Flow over Weirs

CE 336
Department of CECEM

Date: 09/28/15
Fall 2015

Table of Contents
Purpose

Intro
Theory
Equipment
Set up and Procedure
Data Analysis
Discussion
Conclusion
References

Purpose

The purpose of this experiment is to understand the characteristics of flow over weirs. There are
different styles of weirs with different geometric features. Each weir has its own characteristics
and there effects on the flow of a fluid differ. Using theoretical equations we can find theoretical
values and compare them to actual discharge found by individual measurements. The ratio of
actual theoretical discharge is used to calculate the discharge coefficient for the different types of
weirs.

Introduction
A weir is a type of obstacle designed to obstruct the flow of a fluid, and is usually place on the
channel bottom. The fluid increases speed as it goes over the obstruction (weir) with a free liquid
surface. Weirs are usually used in channels, to control overflow in damns, or simply to measure
fluid flow. Weirs are used to meter flow of water in the channel by measuring the head of the
water over the notch crest. There are two types of weirs, broad crested and sharp crested. Broadcrested weirs have a longer axial crest above which fluid pressure is considered hydrostatic. A
sharp-crested weir, which will be used in this experiment and is the most common is a vertically
positioned thin flat plate which covers the entire width of the channel. Sharp crested weirs also
have different types of notches which change the flow of the fluid from the channel to the drain.
In this experiment we will analyze a rectangular-notch weir and a triangular-notch weir.

Theory

Since we will be focusing on sharp crested weirs for this experiment, we will take a look at the
characteristics of fluid flow over sharp-crested weirs. From figure 1, the crest is highest portion
of the weir plate which the fluid has to flow over. The nappe is the stream of fluid flowing over
the crest. H is the height of free surface above the weir plate, and Pw is the height of the weir
plate. Flow of fluid over the weir can be analyzed by applying continuity and Bernoullis
equation to a streamline going towards and passing over the weir. In order for the analysis we
assume: 1. The velocity profile upstream of the weir plate is uniform 2. Fluid streamlines at the
nappe are parallel to one another so pressure can be assumed atmospheric 3. Velocity profile is
not uniform at nappe. Bernoullis equation along any stream line approaching and going over the
weir is given as equation 1. Equation 1 can be rewritten as equation 2 where u2 is velocity right
above crest. Velocity at crest (u2) can be calculated from equation 3. Flow rate (Qt ) over the weir
can be calculated using equation 4. For any type of weirs, a discharge coefficient (Cd) needs to be
experimentally calculated for the specific type of weir to accurately measure flow rate. Obtaining
the Cd indicates the weir is calibrated and flow rates can be measured accurately. In the case of a
rectangular weir actual flow rate can be calculated using equation 5. The discharge coefficient
(Cdr) can be calculated using equation 6. For the triangular weir flow rate can be found using
equation 7. Typical coefficients of discharge for triangular weirs range from .58 to .62.

Figure 1.

Equations

(1)

PA
V 2A PB
V 2B
+ z A + = +z B +

2g
2g

(2)

V 2t
u22
H + Pw + =0+ ( H+ P w h )+
2g
2g

(3)

V 2t
h+
2g
2g
u2=

(4)

Qt =

(5)

Qar =C dr

(6)

C dr=0.611+ 0.075(

3/ 2
2
2
g
b
H

2
2 g b H
3

3 /2

H
)
Pw

(7)

Qat =C dt Q tt =C dt

2 g tan H 5 /2
15
2

Equipment
The equipment being utilized in this experiment to analyze flow over weirs consists of several
parts. Figure 2 simply illustrates main parts of the equipment, figure 3 shows actual scale being
used, figure 4 shows triangular-notch weir and figure 4 shows rectangular weir notch placed in
channel. The equipment being used consists of a stilling baffle, a rectangular/V-notch weir plate,
a vernier hook and point gauge. A hydraulic bench used to regulate flow over the weirs, a
stopwatch or smart phone to record time to collect specified volume of water in reservoir within
hydraulic bench.
Figure 2.

Figure 3.

Figure 4.

Figure 5.

