Cross-Channel Transfer of 

Linear Momentum in Smooth 

Rectangular Channels

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 1592-B

0-
Cross-Channel Transfer of 

Linear Momentum in Smooth 

Rectangular Channels

3y R. W. CRUFF

.ABORATORY STUDIES OF OPEN-CHANNEL FLOW

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 1592-B

JNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1965
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

STEWART L. UDALL, Secretary

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

William T. Pecora, Director

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office 

Washington, D.C. 20402 - Price 15 cents (paper cover)
CONTENTS

Page

Symbols ________________________________________________________ iv

Abstract____-_____________ _____________________ Bl

Introduction. _____________________________________________________ 1

Linear momentum transfer.____-__---__-_-_-______-_-____-_____ 2

Linear momentum equation___________________________________ 3

Review of the literature._______________________________________ 5

Apparatus and procedures__--__-__--__---___-_---___-_-_-_--_--_-_- 7

The flume.____________________________-___-_-______ 7

Depth measurements_________,^__-____________________________ 8

Velocity measurements__-_---_-_-_-________-______-_--___--____ 8

Results__------_____-________________________________ 9

Shear-stress analysis.._-_-__-___-_-_--___-____-_-__--__--__-_ 10

Distribution of the shear stress_-------__------_-_-----_--_----__ 11

Maximum shear stress.________________________________________ 18

Average shear stress.__________________________________________ 21

Apparent shear force_________________________________________ 23

Cross-channel transfer of momentum___________________________ 24

Summary__ _ ____________________________________________________ 24

References cited-__________________________________________________ 25

ILLUSTRATIONS

Page

FIGURE 1. Definition sketch of forces in the momentum equation.-- B4

2. Channel cross sections.______________________________ 7

3. Typical surface profiles._____________________________ 9

4. Typical vertical velocity traverse (central region). ____ 11 

5-12. Shear-stress distribution, bottom:

5. (0.026<W£<0.030)__-_-_--------_--_-----_- 12

6. (0.040<W£<0.050)_--_-_---_-------_-----_- 12

7. (0.050<W£<0.062)_--_-_-_-___-_----------- 13

8. (0.074<yo/£<0.087)_--_-_-----------_------- 13

9. (0.110<3/o/#<0.120)__.__________._-_____.__- 14

10. (0.140<W£<0.145)_---_------_-__--_-----_- 14

11. (0.195<W£<0.215)_------_----------_----_- 15

12. (Lane, 1955)----------___---_---_---_-----_- 15

13-17. Shear-stress distribution, wall:

13. (0.026<W#<0.030)_-__________-_-__--___- 16

14. (0.040<W£<0.062)_--_-_-_---_-_----_----_- 16

15. (0.074<2/o/£<0.087)_-----_-_---_-_------- 17

16. (0.110<2/o/£<0.120)----------_-----_------- 17

17. (0.140<2/o/£<0.215)_--_--_--_--_-_---------- 18

m
IV CONTENTS

Page 

FIGURE 18,19. Maximum shear stress, bottom _________________ B19, 20

20,21. Maximum shear stress, wall.._ ____________________ 20,21

22. Average shear stress--------------------------------- 22

23. Average boundary shear stress------------------------ 22

24,25. Apparent shear force_____----------_---------------- 23,24

TABLE

Page 

TABLE!. Summary of data___-_----_--_--------_------------------- BIO

SYMBOLS

a Constant.

A Area of cross section.

6 One-half the total width of channel bottom, %B.

B Total width of channel bottom.

Fa Apparent shear force.

F^ Apparent shear force for incremental distance in the longitudinal direction.

p Pressure.

P Wetted perimeter.

R Hydraulic radius, A /P.

R Reynolds number.

S0 Slope of the uniform flow.

u Velocity at a point. __

u* Local shear velocity, VTQ/P.

M* Average shear velocity, VTO/PU Average velocity in the cross section.

y Distance above the channel bottom.

yo Uniform flow depth.

2 Distance from the wall in the lateral direction.

0 Correction for the variation in shear stress along the solid boundary.

7 Specific weight of fluid.

e Correction for the apparent shear at the free surface of an open channel.

8 Slope angle.

K Von Karmdn's constant.

v Kinematic viscosity.

p Fluid mass density.

TO Local boundary shear stress.

Ta Average apparent shear stress.

TO Average boundary shear stress.

\ Two-dimensional shear stress, 7
CONTENTS 

SUBSCRIPTS, UNLESS OTHERWISE DEFINED ABOVE

a Bottom.

	Wall.

x Longitudinal direction.

 Vertical direction.

z Lateral direction.

1 Upstream section.

2 Downstream section.

SUPERSCRIPT, UNLESS OTHERWISE DEFINED ABOVE 

"~ Time average.

LABORATORY STUDIES OF OPEN-CHANNEL FLOW

GROSS-CHANNEL TRANSFER OF LINEAR MOMENTUM 

IN SMOOTH RECTANGULAR CHANNELS

By R. W. CEUFF

ABSTRACT

The object of this investigation was to study the lateral transfer of momentum 

from the central region to the vfertical-wall regions in smooth rectangular channels. 

The first step in the method was to determine the shear stress along the channel 

periphery. This shear stress was then incorporated in the momentum equation 

to solve for the lateral cross-channel transfer of linear momentum.

The shear stress along the channel periphery was computed by two methods: 

one made use of the Preston-tube technique, and the other, the Karm&n-Prandtl 

logarithmic velocity law. From these computed shear stresses the shear-stress 

distributions, the maximum shear stress, and the average shear stresses for the 

channel bottom and walls were determined and plotted. The average shear 

stress for the channel bottom was much larger than that for the channel walls at 

the small depth-to-width ratios. The difference became less at the larger depthto-width ratios. The depth-to-width ratio of the channel cross section was the 

only flow characteristic which affected the boundary shear stress (distribution, 

maximum, and average) for smooth boundaries and for a moderate range of 

Reynolds numbers. A central region in which shear stress was approximately 

equivalent to the shear stress for two-dimensional flow was found by the writer 

for smooth rectangular channels whose depth-to-width ratios were less than 0.08. 

In other words, for smooth rectangular channels the region in whcih the shear 

stress is affected by the wall extends a distance of about six times the flow depth 

laterally from the wall.

INTRODUCTION

Except for the effects of the free surface, the laws which govern 

the motion of fluids in closed conduits are equally applicable to uniform 

open-channel flow. Rapid advances have been made in recent years 

on the problem of flow in circular closed conduits. Similar progress 

has not been made in the field of open-channel flow because of additional complexities created by the presence of the free surface and by 

the normally asymmetrical cross section. Comparatively few systematic investigations have been made of open channels since the 

monumental work of Bazin, over a century ago.

Bl
B2 LABORATORY STUDIES OF OPEN-CHANNEL FLOW

The experimental data for this report were collected during an earlier 

study and have been reported in part by Tracy and Lester (1961). 

The project was conducted in the hydraulics laboratory of the Georgia 

Institute of Technology, under a cooperative agreement between the 

U.S. Geological Survey and the Georgia Institute of Technology. 

The analysis for this report was performed under the direction of 

Dr. M. R. Carstens, Professor of Civil Engineering at Georgia Institute 

of Technology.

The objective of this investigation was an analysis of the data; 

special study was made of the cross-channel transfer of linear momentum. The writer's analysis was based on a study of the shearstress distribution along the channel bottom and walls.

LINEAR MOMENTUM TRANSFER

All shear flows are characterized by a net transfer of longitudinal 

linear momentum from regions of higher linear momentum to regions 

of lower linear momentum.

The simplest example is that of laminar flow in a pipe. In such 

flow, linear momentum is transported toward the wall region by a 

molecular transfer. Where flow in a pipe is turbulent, the linear 

momentum is transferred to the wall region by the movement of 

microscopic masses of fluid.

Another example is that of overbank flow. In this type of flow, 

linear momentum is transported from the main channel section to the 

overbank section both by turbulence and by vertically oriented giant 

eddies (at least with shallow depths in the overbank section) which 

form at the junction plane of the main channel and overbank sections. 

The existence of these vertically oriented giant eddies was observed 

by Wilroy (1953) and Rodriguez-Diaz (1954) in their studies of the 

hydraulic jump in a nonrectangular open channel. The channel 

studied by Wilroy and Rodriguez-Diaz had vertical walls and a crosschannel slope of the bottom; the depth across the channel was therefore 

variable. For a hydraulic jump to occur in such a channel, a massive 

transfer of linear momentum from the deeper to the shallower part 

is required. Rodriguez-Diaz observed that, under certain conditions, 

turbulence plus steady cross currents were sufficient to effect the 

required transfer. On the other hand, if the required rate of transfer 

was too great, vertically oriented giant eddies formed which were 

capable of massive transport of linear momentum toward the shallower 

side.

Another mechanism which can transport linear momentum consists 

of line vortices alined with axes along the channel. The superposition 

of these line vortices on the flow is called secondary circulation. 

Prandtl (1952) presented a hypothesis about the location of these
TRANSFER OF MOMENTUM, RECTANGULAR CHANNELS B3

vortex pairs in various noncircular conduits. This secondary circulation is an effective supplement to turbulence in transferring linear 

momentum toward the wall regions in flow in noncircular conduits.

In a rectangular open channel, linear momentum must be transferred both downward toward the floor and laterally toward the walls. 

The lateral transport is necessitated by the existence of boundary 

shear on the walls. Where flow is two dimensional the net transport 

is in only one direction toward the floor. Conceptually the flow is 

divided into two three-dimensional flow regions near the walls and 

into a two-dimensional flow region in the central part of the channel. 

The mean and the fluctuating velocity patterns in a two-dimensional 

region have been studied by Laufer (1951), who conducted experiments using a rectangular smooth conduit. The existence of a threedimensional flow region near the wall is reflected in the following flow 

characteristics: Mean velocity, turbulence, apparent shear stresses, 

and boundary shear stress.

Boundary shear stress is a flow characteristic of major interest to 

engineers. For example, most engineering analyses are based on a 

gross-streamtube analysis, for which the total boundary shear force is 

generally required. As a further example, movement of particles on 

the bed and on the banks of a stream is directly related to the boundary 

shear stress. Determination of the boundary shear-stress distribution 

and the cross-channel transfer of linear momentum in rectangular 

open channels was the object of this investigation.

[

Summation of the"! [~ Rate of transport ~j [~ Rai 

external forces 1= of linear momentum I I of lit 

on a free body J |_out of the free bodyj [_ mt(

LINEAR MOMENTUM EQUATION 

The linear momentum equation for steady flow is simply:

Rate of transport 

linear momentum (1) 

into the free body _.

For purpose of analysis a rectangular parallelepiped (fig. 1) was 

chosen as a fluid free body. Face 1 is at the junction of the fluid and 

the bed. Face 2 is the free surface. Face 3 is a vertical plane along 

the centerline. Face 4 is a vertical plane parallel to the centerline 

at a distance of b z from the centerline. Faces 5 and 6 are the end 

faces of the free body and are separated by the axial distance dx. 

The linear momentum equation in the x-direction, along the axis of 

the channel, is formulated for steady uniform flow.

The external forces in the a?-direction on the free body are: (a) The 

pressure forces on faces 5 and 6; (b) the boundary shear force on face 1,

dx I TO&( dz) and (c) the weight force, y(b z) (yQ sin 0)dx. Because

J&

the flow is uniform the pressure force on face 5 exactly equals that on 

face 6.

772-646 O 65 2
B4 LABORATORY STUDIES OF OPEN-CHANNEL FLOW

! i

'*fb T06 (~dz)

K2 2 |

4 3-

FIGUBE 1. Definition sketch of forces in the momentum equation.

The linear momentum transport terms are as follows:

1. The linear momentum transport rate out througn face 6 exactly 

equals the transport rate in through face 5.

2. The net transport rate of linear momentum through face 3 by 

turbulent eddies is zero, because of the location of face 3 on the 

axis of symmetry.

3. The linear momentum transport rate out through face 4 is affected

both by turbulent eddies and by secondary circulation. 

The traditional treatment of the term for the rate of transport of 

linear momentum out through face 4 is to transfer it to the left side 

of equation 1. After this transfer is performed, the term can be 

considered as representing apparent shear force, ra yQ dx. 

The linear momentum equation is:

 dx\' TQb ( dz) 

Jb

(2)
TRANSFER OF MOMENTUM, RECTANGULAR CHANNELS B5

in which

6= one-half the total channel width 

x = distance in the longitudinal direction 

y0= uniform flow depth 

z= distance laterally from the wall 

7= fluid specific weight 

0= slope angle

T05= shear stress on the channel bottom 

T0 = average apparent shear stress

For the entire channel that is, 2=0 equation 2 reduces to:

o sin ff)dx=Q

in which TO& is the mean shear stress on the bed and TOM is the mean 

shear stress on the wall. Equation 2 simplified is

-To5(5)-ro»(22/o)+7(52/o)So=0 (3)

in which SQ is the bottom slope, sin 6. The common procedure is to 

obtain the mean value over the entire boundary rather than averaging 

the bottom and walls separately. Hence equation 3 can be simplified 

as follows:

 r0 (B+2jto) -\-y(By0)S0=Q 

or

(3a)

in which TO is the mean shear stress averaged over the entire boundary; 

A is the cross-sectional area, ByQ ; P is the wetted perimeter, B-\-2yG ; 

and R is the hydraulic radius, AjP.

REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Very few publications are entirely devoted to cross-channel transfer 

of linear momentum and (or) to shear stress distribution. Most 

investigations into the determination of the shear stress in open 

channels were either directed toward methods of measuring shear 

stress or undertaken as a side product of a larger investigation. 

The major part of these investigations was done hi conjunction with 

studies of sediment transport. This is partly due to the fact that a 

knowledge of the shear stress (or tractive force, as it is usually referred 

to in sedimentation studies) is required for investigation of channel 

stability.

Keulegan (1938), using the Karm&n-Prandtl velocity law,

JL_a+i ,«(*«*), (4)

tt* K \ V /
B6 LABORATORY STUDIES OF OPEN-CHANNEL FLOW

derived the expression for the mean velocity in a trapezoidal cross 

section

U 1 . 1 n /EM*\ , 1 0 _ U ,_. 

 =o \ ln( -)+- jS-e (5)

tt* K K \ V / K U*

hi which

o= constant

R= hydraulic radius

u= velocity at a point

U= average velocity for the cross section

«# = shear velocity, VTO/P

w#= average shear velocity, VTO/P

y= distance above the channel bottom

/3 = correction for the variation in shear along the solid boundary

e= correction for apparent shear at the free surface

«=Von Karmdn's constant

v kinematic viscosity

Keulegan stated that the correction for apparent shear at the free 

surface may be neglected and that the correction for the variation hi 

shear along the solid boundary of rectangular channels may be taken 

as 0.1. He showed that the hydraulic radius can be used in equation 

5 as the characteristic length for the cross section. Using Bazin's 

data, Keulegan also computed the shear velocity for points along the 

bottom and walls of the channel by means of equation 5.

