CVX4240 – Unit 3 Session 10: Hydraulic Jump

LESSON 10 Hydraulic Jump

AIM: To study the development of rapidly varied flow and hydraulic jump

OBJECTIVES: On completion, student must be able to investigate the rapidly varied

flow in open channels using specific energy concept.

10.1Rapidly Varied Flow and the Hydraulic Jump:

Recall that flow in open channels is called rapidly varied

flow (RVF) if the flow depth changes markedly over a
relatively short distance in the flow direction (Fig. 10-1).
Such flows occur in sluice gates, broad or sharp crested
weirs, waterfalls, and the transition sections of channels for
expansion and contraction. A change in the cross section of
Fig.10-1
the channel is one cause of rapidly varied flow. But some
Rapidly varied flow
occurs when there is a rapidly varied flows, such as flow through a sluice gate,
sudden change in flow, occur even in regions where the channel cross section is
such as anabrupt change constant.
in cross section.
Rapidly varied flows are typically complicated by
thefact that
theymayinvolvesignificantmultidimensional
andtransient effects, backflows, and flow separation
(Fig. 10-2). Therefore, rapidly varied flows are
usually studied experimentally or numerically. But
despite these complexities, it is still possible to
analyze some rapidly varied flows using the one-
dimensional flow approximation with reasonable
accuracy.

The flow in steep channels may be supercritical, and

the flow must change to subcritical if the channel can
no longer sustain supercritical flow due to a reduced
Fig.10-2
slope of the channel or increased frictional effects.
When riding the rapids, a
Any such change from supercritical to subcritical
kayaker encounters several
features of both gradually varied flow occurs through a hydraulic jump. A hydraulic
flow (GVF) and rapidly varied jump involves considerable mixing and agitation,
flow (RVF), with the latter being and thus a significant amount of mechanical energy
more exciting. dissipation.
© Karl Weatherly/Getty RF
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CVX4240 – Unit 3 Session 10: Hydraulic Jump

Fig.10-3
Schematic and flow depth-specific energy diagram for a hydraulic
jump specific energy decreases.

Consider steady flow through a control volume that encloses the

hydraulic jump, as shown in Fig. 10-3 (top). To make a simple analysis
possible, we make the following approximations:
1. The velocity is nearly constant across the channel at sections 1 and
2, and therefore the momentum-flux correction factors are𝛽1 =
𝛽2 ≅ 1.
2. The pressure in the liquid varies hydrostatically, and we consider
gauge pressure only since atmospheric pressure acts on all
surfaces and its effect cancels out.
3. The wall shear stress and its associated losses are negligible
relative to the losses that occur during the hydraulic jump due to
the intense agitation.
4. The channel is wide and horizontal.
5. There are no external or body forces other than gravity.

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CVX4240 – Unit 3 Session 10: Hydraulic Jump

For a channel of width b, the conservation of mass relation 𝑚2 = 𝑚1 is

expressed as 𝜌𝑦1 𝑏𝑉1 = 𝜌𝑦2 𝑏𝑉2 or

𝑦1 𝑉1 = 𝑦2 𝑉2 E 10 − 1

Noting that the only forces acting on the control volume in the
horizontalx-direction are the pressure forces, the momentum equation

𝐹= 𝛽𝑚 𝑉 − 𝛽𝑚 𝑉
out in

in the x-direction becomes a balance between hydrostatic pressure

forces and momentum transfer,

𝑃1,𝑎𝑣𝑔 𝐴1 − 𝑃2,𝑎𝑣𝑔 𝐴2 = 𝑚𝑉2 − 𝑚𝑉1 ‍ E 10 − 2

where 𝑃1,𝑎𝑣𝑔 = 𝜌 𝑔𝑦1 2 and 𝑃2,𝑎𝑣𝑔 = 𝜌 𝑔𝑦2 2. For a channel width of b,

we have 𝐴1 = 𝑦1 𝑏, 𝐴2 = 𝑦2 𝑏, and𝑚 = 𝑚2 = 𝑚1 = 𝜌𝐴1 𝑉1 = 𝜌𝑦1 𝑏𝑉1 .
Substituting and simplifying, the momentum equation reduces to

2𝑦1 𝑉1
𝑦12 − 𝑦22 = 𝑉2 − 𝑉1 E 10 − 3
𝑔

Eliminating 𝑉2 by using 𝑉2 = 𝑦1 𝑦2 𝑉1 from Eq. 10-1 gives

2𝑦1 𝑉12
𝑦12 − 𝑦22 = 𝑦1 − 𝑦2 E 10 − 4
𝑔𝑦2

Canceling the common factor 𝑦1 − 𝑦2 from both sides and rearranging

give

𝑦2 2 𝑦2
+ − 2Fr12 = 0 E 10 − 5
𝑦1 𝑦1

where Fr1 = 𝑉1 𝑔𝑦1 . This is a quadratic equation for 𝑦2 𝑦1 , and it has

two roots—one negative and one positive. Noting that 𝑦2 𝑦1 , cannot
be negative since both 𝑦2 and 𝑦1 are positive quantities, the depth ratio
𝑦2 𝑦1 is determined to be

