Division of Flow in Open Channels

The problem of division of flow in open channels has been studied experimentally for rectangular channels with free-flow in branch for various angles of offtake ranging from 30° to 90° and relative width ratios of the branch and main channels varying from 0.25 to 1. Based on dimensional analysis, an equation has been obtained for the ratio of discharge distribution, which can be used to compute dividing flow knowing the physical features of the two channels and the kinematic flow conditions in the main channel either upstream or downstream of the branch channel. The details of flow characteristics at the junction have been discussed extensively. The effect of angle of offtake on the flow characteristics as well as on the discharge distribution has been brought out clearly.