Width Transition Lab
Explore how a local change in channel width alters depth and velocity, and why subcritical and supercritical flow respond in opposite ways.
critical depth
Specific energy
Current state
Subcritical · local contraction
About this model
Scientific basis
\[
E = y + \frac{Q^2}{2 g b^2 y^2}
\]
\[
y_c = \left(\frac{Q^2}{g b^2}\right)^{1/3}, \qquad E_c = \frac{3}{2} y_c
\]
- Chow, V. T. (1959). Open-Channel Hydraulics. McGraw-Hill.
- Henderson, F. M. (1966). Open Channel Flow. Macmillan.