Hydraulic Radius Of Open Channel Calculator

Hydraulic Radius of Rectangle Formula:

\[ R_{H(rect)} = \frac{B_{rect} \times D_f}{B_{rect} + 2 \times D_f} \]

Hydraulic Radius of Rectangle (R_H(rect)):

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1. What is Hydraulic Radius of Rectangle?

The Hydraulic Radius of Rectangle 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 and hydraulic engineering.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Hydraulic Radius of Rectangle formula:

\[ R_{H(rect)} = \frac{B_{rect} \times D_f}{B_{rect} + 2 \times D_f} \]

Where:

\( R_{H(rect)} \) — Hydraulic Radius of Rectangle (m)
\( B_{rect} \) — Width of Section of Rect Channel (m)
\( D_f \) — Depth of Flow of Channel (m)

Explanation: The formula calculates the hydraulic radius by dividing the cross-sectional area (width × depth) by the wetted perimeter (width + 2 × depth) for a rectangular channel.

3. Importance of Hydraulic Radius Calculation

Details: Hydraulic radius is crucial for determining flow characteristics in open channels, including velocity, discharge, and energy loss calculations. It is used in the Manning's equation and other hydraulic formulas.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the width of the rectangular channel and depth of flow in meters. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between hydraulic radius and hydraulic diameter?
A: Hydraulic radius is the ratio of cross-sectional area to wetted perimeter, while hydraulic diameter is four times the hydraulic radius. Hydraulic diameter is more commonly used in pipe flow calculations.

Q2: How does hydraulic radius affect flow velocity?
A: Larger hydraulic radius generally results in higher flow velocities for the same slope and roughness, as there is less frictional resistance per unit area.

Q3: Can this formula be used for non-rectangular channels?
A: No, this specific formula is for rectangular channels only. Other channel shapes (trapezoidal, circular, etc.) have different formulas for hydraulic radius calculation.

Q4: What are typical values for hydraulic radius in engineering applications?
A: Hydraulic radius values vary widely depending on channel size and shape, but typically range from 0.1m for small channels to several meters for large rivers and canals.

Q5: Why is hydraulic radius important in Manning's equation?
A: In Manning's equation, flow velocity is proportional to the hydraulic radius raised to the 2/3 power, making it a critical parameter for discharge calculations in open channels.