born April 23, 1734, Tortisambert, France
died Oct. 17, 1809, Vieux-Condé
French hydraulic engineer.
He compiled experimental data from which he determined his basic algebraic expression for discharge from pipes and open channels. Though valid only within the range of his experimental data, this equation provided the best means at the time of predicting the performance of water-supply systems and similar works. His emphasis on achieving results that would be of practical use strongly influenced the development of experimental hydraulics in the 18th–19th centuries.