FLOW NETS
PRESENTATION
FLOW NET METHOD
• Flow net is a network formed by streamlines (flow lines and
equipotential(headlines) which are mutually perpendicular.
• A line along which a water particle will travel from upstream to the
down stream side in the permeable soil medium is called a flow line.
• A line along which the total head at all points is the same is called
equipotential line.
• In the network, the portion between any two successive flow lines is
called flow channel and the portion between any two successive
equipotential lines called flow field.
Characteristics of flow net
• No two equipotential lines cross each other.
• Two flow lines can never cross each other.
• The flow field is the area between two equipotential lines
and two flow lines.
• In the case of two-dimensional flows, the flow line and
equipotential line are orthogonal to each other and the
flow fields formed are in the shape of elementary squares.
• Equal quantity of seepage occurs in each flow channel.
Steps for Drawing a Flow Net
• Draw the outline of the flow system to scale.
• Draw equipotential lines along the boundarieswhere a
single value of hydraulic head is specified along the
boundary
• Draw flow lines along no-flow boundaries.
• Within the flow domain, draw flow lines along paths
where you envision groundwater flowing, ensuring they
are perpendicular to equipotential lines on the boundaries.
Steps for Drawing a Flow Net
• Draw equipotential lines within the flow domain, ensuring they:
i. are perpendicular to no-flow boundaries;
ii. are perpendicular to flow lines; and,
iii. together with flow lines, form shapes of constant aspect ratio,
preferably “curvilinear squares.” A curvilinear square is a four-
sided shape with curved edges and an aspect ratio close to one.
• Calculate the contour interval and label the equipotential lines
• Calculate flow through the net using the equation for total discharge
through a flow net
Flow net application
• 1. Discharge
The rate of flow can be determined using a flow net. The flow per unit
length is obtained as, q/L = k.H.(nf/nd), where nf is the number of flow
lines, nd is the number of equipotential lines, H is the total head causing
flow, and k is the coefficient of permeability of the soil.
• 2. Head at any point
Flow net can be used to determine the head at any point. H/nd gives the
head drop between two consecutive equipotential lines.
• 3. Hydraulic gradient
The hydraulic gradient at any point can be found using the flow net.
Gradient for any flow field is given by h/l, where h is the head lost in that
field and l is the length of the field.
Flow net application
4. Exit Gradient
• The exit gradient is the hydraulic gradient at the
downstream end of flow line where seepage water from
the soil mass joins with free water at the downstream.
• Exit gradient can be expressed as
iexit= (ΔH/ΔL)
ΔH=potential drop or drop in head between two adjacent equipotential
lines
ΔL= length of the flow field
Calculation of discharge
From Darcy’s law the discharge through this flow field can be
written as this q = kAi
k- is the permeability of the soil.
A- is the area of the cross-section through which the water is
flowing.
i- is the hydraulic gradient which is head loss over the length of the
flow field. So discharge through the flow field can be written as this.
Calculation of discharge
Δh is the head loss through one flow field, and there are
number of such drops, potential drops is N d, then total
potential drop or head loss through this whole flow channel
is Nd times Δh.
h = NdΔh
Hence,
Calculation of discharge
• Again this is the discharge through only one flow channel and if total number of flow
channels in the flow net are say N f then total discharge can be written as N f times discharge
through one flow field.
• Since the flow net is constructed by elementary squares.
Hence a/b = 1.
So total discharge through soil can be written as;
the ratio [Nf/Nd] is called the shape factor.
EXAMPLES
Example One
The flow net constructed for a dam is shown in the figure.
Taking coefficient of permeability as 3.8×10-6 m/s,
Determine the quantity of flow (in cm3/sec) under the
dam per metre. Given the number of flow channels as 3
and equal potential drops as 10.
Solution
Q=KH (Nf/Nd)
Number of equipotential drops, Nd =10
Number of flow channels, Nf =3.
Head, H = 6.3 m;
K=3.8×10-6m/s
Q=3.8×10-6×6.3×3/10
=7.182 ×10-6m3/s x106
Q= 7.182 cm3/s per m
Example 2
The flow net below a dam consists of 25
equipotential lines and 9 flow lines. The available
head is 6 m. Taking coefficient of permeability
as 3.8×10-6m/s, Determine the seepage under the dam
per metre
Solution
Nf = Number of flow channel
Or
Nf = Number of flow lines -1
= 9-1 = 8
Nd = Number of potential drops
or
Nd = Number of equipotential lines - 1
= 25 - 1= 24
Example 2
h=6m
k=3.8×10-6m/s
Q = kH (Nf/Nd)
= 3.8×10-6×6X8/24
= 7.6×10-6m3/s per m
Example 3
A dam is to be constructed on a sandy soil which has
coefficient of permeability 10×10-4cm/sec in horizontal
direction 2.5×10-4cm/sec in vertical direction. The dam is
expected to impound 7.5 m of water. Flow net drawn on
transformed section yields flow channels as '6' and drops
are 15 only. Calculate the discharge per metre if water on
downstream is 0.5 m
Solution
Kx = 10×10-4cm/sec ;
Ky = 2.5×10-4cm/sec
H = 7.5−0.5=7m ;
Nf = 6 ; Nd = 15
Ke = √([Link])
= √(10×2.5×10-8)
=5×10-4cm/sec x 10-2
= 5 x 10-6 m/s
Q = Ke.H.(Nf/Nd)
But H = 7.5 - 0.5 = 7.0 m
= 5×10-6× 7.0 × 6/15
= 14 ×10-6 m3/s /m
THANKYOU