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IS 9456 : 1980Criteria for Design of Lined Canals

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USBR Engineering Monograph No. 6 (1978/1986) · FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper No. 46 (1989)
CurrentSpecializedCode of PracticeWater Resources · Irrigation and Canal Structures
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OverviewValues5InternationalTablesFAQ4Related

IS 9456:1980 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for criteria for design of lined canals. This standard provides criteria for the hydraulic and structural design of lined irrigation canals. It covers the selection of canal cross-section, determination of flow parameters using Manning's formula, design of lining thickness, and requirements for freeboard and drainage arrangements.

Provides criteria for the hydraulic and structural design of various types of lined canals.

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Water Resources — Irrigation and Canal Structures
Type
Code of Practice
International equivalents
USBR Engineering Monograph No. 6 (1978/1986) · United States Bureau of Reclamation (USA)FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper No. 46 (1989) · Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (International)
Typically used with
IS 456IS 1498
Also on InfraLens for IS 9456
5Key values3Tables4FAQs
Practical Notes
! The selection of Manning's roughness coefficient 'n' is critical and should be based on the expected quality and maintenance of the finished lining surface, not just the material type.
! Proper drainage arrangements behind the lining are crucial to prevent damage from external hydrostatic (uplift) pressure, especially in areas with high groundwater tables or heavy rainfall.
! This is a foundational but old code; modern designs often supplement it with advanced hydraulic modeling and materials like geomembranes for which other specialized guidelines should be consulted.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 4Selection of Canal SectionCl. 5Hydraulic DesignCl. 6Design of LiningCl. 7FreeboardCl. 8Drainage Behind Lining
Pulled from IS 9456:1980. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
concretebrickstone masonryshotcretesoil

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
USBR Engineering Monograph No. 6 (1978/1986)United States Bureau of Reclamation (USA)
HighCurrent
Design of Small Canal Structures
A comprehensive guide covering hydraulic and structural design of various canal structures, including detailed sections on lined canals and various lining materials.
FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper No. 46 (1989)Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (International)
HighCurrent
Lined Canals
Provides detailed guidance on the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of lined canals, covering material selection, hydraulic, and structural aspects.
Key Differences
≠IS 9456:1980 specifies material properties (e.g., concrete strength, brick class) referencing other Indian Standards (BIS codes), whereas international equivalents typically refer to ASTM, ACI, or other regional/international material standards, leading to differences in specific mix designs, material classifications, and testing procedures.
≠While IS codes often incorporate explicit seismic design considerations (given India's seismicity), some older international manuals (like certain USBR documents) might be less explicit on this for canals, or refer to separate seismic design guides, potentially leading to varying levels of inherent seismic resistance in the design philosophy.
≠IS 9456 implicitly or explicitly considers typical Indian climatic conditions (e.g., high temperatures, monsoon intensity, specific soil types), which might influence design parameters like joint spacing, drainage requirements, and protection against extreme weather, potentially differing from generalized international guidelines or those from temperate regions.
≠FAO documents, in particular, often emphasize cost-effectiveness and appropriate technology for developing countries, which might influence recommended lining types and construction methods differently compared to a national standard like IS 9456, which focuses on established engineering practices within India.
≠The specific design methodologies for flexible linings (e.g., geomembranes, soil cement, asphalt) might have varying degrees of detail, recommended thicknesses, or failure criteria based on regional experience and available materials. IS 9456 might have more emphasis on brick and stone linings common in India.
Key Similarities
≈All standards rely on fundamental principles of open channel flow (e.g., Manning's equation) for calculating flow capacity, velocity, and channel dimensions in hydraulic design.
≈The recognition and methods to counter hydrostatic uplift pressure from groundwater are a common and critical element across all design guides for lined canals to prevent damage to the lining.
≈All documents emphasize the critical role of stable and well-drained subgrade preparation for the long-term longevity, structural integrity, and performance of the canal lining.
≈The primary purpose of canal lining (i.e., prevention of seepage losses, control of erosion, and improvement of hydraulic efficiency) is universally acknowledged and forms the core of design criteria.
≈The necessity and fundamental design principles for expansion, contraction, and construction joints in rigid linings (such as concrete) are common to accommodate thermal stresses and differential settlement, preventing cracking.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Manning's roughness coefficient ('n') for smooth concrete lining0.013 - 0.017 (for well-finished concrete)0.013 - 0.015 (for smooth cement plaster or good concrete)USBR Design of Small Canal Structures
Minimum permissible velocity to prevent silting in clear water0.6 m/s0.6 - 0.75 m/s (2.0 - 2.5 ft/s, general recommendation)USBR Design of Small Canal Structures
Typical Freeboard for canals with discharge less than 10 cumecs0.5 - 0.6 m0.45 - 0.75 m (1.5 to 2.5 ft, for Q up to ~10-15 cumecs)USBR Design of Small Canal Structures
Minimum recommended thickness for unreinforced cast-in-place concrete lining75 mm (for small to medium canals)75 mm (3 inches, often specified as a minimum)USBR Design of Small Canal Structures
Typical spacing for transverse expansion joints in unreinforced concrete lining4.5 m to 6 m4.5 m to 7.5 m (15 to 25 ft)USBR Design of Small Canal Structures
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values5

Quick Reference Values
Typical Manning's 'n' for Cement Concrete Lining0.015 - 0.018
Typical side slope for canals in cutting (ordinary soils)1.5H : 1V
Maximum permissible velocity for concrete lining2.7 m/s
Minimum freeboard for canals with <10 cumecs discharge0.5 m
Minimum lining thickness (in-situ concrete)75 mm for subgrade with processed gravels
Key Formulas
V = (1/n) * R^(2/3) * S^(1/2) — Manning's formula for velocity
Q = A * V — Discharge formula

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table 1 - Recommended Side Slopes for Lined Canals
Table 2 - Values of Rugosity Coefficient (Manning's 'n')
Table 3 - Recommended Minimum Freeboard for Lined Canals
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Selection of Canal Section
Clause 5 - Hydraulic Design
Clause 6 - Design of Lining
Clause 7 - Freeboard
Clause 8 - Drainage Behind Lining

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 456:2000Plain and Reinforced Concrete - Code of Pract...
→
IS 1498:1970Classification and identification of soils fo...
→

Frequently Asked Questions4

What is the recommended side slope for a canal in cutting?+
For most soils in cutting, a slope of 1.5H:1V is recommended. For rock, it can be steeper, from 0.25H:1V to 0.5H:1V (Table 1).
How is the required freeboard determined?+
Freeboard depends on the canal discharge. For discharges less than 10 cumecs, it is typically 0.5 m to 0.6 m, increasing to 0.9 m for discharges over 150 cumecs (Table 3).
What is a typical Manning's 'n' value for a concrete lined canal?+
For straight reaches with a good concrete finish, 'n' is typically 0.014 to 0.016. For canals with average maintenance, a value of 0.018 is commonly used (Table 2).
What is the purpose of drainage behind the canal lining?+
To relieve the external hydrostatic pressure (uplift) on the lining that can occur due to high groundwater levels, preventing cracking and failure of the lining (Clause 8).

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