Roll Waves in High Gradient Channels

Abstract

Vedernikov's number quantifies the allowable capacity that can be sustained as a stable uniform flow in a high gradient channel, but it does not provide any guidance to the design of freeboard when roll waves exist. Without considering roll waves, high gradient channels are undersized using the uniform flow approach and fail to maintain design integrity. This paper presents revised design curves to determine the stability of flow in high gradient channels. When the design condition exceeds the limiting condition, roll waves should be considered in design. This study applies the model of moving hydraulic jump to simulate roll waves. It provides estimations for wave heights when Froude number is greater than 1.50.