Explicit prediction of expanding channels hydraulic jump characteristics using gene expression programming approach

Hydraulic jump is a useful means of dissipating excess energy of a supercritical flow so that objectionable scour downstream is minimized. The present study applies gene expression programming (GEP) to estimate hydraulic jump characteristics in sudden expanding channels. Three types of expanding channels were considered: channels without appurtenances, with a central sill, and with a negative step. 1,000 experimental data were considered as input data to develop models. The results proved the capability of GEP in predicting hydraulic jump characteristics in expanding channels. It was found that the developed models for channel with a central sill performed better than other channels. In the jump length prediction, the model with input parameters Fr-1 and (y(2)-y(1))/y(1), and in the sequent depth ratio and relative energy dissipation prediction the model with input parameters Fr-1 and y(1)/B led to more accurate outcomes (Fr-1, y(1), y(2), and B are Froude number, sequent depth of upstream and downstream, and expansion ratio, respectively). Sensitivity analysis showed that Fr-1 had the key role in modeling. The GEP models were compared with existing empirical equations and it was found that the GEP models yielded better results. It was also observed that channel and appurtenances geometry affected the modeling.