Manning's Formula and Gravity Flow
Calculate cross-sectional average velocity flow in open channels.
Manning's equation can be used to calculate cross-sectional average velocity flow in open channels
v = (kn / n) Rh2/3 S1/2 (1)
where
v = cross-sectional mean velocity (ft/s, m/s)
kn = 1.486 for English units and kn = 1.0 for SI units
n = Manning coefficient of roughness - ranging from 0.01 (a clean and smooth channel) to 0.06 (a channel with stones and debris, 1/3 of vegetation)
Rh = hydraulic radius (ft, m)
S = slope - or gradient - of pipe (ft/ft, m/m)
Hydraulic radius can be expressed as
Rh = A / Pw (2)
where
A = cross sectional area of flow (ft2, m)
Pw = wetted perimeter (ft, m)
Download and print Gravity Flow - Mannings Equation Chart
The volume flow in the channel can be calculated as
q = A v = A (kn / n) Rh2/3 S1/2 (3)
where
q = volume flow (ft3/s, m3/s)
A = cross-sectional area of flow (ft2, m2)
Example - Flow in an Open Channel
A channel with the shape of an half circle is 100% filled. The diameter of the half circle is 500 mm (0.5 m) and the channel is made of concrete with Manning coefficient 0.012. The slope of the channel is 1/100 m/m.
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The cross section area of the half circle flow can be calculated as
A = (0.5 π ((0.5 m) / 2)2)
= 0.098 m2
The wetted perimeter of the half circle flow can be calculated as
P = 0.5 2 π (0.5 m) / 2)
= 0.785 m
The hydraulic radius of the channel can be calculated from (2) as
Rh = A / P
= (0.098 m2) / (0.785 m)
= 0.125 m
The cross sectional mean velocity can be calculated from (1) as
v = (kn / n) Rh2/3 S1/2
= (1.0 / 0.012) (0.125 m)2/3 (1/100 m/m)1/2
= 2.1 m/s
The volume flow can be calculated from (3) as
q = A v
= (0.098 m2) (2.1 m/s)
= 0.20 m3/s
Gravity Flow Calculator - Half Filled Circular Pipe
The Gravity Flow Calculator is based on the equations and the example above above. It's valid for half filled circular pipe.
Diameter of pipe (m, ft)
Slope (m/m, ft/ft)
n (1.0 for SI units, 1.486 for Imperial units)