Lane (1955) made an attempt to determine the shear distribution 

by a mathematical process. He used the Karmdn-Prandtl logarithmic distribution and boundary layer theory to obtain mathematical 

solutions of a supposedly analogous differential equation for a rectangular channel having a depth-to-width ratio of 1 to 2. His results 

showed a maximum shear stress on the bottom approaching yyoS0 

(the two-dimensional shear stress) and a maximum of Q.7Gjy0S0 on 

the walls.

Leutheusser (1963), in a study of turbulent flow in rectangular 

ducts, determined the shear stress around the periphery of rectangular 

ducts having aspect ratios of 1 to 3 and 1 to 1. He computed the 

shear stress by use of Preston's technique. Leutheusser's tests were 

made at Reynolds numbers that ranged from 34,000 to 92,000. He 

found shear stress distribution to vary with Reynolds number.

Hsu (1955) extended Preston's technique for the determination of 

local skin friction in pipes to that for boundary layer flow with adverse pressure gradients. He was able to check Preston's calibration 

curve almost identically for round-surface pitot tubes on flat surfaces 

that had either a zero pressure gradient or an adverse pressure gradient.

Hwang and Laursen (1963) showed that the methods evolved by 

Preston and Hsu give satisfactory results even for channels that have 

rough boundaries.
TRANSFER OF MOMENTUM, RECTANGULAR CHANNELS B7

APPARATUS AND PROCEDURES

THE FLUME

The laboratory tests were made in a steel flume 3.5 feet wide, 18 

inches deep, and 80 feet long (fig. 2). The flume is supported at 

its midpoint on a fixed pivot and at the ends by pairs of screw jacks. 

An electric motor at the pivot drives the two pairs of jacks simultaneously through torque tubes of equal length. The drive mechanism 

also furnishes a method for the determination of the flume slope. 

The number of turns made by the torque tubes from the level flume 

position is indicated by a mechanical counting device. The vertical 

displacement of the two ends of the flume for various counter readings

\

-2.0 ft- 1.5 ftFIGURE 2. Channel cross sections.
B8 LABORATORY STUDIES OF OPEN-CHANNEL FLOW

has been measured by precise levels. A calibration of counter 

reading against flume slope has been prepared from this data and 

from the measurement of the distance between the two end points. 

Tracy and Lester (1961) gave a detailed description of the flume.

Water is supplied to the flume by the laboratory recirculating 

system through either a 12- or a 6-inch line. Discharges are measured 

by a venturi meter in the 12-inch line, or by an orifice meter hi the 

6-inch line. Both meters were calibrated gravimetrically.

The depth of flow in the flume is regulated by an adjustable tailgate 

or by a sluice gate at the entrance of the flume.

Later, an overbank section was placed in this flume. The channel 

thus formed had a 2-foot-wide main flow passage and a 1.5-foot-wide 

overbank (fig. 2). These two sections were connected by a vertical 

wall 0.4 foot high. A rectangular channel 2 feet wide and 0.4 foot 

deep was then available.

DEPTH MEASUREMENTS

Near the normal depth, flow in uniform channels varies gradually 

from section to section. The change may be almost imperceptible 

over short distances, as in the 80-foot length of t|ie experimental 

flume. For mild channel slopes the normal surface* profile is the 

upstream asymptote to the Ml and M2 backwater curves. For 

steep slopes the normal profile is the downstream asymptote to the 

S2 and S3 curves. In each profile the normal line lies between the 

two curves. The method used to determine the normal flow depth 

consisted of the measurement of the surface profile at depths slightly 

greater than the normal, and at depths just shallower than the normal. 

The normal depth was then interpolated between the two curves. 

Point-gage readings to the nearest 0.001 foot were made at five points 

in cross sections at 1-foot intervals for the length of the flume. The 

point-gage readings were compared with the piezometric level at 

selected points in the flume.

In figure 3 a typical set of depth measurements is shown for both 

a mild and a steep slope.

VELOCITY MEASUREMENTS

Point velocities were measured by means of a stagnation tube connected to a manometer, and floor piezometers connected to another
TRANSFER OF MOMENTUM, RECTANGULAR CHANNELS B9

0.340

0.320 -

0.300

R = 51,500 F=0.156 S 0 =7.163 10

10 20 30 40 50 60

DISTANCE ALONG FLUME, IN FEET

A

70 80

0.300

- 0.260

0.220

EXPLANATION 

R = 580,000 F = 2.05 

= 9.03 ~

20 30 40 50 60

DISTANCE ALONG FLUME, IN FEET

B

FIGUKE 3 Typical surface profiles.

manometer. The velocity data were taken at the downstream end 

of the flume near the 70-foot station (fig. 3). The stagnation tube 

was held in place by an arm on a carriage, which rolled on rails along 

the top of the sidewalls and could be locked in place anywhere along 

the flume. The carriage had a mechanism for precise positioning of 

the stagnation tube in both the horizontal and the vertical directions. 

The position of the stagnation tube, in relation to both the flume 

bottom and the vertical walls of the channel, could be determined to 

the nearest 0.0001 foot.

