Optimizing an Open Channel

by Thomas Conlon

Submitted : Spring 2009

The purpose of this project was to calculate the depth and the width of a smooth concrete channel that could carry a required amount of water while using the least possible amount of building material. To do this, it was necessary to find the derivative of the equation that was given for the hydraulic radius of the channel in terms of the area normal to flow. This process would then help calculate the most favorable measurement of area at a certain critical point. That number was then used to find the best possible values of depth and width that would exist at that critical point.

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