COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

Outcome 1.  An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.

Outcome 7.  An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Outcome 8.  An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics through differential equations, calculus-based physics, chemistry, and at least one additional area of basic science.

Outcome 12.  An ability to design a system, component, or process in at least two civil engineering contexts.

TOPICS COVERED

1. Introduction (2 lectures)

2. Properties of open channels (2 lectures)

3. Energy and momentum principles (2 lectures)

4. Critical flow (2 lectures)

5. Uniform flow (4 lectures)

6. Channel design (2 lectures)

7. Gradually varied flow (4 lectures)

8. Culvert design (2 lectures)

9. HEC-RAS River Analysis System (2 lectures)

10. Rapidly varied flow (2 lectures)

11. Gradually varied unsteady flow (2 lectures)

12. Rapidly varied unsteady flow (2 lectures)

LECTURES/LABORATORY SCHEDULE

Lecture: 2 sessions per week, 50 minutes per session.

Lab: 1 session per week, 2 hours and 40 minutes per session.

RELATION OF COURSE OUTCOMES TO PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Outcome 1:

An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.

In all covered topics, students are required to perform calculations which utilize knowledge of mathematics, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, differential equations, and physics (mechanics). Homework and labs are designed to provide students a good grasp of the fundamentals of open-channel flow, including analysis and design.

Outcome 7:

An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Students are required to run online calculators to solve a variety of open-channel flow problems, including critical flow, uniform flow, gradually varied flow, and unsteady flow. Students are taught how to run the of Engineers River Analysis System. This is an industry-standard software that is constantly under improvement; six (6) versions have been released since 1998. Students are taught that it is important to keep current with developments in the field of hydraulic engineering.

Outcome 8:

An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics through differential equations, calculus-based physics, chemistry, and at least one additional area of basic science.

Students are required to develop the ability to analyze and solve problems in open-channel hydraulics and related channel design. Basic concepts of fluid mechanics and hydraulics are brought to bear in the area of open-channel hydraulics, including spillways, channels (lined, unlined, and vegetated), water-surface profiles analysis and calculation, spillways, hydraulic jump, and flood routing.

Outcome 12:

An ability to design a system, component, or process in at least two civil engineering contexts.

Students are required to design the following open-channel hydraulics systems: (1) channels, (2) spillways, and (3) culverts. Channels include lined, unlined, and vegetative; spillways include broad-crested, sharp-crested, and ogee-type; culverts include circular and rectangular.

CONTRIBUTION OF COURSE TO MEETING THE PROFESSIONAL COMPONENT

Engineering Topics: 3 unit or 100%.
Engineering Design: 2 units or 67%.

Prepared by:  Victor M. Ponce