Question

A curve in channel results in _____________

(a) silting on inside (convex side) and scouring on outside (concave side)

(b) scouring on inside (convex side) and scouring on outside (concave side)

(c) both silting and scouring on inside

(d) both silting and scouring on outside

The question was asked during an interview.

This intriguing question comes from Canal Irrigation System topic in chapter Canal Irrigation System of Irrigation Engineering

Answer 1

Right choice is (a) silting on inside (convex side) and scouring on outside (concave side)

The best I can explain: When a channel is aligned the proposed curve should be as gentle as possible. It leads to silting on the convex side and scouring on the concave side due to the disturbance of flow caused by curves. Stone pitching is sometimes proposed to avoid erosion and scouring.