Versatile general elliptic open channel cross section

Abstract

This paper proposes a versatile open channel cross-section (or simply section) with General Elliptic (GE) sides and horizontal bottom. The GE section includes four parameters that provide more degrees of freedom to accommodate multiple physical constraints and produce better optimal solutions. The proposed section provides as special cases numerous sections such as elliptic, circular, triangular, trapezoidal, and rectangular. The dimensions of GE section that minimize construction cost of excavation and composite linings are determined using mathematical optimization. Constraints on channel discharge and geometry (e.g. flow depth, top width, and side slope) are included. The model was validated and its performance was compared with other known sections. The results show that the GE section improves construction cost by up to 10%-12% compared with the ordinary elliptic section which has been recently shown to outperform most known open channel sections.

New Compound Open Channel Section with Polynomial Sides: Improving Cost and Aesthetics

“…The new sections included polygonal section by Kurbanov and Khanov [23], trapezoidal-rectangular section by Abdulrahman [24], parabolic sides with horizontal bottom (HB) by Das [25], trapezoidal section with round corners by Froehlich [26], and two-segment parabolic sides with HB by Easa [27]. These sections have subsequently inspired the development of more new sections (2010-2018), such as semi-regular polygon by Vatankhah [28], multiple-segment linear sides by Easa [29], standard elliptic sides by Easa and Vatankhah [30], general elliptic side by Easa [31], and cubic and power-law (PL) sections by Han and Easa [32,33]. As noted, the trend of recent advances in section shape has been to introduce additional linear or curved elements, such as HB and round bottom corners, to improve discharge (flow rate) and maintenance.…”