IpFlux: A New Advanced Tool for Hydraulics Analysis in Open Channels

Abstract

IpFlux is a cost-free software developed to provide a simplified, accessible, and accurate solution for hydraulic analysis in open-channel flows. It addresses the need for tools that support rapid decision-making during early design stages, especially when conventional software may be too complex, resource-intensive, or costly. Written in Python, IpFlux features an intuitive interface and implements both explicit and implicit formulations to compute normal and critical depths, hydraulic jumps, flow through weirs and gates, backwater curves, and compound cross-sections. Thanks to its focused interface and direct data entry, IpFlux enables significantly faster estimations than traditional tools used for similar hydraulic calculations, particularly in early project stages. The software’s accuracy and applicability are demonstrated by comparing its outputs against classical references and selected results from established tools such as HEC-RAS and ANSYS Fluent. While IpFlux is not intended to replace advanced simulation software, it offers a reliable and user-friendly alternative for preliminary analyses in engineering projects, as well as for educational purposes in hydraulic engineering.