Stability Criteria for Open-Channel Flow

The general open-channel differential equations are expanded in the neighborhood of the first characteristic. This yields a first-order theory which permits stability prediction of both long waves and steady flow in open channels. The criteria attempt to expand the existing stability theories of flow in open channels into one general stability concept. The concept contains not only the known stability criteria for uniform flow, but also extends to gradually varied flow and unsteady flow in open channels of arbitrary cross sections. The method finds direct application when wave propagation problems in open channels are calculated on a digital computer.