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DETERMINING THE ADEQUATE CREST HEIGHT OF SUPPRESSED

RECTANGULAR BROAD CRESTED WEIRS UNDER SUB CRITICAL FLOW
CONDITIONS

Research · August 2018

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International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET)
Volume 9, Issue 7, July 2018, pp. 689–697, Article ID: IJCIET_09_07_071
Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/ijciet/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=9&IType=7
ISSN Print: 0976-6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316

© IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed

DETERMINING THE ADEQUATE CREST

HEIGHT OF SUPPRESSED RECTANGULAR
BROAD CRESTED WEIRS UNDER SUB-
CRITICAL FLOW CONDITIONS
Hayder Mohammed Jasim
Civil Dept., Faculty of Engineering, Kufa University, Iraq

Dr. Fadhel Abdulabbas Hassan

Structures and water resources Dept., Faculty of Engineering, Kufa University, Iraq

Tagreed Hameed Khlif

Civil Dept., Faculty of Engineering, Kufa University, Iraq

ABSTRACT
In this research, an experimental work was conducted on models of broad crested
weirs with different height of crest and different flow conditions, in sub – critical zone,
to derive an equation to calculate the adequate height of a broad crested weir as a
function of flow parameters such as initial depth, sequent depth, critical depth and
Froude number due to the hydraulic jump will be generated downstream the weir .
Five laboratory models were used in the experiments with crest heights of 30 cm,
35 cm, 40 cm, 45 cm, 50 cm and 55 cm. Each model will examined under different flow
values (37 l/s , 31 l/s, 26 l/s, 11 l/s and 6 l/s.). All experiments were conducted in a
laboratory flume with dimensions of (1 m * 1.15 m) in cross section and 18 m length.
The flow conditions and geometric parameters of laboratory models were
rearranged as a non-dimensional parameters using Л – theorem. The values of each Л
will be scheduled and analyzed by the software of SPSS -21 to derive an empirical
formula to calculate the non-dimensional height of crest. The value of the coefficient of
determination (R2) resulted from the non-linear regression of data to derive the non-
dimensional formula was very high.
Key words: Broad – Crested weir, Sub- Critical Flow, Suppressed Weir, Crest Height.
Cite this Article: Hayder Mohammed Jasim, Dr. Fadhel Abdulabbas Hassan and
Tagreed Hameed Khlif, Determining The Adequate Crest Height of Suppressed
Rectangular Broad Crested Weirs Under Sub-Critical Flow Conditions, International
Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology, 9(7), 2018, pp. 689–697.
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 Hayder Mohammed Jasim, Dr. Fadhel Abdulabbas Hassan and Tagreed Hameed Khlif

1. INTRODUCTION
A broad crested weir is the simplest hydraulic structure in which discharge in canals can be
measured. It is usually an independent structure built in across the rivers or accompanying to a
large hydraulic structure. Depending on the width of crest, weirs may be classified in to two
types which are sharp and broad. Number of researchers have studied flow over the crest of
broad crested weirs.
Gonzalez A. et al. (2007) [3] conducted experiments on a full – scale of a broad crested
weir to measure velocity profile and pressures due to flow over the crest of weir. The results
showed that the design of overhanging crest effect on the field of flow, while the upstream end
of the weir have a rapid flow distribution during the experiments. Also, the research showed
that the vertical structures of a large scale may be observed towards the weir in the upstream
side and this may be lead to negative impact on the flow pattern over the weir.
Haun et al. (2011) [4] introduced two model of flow using two codes of computational fluid
dynamics which are SSIIM 2 and 3D Flow to describe the flow over a trapezoidal broad –
crested weir. When the results have been compared with the results obtained from a laboratory
test using different discharges, the deviation between the computed and observed water level at
upstream was between 1 % - 3.5%. While the difference between the results from the two
models CFD was between 1 to 1.5 %.
Hoseini S. (2014) [5] and Jan D. et al. (2009) [6] introduced a laboratory experiments to
derive an equation to calculate the discharge coefficient and non – dimensional discharge for a
broad – crested weir with different geometric and hydraulic parameters. The results of
experimental work showed that the parameters of Froude number and (h1/L) having more effect
on the coefficient of discharge. The comparison between calculated value of Cd or Q from
derived equation and the others obtained from experimental work pointed out a very big match.
Maghrebi et al. (2012) [7] formulate a 3 – dimensional model using the software of Flow
3D as a simulation to the flow over the rectangular broad – crested weir for a real case study of
Gharnave check dam in Iran. Also, the model contains a design for USBR stilling basin to
dissipate the excess energy of flow by proposing two different types of basins. While
Mohammadpour R. et al. (2013) [8] developed a 3- dimensional model as a simulation to the
flow around gabion weirs under free – surface conditions of water. The volume of fluid method
with reconstruction scheme of geometric was applied to solve the complex conditions of free
surface flow.
Ramamurthy A. et al. (1988) [10] studied the flow characteristics over a square‐edged, round‐
nosed of rectangular broad‐crested weirs. The study concluded the free‐flow and submerged
flow conditions. Also, Salmasi et al. (2012) [11] conducted number of experiments to
investigate the effect of multi geometric parameters such as lower width of crest and step height
for fifteen model of broad – crested weirs under different flow conditions when the cross section
is compound rectangular.
Sarker, M. A. et al. (2004) [12] introduced a laboratory study for the free surface profile
over a rectangular broad – crested weir. The results of the tests were compared with another set
of results obtained from commercial software. For comparison purposes, an excellent match
between experimental and theoretical results when measuring the upstream water depth and the
rapidly – varied flow profile over the crest.

2. DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
For the group of parameters that effect on selecting the suitable height of crest under different
operation condition of flow, a dimensional analysis for these variables could be done using
Buckingham’s π-theorem which is used to develop a dimensionless formula describe the

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Determining The Adequate Crest Height of Suppressed Rectangular Broad Crested Weirs Under Sub-
Critical Flow Conditions

relation between crest height (p) and other flow condition such as depth of water upstream the
broad crested weir (yu), critical water depth over the crest of weir (yc), depth of water
downstream the broad crested weir (yd), actual discharge passing through the flume (Qact) and
coefficient of discharge (Cd).
According to π-theorem, the repeated variables is the following:
ρ: Mass density of water (kg/m3)
g: Gravitational acceleration (m/s2), and
yd: depth of water downstream the broad crested weir (m)
The general form of the formula can be as follow:
P = f (ρ, g, Qact, yu, yc, yd, Cd) (1)
After rearrangement according to Buckingham's theorem, the dimensionless formula is:

∴ =f( . , , , Cd) (2)

√

In which the parameter . is Froude number, then equation (2) may be expressed as:
√

∴ = f (F , , , Cd) (3)
Where
Qact: Actual discharge passing through the flume (m3/s)

: non – dimensional height of crest

Fr : Froude Number

: non – dimensional critical depth of water over the crest

: non – dimensional depth of water upstream the broad crested weir

Cd : Coefficient of discharge

3. CALCULATION OF COEFFICIENT OF DISCHARGE

Coefficient of discharge for suppressed rectangular broad crested weir is calculated from the
following equation [1]:

Cd = (4)
∗ ∗ ∗

Where
b : width of the crest (m)
H: Total Energy (m) which is equal to:
H = (upstream water level (yu) -crest level) +

: Approach velocity head (m), and this value may be neglected because it is very small.

4. EXPERIMENTAL WORK
All the experiments was carried out using a laboratory flume rectangular in the cross section,
which was constructed by the researcher, as shown in figure 1. The flume dimensions is (18 m
long * 1 m wide * 1.15 m deep) [9]. The laboratory models are installed at a distance of 7 m

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 Hayder Mohammed Jasim, Dr. Fadhel Abdulabbas Hassan and Tagreed Hameed Khlif

from the gate of the head basin. The calibration of the flume was conducted using a standard
weir (sharp crested weir with 90o V notch) according to the specification of USBR.

As shown in figure 2, six models were used in the experimental work to derive the relation
between non – dimensional crest height ( ) and other hydraulic conditions (F , , , Cd).
The dimensions for all models are fixed in the value of (L) which is equal to 40 cm, while
the value of (P) varied from model to another which is equal to (30 cm, 35 cm, 40 cm, 45 cm,
50 cm and 55 cm) for the five models respectively.
Each model was examined under different flow conditions for five values of actual
discharges (37 l/s, 31 l/s, 26 l/s, 11 l/s and 6 l/s.).

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Determining The Adequate Crest Height of Suppressed Rectangular Broad Crested Weirs Under Sub-
Critical Flow Conditions

All dimensions of models meet the specifications and limitation of ASTM International
Designations [2]:
1. H ≥ 0.06 m
2. 0.05 ≤ H/L ≤ 0.57
3. H/P < 1.5
4. P ≥ 0.15 m
5. B ≥ 0.3 m or ≥ H or ≥ L/5
6. L ≥ 1.75 H

5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

5.1. The relation between (P/yd) and (Fr)
The dominant factor that effect on the flow in open channel is Froude number. Regardless the
value of Froude number and whether the hydraulic jump occurs or not, the value of Froude
number must be calculated and takes into account when developing any empirical formula
describe the flow in open channel.
Figure 3 shows a positive relationship between the height of crest (P) and the value of
Froude Number (Fr). For the same value of discharge, the value of (Fr) increased when the
value of (P) increased, because of when water flows from a high crest, the flow velocity
increases at downstream of the weir and thus the value of Froude number increases. The value
of (Fr) is 0.134 when (P) equal to 55 cm, while (Fr) equal to 0.085 for (P) equal to 30 cm for
the same value of discharge which is equal to 37 l/s.

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 Hayder Mohammed Jasim, Dr. Fadhel Abdulabbas Hassan and Tagreed Hameed Khlif

Figure 3 The Relation between (P/yd) and (Fr) for the Six Models

5.2. The relation between (P/yd) and (yc / yd)

Figure 4 shows an inverse relationship between the height of crest (P) and the critical depth of
water (yc). The greater value of the critical depth over the crest was 16 cm and it is recorded
when the discharge equal to 37 l/s and for P equal to 30 cm. Laboratory experiments also
recorded the lowest critical depth of 11 cm for the same value of discharge and for P value
equal to 55 cm. While the relationship is positive when reducing the value of the discharge,
where the value of the critical depth decreased by reducing the value of Q for the same model
(i.e. P value is constant).

