UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN KIMIA

THERMOFLUIDS LABORATORY
(CGE 536)
NAME (STUDENT NUMBER):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

NURFAYYADHAHTUL SYAFAWANI BINTI KAMSANI

NUR DIYANA BINTI ZAKUAN
NURUL AFINA BINTI NORAZMI
MUHD FARIDZUAN GHAZALI
MUHAMMAD HAZIQ BIN MOHD ZULKEPLI

(2013428214)
(2013462052)
(2013212894)
(2013473306)
(2013291792)

EXPERIMENT 7 : FLOW OVER WEIRS

DATE PERFORMED : 01 0CT 2014
SEMESTER : 03
PROGRAMME CODE : EH223
GROUP : EH2233A

No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

Title
Abstract / summary
Introduction
Aims / objectives
Theory
Apparatus
Procedures
Results
Calculations
Discussion
Conclusions
Recommendations
References
Appendix
TOTAL

Allocated marks %
5
5
5
5
5
10
10
10
20
10
5
5
5
100

Marks

Remarks:
Checked by:
1

TABLE OF CONTENTS :

NO TOPICS

PAGES

Abstract / Summary

Introduction

Aims / Objectives

Theory

Apparatus

Procedures

Results

Calculation

12

Discussion

18

10

Conclusions

19

11

Recommendations

19

12

References

20

13

Appendices

21

1.0

ABSTRACT/SUMMARY

The flow over weirs experiment is carried out with aims to study the relationship
between the discharge coefficient and the parameters influencing the flow of discharge.
Wires are hydraulic structure structures consisting of an obstruction such as a dam or
bulkhead placed across the open channel with a specially shaped opening or notch. The weir
results an increase in the water level, or head, which is measured upstream of the structure.
The flow rate over a weir is a function of the head on the weir.The water level discharge
relationship are available for standard shaped notch that are widely use nowadays.

In this experiment 2 types of weirs is used in order to achieve the main aims : Rectangular
notch and (V) notch.

The stilling baffle is functioned as reservoir

that will collect water and slowly

disperse water flowing out through the opening at the bottom of the stilling baffle.It is also is
used to ensure the minimum turbulence.

2.0

INTRODUCTION

The experiment correlates with thermodynamics, that resembles the first, second and
third law of thermodynamics, where a fluid is treated as a continuous media. The laws
involved are those that signify the conservation of mass, energy and momentum and in a
application it can be simplified to describe the behavior of the fluid.

The opening at the sidewall of the tank is called a weir. Vein is the stream of liquid
flowing out. A weir is generally an overflow structure, with a broad crest, built across an
open channel. The sill or crest is the part where liquid is allowed to flow. The head under
which the weir is discharging is measured from the crest to the free surface. Measurement for
the

flow

liquids

usually

uses

weir

or

notch.

In this experiment, rectangular and v-notch are being used to measure the flow of
liquid. It is used with a water supply, wastewater and sewage systems. Rectangular and vnotch have sharp edged plate followed by its structure such as rectangle and v-shaped
structure. Broad-crested weirs can be observed in dam spillways where the broad edge is
beneath the water surface across the entire stream.

3.0

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this experiment is to determine the coefficient of discharge for both rectangular
and v notches.

4.0

THEORY

Common weir constructions are the rectangular weir, the triangular or v-notch weir, and the
broad-crested weir and are made of wide timber or concrete.

Rectangular Weirs
The rectangular weir is able to measure higher flows than the v-notch weir and over a wider
operating range.

B, 30mm
89mm

= Cd

2
B 2g H 2
3

Where ;
Cd = Coefficient of discharge
B = Width of notch
H = Head above bottom of notch
Q = Flow rate

V-Notch Weirs
The V-notch weir is a notch with a V shape opening. V-notch weir typically used to measure
low flows within a narrow operating range.

90
50mm

2 g tan H 2
15
2
5

Q = Cd

Where;
Cd = Coefficient of discharge

= Half the enclosed angle the vee.

