RIVER DISCHARGE ESTIMATION USING ENTROPY PRINCIPLES

Abstract

Velocity distribution is required in hydraulic engineering to determine the various flow characteristics. Prandtl-von Karman logarithmic law and power law are the traditional methods for velocity measurement. Both these laws are considering the longitudinal component of velocity only. These laws are valid only for wide channels because in wide channels velocity varies in longitudinal direction only and maximum velocity occurs at the free surface of water. But this situation does not prevail in narrow channels. In case of narrow channels velocity varies in longitudinal as well as in transverse direction and the maximum velocity occurs below the free surface of water. Considering the limitations of the traditional methods, Chiu advocated the use of the entropy based method for the estimation of cross sectional mean velocity. Using this approach one can directly estimate the cross sectional mean velocity of flow by measuring the maximum velocity of that event. It is the quick approach for estimating the cross sectional mean velocity. The objective of this study is to understand the concept of entropy, principle of maximum entropy and subsequently verify the application of the same mean velocity determination of river flows and flume flows. The study presents the results of fulfilling this objective.