Figure 4 The Relation between (P/yd) and (yc/yd) for the Six Models

5.3. The relation between (P/yd) and (yu / yd)

When the height of weir increased, the amount of retained water increased so the height of
water column increased also. This fact is very clear in figure (5), which show the relationship
between the height of crest (P) and depth of water at upstream (yu). The greater value of (yu)
was 67.4 cm and it is recorded when the discharge equal to 37 l/s and for P equal to 55 cm.

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Determining The Adequate Crest Height of Suppressed Rectangular Broad Crested Weirs Under Sub-
Critical Flow Conditions

The lower value of (yu) recorded was 52 cm for the same value of discharge and for P value
equal to 30 cm. The relationship remains positive for the same model when reducing the value
of the discharge, where the value of (yu) decreased by reducing the value of Q.

Figure 5 The Relation between (P/yd) and (yu/yd) for the Six Models

5.4. The relation between (P/yu) and (Cd)

Figure 6 shows a positive relationship between the height of crest (P) and the value of
coefficient of discharge (Cd). The value of coefficient of discharge (Cd) for model no. 6 (for
five values of discharges and P = 55 cm) was 0.906. While the value of (Cd) for the first model,
which has the lower crest (P = 30 cm) was 0.334.
Also, in the same model, the value of (Cd) increased when the value of actual discharge
decreased.

Figure 6 The Relation between (P/yd) and (Cd) for the Six Models

6. DERIVATION OF A NEW FORMULA

Using the software of SPSS v21 and 80% of the experimental data, the following non –
dimensional formula was derived relates between the non – dimensional height of crest (P/yd)
and other parameters resulted from dimensional analysis (F , , , Cd):

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 Hayder Mohammed Jasim, Dr. Fadhel Abdulabbas Hassan and Tagreed Hameed Khlif

# $ $
= −(. )** − +. )(, ∗ -. + (. ++0 ∗ 1 2 3 + 4. 4,5 ∗ 1 6 3 + (. +44 ∗ 7% (5)
$% $% $%
Where the coefficient of determination (R2) equal to 0.996.

7. CHECK THE ACCURACY OF THE FORMULA

To check the accuracy of equation (5), the rest of the experimental data which are not used in
the non – linear regression to derive equation (5) will be applied in the new formula to compare
the results from equation and the other resulted from experimental work as illustrated in table
1:

Table 1 A Comparison between experimental results and equation results for the value of (P/yd)
(P/yd) from (P/yd) from Percentage of
Experimental Equation Difference
Work (5) %
0.9677 0.9108 6.25
1.2069 1.1780 2.45
1.4493 1.4773 1.90
1.9565 1.9824 1.31
2.2727 2.3513 3.34
3.7184 4.0597 8.41

8. CONCLUSIONS
1. The difference percentage values of (P) obtained from experimental work and calculated
from equation (5) ranged between 1.31% to 8.41%. This confirms that there is a large
matching between two sets of values.
2. The results showed that there is a positive relation between Froude number and (P) and this
relation governed with a limited values of flow (Qact).
3. There is a negative relation between (P) and (yc) for a fixed value of (Qact), but when the
value of (Qact) decreased for a fixed value of (P), the value of (yc) increased also.
4. The relationship between (yu) and (P) remains positive whether within the same model or
between the six models.

REFERENCES
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Open-Channel Flow Measurement of Water", United States, 2014.
[3] Gonzalez C A & Chanson H, "Experimental measurements of velocity and pressure
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2007, p.p. 107-113.
[4] Haun S. et al., "Numerical Modeling of Flow over Trapezoidal Broad – Crested Weir",
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[5] Hoseini S., "Experimental investigation of flow over a triangular broad-crested weir", ISH
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[6] Jan C D, Chang C J & Kuo F H, "Experiments on discharge equations of compound broad-
crested weirs", Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering 135(4), 2009, p.p. 61-73.

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 Determining The Adequate Crest Height of Suppressed Rectangular Broad Crested Weirs Under Sub-
Critical Flow Conditions

[7] Maghrebi M. et al., " Numerical Simulation of Flow Over Rectangular Broad Crested Weir
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[8] Mohammadpour R. et al., "Numerical Modeling of 3-D Flow on Porous Broad Crested
Weirs", Applied Mathematical Modelling, Vol. 37, 2013, p.p. 9324–9337.
[9] Omran H. et al., "The Effect of Hydraulic and Geometric Parameters on the Scouring
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[10] Ramamurthy, A. S., Tim, U. S., and Rao, M. J., “Characteristics of Square-Edged and
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[11] Salmasi F. et al., "Discharge Relations for Rectangular Broad-Crested Weirs", Journal of
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[12] Sarker, M. A., and Rhodes, D. G., “Calculation of Free-Surface Profile over a Rectangular
Broad-Crested Weir.” Flow Measurement and Instrumentation, 2004, Volume 15 (4): 215-
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