2

H = Head above bottom of notch

Q = Flow rate

5.0

APPARATUS

1
2

6
7

3
4

1. Stilling Baffle
2. Flow Control Valve
3. Hydraulic Bench
4. Weir Plate ( Rectangular or V )
5. Sump Tank
6. Vernier
7. Holder

6.0

PROCEDURES

1. The weir apparatus was levelled on the hydraulic bench and the rectangular notch
weir was installed.
2. The pump was turned on.
3. The hydraulic bench control flow was slowly opened to admit water to the channel
and pass through the stilling baffle until the water discharge over the weir plate.
4. The flow control valve was slowly closed and the water level was allowed to stabilize.
5. The Vernier Gauge was set to datum reading using the top of the hook. The gauge
was placed about half way between the stilling baffle and the notch.
6. Water was admitted to the channel. The water flow was adjusted by using the
hydraulic bench flow control valve to obtain heads (H).
7. The water flow was waited to stabilize, heads readings in every increasing of about 1
cm was taken.
8. Step 6 to 7 was repeated to obtain different flow rate.
9. To determine flow rate, the readings of volume and time using the volumetric tank
was taken.
10. The rectangular notch then was replaced with v-notch.
11. Step 1 to 9 was repeated.
12. The results was recorded in tables.

7.0 RESULT
Rectangular Notch

Time (s)
Volume Height,
(L)
H (m)

T1

T2

T3

Average
Time (s)

Flow
Rate, Q
(m3/s)

Log
H

Log
Q

Q2/3

Cd

H/B

0.01

36.00

34.00

39.00

36.33

0.00008

-2.00

-4.08

0.00190 0.93

0.33

0.02

14.00

13.00

14.00

13.67

0.00022

-1.70

-3.66

0.00364 0.88

0.67

0.03

6.00

7.00

7.00

6.67

0.00045

-1.52

-3.35

0.00587 0.98

1.00

0.04

5.00

5.00

4.00

4.67

0.00064

-1.40

-3.19

0.00745 0.91

1.33

0.05

4.00

4.00

2.00

3.33

0.00090

-1.30

-3.05

0.00932 0.91

1.67

TABLE 1.1

GRAPH 1.1

GRAPH 1.2

GRAPH 1.3

10

V-notch
Time (s)
Volume
(L)

Height,
H (m)

T1

T2

T3

Average
Time (s)

Flow
Rate, Q
(m3/s)

0.01

50.00

50.00

52.00

50.67

0.00006

0.02037

2.51

0.02

16.00

17.00

18.00

17.00

0.00018

0.03153

1.32

0.03

7.00

9.00

7.00

7.67

0.00039

0.04335

1.06

0.04

3.00

3.00

4.00

3.33

0.00090

0.06049

1.19

Q2/5

Cd

TABLE 1.2

GRAPH 1.4

11

8.0

CALCULATION

Rectangular Notch
B, 30mm
89mm

Flow rate , Q (m/s) = volume / time

1 Litter = 0.0003 m
3

= Cd

Where

2
B 2g H 2
3

Cd

= Coefficient of discharge

= Width of notch

= Head above bottom of notch

=Flow rate

Width of notch, B = 0.03 m

1)

Height, H = 0.01 m
Average time = 36.33 s
Volume = 0.003 m
Q = 0.00008
B = 0.03 m

0.00008 =

Cd =

0.93
12

2)

Height, H = 0.02 m
Average time = 13.67 s
Volume = 0.003 m
Q = 0.00022
B = 0.03 m

0.00022 =

Cd =

= 0.88

3)

Height, H = 0.03 m
Average time = 6.67 s
Volume = 0.003 m
Q = 0.00045
B = 0.03 m

0.00045 =

Cd =

0.98

13

4)

Height, H = 0.04 m
Average time = 4.67 s
Volume = 0.003 m
Q = 0.00064
B = 0.03 m

0.00064 =

Cd =

=
5)

0.91
Height, H = 0.05 m
Average time = 3.33 s
Volume = 0.003 m
Q = 0.00090
B = 0.03 m

0.00090 =

Cd =

0.91

14

V-notch
90
50mm

2 g tan H 2
15
2
5

= Cd

Where

1)

Cd

= Coefficient of discharge

= Half the enclosed angle the vee.

