Interactive engineering model
Critical depth and specific energy
Move the operating depth through an open channel and see velocity, Froude number, and the specific-energy point approach the critical minimum.
Preparing the 3D model...
A cutaway channel carries a water prism colored by flow regime between a dashed critical-depth marker and an energy grade line, with the velocity head dimensioned between the free surface and the energy line. An adjacent specific-energy curve marks the operating state against the minimum-energy asymptote.
Focus the 3D view and use the arrow keys to orbit, plus or minus to zoom, and Home to reset the view.
Text explanation and non-WebGL fallback
A cutaway channel carries a water prism colored by flow regime between a dashed critical-depth marker and an energy grade line, with the velocity head dimensioned between the free surface and the energy line. An adjacent specific-energy curve marks the operating state against the minimum-energy asymptote.
The numeric controls and readouts remain usable if WebGL is unavailable. Drag or swipe the 3D view to orbit and use a wheel or pinch gesture to zoom. With the 3D view focused, use the arrow keys to orbit, plus or minus to zoom, and Home to reset. The complete numeric lesson is also keyboard-accessible in the adjacent controls and readouts. This model is an educational aid and does not replace applicable design standards or professional review.