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Hydraulic Depth Formula:
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Hydraulic Depth is defined as depth which is in contact with water. It is a fundamental parameter in open channel flow calculations, representing the ratio of cross-sectional area to top width of the flow.
The calculator uses the Hydraulic Depth formula:
Where:
Explanation: The hydraulic depth provides a measure of the average depth of flow in an open channel, which is crucial for various hydraulic calculations including flow velocity and discharge computations.
Details: Accurate hydraulic depth calculation is essential for designing and analyzing open channel flows, determining flow characteristics, and ensuring proper hydraulic performance in channels, rivers, and engineered water conveyance systems.
Tips: Enter wetted surface area in square meters (m²) and top width in meters (m). Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero.
Q1: What is the difference between hydraulic depth and hydraulic radius?
A: Hydraulic depth is the ratio of cross-sectional area to top width (A/T), while hydraulic radius is the ratio of cross-sectional area to wetted perimeter (A/P).
Q2: When is hydraulic depth used in engineering calculations?
A: Hydraulic depth is particularly important in calculating Froude number and determining whether flow is subcritical or supercritical in open channels.
Q3: How does hydraulic depth affect flow velocity?
A: For a given discharge, larger hydraulic depth generally results in lower flow velocity, while smaller hydraulic depth increases flow velocity.
Q4: Can hydraulic depth be greater than actual water depth?
A: Yes, in channels with complex cross-sections (such as trapezoidal or circular), hydraulic depth can be greater than the maximum water depth.
Q5: What are typical hydraulic depth values in natural streams?
A: Hydraulic depth varies widely depending on channel geometry and flow conditions, typically ranging from a few centimeters in small streams to several meters in large rivers.