Point vertical velocity traverses were made in the flow at various 

locations in relation to the wall. A traverse was also made with the 

stagnation tube in contact with the wall.

RESULTS

This investigation utilized 22 tests in a 3.5-foot-wide channel and 4 

tests in a 2-foot-wide channel. The pertinent information from each 

of these tests is listed in table 1.
BIO LABORATORY STUDIES OF OPEN-CHANNEL FLOW

TABLE 1. Summary of data

Test

1 __ __ .....

2 __ 

3 _ ........ ... 

4 

5 ............ _

6 _ ....

7 ........ ..... .................. _ ..

8 .................... .....................

9 ................ .........................

10.... _ ..... __ ......................

11 .. _ ..... _ . ... ...

12..... _ 

13..... . ....... ...............

14........................................

15 

16 _ .... .

17 

18. ... __ . . . ...... ...

19 

20... .. ..

21.. _ ..... _ ... _ ......... _ . _ ......

22........... __ .... .. ... ...

23... . ........ ..........

24.. .. __ ......... ............

25 

26 _ . _ ....

B

(ft)

3.49

3.49

3.49

3.49

3.49

3.49

3.49

3.49

3.49

3.49

3.49

3.49

3.49

3.49

3.49

3.49

3.49

3.49

3.49

3.49

3.49

3.49

1.99

1.99

1.99

1.99

U 

(fps)

2.135

1.430

1.777

2.455

2.750

2.015

1.330

1.145

1.355

.771

6.145

2.295

7.700

6.720

5.850

5.800

4.540

6.080

4.640

6.250

1.898

2.300

4.450

1.697

3.670

4.360

Vo/B

0. 0752

.1142

.1152

.1182

.1198

.1422

.0616

.0287

.0424

.0424

.0978

.0284

.0532

.0550

.0559

.1012

.1030

.0740

.0800

.0263

.0868

.2115

.1156

.0740

.0489

.1975

 yyoSo 

(Ibpersqft)

0. 02170

.01068

. 01575

.02840

.03425

.02010

.00929

.00807

.01020

.00381

.14080

.02900

.22650

.17810

.14030

.13100

.08570

.14950

.08900

.17080

.01732

.02555

.23250

.01630

.06720

.03380

R

179,300

163,800

217,000

310, 100

350,400

327,600

108,100

43,770

76,540

43,510

726,900

85,970

564,000

456,700

408,000

680,800

552,600

581,300

480,500

232,500

177,900

475,000

522,500

82,330

116, 000

263,500

SHEAR-STRESS ANALYSIS

Two methods were used to determine shear stress at points along 

the channel periphery. The first method involved the use of the 

Karman-Prandtl logarithmic law and the velocity data. The KarmanPrandtl logarithmic law, including values of the constants established 

from Nikuradse's experiments (1950), is

-=5.5+5.75 log -*

«* V

Multiplying equation 6 by u# and rearranging terms 

«=5.75 w* log 2/4/5.75 u* log ^+5.5 u*\

(6)

(7)

in which 5.75 u* is equal to the slope of the vertical velocity traverse 

curve (fig. 4). The shear stress can be determined because u* =V^o/PThe second method used to determine the shear stress was Preston's 

method. This method was used for those tests in which the stagnation tube was placed in contact with the channel boundary. The 

first method was used only for the channel bottom. For the limited 

number of tests, data were available to make shear-stress determinations by both methods. The results compared favorably.
TRANSFER OF MOMENTUM, RECTANGULAR CHANNELS Bll

4.5

4.0

3.5

2.5

2.0

0.001 0.01 

DISTANCE ABOVE FLUME BOTTOM, IN FEET

FIGURE 4. Typical vertical velocity traverse (central region).

0.10

DISTRIBUTION OF THE SHEAR STRESS

Figures 5-11 show the shear-stress distribution across the channel 

bottom for a range of depth-to-width ratios. They represent the 

actual shear stress, T0&/72/0So> divided by the two-dimensional shear 

stress as a function of z/b, which is the ratio of the distance from the 

vertical wall to the half-channel width.

These illustrations indicate that the shear-stress ratio decreases as 

the depth-to-width ratio increases. Thus, an increase in depth-towidth ratio beyond those values tested would probably result in still 

lower values.

Figure 12 shows the shear-stress distribution for channels whose 

depth-to-width ratio is 0.25 and 0.50, as presented by Lane (1955).

The shear-stress distribution for the vertical walls, for the different 

ranges of depth-to-width ratios, is shown in figures 13-17. The curves 

show the actual shear stress divided by the two-dimensional shear 

stress as a function of yly0, which is the ratio of the point depth to the 

total flow depth.
B12 LABORATORY STUDIES OF OPEN-CHANNEL FLOW

1.0 

0.8 

0.6 

0.4 

0.2

0 

(

1.2 

1.0 

0.8 

0.6 

0.4 

0.2 

0

0 </

/O

ft

5

O

^

O

c

^-°-

o

^^^^^^^

O

o 0

C

c 

c

) 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1. 

