Sharing of discharges at bifurcation of a channel

Abstract

The present study deals with a simple mathematical solution for sharing of discharges at a bifurcation considering simple hydraulic equations like equation of continuity, Chezy’s equation, conservation of momentum, etc. Finally, theoretical models for prediction of discharges through the bifurcated channels as a function of radius of curvature, slope, bifurcation angle, velocity of flow, etc. have been developed. A series of physical model studies simulating a typical bifurcation on river Kasai in West Midnapur district in West Bengal have also been conducted on a movable bed model at River Research Institute, Haringhata, West Bengal, India. The theoretical model was found to compare well with recently observed prototype data and physical model test results.

Keywords:

• bifurcation angle
• daughter channels
• momentum
• physical model
• prototype
• theoretical model

Acknowledgement

The authors acknowledge the full cooperation of the model staffs of Haringhata Central Laboratory (HCl), River Research Institute (RRI), West Bengal (WB). The authors also thank Mr A. Roy, R.O. (Hydraulics), RRI, WB, India for his valuable comments and help in various ways. We also want to thank Dr M. De, Director, RRI, WB, India for his inspiration.