump, manifesting itself as a standing wave. At the
place, where the hydraulic jump occurs, a lot of energy of
the flowing liquid is dissipated (mainly into heat energy).
This hydraulic jump is said to be a dissipator of the surplus
energy of the water. Beyond the hydraulic jump, the water
flows with a greater depth, and therefore with a less
velocity.
A hydraulic jump was first investigated experimentally by
the Italian engineer Leonardo da Vinci (1818).
The hydraulic jump is defined as the sudden and turbulent
passage of water from a supercritical state to a subcritical
state. Experimental evidence suggests that the flow changes
from supercritical state to subcritical state and can occur
very abruptly through phenomenon known as a hydraulic
jump. The change in flow regime takes place over a
relatively short reach of a channel. So it is a local
phenomenon, therefore, boundary friction is relatively small
and in many cases insignificant.
Hydraulic jump occurs frequently in a canal below a
regulating sluice at the foot of a spillway or at the place
where a steep channel bottom slope suddenly changes to a
flat slope. Here the pressure distribution is non-hydrostatic
due to huge curvature of flow.

4. 1
Chapter Four Hydraulic jumps

Practical applications of the hydraulic jumps

 It is used to raise the water level on the downstream side
of a metering flume and thus maintaining high water
level in the channel for irrigation, etc.
 It is used to dissipate energy in water flowing over
spillway and other hydraulic structures and thus prevent
scouring downstream.
 It increases the discharge of the sluice by holding back
tail water.
 It increases the weight on an apron and thus reduces
uplift pressure under a masonry structure by raising the
water depth on its apron.
 It can be used to mix chemicals used for water
purification or wastewater treatment.
 It can be used to aerate water for city water supply.

Depending on the critical depth as well as the real occurring

depth of water in a channel, three types of flow can be
distinguished:
Tranquil or subcritical flow, if the depth of water, in the
channel is greater than the critical depth,
Critical flow, If the depth of water in the channel is critical,
Rapid or supercritical flow, If the depth of water in the
channel is smaller than the critical depth,

4.1 Types of hydraulic jump

In the formation of hydraulic jump, flow changes from
supercritical state to subcritical state. The initial Froude
number, Fr1 of the incoming flow should be always greater
than one for a jump to occur. Depending upon the value of
Froude number Fr1 of the incoming flow, there are five
distinct types of the hydraulic jump, Figure 4.1.

4. 2
 Chapter Four Hydraulic jumps

Fr1 = 1.0-1.7 Undular Jump Fr1 = 1.7-2.5 Weak Jump

Fr1 = 2.5-4.5 Oscillating Jump Fr1 = 4.5-9.0 Steady Jump

Fr1 > 9.0 Strong Jump

Figure 4.1: Various types of hydraulic jump. (Chow, 1959)

1- Undular jump: For Fr1 =1.0 to 1.7, the water surface

shows undulations, and the jump is called an undular
jump.
2- Weak jump: For Fr1 = 1.7 to 2.5, the jump formed is
called a weak jump, as the velocity throughout is fairly
uniform and only a small amount of energy is dissipated.
In this case a series of small rollers forms on the jump
surface, but the downstream water surface remains quite
smooth.
3- Oscillating jump: For Fr1 = 2.5 to 4.5, the jump formed
is known as an oscillating jump. In this case, the entering
jet of water oscillates back & forth from the bottom to
the surface and back again. These oscillations are very
common in canals and can travel to a considerable
distance damaging earthen banks.
4- Steady jump: For Fr1 = 4.5 to 9.0, the jump formed is
well stabilized and is called a steady jump. For this jump,
the energy dissipation ranges from 45 to 70%.

4. 3
Chapter Four Hydraulic jumps

5- Strong jump: For Fr1 = 9.0 or greater, the jump formed is

called a strong jump. In this case, a rough surface
prevails, which continues downstream for a long
distance. The jump action is quite rough but is effective,
since the energy dissipation may reach 85%.

4.2 Analysis of hydraulic jump

Due to appreciable energy loss associated with the hydraulic
jump, the application of the energy equation to the channel
sections before and after the jump does not provide an
adequate means of analysis.

