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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's a fundamental parameter in open channel flow calculations.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula calculates the hydraulic radius based on the relationship between average turbulent flow velocity, shear velocity, and surface roughness.
Details: Accurate hydraulic radius calculation is crucial for designing efficient hydraulic systems, predicting flow characteristics, and ensuring proper channel design in civil and environmental engineering applications.
Tips: Enter average velocity in m/s, shear velocity in m/s, and roughness value in meters. All values must be positive and non-zero.
Q1: What is shear velocity?
A: Shear velocity, also called friction velocity, is a form by which a shear stress may be re-written in units of velocity.
Q2: How is roughness value determined?
A: Roughness Value is the arithmetic average of the absolute values of the roughness profile ordinates, typically measured or estimated based on surface characteristics.
Q3: When is this formula most applicable?
A: This formula is particularly useful for turbulent flow conditions in rough channels where surface roughness significantly affects flow characteristics.
Q4: What are typical roughness values for different materials?
A: Roughness values vary significantly - from 0.001-0.01 mm for smooth metals to 1-10 mm for rough concrete or natural channels.
Q5: How does hydraulic radius affect flow efficiency?
A: Larger hydraulic radii generally indicate more efficient flow conditions with less energy loss due to friction.