Hydraulic Depth Calculator
Hydraulic Depth is calculated as the cross-sectional area (A) of flow divided by the top width (T) of the channel. It’s a key parameter in fluid mechanics used in open channel flow analysis and civil engineering.
Uses & Importance:
- Used to determine flow regimes (subcritical, critical, supercritical)
- Essential in hydraulic modeling, canal design, and flood control systems
- Helps in calculating specific energy and Froude number
- Vital for environmental engineering and water resource planning
Hydraulic Depth Formula:
D = A / T
Where:
D = Hydraulic Depth
A = Cross-sectional area (m²)
T = Top width (m)
Enter Values Below:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is hydraulic depth used for?
It’s used in open channel hydraulics to classify flow regimes and design channels.
Q2: Is hydraulic depth the same as flow depth?
Not exactly. Flow depth is vertical depth, while hydraulic depth is area ÷ width.
Q3: Can I input values in feet?
This version uses meters. For feet, use a unit conversion (1 ft = 0.3048 m).
Q4: What happens if the top width is zero?
The calculator will show an error. Width must be greater than zero.