To analyze the hydraulic jump, the following assumptions

are made:
 The portion of the hydraulic jump is considered as the
control volume and it is assumed that before and after
the jump formation the flow is uniform
 The pressure distribution is hydrostatic.
 The length of the jump is small so that the losses due to
friction on the channel floor are small.
 The channel floor is horizontal or the slope is so gentle
that the weight component of the water mass comprising
the jump is negligibly small.

Initial depth, sequent depth and the conjugate depths

The upstream water depth of the hydraulic jump, y1 is called
the initial depth of the jump;
The downstream water depth of the hydraulic jump, y2 is
called the sequent depth,
Both depths y1 and y2 are called the conjugate depths.

4. 4
Chapter Four Hydraulic jumps

Consider the control volume which contains the water

volume between the two depths, y1 and y2 and the channel
bed, referring Figure 4.2. Applying momentum equation in
section 1 and 2,
ΣF = rate of change of momentum.
P1  P2  W sin   F  Q(V2  V1 )
For horizontal channel, θ= 0, also, if the channel friction is
neglected then Fτ= 0, then

Figure 4.2: Hydraulic jump in horizontal channel

P1  QV1  P2  QV2
P1  M 1  P2  M 2
Where, P1, P2 are the total hydrostatic forces at section 1 and
at section 2, also P1   A1 y1 and P2   A2 y2 where y is the
vertical depth of the centroid of the wetted area from the free
liquid surface, therefore:
Q2 Q2
 A1 y1     A2 y2  
gA1 gA2

4. 5
Chapter Four Hydraulic jumps

Several basic characteristics of the hydraulic jump in

horizontal frictionless rectangular channel are to be
discussed below, see Figure 4.3,

Figure 4.3: Hydraulic jump and E-y curve

At section 1, the flow is rapid (supercritical) with uniform

flow depth y1 < yc is called the initial depth. At section 2, the
flow is tranquil (subcritical) with uniform flow depth y2 > yc
is called the sequent depth.
Let q is the discharge per unit width. Then, from continuity
of flow, we have, q= V1y1= V2y2.
The pressure force at any section is given by P   A1 y .
Therefore,

From the momentum equation, we have,

P1  M 1  P2  M 2
Q2 Q2
 A1 y1     A2 y2  
gA1 gA2

For rectangular channel of unit width we have:

y  q2 y  q2
 (by1 ) 1  b   (by2 ) 2  b
2 g y1 2 g y2

4. 6
Chapter Four Hydraulic jumps

Dividing by γ.b and simplifying we get:

q2  1 1  1 2 q 2  y2  y1  1
    ( y2  y1 ) 
2
   ( y2  y1 )( y2  y1 )
g  y1 y2  2 g  y1 y2  2

For which:
q2 1
 ( y1 y 2 )( y 2  y1 )
g 2

In terms of Froude’s number, we get,

2 2
q 2 V1 y1 1
 1  ( y1 y2 )( y2  y1 )
g g 2

Dividing by y13, we get:

2
2 1 y y y y 2
Fr1  ( 2  2 )  ( 2 ) 2  2  2 Fr1  0
2 y1 y1 y1 y1

This is a quadratic equation, its solution is given, solving

for y2/y1 get:
y2 1 2
 ( 1  8 Fr1  1)
y1 2
Similar equation is obtained to get y1
y1 1 2
 ( 1  8 Fr 2  1)
y2 2

4.3 Specific force curve

Consider a free-surface flow. Let's call the depth-averaged
flow velocity, V; the water depth y; and let's assuming a
hydrostatic pressure distribution.
The momentum transfer, F, through a section (per unit time
and width) is expressed as:

4. 7
Chapter Four Hydraulic jumps

1
F  g y2   V 2 y
2
Variation of F versus y at constant q = Vy:
1 q2
F  gy 
2

2 y
dF  q2 
  g y 1  3 

dy  gy 
Due to q = Vy and Fr  V / gy
dF
dy

  g y 1  Fr 2 
For the previous equation, gets a minimum for F when:
dF
 0 at Fr = 1 or at
dy
q2
yc  3
g
It can be expressed in Figure 4.4 as a momentum-transfer
curve.

