Flumes - Simple Open Channel Flow Calculations

Open Channel Flow Gauges - Flumes

A Flume is a flow gauge which restricts the width of a channel. It does two things:- 1) It provides a precise width measurement at the gauging point. 2) It ensures that the flow velocity through the flume is dependent on the upstream head and is not affected by a downstream condition.
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The cross sectional area of the flow is:-
	A = b h	Where: b = h =	The width of the flume The head (depth) upstream.
The velocity of the flow is:-
	*V = k h ^0.5*	Where: k =	A constant taking into account g and various coefficients.
The basic flow equation (Q = V A) can be written:-
	*Q = k h^1.5b*

“The rate of flow of a liquid moving in a pipe or an open channel is dependent on the velocity and the cross sectional area of the liquid”.

The basic equation for most flow measurement applications is:-

Q = V A

Where:-

Q = Flow rate e.g. m³/s

V = Velocity e.g. m/s

A = Area e.g. m³/s

“An Open Channel is any pipe or conduit where the water surface is at atmospheric pressure”

The following flow calculations are available free of charge:-