HYDRAULICS DEPARTMENT

Name:_______________________________
Subject & Section:______________________ Date Performed:________________
Instructor:____________________________ Date Submitted:________________

EXPERIMENT NO. 10

WEIR CALIBRATION

A weir is an overflow structure built across a channel to measure the rate of

flow (Q) in the channel. A weir involves flow of a liquid with a free surface over the
top of a plate (in contrast to flow under a plate or sluice gate). Because the flow is
contracting in the direction of motion, it can be considered irrotational, and the
Bernoulli equation is applicable throughout the flow. There are several classifications
of weir. Classification of weir according to shape includes rectangular, triangular,
circular, parabolic, and sutro weirs. Classification according to type of crest: sharp-
crested and broad-crested weir. Classification according to end contraction:
suppressed and contracted weir.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the coefficient of discharge Cd and the weir coefficient C of a

rectangular sharp-crested weir (suppressed).

APPARATUS:

Hydraulic bench, point gauge, rectangular sharp-crested suppressed weir,

stopwatch, and tilting flume

DERIVATIONS:

Actual discharge at orifice meter,

V Volume
Qa  
T Time

58
Considering velocity of approach,

3
2 3
Q 2 g L[( h  hv ) 2  hv 2 ]
3

2
Let Cd = 2g
3
3 3
Q  C d L[( h  hv )  hv 2 ]
2

Q
Cd  3 3
L[( h  hv ) 2  hv 2 ]

If Q = Qw,
Q
Va 
( H  P) L

2
Va
hv 
2g

Cd
C ave.   ( for one group )
4

Approximate discharge,

3
Qapprox. = Cave L h 2

where: H = h + hv

LABORATORY PROCEDURE:

Open the control valve of desired flow into the glass channel. Wait for the flow to be
flushed with the crest of the weir. Take the reading on the point gage as the initial
reading. Adjust the control valve so that enough water will flow over the crest with a
certain head. Take the reading on the point gage and subtract from the initial
reading to find the head h. When reading the head, h, the water surface should be
stabilized with no waves. Record as h. Read the actual velocity head from the point

59
gage. Record as hva. Close the dump valve and record the time to accumulate the
desired volume. Record the time and the desired volume.

60
 FINAL DATA SHEET

NAME:_____________________________________________________ DATE: _______________________

SUBJECT & SECTION:_______________________________________ GROUP NO.___________________
SEAT NO. __________

EXPERIMENT NO. 10

WEIR CALIBRATION

Discharge CONSIDERING VELOCITY OF APPROACH

GROUP Time Volume
TRIAL QAPPROX.
NO. m3
NO. Q h (m) VA (m/s) hA H (m) C CAve.

61
 Discharge CONSIDERING VELOCITY OF APPROACH
GROUP Time Volume
TRIAL QAPPROX.
NO. m3
NO. Q h (m) VA (m/s) hA H (m) C CAve.

62