Set up and Procedure

1. Set up weir equipment on hydraulic bench. Place height gauge over channel on sliding rails,
this will be used to measure datum height and height of water level in channel. Starting with
triangular notch weir plate, place height gauge right over plate. Lower gauge until the point is
just above the notch base. Lock coarse adjustment screw. Using fine adjustment adjust gauge
until point just touches notch bottom, record reading of datum height, ho. Second datum reading
was taken using cm ruler from bottom channel to beginning of notch to verify recording.
2. Now place instrument carrier with height gauge about midway between stifling baffle and
notch plate.
3. steadily open bench control valve to allow water into the channel. To record first experimental
data, set valve to give about 10mm depth of water above notch base, this will be our first H
value.

4. Next, find flow rate in the channel by recording time elapsed to collect 4L of water in the tank.
Hydraulic bench equipped with gauge on side indicating amount of liters.
5. Increase flow rate gradually by allowing more water into the channel through the opening
valve. Record water level height, H, and flow rate.
6. Repeat steps 3, 4, and 5 for six sets.
7. Remove triangular notch and mount rectangular notch weir plate.
8. Repeat steps 1-5 for five sets.

Table 1. Data Table for rectangular weir

Datu

Water Volume

Level

Height H3/2

Discharge

Flow

above

Coefficient

Rate

notch

Qexp

Collected elapse

height
ho

Volume

Time

Qexp= V/t
H= h - ho

Cdr
3/2

(mm)

(mm)

(L)

(sec)

(L/s)

(mm)

(mm )

.081

.095

50.02

.0799

.014

.0017

.61100

.081

.097

43.82

.0913

.016

.0020

.61100

.081

.100

34.48

.1160

.019

.0026

.61100

.081

.105

23.53

.1699

.024

.0037

.61101

.081

.110

18.05

.2216

.029

.0049

.61101

.081

.111

13.16

.3040

.030

.0052

.61101

Table 2: Data Table for Triangular-notch weir

Datum Water

Volume

height

Collected to

Level

Time

Volume

Height

Flow

above

Collect Rate

notch

H5/2

Discharge
coefficient

ho

Qexp

Cdt

(mm)

(mm)

(L)

(sec)

(L/s)

(mm)

(mm5/2)

.123

.133

73.75

.0542

.010

1.0e-5

.5845

.123

.145

42.62

.0939

.022

7.1e-5

.5855

.123

.148

31.42

.1273

.025

9.9e-5

.5855

.123

.151

20.73

.1938

.028

1.3e-4

.6100

.123

.156

13.80

.2899

.033

1.9e-4

.6111

Discussion
From the resulting data, Bernoullis equation was used and manipulated to find experimental
discharge coefficient for both notches. The average theoretical discharge coefficient for the
rectangular notch was .611. The average experimental discharge coefficient for v-notch or
triangular notch was .5626. From the recorded data we can see how the discharge coefficient for
both rectangular notch and triangular notch increase in accuracy to theoretical value as flow rate
increases in channel. An explanation for this could be the fact that as flow rate increases, the
streamlines have less tension at the crest part of the weir plate. When there is more tension in this
area the accuracy of the flow rate decreases. Ultimately the accuracy of the rectangular notch
flow compared to theory was steady and consistent, with only 4.32% percent error when
compared to actual flow rate. The triangular notch was slightly more off due to its geometric
shape, as the width increased the percent error decreased significantly.

Conclusion
This experiment was conducted in order to understand the flow over weirs, and how there
different geometric shapes affect the flow flowing out. After using Bernoullis equation we were
able to obtain decent results that illustrate the effects the rectangular shape and triangular shape
notch have on fluid flow. When fluid flow is low there is more tension in the notch since
streamlines attach to the crest, this causes a change to the discharge coefficient theory because it
disturbs pressure at the nappe which is assumed to be atmospheric in order for theory to work. As
fluid flow increases, higher velocity causes streamlines to go over crest with less resistance,
making the theory more accurate, and the friction over the crest more and more negligible.
Another factor that caused a deviation from theory to actual is the width of the notch, the smaller
the width the more percent error. The triangular notch showed starting at low flow and short
width since there is less area for the flow to go through. As the width increased with the flow the
percent error decreased, making theory values more accurate.

References
Sultana, 2015, Fluid Mechanics Laboratory, Instruction Manual.
Munson, B.R., T. H. Okiishi, W. W. Huebsch, A.P. Rothmayer, 2012, Fundamentals of Fluid
Mechanics, 7th edition, John Wiley.