1

1.0 ABSTRACT
Weirs are hydraulic structures consisting of an obstruction placed across a water channel with a
specially shaped opening or notch. The weir structure will increase the water level, which will be
measured by volume in the basin. There are two types of weirs that widely used in experiment flow over
weirs which are rectangular notch and triangular notch or V-notch. In this experiment there are two
main objectives that need to achieve. The first is to demonstrate the characteristics of flow over weirs
by using the rectangular notch and V-notch. The rectangular notch is wider and usually measures a high
flow rate rate than V-notch. V-notch is been used in measure low flow within operating range. While for
second objective is to determine the coefficient, Cd for rectangular notch and V-notch. For rectangular
notch, the value of Cd can be determined by using theoretical method (actual flow rate/ theoretical flow
rate) and graphical method (plotted graph log Q versus log H). All the data has been recorded in the
result and the sample calculation also been made. There is also an error that causes difference in the
discussion section. The procedure of this experiment is started by general start up procedure. First, v-
notch was inserted securely into the flow channel. The pump was switched on and control valve was
adjusted to allow the water flow until the level was the same as height of the bottom notch. The control
valve was closed and water was allowed to stabilize. The vernier height gauge was set to datum reading
using the top of the hook. The water-flow was adjusted to obtain heads (H). The head reading was taken
in every increasing of about 1 cm and these procedures were repeated for different flow rate. The
readings of volume and time were taken by using the volumetric tank to determine flow-rate of water.
The experiment is repeated until the height is 5 cm. Finally, proceed to the general shut down
procedure. All the data been recorded and this experiment successfully been conducted.







2

2.0 INTRODUCTION
A vortex is described as a mass of fluid in rotary motion, similar to a helix, such as an eddy,
whirlpool, tornado or smoke ring. There are two types of vortices: rotational and irrotational. The
strength of rotation for rotational vortices is called vorticity, which is a vector equal to twice the
instantaneous angular velocity vector. Irrotational vortices are those without vorticity. Similarly to
Bernoullis Principle, pressure is lowest in the center where the velocity is the greatest. For proper
analysis of vortices one must also assume the fluid in consideration to be inviscid, frictionless and
incompressible.
For free vortex experiment, this is conducted to study the surface profile and speed as well as to
find the relation between surface profile and speed. The circulation experienced by the fluid closer to
the drain, where the flow nears the vortex center, is quicker than at the surface of the water. This is
because at the center of the vortex tangential velocity is at its greatest and it changes inversely with
increasing radial distance causing angular momentum to be constant. There is no rotation in this type of
flow (ideally). (Refer figure 1)


Figure 1
For force vortex experiment, this is conducted to study on surface profile and angular velocity. It
is also conducted to find the relation between surface profile and total head. This type of vortex can be
created by placing a bowl containing fluid on a turn table and rotating it. In this case vorticity (rotation
motion of the fluid particles) is present and constant. Here, linear velocity increases at greater radii from
the center similar to a rotating solid body. The free surface becomes a parabola shown in the cross-
sectional figure 2 below.
3



Figure 2



3.0 OBJECTIVES
- To demonstrate the characteristics of flow over weirs (rectangular notch and a triangular (V)
notch
- To determine the coefficient of Discharge for each type of weir









4

4.0 THEORY
General equation for notches, Q
t
= (2g)
H
0
bh
1/2
dh


Source: www.armfield.co.uk/fl_21_datasheet.html


For a rectangular notch
2
3
2
3
2
H g b C Q
d t
=
Where:
Qt = volume flow rate
H = height above notch base
B = width of rectangular notch
= angle of the Vee in the triangular notch
C
d
= the discharge coefficient, which has to be determined by experiment
g = gravitational acceleration (9.807 m/s
2
)

2
5
2
2
tan
15
8
H g C Q
d t
|
.
|

\
|
=
u
5

The coefficient C
d
is required to accommodate the effects of the simplifying assumptions in the theory.
These can be rearranged to give:
For a rectangular notch, and

C
d
= 3Qt .
2b (2g) H
3//2

For a v notch.

