Question 4

A trapezoidal channel, with vertical sides, has the geometry shown in the figure below. The

bed slope is 1 in 500. Local engineers need to undertake repair works on the channel. The

proposed materials to be used are smooth concrete and brickwork. The engineers wish to

ensure that the height of the water in the channel, outside of storm surges, never exceed the

depth of the trapezoidal section of the pipe, and the design flow rate for normal operations is

80 m³s-¹.

(a) Using the appropriate Manning's coefficient for each material, state, with reasons, which

of the two materials is best suited to perform the repair works required.

Due to climate change, it is predicted that the required flow rate in the channel during extreme

rainfall events will increase to 200 m³s-¹.

(b) Check that the existing channel is of sufficient size to cope with the predicted increase in

required capacity.