𝑦2
𝐷𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜: = 0.5 −1 + 1 + 8Fr12 E 10 − 6
𝑦1

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 CVX4240 – Unit 3 Session 10: Hydraulic Jump

The energy equation for this horizontal flow section is

𝑉12 𝑉22
𝑦1 + = 𝑦2 + + ℎ𝐿 E 10 − 7
2𝑔 2𝑔

Noting that 𝑉2 = 𝑦1 𝑦2 𝑉1 and Fr1 = 𝑉1 𝑔𝑦1 , the head loss

associated with a hydraulic jump is expressed as

𝑉12 − 𝑉22 𝑦1 Fr12 𝑦12

ℎ𝐿 = 𝑦1 − 𝑦2 + = 𝑦1 − 𝑦2 + 1− 2 E 10 − 8
2𝑔 2 𝑦2

The energy line for a hydraulic jump is shown in Fig. 10-4. The drop in
the energy line across the jump represents the head loss ℎ𝐿 associated
with the jump.

For given values of Fr1 and 𝑦1 , the downstream flow depth 𝑦2 and the
head loss ℎ𝐿 can be calculated from Eq. 10-6 and 10-8, respectively.
Plotting ℎ𝐿 against Fr1 would reveal that ℎ𝐿 becomes negative for Fr1 <
1, which is impossible (it would correspond to negative entropy
generation, which would be a violation of the second law of
thermodynamics). Thus we conclude that the upstream flow must be
supercritical (Fr1 > 1) for a hydraulic jump to occur. In other words, it
is impossible for subcritical flow to undergo a hydraulic jump. This is
analogous to gas flow having to be supersonic (Mach number greater
than 1) to undergo a shock wave.

Head loss is a measure of the mechanical energy

dissipated via internal fluid friction, and head loss
is usually undesirable as it represents the
mechanical energy wasted. But sometimes
hydraulic jumps are designed in conjunction with
stilling basins and spillways of dams, and it is
desirable to waste as much of the mechanical
energy as possible to minimize the mechanical
energy of the water and thus its potential to cause
damage. This is done by first producing
supercritical flow by converting high pressure to
Fig.10-4
high linear velocity, and then allowing the flow to
The energy dissipation ratio represents the
agitate and dissipate part of its kinetic energy as it
fraction of mechanical energy dissipated
breaks down and decelerates to a subcritical
during a hydraulic jump.

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CVX4240 – Unit 3 Session 10: Hydraulic Jump

velocity. Therefore, a measure of performance of a hydraulic jump is

its fraction of energy dissipation.

The specific energy of the liquid before the hydraulic jump is 𝐸𝑠1 =
𝑦1 + 𝑉12 /2𝑔. Then the energy dissipation ratio (Fig. 10-4) is defined as

Energy dissipation ratio

ℎ𝐿 ℎ𝐿 ℎ𝐿
= = = E 10 − 9
𝐸𝑠1 𝑦1 + 𝑉12 /2𝑔 𝑦1 1 + Fr12 2

The fraction of energy dissipation ranges from just a few percent for
weak hydraulic jumps (Fr1< 2) to 85 percent for strong jumps (Fr1> 9).

Unlike a normal shock in gas flow, which occurs at a cross section and
thus has negligible thickness, the hydraulic jump occurs over a
considerable channel length. In the Froude number range of practical
interest, the length of the hydraulic jump is observed to be 4 to 7 times
the downstream flow depth y2.

Experimental studies indicate that hydraulic jumps can be classified

into five categories as shown in Table 10-1, depending primarily on
the value of the upstream Froude number Fr1. For Fr1 somewhat
higher than 1, the liquid rises slightly during the hydraulic jump,
producing standing waves. At larger Fr1, highly damaging oscillating
waves occur. The desirable range of Froude numbers is 4.5 < Fr1< 9,
which produces stable and well-balanced steady waves with high
levels of energy dissipation within the jump. Hydraulic jumps with
Fr1> 9 produce very rough waves. The depth ratio y2/y1 ranges from
slightly over 1 for undular jumps that are mild and involve small rises
in surface level to over 12 for strong jumps that are rough and involve
high rises in surface level.