C
d
= 15Qt .













6

5.0 APPARATUS








7

6.0 PROCEDURE
6.1 General start-up procedures
1. The hydraulic bench was placed on the study bench.
2. The inlet and outlet hose was set up.
3. The stand of the equipment was adjusted to reach the horizontal position.
6.2 General shut-down procedures
1. The valves was closed and the pump was switch off.
2. The orifices, paddle and other accessories from the cylindrical vessel was removed.
6.3 Experiment 1: Free Vortex
1. The general start-up procedures were performed.
2. An orifice with diameter 24 mm was selected and placed it on the base of cylinder tank.
3. The output of valve was closed and the inlet 3-way valve was adjusted to let the water
flowed into tank from two pipes with 12.5 mm diameter. The water flowed out through
the orifice.
4. The pump was switched on and the control valve on the hydraulic bench slowly opened
until the tank limit. The water level was maintained by adjusting the control valve.
5. When the water level was stable, the vortex profile was collected by measuring the
vortex diameter for several planes using the profile measuring gauge.
6. The profile measuring gauge was pushed down until the both sharp point touch water
surface.
7. The measured height, h was recorded (from the top of the profile measuring gauge to
the bridge). The value of a (distance from the bridge to the surface of the water level-
bottom level cutout) was obtained.
8. The pitot tube to measure the velocity was used by sinking it into the water at the depth
of 5 mm from the water surface. The depth of the pitot tube in the water, H was
measured.
9. Step 3-8 was repeated for three orifices with different diameter of 18mm, 12 mm and 8
mm.
8

10. The coordinates of vortex profile for all diameter of orifice in graph was plotted and
gradient of graph was calculated as shown below:
X= (K
2
/ 2g) (1/r
2
)
Where X is the pressure head/ depth of pitot tube.
11. The graph of velocity which was calculated from the pitot tube reading versus the radius
of the profile was plotted.
()
0.5
Theoretically, the velocity can be calculated using the following equation:
V = k/r
6.4 Experiment 2: Forced Vortex
1. The general start-up was performed.
2. 2 a closed pump with two pedals on the base of the cylinder tank was placed.
3. The output valve was closed into tank from two pipes with 9.0 mm diameter. The water can
flow out through another two pipes with 12.5 mm diameter.
4. The water flow out from the tank with the siphon effect by raising the hose to above the water
level in the tank was ensured.
5. The outlet hose was make sure to fill with water before letting the water to flow into the sump
tank in the hydraulic bench.
6. The angular speed of the pedals was measured by counting the number of circles in a certain
times.
7. The surface probe was pushed down until the sharp point touch the water surface.
8. The measured height, h
o
(from top of the measuring gauge to bridge) was recorded.
9. Step 4-8 was repeated with different volumetric flow rate.
10. The coordinates of vortex profile was plotted for different angular velocity.
11. The calculated vortex profile was plotted in the same graph as they relate as :

Compare both experiment and calculated profile.
9

7.0 RESULT
FREE VORTEX
DIAMETER: 24 mm a: 205mm
DIAMETER
OF CENTER
,D (mm)
MEASURED
HEIGHT,h
(mm)
PITOT TUBE
HEAD
DIFFERENCE,H
(mm)
PRESSSURE
HEAD/DEPTH
OF PITOT
,X (mm)
VELOCITY
(mm/s)
r(mm) r(mm) 1/r
(1/mm)
55 87 8 38 396.182 27.5 756.25 0.0013
50 82 10 43 442.945 25 625 0.0016
45 77 13 48 505.035 22.5 506.25 0.0019

DIAMETER: 16 mm a: 231mm
DIAMETER
OF CENTER
,D (mm)
MEASURED
HEIGHT,h
(mm)
PITOT TUBE
HEAD
DIFFERENCE,H
(mm)
PRESSSURE
HEAD/DEPTH
OF PITOT
,X (mm)
VELOCITY
(mm/s)
r(mm) r(mm) 1/r
(1/mm)
48 89 6 10 343.103 24 576 0.0017
40 85 9 14 420.214 20 400 0.0025
34 79 11 20 464.564 17 289 0.0035
10

