Abstract:
In this paper, an incompressible fluid flow in an open trapezoidal channel with one lateral inflow channel is
investigated. The flow parameters that are investigated include the cross-sectional area, angle, length and
velocity of the lateral inflow channel. The flow variables in the main trapezoidal channel include the depth and
velocity of the fluid. These flow parameters in the lateral inflow trapezoidal channel are investigated on how
varying each parameter independently affects the flow velocity in the main trapezoidal channel. The continuity
and momentum equations are equations that govern this flow. Since these two equations are highly nonlinear,
the finite difference method is used to approximate the solutions. The results are then presented by velocity
profiles graphs and discussed. It is noted that a decrease in the cross-sectional area leads to an increase in the
flow velocity and an increase in the length of the lateral inflow channel leads to a decrease in the flow velocity.
It is also noted that an increase in the velocity of the lateral inflow channel leads to an increase in the flow
velocity and an angle of between thirty and fifty degrees increased the flow velocity compared to other angles in
the lateral inflow channel.