RATIO OF DISTANCE FROM WALL TO CENTERLINE (^)

FIGURE 5. Shear-stress distribution, bottom (0.026<ya/B<0.030).

/

7 \

i° °l

o

?

O (

/-&y$

3

o

,---0""o" __JI 

-fc 

^J

, 3 c

r

) 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.

RATIO OF DISTANCE FROM WALL TO CENTERLINE

FIGURE 6. Shear-stress distribution, bottom (0.040<jfo/-B<0.050).
TRANSFER OF MOMENTUM, RECTANGULAR CHANNELS B13

1.2

1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 

RATIO OF DISTANCE FROM WALL TO CENTERLINE (^

FIGURE 7. Shear-stress distribution, bottom (0.050<yo/B<0.062).

1.2

1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

1.0

0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 

RATIO OF DISTANCE FROM WALL TO CENTERLINE ^

1.0

FIGURE 8. Shear-stress distribution, bottom (0.074<y0/B<0.087).
B14 LABORATORY STUDIES OF OPEN-CHANNEL FLOW

1.2

1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

1.2

1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

O

0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 

RATIO OF DISTANCE FROM WALL TO CENTERLINE (f]

FIGURE 9. Shear-stress distribution, bottom (0.110<yo/J3<0.120).

0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 

RATIO OF DISTANCE FROM WALL TO CENTERLINE ("f")

1.0

FIGURE 10. Shear-stress distribution, bottom (0.140<ffo/J3<0.145).
TRANSFER OF MOMENTUM, RECTANGULAR CHANNELS B15

1.2

1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 

RATIO OF DISTANCE FROM WALL TO CENTERLINE (%

FIQTJEE 11. Shear-stress distribution, bottom (0.195<yo/B<0.215).

1.0

1.2

1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 

RATIO OF DISTANCE FROM WALL TO CENTERLINE -jf

1.0

FIGURE 12. Shear-stress distribution, bottom (Lane, 1955).
B16 LABORATORY STUDIES OF OPEN-CHANNEL FLOW

1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

Ox,

0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 

RATIO OF DISTANCE FROM BOTTOM TO WATER SURFACE (k

FIGURE 13. Shear-stress distribution, wall (0.026<yo/B<0.030).

1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

8

o°

0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 

RATIO OF DISTANCE FROM BOTTOM TO WATER SURFACE

1.0

FIGURE 14. Shear-stress distribution, wall (0.040<yo/S<0.062).
TRANSFER OF MOMENTUM, RECTANGULAR CHANNELS B17

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 

RATIO OF DISTANCE FROM BOTTOM TO WATER SURFACE (yo )

FIGTJEE 15. Shear-stress distribution, wall (0.074<jro/B<0.087).

1.0

0.8 

0.6 

0.4 

0.2

°C

o8^

'o

tP

O

^^

>

0

0

o

0

o

0

^~ 6-

o

c

p

O

f

o

o

(A0 O

o

^t^UTK

0

o

X6

CK

) 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.

RATIO OF DISTANCE FROM BOTTOM TO WATER SURFACE

FIGTJEE 16. Shear-stress distribution, wall (0.110<jw/B<0.l20).
B18 LABORATORY STUDIES OF OPEN-CHANNEL FLOW

1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 

RATIO OF DISTANCE FROM BOTTOM TO WATER SURFACE (yj

FIGURE 17. Shear-stress distribution, wall (0.140<yo/S<0.215).

1.0

MAXIMUM SHEAR STRESS

Figure 18 shows the maximum shear stress for the channel bottom, 

TO& (maximum), divided by the two-dimensional shear stress, yyoS0, as 

a function of the depth-to-width ratio of the channel cross section. 

The values of maximum shear stresses shown in figure 18 were obtained 

from figures 5-11 at 3/6=1.0.

If the flow were two-dimensional the maximum shear stress, TO& 

(maximum), would be equal to yjtoSo- From figure 18 one observes 

that the maximum shear stress, TO& (maximum), is equal to yy^So for 

values of y0/B less than 0.08. The implication is that if the channel 

is narrower than the limit y0/B=O.OS, no two-dimensional flow zone 

exists. In other words, the width of the region affected by the wall 

is about six tunes the flow depth.

Tracy and Lester (1961) reported that, for the velocity distribution, 

the width of the wall region is two to three times the flow depth. They 

defined a wall region as the region which lies between the vertical wall 

and the vertical velocity traverse which first deviates from the characteristic logarithmic profile of the central region.

The central flow region defined by the shear-stress distributions is 

lesser in extent than that obtained using the criterion of Tracy and 

Lester. Another criterion such as the equality of turbulence characteristics would probably result in a third definition of a central flow 

region. A reasonable assumption is that no two-dimensional flow zone
TRANSFER OF MOMENTUM, RECTANGULAR CHANNELS B19

1.1

1.0

0.9

0.8

0.7

O ( 

» (

) 

c

EXPLANATION

o 

From the curve shown 

in figures 5-11

A 

Leutheusser

D 

Keulegan

l O

x

OXQ^

D Ob,

 1 Nv

\

A

\

N

O

a

X

 [

0.05 0.10 0.15 

RATIO OF DEPTH TO WIDTH

0.20 0.25

FIGURE 18. Maximum shear stress, bottom.

exists in a rectangular channel; rather, the flow is approximately 

two-dimensional in the central regions of channels, in which yQ/B<Q.Q8.

