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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Select open channel hydraulic methodology
   • Identify monitoring objectives of the site and hydraulic calculation requirements.
   • Select methodology for open channel hydraulic calculations.
   • Identify hydraulic principles used for verification of calculations.
   • Select other methodologies to review initial calculations.
2. Collect and review data for flow calculations
   • Measure and collect appropriate data to calculate theoretical flows based on methodology selected.
   • Determine the hydraulic characteristics of a monitoring site.
   • Measure and collect appropriate data to calculate flows theoretically.
   • Estimate hydraulic coefficients based on observations.
   • Prepare records in a format suitable for dissemination.
   • Review data collected and subsequent calculations for inconsistencies against measured flows.
3. Select the appropriate control structure
   • Select the appropriate control structures based on the characteristics of the open channel and its catchment.
   • Identify and determine the method to calculate flow by using the appropriate formulae for the control structure.
4. Calculate flow in open channels
   • Select and use the appropriate formulae for calculating flows in open channels based on the characteristics of the open channel and its catchment.
   • Identify the limitations of the formulae.
   • Identify factors that would cause variations in the results.
   • Verify results by applying hydraulic principles and other methodologies.
   • Determine the characteristics of open channel pipe flow.
5. Calculate flow from pressure measurements
   • Determine flow-based calculations by using pressure instruments.
   • Make adjustments for absolute pressure instruments to measure head in open channels.
   • Make corrections in pressure measurements to allow for head measurement of salt water.
6. Select open channel hydraulic methodology
   • Identify monitoring objectives of the site and hydraulic calculation requirements.
   • Select methodology for open channel hydraulic calculations.
   • Identify hydraulic principles used for verification of calculations.
   • Select other methodologies to review initial calculations.
7. Collect and review data for flow calculations
   • Measure and collect appropriate data to calculate theoretical flows based on methodology selected.
   • Determine the hydraulic characteristics of a monitoring site.
   • Measure and collect appropriate data to calculate flows theoretically.
   • Estimate hydraulic coefficients based on observations.
   • Prepare records in a format suitable for dissemination.
   • Review data collected and subsequent calculations for inconsistencies against measured flows.
8. Select the appropriate control structure
   • Select the appropriate control structures based on the characteristics of the open channel and its catchment.
   • Identify and determine the method to calculate flow by using the appropriate formulae for the control structure.
9. Calculate flow in open channels
   • Select and use the appropriate formulae for calculating flows in open channels based on the characteristics of the open channel and its catchment.
   • Identify the limitations of the formulae.
   • Identify factors that would cause variations in the results.
   • Verify results by applying hydraulic principles and other methodologies.
   • Determine the characteristics of open channel pipe flow.
10. Calculate flow from pressure measurements
    • Determine flow-based calculations by using pressure instruments.
    • Make adjustments for absolute pressure instruments to measure head in open channels.
    • Make corrections in pressure measurements to allow for head measurement of salt water.

Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least two occasions.

drawing velocity distribution curves for fluids in pipes or channels with both laminar flow and turbulent flow

using data to determine the value of roughness

using simple equations for determining channel friction with their appropriate application

calculating minor energy losses associated with enlargements, contractions and bends

calculating the gradual varied flow profiles in uniform channels when the discharge is known

interpreting and applying technical documentation to the collection, analysis and reporting of hydrographic data

using computer systems

using recording and reporting systems

calculating hydraulic energy gradients

distinguishing the applications and characteristics of notches and weirs, including type of the crest, shape of the notch, crest and conditions

distinguishing the characteristics of open channels including:

types of open channel

steadiness

uniformity

state of open channel flow

laminar

transitional and turbulent flow

critical

subcritical and supercritical flow

types of data (photographic, surveying, long-section and cross-section, topographic maps, historical)

using surveying techniques

identifying types of flows

verifying results by applying hydraulic principles and other methodologies such as using the continuity equation

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Knowledge Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

application of matrix algebra to systems of linear equations

graphical and algebraic methods for solving systems of linear, quadratic, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric equations

principles of fluid statics, fluid dynamics and hydraulic mechanics

Pascal’s law and hydrostatic effect on submerged surfaces

distinction between laminar and turbulent flow

Hagen–Poiseuille equation

Darcy–Weisbach equation

Bernoulli’s equation

the effect of velocity variation on velocity head

equations for calculating the approximate value of the friction factor, the characteristics of flow through notches/weirs, including the use of these in channel flow measurement

flow conditions including:

laminar flow

turbulent flow

smooth, rough pipe and channel surfaces

full pipe flow

submerged flow conditions

backwater

critical flow

subcritical and supercritical flow

uniform flow

rapidly changing flow

weir and flumes behaviour under various flow conditions

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