Effect of bed superelevation on the flow in rigid open channel bends

The research work presented in this Technical Note was carried out in rigid open channel bends of high radius to width ratios and with water depths comparable to the widths of the bends. Open channels with bends of these dimensions and water depths are often encountered at effluent treatment works. One 90° and two 180° bends were used in this study. Peripheral velocity distributions and water depths were measured for various configurations of the channel bed. The uneven flow distribution in the bends was studied, and a method is presented for obtaining uniform flow over the whole length of each bend. This method would be useful in delivering equal flows to the sedimentation tanks of effluent treatment works.