Exp.

(6): Flow Over Weirs

Purpose:
o To demonstrate the characteristics of flow over weirs.
o To determine the 'Coefficient of Discharge' for each type of
weir.
Introduction:
In open channel hydraulics, weirs are commonly used to either
regulate or to measure the volumetric flow rate. They are of
particular use in large scale situations such as irrigation schemes,
canals and rivers. For small scale applications, weirs are often
referred to as notches and invariably are sharp edged and
.manufactured from thin plate material

Apparatus:
Hydraulics Bench incorporates a weir channel. The rectangular
notch weir or (V) vee notch weir to be tested is clamped to the weir
carrier in the channel by thumb nuts.
4
2

Figure 1: Flow over Weirs vee notch weir

Figure 2: Flow over Weirs rectangular notch weir

Hydraulics Bench
2
Weir channel
3
measuring tank

Basket of glass spheres

Volumetric

(V) Vee notch weir

Hook & point gauge

7
8

Rectangular weir
Hook Gauge and

Scale
There are different shapes of weirs that can be used to
measure the volumetric flow rate. These shapes with their
dimension are shown in fig 3 below.

Figure 3: Details of weirs

Theory:
Rectangular Weir:
A rectangular notch is a thin square edged weir plate installed in
a weir channel as shown in figure 4.

Figure 4: Rectangular Notch

Consider the flow in an element of height

at a depth h

below the surface. Assuming that the flow is everywhere normal

to the plane of the weir and that the free surface remains
horizontal up to the plane of the weir, then
velocity through element

2 gh

Theoretical discharge through element

dQ=v . dA= 2 gh .b . dh
Integrating between h = 0 and h = H
H

Total theoretical discharge

1
2

Qth = 2 gh . B . dh=B 2 g h . dh
0

So,

2
Qth = B 2 g H 2
3

In practice the flow through the notch will not be parallel and
therefore will not be normal to the plane of the weir. The free
surface is not horizontal and viscosity and surface tension will
have an effect. There will be a considerable change in the shape
of the nappe as it passes through the notch with curvature of the
stream lines in both vertical and horizontal planes as indicated in
Figure 5, in particular the width of the nappe is reduced by the
contractions at each end.

Figure 5: Shape of a Nappe

The discharge from a rectangular notch will be considerably less.

C d=

e intercept
2
B 2 g
3

In British Code:

Important Note: This Equation is special for Cussons

Hydraulic Bench (Rectangular Notch B = 10 cm ), For other
notches (like Armfield Hydraulic Bench) refer to original
equation in British code.
Vee (Triangular) Notch:
A sharp edged triangular notch with an included angle of

is

shown in Figure 6
5

Qth = 2 g tan
H2
15
2

()

Qact =Cd

C d=

2 g tan H 2
15
2

()

e intercept
8

2 g tan
15
2

Figure 6: Triangular or V
Notch
Operation:
THE DISCHARGE FROM THE WEIR MAY BE
MEASURED USING EITHER THE ROTAMETER (IF
FITTED) OR BY USING THE VOLUMETRIC
MEASURING TANK AND TAKING THE TIME
REQUIRED TO COLLECT A QUANTITY OF WATER.
THE TIME TO COLLECT THE WATER IS AT LEAST
120 SECONDS TO OBTAIN A SUFFICIENTLY
ACCURATE RESULT.
4

1. FLOW
MEASUREMEN
T

head-gauge datum or gauge zero, which is defined as the gauge

reading corresponding to the level of the weir crest (rectangular
weirs) or the level of the vertex of the notch (triangular-notch weirs)

..BS ISO 1438:2008

The surface of the water as it approaches the weir
will fall, this is particularly noticeable at high rates
of discharge caused by high heads. To obtain an
accurate measure of the undisturbed water level
above the crest of the weir it is necessary to place
the hook gauge at a distance at least three times
the head.

2. Measuring
the Weir
Datum
3. Measuring
the Head

Experimental Procedure:
1. Place the flow stilling basket of glass spheres into the left end of
the weir channel and attach the hose from the bench regulating
valve to the inlet connection into the stilling basket.
2. Place the specific weir plate which is to be tested first and hold it
using the five thumb nuts. Ensure that the square edge of the
weir faces upstream.
3. Start the pump and slowly open the bench regulating valve until
the water level reaches the crest of the weir and measure the
water level to determine the datum level Hzero.
4. Adjust the bench regulating valve to give the first required head
level of approximately 10mm. Measure the flow rate using the
volumetric tank or the rotameter. Observe the shape of the
nappe.
5. Increase the flow by opening the bench regulating valve to set up
heads above the datum level in steps of approximately 10mm
until the regulating valve is fully open. At each condition measure
the flow rate and observe the shape of the nappe.
6. Close the regulating valve, stop the pump and then replace the
weir with the next weir to be tested. Repeat the test procedure.
Results and Analysis:
1. Record the results on a copy of the results sheet. Record any
observations of the shape and type of nappe paying particular
attention to whether the nappe was clinging or sprung clear, and
of the end contraction and general change in shape.
2. Plot a graph of loge (Q) against loge (H) for each weir. Measure
the slopes and the intercepts.
From the intercept calculate the coefficients of discharge
and from the slopes of the graphs confirm that the index is
approximately 1.5 for the rectangular weir and 2.5 for the
triangular weirs.

3. Compare the results with those predicted using the empirical

formula for rectangular weir in British Standard BS3680.