DIAMETER: 12 mm a: 240mm
DIAMETER
OF CENTER
,D (mm)
MEASURED
HEIGHT,h
(mm)
PITOT TUBE
HEAD
DIFFERENCE,H
(mm)
PRESSSURE
HEAD/DEPTH
OF PITOT
,X (mm)
VELOCITY
(mm/s)
r(mm) r(mm) 1/r
(1/mm)
36 23 5 67 313.210 18 324 0.0031
33 20 8 70 396.182 16.5 272.3 0.0038
22 18 10 72 442.495 11 121 0.0083

DIAMETER: 8 mm a: 249mm
DIAMETER
OF CENTER
,D (mm)
MEASURED
HEIGHT,h
(mm)
PITOT TUBE
HEAD
DIFFERENCE,H
(mm)
PRESSSURE
HEAD/DEPTH
OF PITOT
,X (mm)
VELOCITY
(mm/s)
r(mm) r(mm) 1/r
(1/mm)
20 12 5 69 313.210 10 100 0.01
18 10 8 71 396.182 9 81 0.012
15 9.5 9 71.5 420.214 7.5 56.3 0.018


11

FORCE VORTEX
DISTANCE FROM
CENTRE (mm)

(mm)
1
ST

(LPM)
2
ND

(LPM)
3
RD

(LPM)
0 96 70 37
30 97 72 41
70 98 74 46
110 103 78 50
NUMBER OF
REVOLUTIONS IN
60s
29 35 38
ANGULAR VELOCITY
(rad/s)
3.04 3.67 3.98





12

8.0 CALCULATIONS
8.1 FREE VORTEX
DIAMETER: 24 mm a: 205mm
DIAMETER
OF CENTER
,D (mm)
MEASURED
HEIGHT,h
(mm)
PITOT TUBE
HEAD
DIFFERENCE,H
(mm)
PRESSSURE
HEAD/DEPTH
OF PITOT
,X (mm)
VELOCITY
(mm/s)
r(mm) r(mm) 1/r
(1/mm)
55 87 8 38 396.182 27.5 756.25 0.0013
50 82 10 43 442.945 25 625 0.0016
45 77 13 48 505.035 22.5 506.25 0.0019
Note: X (mm) =profile measuring gauge whole length (330mm)-h-a (205mm)


Gradient of the graph: 16667 mm
y = 16667x + 16.333
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
0 0.0005 0.001 0.0015 0.002
P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e

h
e
a
d

1/r2
Pressure head vs 1/r2
Series1
Linear (Series1)
13

=16667
Therefore K is 18083.32 mm/s
V=

=18083.32/27.5
= 657.58 mm/s
As result,
r(mm) Calculated velocity (mm/s) Velocity (mm/s)
27.5 657.58 396.182
25 723.33 442.945
22.5 803.70 505.035



0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
V
e
l
o
c
i
t
y

Radius
Velocity vs radius
velocity
calculated
14

DIAMETER: 16 mm a: 231mm
DIAMETER
OF CENTER
,D (mm)
MEASURED
HEIGHT,h
(mm)
PITOT TUBE
HEAD
DIFFERENCE,H
(mm)
PRESSSURE
HEAD/DEPTH
OF PITOT
,X (mm)
VELOCITY
(mm/s)
r(mm) r(mm) 1/r
(1/mm)
48 89 6 10 343.103 24 576 0.0017
40 85 9 14 420.214 20 400 0.0025
34 79 11 20 464.564 17 289 0.0035
Note: X (mm) =profile measuring gauge whole length (330mm)-h-a (231mm)





y = 5573.8x + 0.3607
0
5
10
15
20
25
0 0.001 0.002 0.003 0.004
P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e

h
e
a
d

1/r2
Pressure head vs 1/r2
Series1
Linear (Series1)
15

Gradient of the graph: 5573.8 mm

=5573.8
Therefore K is 10457.44 mm/s
V=

=10457.44/24
= 435.73 mm/s
As result,
r(mm) Calculated velocity (mm/s) Velocity (mm/s)
24 435.73 343.103
20 522.87 420.214
17 615.14 464.564