4. 8
Chapter Four Hydraulic jumps

Figure 4.4: Specific force curve

2
V 1
We have: c  yc , so
2g 2
1 1 1 3
Fmin  Fc   g y c   Vc yc   g yc   ( yc .2 g ). y c   g y c
2 2 2 2

2 2 2 2

4.4 Energy loss due to jump

The head or energy loss (ΔE), through a hydraulic jump is
difference of specific energies:
2 2
V1 V
E  E1  E 2  ( y1  )  ( y2  2 )
2g 2g
This is the general equation for the energy lost within the
hydraulic jump.
For rectangular channel, this equation may be written as

4. 9
Chapter Four Hydraulic jumps

q2 1 1
E  ( 2  2 )  ( y 2  y1 )
2 g y1 y2
We know that
2 2
q 2 V1 y1 1
 1  ( y1 y 2 )( y 2  y1 )
2g 2g 4
( y 2  y1 ) 3
 E  E1  E 2 
4 y1 y 2
The ratio ΔE/E1 is known as the relative loss.
 ( y2  y1 ) 3 
 
E  4 y1 y2 
 2
E1 V1
( y1  )
2g

It can also be expressed in terms of Froude number as,

3
 1  8 F 2  3 
E  r1


E1 8( 2  F 2 )( 1  8 F 2  1)
r1 r1

4.4.1 Efficiency of jump

It is the ratio of the specific energy after and before the
jump. It can be shown that the efficiency is
2 2
E 2 (1  8 Fr1 ) 3 / 2  4 Fr1  1
 2 2
E1 8 Fr1 (2  Fr1 )
E2 E1  E
   1  relative loss
E1 E1
This equation indicates that the efficiency of a jump is
dimensionless function, depending only on the Froude
number of approaching flow.

4. 10
Chapter Four Hydraulic jumps

Power lost within the jump is given by, P   Q E in KW

4.5 Hydraulic jump height

The difference between the depths after before the jump is
height of the jump or
h j  y2  y1
Expressing each term as a ratio with respect to initial
specific energy,
hj y2 y1
 
E1 E1 E1
Where hj/E1 is the relative height, y1/E1 is the relative initial
depth and y2/E1 is relative sequent depth. All these ratios can
be shown to be dimensionless functions of Fr1.

4.6 Hydraulic jump length

The length of a jump is the distance measured from front
face of the jump to a point on the surface immediately
downstream from the roller. It is the point on the
downstream where the flow just stabilizes again.
The length of a jump is required while selecting the apron
length and the height of the sidewalls of a stilling basin.
The length of jump cannot be determined easily by theory,
but it has been investigated experimentally. However, during
laboratory investigations, it is difficult to mark the beginning
and the end of a jump because of highly turbulent flow
surface, formation of roller, eddies, and air entrainment.

For a rectangular channel with horizontal floor, the length

of the jump has been found to vary between 5 to 7 times the
heights of jump, hj.
The experimental data on length of jump can be plotted
conveniently with the Froude number, Fr1 against a

4. 11
Chapter Four Hydraulic jumps

dimensionless ratio L/y1. Although satisfactory correlation

has been observed for L/y1, considerable amount of
disagreement exists between the data reported by different
researchers for L/y2.

We also may apply some experimental formulas by

hydraulicians:
Pavolovski's formula (1940), for a rectangular channel, if
Fr1> 10:
L j  2.5 (1.9 y 2  y1 )
Picalov's formula (1954), for a rectangular channel, if Fr1>
10:
L j  4 y1 1  2 Fr1
If 3 < Fr < 400 in a rectangular channel, we may use
Ivadian's formula (1955):
8(10  Fr1 ) ( y 2  y1 ) 3
Lj  .
Fr1 4 y1 y 2
In case of a trapezoidal channel, we use Ivadian's formula
(1955):
 B b 
L j  5 y2 1  4 

 B 
Where: B and b are the free water-surface widths of the
wetted cross-sections before and after the jump,
respectively.

