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Module Catalogue

ES3G7-15 Water Engineering

Department
School of Engineering
Level
Undergraduate Level 2
Module leader
Jonathan Pearson
Credit value
15
Module duration
24 weeks
Assessment
50% coursework, 50% exam
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

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Introductory description

ES3G7-15 - Water Engineering

Module web page

Module aims

Knowledge of water engineering is essential for good practice of civil and environmental engineering. This module provides background material on open channel hydraulics and engineering hydrology that serve as a sound base for other relevant civil and environmental modules and for future professional practice.
The module will enable students to understand the principles of free surface flows and engineering hydrology applied to civil engineering problems.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Open Channel Hydraulics

  • Review of hydrostatics, pipe flow and Bernoulli equation
  • Laminar and turbulent flow in open channels
  • Laminar flow analysis
  • Principles of uniform flow
  • Development of friction equations - magnitude of friction coefficients
  • Channels with distorted cross-sections & “Best form” cross-sections
  • Development of energy concepts & specific energy
  • Critical flow considerations
  • Applications of the energy principle
  • Measurement structures and dilution gauging
  • Development of conservation of momentum principle
  • Specific force considerations
  • Analysis of hydraulic jump
  • Gradually varied flow equation & classification of gradually varied flow profiles
  • Methods for the calculation of gradually varied flow profiles
  • Location of hydraulic jump
  • Introduction to commercial numerical software

Engineering Hydrology

  • The hydrological cycle
  • Precipitation, initial losses, infiltration, percolation, evapotranspiration, surface runoff, groundwater flow
  • Rainfall types and spatial variability of rainfall (UK)
  • Rainfall. Intensity - duration - frequency (return period) analysis
  • The Flood Estimation Handbook (FEH)
  • Design storm rainfall. Uniform intensity and FEH rainfall profiles
  • River flow analysis
  • The unit hydrograph
  • FEH techniques to estimate runoff from catchment characteristics; impacts of urbanisation
  • Reservoir routing

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • Critique the central role of water in our society.
  • Demonstrate critical knowledge and understanding of disciplinary theories, positions and research themes related to the field of water.
  • Explain in detail the principles controlling open channel flows.
  • Critically summarise the differences between flow types.
  • Analyse free surface flow problems using friction, energy and momentum considerations.
  • Predict and interpret rainfall and runoff characteristics for UK catchments.

Indicative reading list

  1. Chadwick, A.J. & Morfett, J.C. Borthwick M. Hydraulics in Civil and Environmental Engineering (5th Edition) Spon 2013
    (2) Chanson, H. The Hydraulics of Open Channel Flow Arnold (2nd Edition) 2004
    (3) Douglas, J.F., Gasiorek, J.M., Swaffield, J.A. & Jack L., Fluid Mechanics (6th Edition) Wiley 2011
    (4) Shaw E.M., Beven K.J., Chappell N.A. & Lamb R., Hydrology in Practice, Spon 2010

Subject specific skills

No subject specific skills defined for this module.

Transferable skills

No transferable skills defined for this module.

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 20 sessions of 1 hour (13%)
Tutorials 6 sessions of 1 hour (4%)
Practical classes 3 sessions of 1 hour (2%)
Other activity 10 hours (7%)
Private study 111 hours (74%)
Total 150 hours

Private study description

111 hours of guided independent learning (including VLE use and support from Employer)

Other activity description

10 hours of webinars

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group C1
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Design exercise 50% Yes (extension)

Design exercise of 8 pages maximum including calculations
Online Examination 50% No

~Platforms - AEP,QMP

  • Online examination: No Answerbook required
  • Students may use a calculator
  • Engineering Data Book 5th Edition
  • Engineering Data Book 6th Edition
  • Engineering Data Book 8th Edition
  • Graph paper
Feedback on assessment

Advice and feedback are available on the lecture material and examination questions, via online web-forum based in module support Moodle pages.

Past exam papers for ES3G7

Pre-requisites

1 (Core)

Courses

This module is Core for:

  • Year 4 of DESA-H221 Undergraduate Civil and Infrastructure Engineering (Non-integrated Degree Apprenticeship)