0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
V
e
l
o
c
i
t
y

Radius
Velocity vs radius
velocity
calculated
16

DIAMETER: 12 mm a: 240mm
DIAMETER
OF CENTER
,D (mm)
MEASURED
HEIGHT,h
(mm)
PITOT TUBE
HEAD
DIFFERENCE,H
(mm)
PRESSSURE
HEAD/DEPTH
OF PITOT
,X (mm)
VELOCITY
(mm/s)
r(mm) r(mm) 1/r
(1/mm)
36 23 5 67 313.210 18 324 0.0031
33 20 8 70 396.182 16.5 272.3 0.0038
22 18 10 72 442.495 11 121 0.0083
Note: X (mm) =profile measuring gauge whole length (330mm)-h-a (240mm)





y = 776.48x + 65.733
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
0 0.002 0.004 0.006 0.008 0.01
P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e

h
e
a
d

1/r2
Pressure head vs 1/r2
Series1
Linear (Series1)
17

Gradient of the graph: 776.48 mm

=776.48
Therefore K is 3903.14 mm/s
V=

=3903.14/18
= 216.84 mm/s
As result,
r(mm) Calculated velocity (mm/s) Velocity (mm/s)
18 216.84 313.210
16.5 236.55 396.182
11 354.83 442.495


0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
0 5 10 15 20
V
e
l
o
c
i
t
y

Radius
Velocity vs radius
velocity
calculated
18

DIAMETER: 8 mm a: 249mm
DIAMETER
OF CENTER
,D (mm)
MEASURED
HEIGHT,h
(mm)
PITOT TUBE
HEAD
DIFFERENCE,H
(mm)
PRESSSURE
HEAD/DEPTH
OF PITOT
,X (mm)
VELOCITY
(mm/s)
r(mm) r(mm) 1/r
(1/mm)
20 12 5 69 313.210 10 100 0.01
18 10 8 71 396.182 9 81 0.012
15 9.5 9 71.5 420.214 7.5 56.3 0.018
Note: X (mm) =profile measuring gauge whole length (330mm)-h-a (249mm)





y = 259.62x + 67.038
68.5
69
69.5
70
70.5
71
71.5
72
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e

h
e
a
d

1/r2
Pressure head vs 1/r2
Series1
Linear (Series1)
19

Gradient of the graph: 259.62mm

=259.62
Therefore K is 2256.93mm/s
V=

=2256.93/10
= 225.693 mm/s
As result,
r(mm) Calculated velocity (mm/s) Velocity (mm/s)
10 225.693 313.210
9 250.77 396.182
7.5 300.924 420.214


0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
V
e
l
o
c
i
t
y

Radius
Velocity vs radius
velocity
calculated
20

8.2 FORCED VORTEX
DISTANCE FROM
CENTRE (mm)

(mm)
1
ST

(LPM)
2
ND

(LPM)
3
RD

(LPM)
0 96 70 37
30 97 72 41
70 98 74 46
110 103 78 50
NUMBER OF
REVOLUTIONS IN
60s
29 35 38
ANGULAR VELOCITY
(rad/s)
3.04 3.67 3.98





21

For the 1
st
volumetric flow rate:
Number of revolutions in 60 seconds: 29
=

=2(3.142) X 29/60
=3.04 rad/s
H = h
o
+
2
r
2
/2g

=96+

()()
X (30)
=96.424 mm (CALCULATED)
CALCULATED VALUES
DISTANCE FROM
CENTRE (mm)
1
ST

(LPM)
2
ND

(LPM)
3
RD

(LPM)
0 96 70 37
30 96.42 70.62 37.73
70 98.31 73.36 40.96
110 101.7 78.07 46.77
ANGULAR VELOCITY
(rad/s)
3.04 3.67 3.98

22





92
94
96
98
100
102
104
0 30 70 110
H
e
i
g
h
t

Distance
Forced vortex 1
Calc 1
Exp 1
64
66
68
70
72
74
76
78
80
0 30 70 110
H
e
i
g
h
t