Pressure at the toe of the jump and at the end of the jump
follow hydrostatic pressure distribution, Inside the body of
the jump , a strong curvature of the streamlines cause the
pressure to deviate from the hydrostatic distribution.

4. 12
Chapter Four Hydraulic jumps

Observations by Rajaratnam have shown that in the initial

portions of the jump the pressures in the jump body will be
less than the hydrostatic pressure. The defect from the
hydrostatic pressure increases with an increase in the initial
Froude number. However, at the bottom of the channel and
at the narrow region close to the channel bed the pressures
are essentially hydrostatic.

4.7 Hydraulic jump profile

The jump profile is required to determine the weight of
water in a dissipater in order to counteract the uplift force if
the basin floor is laid on a permeable foundation. While
designing the height of the side walls, the water profile is
required.
Bakhmetoff and Metzke who were the first to investigate
systematically the longitudinal elements of the jump, took
the end of the jump as the section of maximum surface
elevation before the drop off caused by the channel
conditions downstream. They also represented the surface
profile of the jump by dimensionless curves for various Fr1
values.
In fact, because of the flat nature of the water surface, they
could only mark out a region in which the end of the jump
could be arbitrarily fixed. The jump lengths as given by
Bakhmeteff and Matzke are somewhat shorter than the jump
lengths produced in wider channels probably because they
are affected by the friction of the narrow width of the flume.
Hager (1991) developed the following empirical
relationship for the flow depth, y, at distance, x, from the
beginning of the jump
y  tanh(1.5 X )

4. 13
Chapter Four Hydraulic jumps

x ( y  y1 )
Where X  and Y  and Lr is the length of the
Lr ( y2  y1 )
roll

4.8 Jump on a sloping floor

Hydraulic jump occurring on the sloping floor can be
described by the momentum equation, see Figure 4.5.
P1  M 1  W sin   P2  M 2
3
 yt  K L j tan  yt 2  KL j tan  2 Fr12  yt  2 Fr12
   ( )  1    
 y 0
 y1  y1 y1  y 1 cos    1  cos 
The above equation can be used to estimate the sequent-
depth ratio by a trial-and error procedure if the term KLj is
known.
In general, KLj can be expected to be a function of Fr1 and θ
and its variation can be obtained only through experimental
study.

Figure 4.5: Jump on sloping floor

4. 14
Chapter Four Hydraulic jumps

4.9 Hydraulic jump location

A hydraulic jump is formed at a location where the flow
depths upstream and downstream of the jump satisfy the
equation for the sequent depth ratio. For closer estimate of
the jump position however, length of the jump should be
considered.

Considering the flow downstream of a sluice gate, the flow

depth at the sluice outlet is y1 and the sequent depth
corresponding to this depth is y2. There are several different
possibilities for the formation of jump, depending upon the
tail water depth, yd.

 The jump is formed on the apron if the downstream

depth, yd, is equal to the depth y2 required by the sequent
depth ratio as shown in Figure.4.6.

 If yd is less than y2, then the jump moves downstream to a

point where the upstream depth y1 is the sequent depth to
yd, (Figure.4.6). In this figure, broken line is used to
show the sequent depth y2 required for the depth y1 at the
sluice outlet.

4. 15
Chapter Four Hydraulic jumps

Figure 4.6: Location of jump

 If the tail water depth is higher than the required amount,

then the jump is pushed back, as shown in Figure.4.6.
This is called submerged or drowned jump.

EXAMPLES
1- A rectangular basin has a discharge of 10.0 m3/s/m passes
at depth of 0.8 m. Find the sequent depth, relative loss,
length of jump, efficiency. If an obstruction is placed in the
bed to dissipate some energy, reducing the downstream
depth of the jump to be 3.7 m. what is the force on the
obstruction.

