MATLAB‐based program for computation of open‐channel flow profiles

Abstract In engineering practice, open channel water surface profile data frequently serve as the scientific foundation for engineering design, flood forecasting, reservoir scheduling, and the calculation of dam‐break flood evolution. Water surface profiles in open channels (WSPOC), Matrix Laboratory (MATLAB)‐based software was developed to help students better learn and improve their interest in surface line theory. According to the flow characteristics, the program is divided into two modules: steady flow and unsteady flow. The steady flow module guides students to master the judgment methods of various gradually varying flow types and can program independently to explore the solution process of the water surface profiles. The unsteady flow module is designed to help students learn finite difference methods in computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and allow students to interact with software in engineering cases to achieve the purpose of effectively integrating theory and practice. This software employs MATLAB graphical user interface(GUI) visualization technology to embed students' autonomous programming in crucial phases and transforms abstract concepts and theories into vivid animation demonstrations using CFD simulation tools. Furthermore, the transformation from theory to practice has been realized by providing a large number of practical engineering examples, which may improve students' ability to solve complex engineering problems. Based on the survey results, the user experience and application effect of the software are satisfactory, and the software's design objective has been achieved.