The analysis of plunging flows using energy dissipation hypothesis is presented in this paper. The classic two-control-volume theory has recently been found questionable and needs to be corrected. In this study, we avoid the questionable part of that framework and use a single control volume for the analysis of plunging flows. Furthermore, we hypothesize that the increase in kinetic energy in the underflow and entrained flow should be no greater than the loss in potential energy as the inflow plunges. In the current framework, the entrained flow rate does not exceed approximately 40% of the total inflow rate. The densimetric Froude number at the plunge point, Fdp=q/√g′H3p, where q=inflow rate per unit width; g′=reduced gravity of inflow; and Hp=flow depth at the plunge point, is typically in the range of 0.3<Fdp<0.6 for plunging flows in a constant width channel.
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Journal of Hydraulic Engineering 136(8), pp.519–523