Gene expression programming to predict Manning’s n in meandering flows

Abstract

Accurate prediction of Manning’s roughness coefficient is essential for the computation of conveyance capacity in open channels. There are various factors affecting the roughness coefficient in a meandering compound channel and not just the bed material. The factors, geometric as well as hydraulic, are investigated and incorporated in the prediction of Manning’s n. In this study, a new and accurate technique, gene expression programming (GEP) is used to estimate Manning’s n. The estimated value of Manning’s n is used in the evaluation of the conveyance capacity of meandering compound channels. Existing methods on conveyance estimation are assessed to carry out a comparison between them and the proposed GEP model. Results show that the discharge capacity computed by the new model provides far better results than the traditional models. The developed GEP model is validated with three individual sections of a natural river, signifying that the model can be applied to field study of rivers, within the stated range of parameters.