Lane (1955) derived a curve, similar to that of figure 18, for the 

maximum shear stress on the channel bottom. Figure 19 is a comparison of the curve devised by Lane with the curve from figure 18, 

where the curve from figure 18 is extended to y0/B=Q.25.

Figure 20 is a curve for the maximum shear stress on the walls, 

and figure 21 shows a curve, which was derived by Lane, for the 

maximum shear stress on the wall compared with the curve from 

figure 20.

Comparison of the mathematically derived curves with the curves 

computed from experimental data in figures 19 and 21 at y0/B=0.25 

indicates that the mathematically derived curves give higher values 

of maximum shear stress, for both the bottom and the walls, than do 

the curves computed from experimental data. Comparison of 

figures 11 and 12 also shows that the values for the center of the 

channel given by the mathematically derived curve are higher than 

those computed from the experimental data.

The mathematically derived distribution is probably only a smoothcurve approximation of the actual shear-stress distribution, which
B20 LABORATORY STUDIES OF OPEN-CHANNEL FLOW

1.1 

1.0

0.9 

0.8 

0.7

0.6 

C

x V /Figure 18

\

\

\

\

\

\

Ns

\xLane (1955)

"X

ss

S

\

N

\

X

) 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

RATIO OF DEPTH TO WIDTH (j)

FIOTTBE 19. Maximum shear stress, bottom.

O

9^

^ -0 O~~ _ 

0

 

 c y- _

EXPLANATION

0

From the curve 

shown in figures 13-17

0 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.2

RATIO OF DEPTH TO WIDTH -°

FIGURE 20. Maximum shear stress, wall.
TRANSFER OF MOMENTUM, RECTANGULAR CHANNELS B21

0.9

0.8

0.7

0.6

0.5

0.4

/Figure 20

0.20 0.30 

RATIO OF DEPTH TO WIDTH (j

FIGURE 21. Maximum shear stress, wall.

0.40 0.50

gives approximately the correct average shear stress but gives values 

for the maximum shear stress that are too high.

AVERAGE SHEAR STRESS

The average shear stress for the bottom and for the walls was 

determined by integrating the shear-stress distribution curves for 

each test. These average shear stresses, TO, divided by the twodimensional shear stress, yyoS0, were then plotted in figure 22 as a 

function of the depth-to-width ratio, y0/B, of the channel cross section. 

An average shear stress was found from the shear-stress distributions 

given by Keulegan (1938) and Leutheusser (1963). These values 

are also shown in figure 22.

A curve for the average shear stress for the entire channel boundary 

was computed by means of equation 8 (which was obtained by eliminating yS0 from eq 3):

o= (B)r0 » (8)

Figure 23 shows the curve computed from equation 8 compared with a 

curve for the average shear stress, for the total boundary of the cross
B22 LABORATORY STUDIES OF OPEN-CHANNEL FLOW

0.05 0.10 0.15

RATIO OF DEPTH TO WIDTH ()

0.20

FIGURE 22. Average shear stress.

1.0

0.9

0.8

0.7

0.6

0.5

from eq 8)

0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 

RATIO OF DEPTH TO WIDTH ( f)Y

0.25

FIGUKE 23. Average boundary shear stress.
TRANSFER OF MOMENTUM, RECTANGULAR CHANNELS B23

section computed by equation 3a. These two curves compare very 

closely. This would seem to indicate that the methods used in this 

report for computing shear stress gives satisfactory results.

APPARENT SHEAR FORCE

F^ the apparent shear force for an incremental distance, dx in the 

longitudinal direction, can be solved for by dividing equation 2,

( dz) 

 z)(y0 sin ff)x=Q,

by dx and by rearranging terms. This results in the following equation:

F'a=yv-«=y(l>-z) (0o sin 0) - SlT0b(-dz). (9)

The apparent shear force for an incremental distance, dx, was computed for the tests for various distances from the wall toward the 

channel centerline by use of equation 9. The uniform flow slope, 

SQ, was substituted for sin 6, The shear stress across the channel 

bottom, T06, was found from figures 5-11. The fluid specific weight, 

7, the uniform flow depth, y0, the half -channel width, b, and the 

uniform flow slope, S0, were available, from the experimental data, 

for each test. Figure 24 shows the values of Fa , the apparent shear force

0.30

0.25

0.20

0.15

0.05

0.05 0.10 0.15

RATIO OF DEPTH TO WIDTH (^}

0.20 0.25

FIGURE 24. Apparent shear force.
B24 LABORATORY STUDIES OF OPEN-CHANNEL FLOW

for an incremental distance, dx, divided by b 7 yoS0, as a function of 

the channel depth-to-width ratio, yQ/B, and of the ratio of the distance 

from the wall to the channel centerline, z/b.

