CE3007 – Hydraulics I

Report – Sluice Gate in Sloping Channel

Jack Ryan – 122433536
Introduction

For this laboratory session, the effects of a sluice gate on a sloped open channel
were investigated. Components such as sluice gates and weirs are commonly
used to control the flow of water in open channel flow in applications such as
irrigation networks, flood control systems, and canals. These structures can
cause significant changes in the flow of water through the channels in which they
are placed, and such effects must be considered and accounted for in hydraulic
engineering projects.

Apparatus & Procedure

Fig. 1 – Experiment Apparatus

The apparatus for this experiment consists of an open fluid channel of 77mm
internal width, on an adjustable slope (set to 2 degrees for this experiment). A
pump at one end of the channel pumps water through the channel at a constant
rate. A sluice gate is fixed along the channel’s length and is adjusted until the
fluid level visibly continues to lower after the sluice gate. (but remains constant
afterwards). The height of the fluid surface is then measured from a point
upstream, and a point downstream of the gate. The distance between these
points is then recorded.
Calculations

Assuming steady flow, and negligible friction in the channel;

q 1=q 2

Where q 1 & q 2 are the specific flow rates at measured points 1 (before
sluice gate) & 2 (after sluice gate) respectively.
Q
As specific flow rate q= , where Q is the volumetric flow rate, (¿ VA ) within
b
the channel and b is the channel’s width;
y 1 v 1= y 2 v 2

As channel is assumed steady flow, the specific energy of the fluid

remains constant;
2 2
v1 v2
z 1+ y 1+ =z 2+ y 2+
2g 2g
Where z , y , & v represent the elevation, depth and velocity, respectively,
of the fluid at a given point, and g is acceleration due to gravity. The
change in height of the channel between the two points can be expressed
as a component of its slope S, and the distance between the points, L;
∆ z=SL
Substituting;
2 2
v1 v2
y1+ = y 2 + −SL
2g 2g
q
Expressing v as ;
y
2 2
q q
y1+ 2
= y 2+ 2
−SL
2 g y1 2 g y2

Rearranging;
1 1 1 2
y 1− y 2 + SL= ( 2 − 2 )q
2 g y2 y1

Finally, in terms of q ;
1
2g
q=[ ( y 1− y 2 +SL ) ]2
1 1
2
− 2
y2 y1
 From this equation, the recorded values may be used to determine
the specific flow rate of the water in the channel;
y 1=159.5 mm , y 2=14.1 mm , S=0.02 , L=1082 mm
1
2 (9.81)
q¿[ ( 0. 1595−0.0141+ ( 0.02 ) (1 .082) ) ] 2
1 1
2
− 2
(0.0141)2 (0. 1595)1
3
m
¿ 0.0256
s
From this, the flow rate with respect to the channel width can be
determined as follows;
Q=qb
¿(0.0256)(0.077)
3
m
¿ 0.00197
s

This can be further verified by considering the flow through the sluice gate
as an orifice discharge;
Q=c d Hb √ 2 g y 1

Where H is the height of the orifice, and is typically in the range of

H ≈ 0.6 y 2 for sluice gates, b is the width of the channel, and c d is the
coefficient of discharge of the orifice, given by;
0.61
cd=

√ 1+0.61(
H
y1
)

Substituting known values;

H=0.6 ( 0.0141 )
¿ 23.1 mm

0.61
cd=

√ 1+0.61(
0.0231
0.1595
)

¿ 0.5847
Q=(0.5847)(0.0231)(0.077) √ 2(9.81)(0.1595)
3
m
¿ 0. 00184
s
3
m
As both values are within 0.00013 of eachother, this orifice discharge
s
approximation can be considered relatively effective in this application.
However, the value obtained will still not be entirely accurate due to the
estimation of H .

Finally, it would be sensible to calculate the Froude number for the

channel regions lying upstream and downstream of the sluice gate, so the
flow regimes in each section could be determined, and therefore the
effect of the sluice gate on the state of flow.
The Froude number, Fr , at a given point in an open channel is given as
follows;
v
Fr=
√ gy
q
Expressing v as ;
y

Fr= √ 2
gy q
gy
Upstream Froude number;

Fr 1=
√ g y1 q
g y 21

( √ ( 9.81 ) ( 0.1595 ) )(0.0256)

Fr 1= 2
(9.81) ( 0.1595 )
¿ 0.12 83 - Upstream flow is subcritical

Downstream Froude number;

Fr 2=
√ g y2 q
g y 22

( √ ( 9.81 ) ( 0. 0141 ))(0.0256)

Fr 2= 2
(9.81) ( 0. 0141 )
¿ 4.8817 - Downstream flow is supercritical
From this, it becomes apparent that the flow regime changes drastically
across the sluice gate, transforming from subcritical to supercritical flow.
Conclusion

From the results obtained through these calculations, the veracity of flow
and energy equilibrium equations can be confirmed in cases of steady,
frictionless flow. However, the flow was observed to undergo a substantial
change in regime across the sluice gate, which would have significant
implications for practical applications of sluice gates in hydraulic
structures such as canals, irrigation systems, or flood management
structures. Subcritical flow is characterised by the ability of surface waves
to propagate upstream. This results in flow which is slower, more
predictable and stable than supercritical flow.
Supercritical flow occurs when the fluid velocity is too great for surface
waves to overcome, preventing upstream propagation and resulting in
more turbulent, unpredictable conditions. It is commonly desirable to
design a hydraulic system to operate under subcritical flow for this
reason.
However, through components such as sluice gates, flow can easily
become supercritical, which would cause greater stress to downstream
components, especially in the case of discharge to rivers or natural
streams, where supercritical flow may cause bank erosion, flooding, and
damage to aquatic life.
Finally, it was found that considering flow through a sluice gate as orifice
discharge produced a relatively accurate approximation of the flow rate
through the gate. This is of considerable utility, as it allows for the simple
approximation of sluice gate flow in a channel of non-uniform gradient.