Homework Sourse3 a 4 What is the different between an open channel flow and
Solution
Open channel flow is open to atmosphere that is the flowing fluid has a free surface and atmospheric pressure is acting on the free surface unlike the pipe flow. In OCF pressure does not vary in the direction of flow. The flow in OCF is driven by the slope of channel rather than pressure. Flow is through a channel generally and most common shape and cross sections are circular, rectangular, trapezoidal and irregular shapes. Flow can be steady, unsteady, uniform, non-uniform, laminar, turbulent etc. Through equations it can be calculated whether flow is critical, subcritical or supercritical and flow is concentrated while in sheet-flow in a watershed overflow after infiltration runoff as a sheet over the ground. Sheet flow can also be called overland flow. It flow over land without becoming concentrated in a well-defined channels or gullies. It happens generally after heavy storm and last for short duration after downpours. The main difference is well defined channel, concentrated flow and duration of flow that differentiate sheet flow from open channel flow.
