The hydraulic radius is variable used in open channel flow for the Manning Equation and the Hazen Williams Equation.

In general, the Hydraulic Radius of a system can be solved by:

R = \frac{\text{cross-sectional flow area}}{\text{wetted perimeter}} = \frac{A}{s}

where:

  • R = the Hydraulic Radius
  • wetted perimeter = perimeter where water touches a solid surface

Hydraulic Radius for Common Channel Shapes:

The following common channel/pipe shapes have been simplified to easily find their hydraulic radius'.

Rectangular Channel (partially full):

For a rectangular Channel, given h depth and b width:

R = \frac{bh}{b+2h}

Circle (half full):

For a half filled circle, given r radius & D diameter:

R = \frac{\frac{\pi r^2}{2}}{\frac{2\pi r}{2}} = \frac{r}{2} = \frac{D}{4}

Circle (full):

For a full circle, given r radius & D diameter:

R = \frac{\pi r^2}{2\pi r} = \frac{r}{2} = \frac{D}{4}

Square (full):

For a full square, given s side:

R = \frac {s^2}{4s} = \frac{s}{4}


Resources:

  1. Stephen Elmer Slocum, "Elements of Hydraulics", 1915 (Read Online Here)

Main

Construction

Environmental

General Engineering

Geotechnical

Structural

Transportation

Water Resources

Miscellaneous

edit SideBar