Critical flow over curved-bed trapezoidal channels

Abstract

Dressier (1978) published the equations that bear his name to analyze the flow over curved-bed rectangular channels and introduced for the first time a local Froude number: Sivakumaran et al (1 983) proposed a generalized Froude number applicable to rectangular channels. Sotelo G. and Escalante C. A. (2001) showed a generalization of the curvilinear flow equations to be used in channels with any shape of section using a curvilinear coordinate system following the bed shape. Sotelo G. y J. Gallegos (2000) exposed the critical flow computation in curvedbed rectangular channels using another approach. The scope of this paper is to show the critical regimen in curved-bed channels with any shape of cross section, using the trapezoidal channel as an example.