Distance
Forced vortex 2
Calc 2
Exp 2
23
















0
10
20
30
40
50
60
0 30 70 110
H
e
i
g
h
t

Distance
Forced vortex 3
Calc 3
Exp 3
24

9.0 DISCUSSION
From the experiment, we are able to determine the surface profile of the vortex. There are two
vertices which are forced and free vortex. Besides that, we also investigate the physical phenomena
associated with a free vortex. Then, we determine the difference of the forced and free vortex. Usually,
forced vortex occurred in nature and for forced vortex it is made by human. First, we determine the
(rps) by timing the number of paddle rotations in 1 minute with different height of water in profile
measuring gauge.
For forced vortex, the datum height is the base of the vortex, is taken to be zero. We take
needle number 5 to be reference state, so it has to be zero. Height of the needles from the datum, (h1
h5) are 103, 98, 97 and 96 .the calculated height, hc are 101.7, 98.31, 96.42 and 96.we can see that the
value of the height calculated is decrease from h1 to h4. The forced vortex is about surface profile just
on the surface of the vortex. In a forced vortex, the fluid essentially rotates as a solid body(there is no
shear).the motion can be realized by placing a dish of fluid on turntable rotating at the fluid has velocity
of 2 everywhere and the free surface (if present) is a parabola.
For the free vortex, we use four type of orifice which is 24mm, 16mm, 12mm, and 8mm.after
that, we measure the diameter of the vortex for each orifice in different water level. For the orifice
24mm, the diameter is 55mm,50mm and 45mm.for the 16mm,the diameter is 48mm,40mm and 34mm
and for the orifice 12mm, the diameter is 36mm,33mm and 22mm.last orifice is 8mm and the diameter
is 20mm,18mm and 15mm.we can see that when the orifice diameter increase, the diameter of the
vortex also increase. When the fluid is drawn down a plug hole, one can observe the phenomenon of a
free vortex. The tangential velocity varies inversely as the distance from the centre of rotation.






25

10.0 CONCLUSION
As conclusion, we are able to determine the surface profile of the vortex. There are two type of
vortex which is forced vortex and free vortex. For the forced vortex, we determine the revolutions per
second and measure the length of the needles. There are 6 needles attached to bridge. We need to
measure the height of needle which is h1-h5. We assume the h4 to be zero value. Then we calculate hc.
From the experiment we can see the calculated height is decrease from h1 to h5. It is difficult to set the
needles just on the surface of vortex. In the forced vortex, there is no shear exist. For the second
experiment, we use four type of orifice which are 24mm,16mm,12mm, and 8mm.we can see that when
the diameter of orifice increase, the diameter of the vortex also increase. When fluid is drawn down a
plug hole, one can observe the phenomenon of a free vortex. The tangential velocity varies inversely as
the distance from the centre of rotation.

11.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
11.1 The apparatus should always be kept free from dust in order to get a smooth and
accurate result.
11.2 The water used should always be cleaned before each experiment in order to get
precise result.
11.3 Eyes of observer must be perpendicular to level of water to avoid parallax error.
11.4 This type of experiment should be done by minimum of 3 students at one time so that
this experiment is conducted professionally.





26

12.0 REFERENCES
- Submitted Articles: ARTC02021403
Article: Weirs for Open-Channel Flow Measurement
Submitted by: EDIS University of Florida
- http://www.scribd.com/doc/65108257/Fluid-Mechanics-Forced-Vortex-Free-Vortex-
- https://www.google.com.my/search?q=free+and+forced+vortex+experiment
- http://www.scribd.com/doc/65108622/Fluid-Mechanics-Forced-Vortex-Free-Vortex-
- www.armfield.co.uk/fl_21_datasheet.html
www.csus.edu/indiv/h/hpllandm/cel35/handouts/wfproced.html
- http://mech2262.drupalgardens.com/















27


13.0 APPENDICES











28























29