Progress 07/01/03 to 06/30/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The Project Leader (G. Merkley) worked with several M.S. students and one Ph.D. student on this project. Laboratory research was conducted by two students at the Utah Water Research Lab and at the CEE Hydraulics Laboratory at USU. Two of these students collected data on the float method and on velocity profiles in rectangular flume cross sections. Laboratory work included the measurement of float velocities and calculation of surface velocity coefficients for various longitudinal bed slopes, flow rates, and depths, also including uniform-flow and gradually-varied flow profiles. The laboratory data were compared to the mathematical modeling results, validating the model. In May 2008 a USU doctoral student completed over four years of work on the successful development of a three-dimensional hydraulic simulation model for steady-state flow in open channels, and over the next several months two main publications were prepared and submitted to the Irrigation Science journal. A doctoral dissertation was also produced, giving all of the details of the model, including various forms of the governing equations and the final solution approach. Several publications in refereed journals, and in professional conference proceedings, were produced from this research over the past few years. The two main publications presenting the final results of this research were published in June 2009 by N. Marjang (PhD student) and G. Merkley. The publications are listed separately in the MyFOCIS database. PARTICIPANTS: Gary P. Merkley, PI and advisor. Nat Marjang, PhD student in BIE Department at USU. Katerine Napan, M.S. graduate in BIE Department at USU. Omar Alminagorta, M.S. graduate in BIE Department at USU. Raghuveer K. Vinukollu, M.S. graduate in BIE Department at USU. Issaak Vasquez, M.S. graduate in BIE Department at USU. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience includes hydraulic and irrigation engineers who do hydraulic modeling studies, and others who have or will apply the float method for flow measurement in irrigation canals. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: No changes. The project was completed according to the original proposal and the results were successful.
Impacts
We now have corrections for calibration coefficients for applying the float method in rectangular irrigation canal sections, providing for flow measurement accuracy improvements of up to 25% or more. These results are based on a 3-D hydraulic simulation model which was verified using laboratory data from the UWRL, and they will allow for improved water management in irrigation delivery systems at the relatively low cost of the float method. The model is general, also applied to compound cross-sections, and can be applied to analysis of the float method in general channel shapes.
Publications
- Ahmadi, L. and Merkley, G. 2009. Planning and Management Modeling for Treated Wastewater Usage. Irrigation and Drainage Systems 23:97-107.
- Alminagorta, O. and Merkley, G. 2009. Transitional Flow between Orifice and Nonorifice Regimes at a Rectangular Sluice Gate. Irrigation and Drainage Engineering 135:1-6.
- Marjang, N. and Merkley, G. 2009. Velocity profile modeling in rectangular and compound open-channel cross sections. Irrigation Science 27:471-484.
- Marjang, N. and Merkley, G. 2009. Surface Velocity Coefficients for Application of the Float Method in Rectangular and Compound Open Channels. Irrigation Science 27:457-470.
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Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: A three-dimensional mathematical model based on the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations and several different turbulence models was developed to calculate velocity profiles in open-channel cross sections for calibration of the float method. The model was developed in the Visual C# language and was validated with laboratory data. PARTICIPANTS: Gary P. Merkley, PI and advisor Nat Marjang, PhD student in BIE Department at USU Raghuveer K. Vinukollu, M.S. graduate in BIE Department at USU Issaak Vasquez, M.S. graduate in BIE Department at USU TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience includes hydraulic and irrigation engineers who do hydraulic modeling studies, and others who have or will apply the float method for flow measurement in open channels. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The model took over four years to develop and debug. The final version is capable of simulating hydraulic conditions for a variety of channel configurations, including rectangular and compound cross sections. These capabilities are directly applicable to calibration of the float method for open-channel flow, and results were generated for corrections to previously-published surface velocity coefficients for rectangular channel sections. This improvement in flow measurement accuracy with a simple and inexpensive method (the float method) will greatly contribute to improved water management in irrigation and other canals.
Publications
- Chun, S.J. and Merkley, G.P. 2008. ODE Solution to the Characteristic Form of the Saint-Venant Equations. Irrigation Science 26:213-222.
- Torres, A.F. and Merkley, G.P. 2008. Cutthroat Measurement Flume Calibration for Free and Submerged flow Using a Single Equation. J. Irrigation and Drainage Engrg. 134:521-526.
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The main objective of the proposed research is to: develop the capability to theoretically calibrate the float method in different prismatic open channels, and to actually produce improved calibration parameters, allowing the application of the float method with significantly greater accuracy than currently available. Prismatic channels are common in irrigation and many other canals, but not in natural channels such as rivers and streams. The specific objectives are to determine the following for open channels of various sizes and shapes, lining roughness, and longitudinal bed slope: 1. The 2-D cross-sectional velocity distribution; 2. The surface water velocity for selected verticals along the cross section; 3. The discharge within selected verticals, and the total discharge in the channel; 4. The statistical relationships between surface velocity, inter-vertical discharge, and total discharge; and, 5. The correlation with published, empirically-determined float method
coefficients. 6. Improved guidelines for determining more accurate surface velocity coefficients as a function of multiple hydraulic parameters. The outputs to date have been several published papers, two sets of laboratory data, and the development of a three-dimensional mathematical model of flow in rectangular open channels. The mathematical model is a result of extensive research and development, with the application and testing of several different turbulence models, and the coding and testing of two different numerical approaches to solving the governing equations and setting up the computational grid.