Solution:
2 2
q 2 V1 y1 1
 1  ( y1 y 2 )( y 2  y1 )
2g 2g 4

4. 16
Chapter Four Hydraulic jumps

10 2 1
 (0.8 y 2 )( y 2  0.8)
2 x9.81 4
2
y 2  0.8 y 2  25.48  0  y 2  4.66 m

To get the relative loss

( y 2  y1 ) 3 (4.66  0.8) 3
hL  E    3.86m
4 y1 y 2 4 x0.8 x 4.66
q2 10 2
E1  y1  2
 0.8   8.76m
2 gy1 2 x9.81x0.8 2
E 3.86
The relative loss   0.44
E1 8.76

The jump length can be estimated form the following

equation
L j  5  7( y 2  y1 )  6 ( y 2  y1 )  23.16m
Try to find the jump length for the other mentioned
equations

The efficiency is
E 2 E1  E 8.76  3.86
    55.9%
E1 E1 8.76

To get the force on obstruction, apply the momentum

equation
P1  M 1  P2  M 2  F
F  P1  P2  M 1  M 2
 2  2  b2q 2  b2q 2
F by1  by2  
2 2 g by1 g by2

4. 17
Chapter Four Hydraulic jumps

F 1 10 2 1 1
 (0.8  37) 
2
(  )  6.525  9.987  3.46
b 2 9.81 0.8 3.7
F= 3.46 t/m' width

2- A rectangular channel having a jump to dissipate 5 m

head water if the inlet Froude number is 8.5. Find the
sequent depth.
Solution:
To get the sequent depth y2:
y2 1 2
 ( 1  8Fr1  1)  11 .53  y2  11 .53 y1
y1 2
The head loss within the jump
3
( y 2  y1 ) 3 (11 .53 y1  y1 ) 3 1167 .576 y1
hL  E   2
 2
 5 .0 m
4 y1 y 2 4 x11 .53 y1 46.12 y1
y1= 0.1975 m, then y2 = 2.27 m

3- A hydraulic jump takes place in a trapezoidal channel of

bed width 6.0 m, side slopes 1:1 and Manning's n= 0.025.
The conjugate depths are 1.0 m and 2.0 m. determine the
head loss caused by the hydraulic jump and the critical
slope.

Solution:
The application of the momentum equation gives:
P1  M 1  P2  M 2
Q2 Q2
 A1 y1     A2 y2  
gA1 gA2
2 3 2 3
by1 y1 Q2 by2 y2 Q2
Z   Z 
2 3 g[(b  Zy1 ) y1 ] 2 3 g[(b  Zy 2 ) y2 ]

4. 18
Chapter Four Hydraulic jumps

6 x1.0 2 1 .0 3 Q2 6 x 2 .0 2 2 .0 3
 1x    1x
2 3 9.81[(6  1x1.0)1.0] 2 3
Q2

9.81[(6.0  1x 2.0)2.0]
Q = 37.2 m3/s
To get the head loss within hydraulic jump
Q2 Q2
hL  E1  E2  [ y1  2
]  [ y2  2
]
2 gA1 2 gA2
37.2 2 37.2 2
hL  E  [1  ]  [ 2  ]  0.164 m
2 x9.81x7 2 2 x9.81x16 2
The critical depth
3
Q2 A
 c
g Tc
By trial and error, yc =1.45 m
The critical slope can be obtained by Manning's equation
1 A5 / 3 1 / 2
Q Sc
n P2/3
1 ((6 x1.45)1.45)5 / 3 1/ 2
37.2  [ ]Sc
0.025 (6  2 2 x1.45) 2/3

Sc  0.3198

4- Each horizontal line in the following table represents a

hydraulic jump in a frictionless rectangular channel. Find the
missing data.
No. y1 V1 y2 V2 hL
1 0.80 ? 2.40 ? ?
2 1.50 6.64 ? ? ?
3 ? 14.00 ? 1.677 ?
4 ? ? ? 0.660 0.60
Where: y1, y2 and hL in meter V1 and V2 are in m/s

4. 19
Chapter Four Hydraulic jumps

Solution:
1- For y1 = 0.8 and y2 = 2.4m:
y2 1 2
 ( 1  8 Fr1  1)  Fr1  2.449
y1 2
V1
Fr1   V1  6.86 m / s
g . y1
y1 1 2
 ( 1  8Fr 2  1)  Fr 2  0.4719
y2 2
V2
Fr 2   V2  2.289 m / s
g. y2
( y2  y1 ) 3 (2.4  0.8) 3
hL  E    0.5333 m
4 y1 y2 4 x0.8 x 2.4

