Module manager: Dr. Andy Sleigh
Email: p.a.sleigh@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
Undertake a Level 2 Water Engineering and Geotechnics module (or equivalent)
CIVE3401
This module is not approved as a discovery module
The objectives of this module are:
- To introduce the concept of river management by examining the drivers and approaches for addressing them in an integrated manner with particular focus on the techniques necessary to assess flood risk.
- To examine the concept of uniform flow and representation of rivers such that their water carrying capacity can be understood.
- To describe rapidly varying flow and its analysis through specific energy concepts as an analysis technique for devices that control and measure flow in open channels
- To develop an understanding of steady state backwater curves, building on uniform flow concepts (introduces in second year). This will enable the appreciation and understanding of the effect that structures in open channels (e.g., bridges) can have on levels significant distances up or downstream. Methods using numerical techniques will be developed to integrate the backwater function to predict these and change in levels.
- To introduce the concept of flood routing and the use of hydrologic methods of flood routing.
- To use industry standard software tools for computational river modelling.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject (contributing to the AHEP4 learning outcomes indicated between brackets):
1. Apply a comprehensive knowledge of mathematics/ engineering principles, to formulate/analyse complex problems in river engineering and open channel hydraulics, reaching substantial conclusions (M1 and M2)
2. Apply engineering judgment to analyse flow conditions in complex geometry while demonstrating awareness of wider context related to environment, etc. (M1 and M2)
3. Discuss limitations of information and techniques when working on complex engineering problems related to natural flow in rivers and flood that rely on uncertain and incomplete data (M2 and M3)
4. Design solutions for controlling complex natural flows and floods by showing some originality and consideration of environmental and commercial matters (M5)
5. Evaluate the cost and benefits of flood control solutions, considering environmental and social impacts (M7)
6. Mitigate the flood risk following a complex analysis of the problem considering environmental, and safety risks (M9)
7. Apply computational techniques using standard software to model flooding in natural rivers (M3)
Use of Knowledge
- River management: examine the drivers in river management and how to address them
- Rapidly Varying Flow: specific energy and its application
- Steady State Backwater Curves: a full treatment of all the curves that can occur in open channel flow ie M, S, A, H and C curves
- Methods of integrating the Backwater function: The direct and standard step methods for prismoidal and natural channels
- Flood Routing: hydrologic methods of flood routing in rivers: the kinematic and diffusion wave method, the Muskingum methos and the Muskingum-Cunge method.
- The development of the St. Venant equations in open channel flow- Computational River Modelling: the solution of the equations by the method of characteristics and the explicit finite difference method
- Incorporation of hydraulic units (weirs, sluices, spills etc) within the St. Venant equations
- The implementation of the St. Venant equations in industry-standard software. (2 lectures)
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 22 | 1 | 22 |
| Practical | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| Tutorial | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Private study hours | 68 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 32 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
Review of lecture materials
Directed preparatory work for laboratory sessions
Undertake laboratory session
Undertake computer class session for river simulation
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Practical Report | Lab Report | 10 |
| Computer Exercise | Computer Simulation | 10 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 20 | |
Re-sit - 100% online time-limited assessment
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Online Time-Limited assessment | 5.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 80 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 80 | |
Re-sit - 100% online time-limited assessment
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 30/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team