CROSS-CHANNEL TRANSFER OF MOMENTUM

The cross-channel transfer of momentum, ra y0 dx, can be found for 

uniform flow hi a smooth rectangular open channel for any section 

between the wall and the channel centerline. This transfer for an 

incremental distance, dx, can be determined from figure 25 if the fluid 

specific weight, 7, the uniform flow depth, y0, the uniform flow slope,

0.30

0.25

0.20

0.15

0.05

vO.20

N] 

.0.15

Xo.io

0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 

RATIO OF DISTANCE FROM WALL TO CENTERLINE (j

FIGURE 25. Apparent shear force.

S0, and the half-channel width, b, are known.

Figure 25, which was derived from figure 24, shows curves, for 

various depth-to-width ratios (yQ/B), of F£ (the apparent shear force 

for an incremental distance, dx) divided by 67 yoS0, as a function of 

the ratio of the distance from the wall to the channel centerline (z/b}.

SUMMARY

All shear flows are characterized by a net transfer of forward linear 

momentum from regions of higher linear momentum to regions of 

lower linear momentum.

In open channels there is also a lateral cross-channel transfer of 

linear momentum. This lateral transfer can be from a main channel 

section to an overbank section, or it can be from the central region to 

the vertical wall regions in a rectangular channel.
TRANSFER OF MOMENTUM, RECTANGULAR CHANNELS B25

The object of this investigation was to study this lateral transfer of 

momentum from the central region to the vertical wall regions in 

smooth rectangular channels. The first step in the investigation was 

to determine the shear stress along the channel periphery. This shear 

stress was then used in the momentum equation to solve for the lateral 

cross-channel transfer of linear momentum.

The data used for this investigation were obtained previously and 

reported in part by Tracy and Lester (1961). The results of 26 tests 

were used. Test conditions covered a range of depth-to-width ratios 

from 0.026 to 0.211; Reynolds numbers, from 43,770 to 726,900; average channel velocity, from 0.77 to 7.70 feet per second; and twodimensional shear stress, from 0.0038 to 0.2325 pounds per square foot.

The shear stress along the channel periphery was computed by two 

methods. One method made use of the Preston-tube technique, and 

the other, the Karman-Prandtl logarithmic velocity law. From these 

computed shear stresses the shear-stress distributions, the maximum 

shear stress, and the average shear stresses for the channel bottom and 

walls were determined and plotted. The average shear stress for 

the channel bottom was much larger than that for the channel walls at 

the small depth-to-width ratios. The difference between the two 

shear stresses diminished as depth-to-width ratios increased. The 

depth-to-width ratio of the channel cross section was found to be the 

only flow characteristic which affected the boundary sheer stress 

(distribution, maximum, and average) for smooth boundaries and for 

a moderate range of Reynolds numbers. Smooth rectangular channels 

having depth-to-width ratios less than 0.08 were found to have a central 

region hi which shear stress is approximately equivalent to the shear 

stress for two-dimensional flow. In other words, for smooth rectangular channels the region in which the shear stress is affected by the 

wall extends a distance of about six times the flow depth laterally from 

the wall.

REFERENCES CITED

Hsu, E. Y., 1955, The measurement of local turbulent skin friction by means of

surface pitot tubes: U.S. Navy, David Taylor Model Basin, Research and

Devel. Kept. 957, 18 p. 

Hwang, Li-San, and Laursen, E. M., 1963, Shear measurement technique for

rough surfaces: Am. Soc. Civil Engineers, Hydraulics Div. Jour. v. 89,

no. HY2, pt. 1, p. 19-37. 

Keulegan, G. H., 1938, Laws of turbulent flow in open channels: Natl. Bur.

Standards Jour. Research, v. 21, p. 707-741. 

Lane, E. W., 1955, Design of stable channels: Am. Soc. Civil Engineers Trans.,

v. 120, p. 1234-1279. 

Laufer, John, 1951, Investigation of turbulent flow in a two-dimensional channel:

Natl. Advisory Comm. for Aeronautics, TR-1053, 20 p.
B26 LABORATORY STUDIES OF OPEN-CHANNEL FLOW

Leutheusser, H. J., 1963, Turbulent flow in rectangular ducts: Am. Soc. Civil 

Engineers, Hydraulics Div. Jour., v. 89, no. HY3, p. 1-19.

Nikuradse, J., 1950, Laws of flow in rough pipes: Natl. Advisory Comm. for 

Aeronautics, TM-1292, 62 p.

Prandtl, Ludwig, 1952, Fluid dynamics: New York, Hefner Pub. Co., p. 148-149 

(translation by W. M. Deans).

Rodriguez-Diaz, A. J., 1954, The hydraulic jump in a non-rectangular open 

channel: Atlanta, Ga., Georgia Inst. Technology unpub. M.S. thesis, 30 p.

Tracy, H. J., and Lester, C. M., 1961, Resistance coefficients and velocity distribution, smooth rectangular channel: U.S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply 

Paper 1592-A, 18 p.

Wilroy, R. D., 1953, An investigation of the critical depth in an open channel 

with a nonrectangular cross section: Atlanta, Georgia, Inst. Technology unpub. M.S. thesis, 41 p.

U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1965 O - 772-646