= Head above bottom of notch

Height, H = 0.01 m
Average time = 50.67 s
Volume = 0.003 m
Q = 0.00006

(0.00006) =

Cd

= 2.51

15

2)

Height, H = 0.02 m
Average time = 17.00 s
Volume = 0.003 m
Q = 0.00018

(0.00018) =

Cd

= 1.32
3)

Height, H = 0.03 m
Average time = 7.67 s
Volume = 0.003 m

Q = 0.00039

(0.00039) =

Cd

= 1.06

16

4)

Height, H = 0.04 m
Average time = 3.33 s
Volume = 0.003 m

Q = 0.00090

(0.00090) =

Cd

= 1.19

17

9.0

DISCUSSION

The main objectives for this experiment is to determine the flow of water and the
discharge of coefficient in a triangular notch and rectangular notch weirs. Besides, it also to
determine the relationship between the H of the weir and the discharge of water over the weir
and the are objective achieved.

V-notch and rectangular notch are used as hydraulic bench to determine the flow rate
of the water with different heights by adjusted the vernier gauge. By this experiment, we can
find that different height gives different flow rate of water. To get the reading, the tip of
vernier gauge must be touch the surface of stabilized water flow. After that, the time taken of
3 liters of water elevation are recorded by using stopwatch for each height for 3 times to get
the average reading.

Based on the experiment of rectangular notch, the heights, the data of flow rate,
calculation of Q2/3, log H, log Q and H/B are recorded in a table. From the calculation, we can
find that the Cd reading is not constant for every heights. The coefficient of discharge is
calculated by using two method. First method is calculated by using the Cd value obtained
from the recorded and calculated data and the value of average Cd was determined graph and
second method was calculated using the log H (height of water) against log Q (flow rate).

Through the second method, Q is directly proportional with H when the value of k
and n are constant by relation of Q and H can be described by an empirical formula Q = kH n.
The intersection of graph we can get the value of k while for value of n we can get from the
slope of graph. k=1.094 n=1.460. The average Cd is 0.922 where we can get from calculation.
For the V-notch, data of flow rates, height, values of Q2/5 and Cd have been tabulated
in the table. After plotting graph Q2/5 against H, value Cd can be determined from the slope. It
is known that the value Cd is 0.0025. For this experiment, the Cd value is not constant due to
some error has occur during experiment. Theoretically, when head increase, the discharge
flow increase too.

18

10.0

CONCLUSSIONS

The smooth flow to and over the weir is essential to the determination of accurate rates of flow since
the distribution of velocities in the approach flow has a definite influence on the discharge over the weir. The
geometry shape of the weir will affect the flow of water.

The head reading increase as the reading of flow rate for rectangular notch is increase.
Therefore the coefficient of discharge rectangular notch more accurate to theoretical value.
The same thing goes for the V- notch. It clings to the notch and flow down when the flow rate
become low. This changes the discharge coefficient of the notch because water have to resist
the friction of notch surface. This theory point that the water has to be level so that there has
to be constant pressure and constant flow. The low flow rate will lead to lower heights above
the notch and will bring greater changes to the theoretical equation.

11.0

RECOMMENDATION

1. Prevent damage to the knife edge of weir plate. A small head will be present due to
meniscus at the water which will result in a slight error.
2. Make sure that the water level is stable to assure unchanging water velocity.
3. The eye must be directly perpendicular to the reading calibration on the Vernier
Gauge to get an accurate reading.
4. Ensure that the water level is even with the crest of the weir to indicate its initial
position.
5. Ensure thumb nuts are securing the rectangular notch weir plate is fully secured to
uphold against the water pressure.

19

12.0

REFERENCES

1. Page 221 Thermodynamics An Engineering Approach by Yunus A. Cengel, Michael

A. Boles

2. http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/firlaw.html

3. http://www.hubbardbrook.org/w6_tour/weir-stop/weirwork.htm

4. http://charconcs.com/hydro-solutions/hydrometric-solutions/corbett-flat-v-weir

5. http://onlinecalc.sdsu.edu/onlinestandardsuppressedrectangulardescription.html

20

13.0

APPENDICES

21

22