PARTICIPANTS: Gary P. Merkley, PI and advisor Nat Marjang, PhD student in BIE Department at USU Raghuveer K. Vinukollu, M.S. graduate in BIE Department at USU Issaak Vasquez, M.S. graduate in BIE Department at USU.
TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience includes hydraulic and irrigation engineers who do hydraulic modeling studies, and others who have or will apply the float method for flow measurement in open channels.
Impacts
Although there have been previously-published results from models such as this, the details have always been kept secret and unpublished -- proprietary. Our modeling development and experience with different parameter values, numerical methods, computational grid management, and general problem solving will benefit the community at large in exposing the details of how to deal with such issues. Ultimately, the output will be significant improvements in the ability to correctly apply the low-cost float method for flow measurement.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
A doctoral student continues to develop the 3-D hydraulic simulation model for steady flow in open channels. He has finally completed the theoretical development and has written a computer program in C# language to perform the calculations on the dozens of differential equations. Testing is proceeding at the end of the 2006 calendar year, with significant progress having already been made. Debugging of the program is underway. It is expected that massive simulation runs will begin in early 2007, continuing into the summer, and that significant and useful results will be generated by early Fall 2007.
Impacts
This project will lead to significant improvements in water management through better flow measurement accuracy at reduced cost, especially in irrigation canals. The improvements will help reduce water shortages, reduce social conflict over water, and provide a stronger economic basis for water on a quantitative basis. With over 300 irrigation and canal companies in the state of Utah, a savings of one million dollars could be achieved by eliminating the necessity for current metering, instead using the simple float method to estimate discharge in open canals.
Publications
- Weber, RC, Merkley GP, Skogerboe, GV, and Torres, AF. 2006. Improved calibration of Cutthroat flumes." J. Irrig. Sci. (in press).
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
A doctoral student continues to develop a three-dimensional hydraulic simulation model for steady-state flow in open channels. Progress with the mathematical model has been slow, but steady, because the PhD student was taking a full course load at USU all year; however, significant accomplishments have been made in defining the model and in checking the dozens of complex equations which it contains. Two new technical papers on this research were drafted in 2005 and are expected to be submitted for publication in 2006. One of the papers documents the results obtained from laboratory measurements on the float method. These results give an improved understanding of the surface velocity coefficients for the float method in two sizes of rectangular channels. The data will also be used to validate an upcoming version of the mathematical model, which is under development. In 2006, additional laboratory work will continue, as will the mathematical modeling work. The 3-D model
development will be accelerated beginning in January 2006 because the doctoral student completed all coursework at USU in December 2005. A new M.S. graduate student in the BIE department is beginning additional laboratory work on transition submergence in flow measurement flumes in the UWRL.
Impacts
Lead to improvements in water management through more frequent, convenient, and accurate flow measurement in irrigation and other canals. These improvements will help help reduce water shortages, reduce social conflict over water issues, and provide a stronger economic basis for water on a quantitative basis, as is the case for most other resources.
Publications
- Merkley, G.P. 2005. Standard horseshoe cross section geometry. Agricultural Water Management Journal, Elsevier Scientific. 10(2005):61-70.
- Chittaladakorn, S., and Merkley, G.P. 2005. Classifier system for rule-based operation of canal gates. J. Water Resources Planning and Manag., American Soc. of Civil Eng (ASCE). 131(1):3-13.
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
Collected data on the float method and on velocity profiles in rectangular flume cross sections. Laboratory work included the measurement of float velocities and calculation of surface velocity coefficients for various longitudinal bed slopes, flow rates, and depths, also including uniform-flow and gradually-varied flow profiles. Development of a three-dimensional hydraulic simulation model for steady-state flow in open channels. Some of the laboratory data have already been compared to mathematical modeling results. In 2005, no additional laboratory work has been planned; however, the mathematical modeling work will continue throughout the next calendar year.
Impacts
The end result will be an improved methodology for appling the float flow measurement method as a critical part of water management programs for agricultural irrigation and other water users.
Publications
- Kra, E.Y., and G.P. Merkley. 2004. Mathematical modeling of open-channel velocity profiles for float method calibration. Agricultural Water Management Journal, Elsevier Scientific. 70(2004):229-244.
- Sabillon, G.N., and G.P. Merkley. 2004. Fertigation guidelines for furrow irrigation. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research. 2(4):576-587.
- Merkley, G.P. 2004. Standard horseshoe cross section geometry. Agricultural Water Management Journal, Elsevier Scientific. 10(2005):61-70.
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Progress 07/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Two graduate students collected field data from five locations in canals around Logan, Utah, during the summer of 2003. One of those students will present his thesis on January 20, 2004, and the other is continuing with flume measurements (3-ft flume) in the Utah Water Research Laboratory. In February 2004, additional float and cross-sectional velocity profile measurements will be made in 4-ft and 1-ft flumes. Some of the cross-sectional velocity profiles have been plotted as 2-D contours and will be compared to mathematical modeling results. The second student will finish the data collection and analysis in May 2004. The field and lab work will be subsequently used to validate and calibrate the mathematical hydraulic model, as well as to obtain direct measurements of surface and average cross-sectional velocities in open channels. A new doctoral student arrived at USU in August of 2003 and has begun work on the mathematical model; this work is expected to continue
for the next two years. However, an initial functioning version of the mathematical model has already been produced at USU and has generated usable results.
Impacts
The end result will be an improved methodology for appling the float flow measurement method as a critical part of water management programs for agricultural irrigation and other water users.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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