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IS 16739:2018 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for guidelines for design of lined canals using rigid lining. This standard provides guidelines for the hydraulic and structural design of canals lined with rigid materials like concrete, shotcrete, or masonry. It covers the selection of lining type, determination of canal geometry, freeboard requirements, lining thickness, and details for joints and drainage.
Provides guidelines for the planning, investigation, and design of irrigation canals with rigid linings (e.g., concrete, brick masonry).
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! Drainage behind the lining (sub-surface drainage) is critical to prevent damage from external water pressure, especially during canal drawdown. See Clause 9.
! The choice of Manning's roughness coefficient 'n' should be done carefully, considering the quality of workmanship and potential for future surface degradation.
! Proper curing of concrete lining is essential to minimize shrinkage cracks and achieve desired durability and impermeability.
USBR DS-3 (Chapter 7)U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR), USA
HighCurrent
Design Standards No. 3: Water Conveyance, Control, and Measurement Structures (Chapter 7: Canal Linings)
Directly addresses the design, material selection, and stability of rigid and flexible canal linings.
FAO Paper 66Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), International
HighCurrent
Design of Lined Canals — FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 66
Provides comprehensive international guidelines for the design of concrete-lined irrigation canals.
USBR (1978)U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR), USA
MediumCurrent
Design of Small Canal Structures
Broader manual covering all canal structures, with significant sections dedicated to canal section design and lining.
ASCE/EWRI 65-17American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), USA
LowCurrent
Standard Guideline for the Design of Rectangular Open Channel Flow
Focuses on the hydraulics of rectangular channels, overlapping on flow principles but not structural lining design.
Key Differences
≠IS 16739 incorporates seismic design considerations specific to Indian seismic zones (as per IS 1893), which are not explicitly detailed in the same manner in USBR or FAO guidelines that have a more general approach.
≠The Indian standard references national material codes like IS 456 for concrete and IS 1786 for steel, whereas international standards reference their respective national codes (e.g., ACI for USBR) or provide general material property requirements.
≠IS 16739 provides specific minimum lining thicknesses directly correlated to canal discharge capacity (e.g., 75 mm for <10 m³/s), while USBR standards often provide a range based on multiple factors including subgrade conditions and construction methods.
≠The recommended factor of safety against uplift pressure can differ. IS 16739 suggests a range (1.1-1.25), while USBR guidelines often recommend a more conservative single value, such as 1.5, for general design.
Key Similarities
≈Both IS 16739 and international counterparts recognize uplift pressure from groundwater as a critical failure mode for rigid linings and strongly recommend under-drainage systems in problematic areas.
≈All standards are fundamentally based on the same hydraulic principles, predominantly using Manning's equation to calculate flow velocity and capacity, with similar roughness coefficients recommended for concrete surfaces.
≈There is a common emphasis on the necessity and design of joints (contraction, expansion, and construction) in concrete linings to control cracking due to thermal variations and shrinkage.
≈The core design philosophy in all standards focuses on achieving a balance between structural stability (against earth/water pressure), hydraulic efficiency, and water tightness (seepage control).
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Manning's 'n' for Concrete Lining
0.014 to 0.018
0.013 to 0.017 (for straight, uniform sections)
USBR DS-3
Minimum Lining Thickness (Plain Concrete)
75 mm (for discharge < 10 m³/s); 100 mm (for discharge ≥ 10 m³/s)
38 mm to 100 mm (1.5 to 4 inches) depending on canal size and subgrade
USBR Design of Small Canal Structures
Maximum Spacing of Contraction Joints
Not to exceed 4.5 m
3.0 m to 4.5 m (10 to 15 feet)
FAO Paper 66
Factor of Safety against Uplift (Empty Canal)
1.1 to 1.25
1.5 (recommended)
USBR DS-3
Recommended Side Slope (in compact clay/gravel)
1.5H : 1V
1.5H : 1V
USBR DS-3
Minimum Curing Period for Concrete Lining
At least 14 days
Typically 7 to 14 days, depending on curing method and climate
General ACI / USBR Practice
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values6
Quick Reference Values
Manning's 'n' for cement concrete lining0.014 - 0.018 (Table 1)
Typical side slope for concrete lining in ordinary soils1.5H : 1V (Table 3)
Minimum freeboard for canals with discharge < 10 cumecs0.50 m (Table 4)
Minimum thickness for in-situ concrete lining (Discharge > 10 cumecs)100 mm (Clause 7.2)
Maximum permissible velocity for concrete lining2.5 m/s (Table 2)
Recommended spacing of contraction joints4.5 m (Clause 8.3.1)
Key Formulas
V = (1/n) * R^(2/3) * S^(1/2) — Manning's formula for velocity
Q = A * V — Continuity equation for discharge
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Values of Rugosity Coefficient (Manning’s ‘n’) for Rigid Linings
Table 2 - Maximum Permissible Velocities for Different Types of Lining
Table 3 - Recommended Side Slopes (Horizontal : Vertical)
Table 4 - Recommended Freeboard
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Types of Rigid Lining
Clause 5 - Data to be Collected and Design Considerations
What is the recommended side slope for a concrete lined canal in most soils?+
1.5H : 1V is generally recommended for cutting in most soils including sandy gravels (Table 3).
What is the minimum thickness for plain cement concrete (PCC) lining?+
For canals with discharge < 10 cumecs, 75 mm. For canals with discharge > 10 cumecs, 100 mm (Clause 7.2).
What is the purpose of a pressure relief valve in a canal lining?+
To release hydrostatic pressure from the back of the lining when the ground water table is high and the canal is empty, preventing upheaval or cracking of the lining (Clause 9.3).
What is the maximum permissible velocity in a concrete lined canal?+
2.5 m/s to avoid abrasion and erosion of the lining surface (Table 2).