In this section we limit our consideration to wide horizontal

rectangular channels so that edge and gravity effects are negligible.
Hydraulic jumps in nonrectangular and sloped channels behave
similarly, but the flow characteristics and thus the relations for depth
ratio, head loss, jump length, and dissipation ratio are different.

S.A.Q. 01: Hydraulic Jump

Water discharging into a 10-m-wide rectangular horizontal channel
from a sluice gate is observed to have undergone a hydraulic jump.

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CVX4240 – Unit 3 Session 10: Hydraulic Jump

The flow depth and velocity before the jump are 0.8 m and 7 m/s,
respectively. Determine (a) the flow depth and the Froude number
after the jump, (b) the head loss and the energy dissipation ratio, and
(c) the wasted power production potential due to the hydraulic jump
(Fig. 10-5).

Fig.10-5
Schematic for S.A.Q. 01.

Answer:
Water at a specified depth and velocity undergoes a hydraulic jump in
a horizontal channel. The depth and Froude number after the jump,
the head loss and the dissipation ratio, and the wasted power potential
are to be determined.

Assumptions
1 The flow is steady or quasi-steady.
2 The channel is sufficiently wide so that the end effects are negligible.
Properties
The density of water is 1000 kg/m3.

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CVX4240 – Unit 3 Session 10: Hydraulic Jump

Table 10-1 Classification of Hydraulic Jumps

Source: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (1955).

Analysis
(a) The Froude number before the hydraulic jump is

𝑉1 7m s
Fr1 = = = 𝟐. 𝟓𝟎
𝑔𝑦1 9.81 m s2 0.8 m

which is greater than 1. Therefore, the flow is indeed supercritical

before the jump. The flow depth, velocity, and Froude number after
the jump are

𝑦2 = 0.5𝑦1 −1 + 1 + 8Fr12 = 0.5 0.8 m −1 + 1 + 8 × 2.502

= 2.46 m

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CVX4240 – Unit 3 Session 10: Hydraulic Jump

𝑦1 0.8 m
𝑉2 = 𝑉1 = 7 m s = 2.28 m s
𝑦2 2.46 m

𝑉2 2.28 m s
Fr2 = = = 𝟎. 𝟒𝟔𝟒
𝑔𝑦2 9.81 m s 2 2.46 m

Note that the flow depth triples and the Froude number reduces to
about one-fifth after the jump.

(b) The head loss is determined from the energy equation to be

𝑉12 − 𝑉22
ℎ𝐿 = 𝑦1 − 𝑦2 +
2𝑔
7 m s 2 − 2.28 m s 2
= 0.8 m − 2.46 m +
2 9.81 m s 2
= 𝟎. 𝟓𝟕𝟐 𝐦

The specific energy of water before the jump and the dissipation ratio
are
𝑉12 7m s 2
𝐸𝑠1 = 𝑦1 + = 0.8 m + = 3.30 𝑚
2𝑔 2 9.81 m s 2

ℎ𝐿 0.572 m
Dissipation ratio = = = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟕𝟑
𝐸𝑠1 3.30 m

Therefore, 17.3 percent of the available head (or mechanical energy) of

the liquid is wasted (converted to thermal energy) as a result of
frictional effects during this hydraulic jump.

(c) The mass flow rate of water is

𝑚 = 𝜌𝑉 = 𝜌𝑏𝑦1 𝑉1 = 1000 kg m3 0.8 m 10 m 7 m s
= 56,000 kg s

Then the power dissipation corresponding to a head loss of 0.572 m

becomes
1N
𝐸𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑝𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 = 𝑚𝑔ℎ𝐿 = 56,000 kg s 9.81 m s 2 0.572 m
1 kg ∙ m s 2

= 314,000 N ∙ m s = 314 𝐤𝐖‍

Discussion
The results show that the hydraulic jump is a highly dissipative
process, wasting 314 kW of power production potential in this case.
That is, if the water were routed to a hydraulic turbine instead of being

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CVX4240 – Unit 3 Session 10: Hydraulic Jump

released from the sluice gate, up to 314 kW of power could be

generated. But this potential is converted to useless thermal energy
instead of useful power, causing a water temperature rise of
𝐸dissipated 314 kJ s
∆T = = = 0.0013 °c
𝑚𝑐𝑝 56,000 kg s 4.18 kJ/ kg 𝐾

Note that a 314-kW resistance heater would cause the same

temperature rise for water flowing at a rate of 56,000 kg/s. For water,
the specific heat capacity is 4.18 kJ/kg/K.

SUMMARY

In this lesson students are introduced to hydraulic jump formations. Analytical solutions for
hydraulic jump is presented in CVX5241.

REFERENCES

Yunus, A., 2016. Fluid Mechanics in SI units. 3rd ed. Chennai 600116, Tamil Nadu, India:
McGraw Hill Education (India) Private Limited.

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