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+ + =
2 / 3
2
1 2 / 3
2
1
)
2
0 ( )
2
( 2
3
2
g
V
g
V
H b g Q
t
(5)
The upstream velocity is negligible compared to the velocity at the nappe, thus
g
V
2
2
1
<<H which
simplifies the basic rectangular weir equation,
2 / 3
2
3
2
bH g Q
t
= (6)
Note that, H is the height of the upstream free surface above the crest of the weir. However, the
actual flow rate will be different than the value because of the number of approximations made
4 | P a g e
to calculate equation (6). So, actual flow rate Q
a
can be determined using a correction factor,
known as discharge coefficient, C
d
.
t d a
Q C Q = (7)
For rectangular weir, actual discharge coefficient can be derived from equation (6) as:
2 / 3
2
3
2
bH g C Q C Q
dr tr dr ar
= = (8)
where Q
ar
, Q
tr
, C
dr
are the actual flow rate, theoretical flow rate, discharge coefficient from the
rectangular weir. For any type of weirs, a discharge coefficient (C
d
) must be experimentally
determined for the respective weir for accurate flow rate estimates. Once C
d
is determined for a
particular weir, the weir is said to be calibrated and flow rates can be measured accurately. The
value of C
dr
can be approximately calculated as
|
|
.
|
\
|
+ =
w
dr
P
H
C 075 . 0 611 . 0 (9)
For small flow rates, the head over the nappe is small and does not spring clear over the
rectangular weir crest because of surface tension. Thus the pressure distribution in the nappe is
not completely ventilated and unknown. So, flow rate cannot be measured accurately. This
situation is minimized by using a triangular weir which has a sharp edged triangular notch
opening and for low flow rates, reasonable heads are developed and the nappe springs clear over
the crest. Analysis of the triangular weir yields the following flow rate equation
2 / 5
2
tan 2
15
8
H g C Q C Q
dt tt dt at
u
= = (10)
where Q
at
, Q
tt
, and are the actual flow rate, theoretical flow rate and the notch angle as shown
in Figure 4.
Figure 4 A typical triangular weir
5 | P a g e
Typical values of C
dt
for triangular weirs are in the range of 0.58 to 0.62.
Equipment
1. The weir experiment consists of a stilling baffle (Fig. 5), a rectangular/V-notch weir
plate, a vernier hook and point gauge. The hydraulics bench incorporates a weir channel
where the stilling baffle and the rectangular or V- notch weir plate are installed in the
channel carrier by thumb nuts as shown in the diagram.
2. The vernier hook and point gauge is mounted on the channel carrier which allows the
measurement of the depth of flow above the base of the notch.
Fig 5. Weir section instrument over the hydraulic bench
3. Hydraulic bench will be used to regulate flow over the weirs.
4. A stopwatch is required to record time to collect water in the tank within the hydraulic
bench.
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Fig 6. Test section for flow over V-notch weir demonstration
5. Width of the rectangular weir b = 0.03 m and angle of V-notch weir = 90
o
.
Procedure
1. After the weir equipment is set on the hydraulic bench, the height gauge will be used to
measure the datum height and the height of the water level. Position the instrument
carrier with the height gauge above the gauge and lower the gauge until the point is just
above the notch base. Then lock the coarse adjustment screw. Then, using the fine
adjustment, adjust the gauge until the point just touches the notch bottom and take the
reading of the datum height, h
o
.
2. Next move the instrument carrier with height gauge approximately halfway between the
stilting baffle and the notch plate.
3. Gradually open the bench control valve to admit water in the channel. To get the first
experimental data, adjust the valve to give approximately 10 mm depth of water above
the notch base. It will be useful to pre-set the height gauge position to give a rough
guide. Note: A very low flow is adequate to develop a depth of 10 mm of water above the
notch and a marker can be used to mark the 10 mm depth on the weir plate as a guide.
4. When the flow is steady, take the water level height, h using the scale in the instrument
carrier.
5. Find the flow rate in the channel by recording the time to collect known volume water
(for example, 4 L) in the tank. Hydraulic bench has two tanks. For low flow, use the scale
(i.e., the lower scale) for low flow tank and for high flow; use the scale (i.e., the upper
scale) for high flow.
6. Gradually increase the flow rate in the channel by opening the control valve in the
hydraulic bench. Record the water level height, h, and flow rate using the steps 5 and 6.
7. Repeat the steps 5, 6 and 7 to collect at least 4 more data sets.
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8. Next remove the rectangular notch from the hydraulic bench and mount the V-notch
plate.
9. Get the first reading by opening the control valve in the hydraulic bench. Adjust the
valve to give approximately 10 mm depth of water in the channel.
10. Repeat the steps 5 through 8 to collect at least 6 more data sets.
Record experimental data in Table 1 and 2.
Calculations
For each flow rates, calculate the followings to complete the Table 1 and Table 2:
1. Experimental discharge in the channel (i.e., Q
exp
= volume /time t) column 5.
2. Height above the notch, H ( H = h h
o
) column 6.
3. Calculate the discharge coefficient C
d
for the rectangular and V-notch weirs using the
relationships in equation 7, 8 and 10 column 8.
Discussions
Discuss your results by addressing the followings-
1. Compare the experimental results of discharge coefficient to that of the theory.
2. What are the limitations of the theory?
3. Why would you expect wider variations of C
d
values at lower flow rate?
References
Armfield, 2012, Flow over weirs, Instruction Manual.
Munson, B. R., T. H. Okiishi, W. W. Huebsch, A. P. Rothmayer, 2012, Fundamentals of Fluid
Mechanics, 7
th
edition, John Wiley, Chapter 10.
CE 336 Fluid Mechanics student manual, 1993, CSULB.
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Table 1: Data Table for Rectangular weir
Datum
height
Water
Level
Volume
collected
Time to
collect
Volume
Flow rate
Height
above
notch
H
3/2
Discharge
coefficient
h
o
h t Q
exp
H T C
dr
(m) (m) (m
3
) (sec) (m
3
/s) (m) (m
3/2
)
Table 2: Data Table for V-notch weir
Datum
height
Water
Level
Volume
collected
Time to
collect
Volume
Flow rate
Height
above
notch
H
5/2
Discharge
coefficient
h
o
h t Q
exp
H T C
dt
(m) (m) (m
3
) (sec) (m
3
/s) (m) (m
5/2
)