2- For y1 = 1.50 and V1 = 6.64 m/s:

V1
Fr1   1.73
g . y1
y2 1 2
 ( 1  8Fr1  1)  y2  2.997 m
y1 2
y1 1 2
 ( 1  8Fr 2  1)  Fr 2  0.6126
y2 2
V2
Fr 2   V2  3.32 m / s
g. y2
( y2  y1 ) 3
hL  E   0.1876 m
4 y1 y2

3- For V1 = 14.00 m/s and V2 = 1.667 m/s:

Q  V1 A1  A2 V2
b y1 V1  b y2 V2  y1  0.119 y 2

4. 20
Chapter Four Hydraulic jumps

y2 1 2
 ( 1  8 Fr1  1)  Fr1  6.324 m
y1 2
V1
Fr1   6.324
g . y1
From which y1= 0.499 m and y2=4.197 m
( y2  y1 ) 3
hL  E   6.04 m
4 y1 y2

4- For V2 = 0.66 m/s and hL = 0.60 m:

V2 0.03699
Fr 2   Fr 2 
g . y2 y2
y1 1 2
 ( 1  8Fr 2  1)
y2 2
y2 0.2935
y1  ( 1  1)
2 y2
( y2  y1 ) 3
hL   0.60
4 y1 y2
From the previous y2 = 0.49 m and y1 = 0.064 m
V1
Fr1   5.756  V1  4.56 m / s
g . y1

4. 21
Chapter Four Hydraulic jumps

SHEET NO. 4

1. The phenomenon occurring in an open channel when a

rapidly flowing stream abruptly changes to slowly flowing
stream causing a distinct rise of liquid surface, is
a. Water hammer b. Hydraulic jump
c. Critical discharge d. None of the above
2. For a given discharge in a horizontal frictionless channel
two depths may have the same specific force. These two
depths are known as
a. Specific depths b. Sequent depths
c. Alternate depths d. Normal depth and
critical depth
3. Shooting flow can never occur
a. Directly after a hydraulic jump b. In a horizontal
channel
c. In a mild slope channel d. In a steep slope
channel

4. What do you mean by hydraulic jump? Write down its

applications.
5. What do you mean by following?
a. Undulating jump b. Weak jump
c. Oscillating jump d. Strong jump
6. Derive the expression for the energy loss during a
hydraulic jump also write down the assumption made.

7. Water on a horizontal apron of a 30 m wide downstream

the spillway has a depth of 18 cm and a velocity of 5.5 m/s.
calculate the sequent depth of the jump, the Froude numbers
before and after the jump, and the energy dissipated within
the jump.

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Chapter Four Hydraulic jumps

8. A trapezoidal channel having a bottom width of 4.0 m and

side slope 1:1, convey a discharge of 50 m3/s. if the sequent
depth is 4.0 m. estimate the horsepower lost in the jump

9. A hydraulic jump occurs in a rectangular open channel.

The water depths before and after the jump are 0.6 m and 1.5
m, respectively. Calculate the critical depth.

10. Water flows in wide, lining channel with n = 0.014. A

hydraulic jump occurs at the transition of the change in slope
of the channel bottom. If the upstream Froude number and
depth are 4.0 and 6.0 cm, respectively, determine the slopes
upstream and downstream of the jump to maintain uniform
flows in those regions. Compare these slopes with critical
slope. The jump can be treated as a jump on horizontal
surface.

11. In a stream flowing at the rate of 100 cfs, can a hydraulic

jump with an initial depth of 3.0 ft take place in any of the
following channel:
a. A rectangular channel of bed width 3.0 ft.
b. A trapezoidal channel of bed width of 2.0 ft and 1:1 side
slope
c. A channel of parabolic section whose formula X2 = 4Y
If any jump is formed, calculate the conjugate depths and the
head loss

4. 23