Skip to main content

Critical Flow

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Wastewater Hydraulics
  • 3543 Accesses

Abstract

Critical flow occurs when a set of conditions are fulfilled. These are enumerated in this chapter. Along with these, the critical flow is hydraulically described and the requirements for critical flow are explained in detail. Critical flow is then computed for the three standard cross-sections, namely, the circular, the egg-shaped and the horseshoe sections. The critical energy head and the critical slope are also determined in terms of basic flow parameters.

As an application of the critical flow principle, the transition from a mild to a steep sewer reach is described. This relevant problem can, for all practical purposes, be presented with the aid of simplified relations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Castro-Orgaz, O., Hager, W.H. (2009). Curved-streamline transitional flow from mild to steep slopes. Journal of Hydraulic Research 47(5): 574–584.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chadwick, A., Morfett, J. (1996). Hydraulics in civil and environmental engineering. Spon: London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chow, V.T. (1959). Open channel hydraulics. McGraw-Hill: New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hager, W.H. (1985). Critical flow condition in open channel hydraulics. Acta Mechanica 54: 157–179.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hager, W.H. (1987). Übergang von Flach- auf Steilstrecke in Kanalisationen (Transition from mild to steep sewer). Gas-Wasser-Abwasser 67(7): 420–426 [in German].

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Hager, W.H. (1990). Froudezahl im Kreisprofil (Froude number in circular conduit). Korrespondenz Abwasser 37(7): 789–791 [in German].

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Hager, W.H. (1995). Übergang von Flach- auf Steilstrecken (Transition from mild to steep channels). Wasser und Boden 47(9): 20–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henderson, F.M. (1966). Open channel flow. MacMillan: New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ivicsics, L. (1975). Hydraulic models. Research Institute for Water Resources Development: Budapest.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kobus, H. (1980). Hydraulic modelling. Pitman: Boston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kobus, H., ed. (1984). Symposium on Scale effects in modelling hydraulic structures. Technische Akademie: Esslingen, Germany.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, D., ed. (1994). Discharge measurement structures. IAHR Hydraulic Structures Design Manual 8. Balkema: Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

    Google Scholar 

  • Naudascher, E. (1987). Hydraulik der Gerinne und Gerinnebauwerke (Hydraulics of channels and channel structures). Springer: Wien, New York [in German].

    Google Scholar 

  • Novak, P., Cabelka, J. (1981). Models in hydraulic engineering. Pitman: Boston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharp, J.J. (1981). Hydraulic modelling. Butterworths: London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Westernacher, A. (1965). Abflussbestimmung an ausgerundeten Abstürzen mit Fliesswechsel (Discharge determination at rounded drops involving transcritical flow). Dissertation. TU Karlsruhe, Germany [in German].

    Google Scholar 

  • Weyermuller, R.G., Mostapha, M.G. (1976). Flow at grade-break from mild to steep slopes. Journal of the Hydraulics Division ASCE 102(HY10): 1439–1448; 103(HY8): 946–947; 103(HY9): 1110–1111; 104(HY2): 307–308.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Willi H. Hager .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Hager, W.H. (2010). Critical Flow. In: Wastewater Hydraulics. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-11383-3_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-11383-3_6

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-11382-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-11383-3

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics