Optimal Channel Cross Section with Freeboard

Abstract

Methods from calculus may be used to determine a channel cross section which minimizes hydraulic resistance or alternatively, determines the least cost channel dimensions. In either case, established procedures ignore channel freeboard. The traditional methods of channel geometry optimization are reformulated to include freeboard considerations. The results are shown to revert to traditional solutions when the freeboard parameter is set to zero. A graphical solution is provided to simplify the resulting equations.