University of Leeds

Department of Civil Engineering

Level 2 Fluid Mechanics Laboratory Class
Critical Depth Flumes
Objective
The objective of this set of experiments is to demonstrate that when flow is made to pass
through the critical depth a stable and reliable relationship exists which can be used to
determine the flow in the channel. In order to create critical depth within the flow a structure
has to be built in the channel. In this experiment three types of structure will be used, a broad
crested weir, a Venturi flume and a simplified Crump weir.

Theory
The generalised equation for critical depth flumes will be derived in the lecture course, it can
be written as

Q 1.71C B(E h) 3 / 2
d
1
where

Q is the flow in m3/s

171
. is

2 2g
in SI units
3 3

Cd is a coefficient of discharge which should lie in the range 0.9 < Cd < 1.0
B is the width of the channel at the point where the depth is critical
h is the height of the bed of the flume above the channel bed at the point where the
flow is critical
E1 is the specific energy immediately upstream of the flume, this is defined as the
energy per unit weight of fluid using the bed of the channel as datum hence it has
the dimensions of length and can be written as

E1 y1

v12
2g

where y1 is the depth of flow immediately upstream of the flume

v1 is the mean velocity of flow immediately upstream of the flume

1.

Broad Crested Weir

Select one of the middle hooks in the channel bed and use it to fasten the broad crested weir
to the bed with the rounded edge facing upstream, invert all the other hooks (i.e. pull then all
out of the channel and re-insert them into the bed so that their flat ends are flush with the
channel bed thus sealing the holes but not causing any obstruction to the flow).
Open the flow valve until the flow is as large as possible without flooding over the sides of
the channel walls, wait a few moments for the flow to become steady then measure Q using
either the volumetric measuring tank or the rotameter and the depth immediately upstream of
the weir, y1, with a depth gauge. Make sure that the gauge is positioned so that the
clamping screw tightens onto the side of the channel which is opposite to the one which
has the length measuring scale attached. Reduce the flow so that the depth, y1, is reduced
by about 10mm then repeat the measurements. Continue until the depth is as small as can be
achieved consistent with critical depth being maintained on the flume. This should result in
about 10 readings. As the experiment is progressing plot Q against y1 so that any irregular
results can be noticed and the measurements repeated. Whilst performing the experiment
choose one flow in the middle of the range and measure the profile in 200mm increments
along the length of the channel from 500mm upstream of the flume until 500mm downstream
of it. Plot this profile on graph paper and use it to demonstrate that the critical depth occurs
on the weir.

y1
(m)

Q
3
(m /sec)

E1-h
(m)

(E1-h)3/2

Width of weir (B) =______________(m)

Height of weir (h) = _____________(m)
Before removing the weir set the flow somewhere in the middle of the range and place
sufficient stop logs at the downstream end to flood the weir, note what you see.

2.

Crump Weir

Repeat the above experiment with the Crump weir.

y1
(m)

Q
(m3/sec)

E1-h
(m)

(E1-h)3/2

Width of weir (B) = ______________(m)

Height of weir (h) = _____________(m)

3.

The Venturi Flume

The Venturi flume achieves the same effect as the weirs but by restricting the width instead of
raising the bed level.
Place the two halves of the Venturi flume into the channel and hold it in position with the
stretcher screw but be careful not fasten it too tightly otherwise you will split the sides of
the flume. In this case the value of the height, h, in our generalised formula is zero however
B has a value which is the width of the throat of the Venturi meter. Repeat the experiment
with this flume.

y1
(m)

Q
3
(m /sec)

E1
(m)

E13/2

Width of flume (B) =______________(m)

Graphs
Plot the following graphs for each flume:1.

Q against (E1 - h)3/2 hence determine a value for Cd

2.

log Q against log (E1 - h) hence determine both Cd and the power to which (E1 - h)
is raised. All the data for this graph will be far away from the origin; you should
choose a scale so that the plot makes full use of the paper and then determine the
intercept by similar triangles. If you choose scales so that the origin is on the paper
then the determination of the intercept will be grossly in error.

After considering the results you should be able to answer the following questions

how well does the equation relating flow to depth upstream of the
flume describe what actually happens
how well does the concept of a constant Cd model the energy loss
whether or not critical depth actually occurs within the length of the
flumes
the effect of errors in the measurement of upstream depth on the
computed value of the flow
how effective the flumes are at very low flows
how resistant the flumes are to flooding
what can you say about the validity of the governing equation when flooding
occurs

If these flumes were being used to measure flow in a real river or water/sewage treatment
works then what additional design considerations would you anticipate having to take into
account?
I.M. Goodwill.
January, 2004.
4