Hydraulic Jump Calculator

Calculate hydraulic jump properties including depth ratio, head loss, and jump efficiency

Calculate Hydraulic Jump Properties

m

Flow depth before the hydraulic jump

m

Width of the rectangular channel

m³/s

Flow rate through the channel

Hydraulic Jump Results

⚠️ No Hydraulic Jump Possible

Froude number must be greater than 1 for a hydraulic jump to occur. Current Fr₁ = 0.000

Key Formulas Used

Froude Number: Fr = v / √(g × y)

Conjugate Depth: y₂/y₁ = ½(-1 + √(1 + 8Fr₁²))

Head Loss: ΔE = (y₂ - y₁)³ / (4y₁y₂)

Jump Length: L = 220y₁ × tanh((Fr₁ - 1)/22)

Example Calculation

Open Channel Flow Example

Upstream depth (y₁): 0.5 m

Channel width (B): 2.0 m

Discharge (Q): 4.0 m³/s

Upstream velocity: v₁ = Q/(y₁×B) = 4.0/(0.5×2.0) = 4.0 m/s

Froude number: Fr₁ = 4.0/√(9.807×0.5) = 1.81

Results

Downstream depth: y₂ = 0.5 × ½(-1 + √(1 + 8×1.81²)) = 0.95 m

Jump height: h = 0.95 - 0.5 = 0.45 m

Jump type: Weak jump (Fr₁ = 1.81)

Jump Types by Froude Number

Fr₁ < 1.7

Undular Jump

Small undulations, very low energy loss

1.7 < Fr₁ < 2.5

Weak Jump

Small jump, low energy dissipation

2.5 < Fr₁ < 4.5

Oscillating Jump

Irregular waves, considerable losses

4.5 < Fr₁ < 9

Steady Jump

Steady, confined, up to 70% loss

Fr₁ > 9

Strong Jump

Water jets, up to 85% loss

Flow Conditions

Supercritical Flow

Fr > 1, high velocity, shallow depth

Critical Flow

Fr = 1, minimum energy for given discharge

Subcritical Flow

Fr < 1, low velocity, deep flow

Understanding Hydraulic Jumps

What is a Hydraulic Jump?

A hydraulic jump is a phenomenon that occurs when flowing water changes from supercritical to subcritical flow. This abrupt transition is characterized by a sudden increase in flow depth, decrease in velocity, and significant energy dissipation.

Key Characteristics

  • Transition from high-velocity, shallow flow to low-velocity, deep flow
  • Conservation of momentum but significant energy loss
  • Formation of turbulent mixing zone
  • Used for energy dissipation in hydraulic structures

The Froude Number

Fr = v / √(g × D)

  • Fr: Froude number (dimensionless)
  • v: Flow velocity (m/s)
  • g: Gravitational acceleration (9.807 m/s²)
  • D: Flow depth (m)

Applications

  • Spillway design for dams
  • Stilling basin design
  • Open channel flow analysis
  • Hydraulic structure optimization