Hydraulic Radius Given Average Velocity In Channel With Chezy Constant Calculator

Formula Used:

\[ Hydraulic\ Radius\ of\ Channel = \frac{(Average\ Velocity\ of\ Flow / Chezy's\ Constant)^2}{Bed\ Slope} \]

Hydraulic Radius of Channel (RH):

Unit Converter ▲

Unit Converter ▼

From:	To:

1. What is Hydraulic Radius?

Hydraulic Radius of Channel is the ratio of the cross-sectional area of a channel or pipe in which a fluid is flowing to the wet perimeter of the conduit. It is a fundamental parameter in open channel flow calculations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ RH = \frac{(Vavg / C)^2}{S} \]

Where:

\( RH \) — Hydraulic Radius of Channel (m)
\( Vavg \) — Average Velocity of Flow (m/s)
\( C \) — Chezy's Constant (dimensionless)
\( S \) — Bed Slope (dimensionless)

Explanation: This formula calculates the hydraulic radius based on the Chezy equation for open channel flow, relating flow velocity, channel characteristics, and slope.

3. Importance of Hydraulic Radius Calculation

Details: Hydraulic radius is crucial for designing and analyzing open channel flows, determining flow capacity, calculating shear stress, and designing efficient hydraulic structures.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter average velocity in m/s, Chezy's constant, and bed slope. All values must be positive numbers. The bed slope is typically a very small value (e.g., 0.001-0.0001).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the typical range for Chezy's constant?
A: Chezy's constant typically ranges from 30 to 100 m^1/2/s, depending on the channel roughness and flow conditions.

Q2: How does bed slope affect hydraulic radius?
A: For a given velocity and Chezy's constant, a steeper bed slope results in a smaller hydraulic radius, and vice versa.

Q3: What are typical values for hydraulic radius?
A: Hydraulic radius values vary widely depending on channel size and shape, from a few centimeters for small channels to several meters for large rivers.

Q4: When is this formula most applicable?
A: This formula is most applicable for steady, uniform flow conditions in open channels with known Chezy's constant.

Q5: How does hydraulic radius differ from hydraulic diameter?
A: Hydraulic radius is half the hydraulic diameter. For circular pipes flowing full, hydraulic radius = D/4, while hydraulic diameter = D.