Discharge assessment in meandering and straight compound channels

Abstract

Reliable estimates of discharge capacity in open channels are essential for the design, operation and maintenance of open channels, and more importantly the prediction of flood, water level management and flood design. The methods of discharge estimation that are used in the available river modelling software are principally based on historic hand-calculation formulae, with little or no account taken of the more recent advances in knowledge and understanding. The paper describes some of the conclusions of predicting discharge in meandering and straight compound channels with the proposed method by authors, the diversity of current knowledge and the outline of the targeted program of research that is now underway to produce an improved discharge estimation system. Particular issues of concern are the effects of the interaction between river channels and floodplain.

Keywords:

• meandering channel
• overbank flow
• floodplain
• apparent shear
• discharge

Acknowledgement

This article is among the selected papers presented at the “Hydro-2012” conference held at IIT Bombay on 7–8 December 2012 and was short-listed by the Editor for publication in this Journal after re-review and revisions where necessary.