When the channel is non rectangular i.e., triangular, trapezoidal etc. the flow in a jump will involve lateral expansion of stream in addition to increase in depth.
As the cross-sectional areas are not linear function of the depth of flow. Therefore it becomes difficult to compute the sequent depth.
Specific force can be used to find the sequent depths for a given discharge in a given horizontal channel.
Consider a horizontal frictionless channel of any regular shape. The expression for the sequent depth ratios in channel of regular shapes can be obtained by the fact that specific force remains constant in case of jump.
