TO STUDY THE FLOW CHARACTERISTICS OVER A HUMP OR WEIR IN AN

OPEN CHANNEL

A Design of Experiments by

Abeleda, Michael Jose A.

Francisco, Joshua D.
Monterico, Glady Ann Mae
Perey, Gian
Ruzol, John Mcroy D.

Submitted to the Graduate Programs

Technological Institute of the Philippines – Quezon CIty

In Partial Fulfilment
Of the Requirements for the Degree
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

March, 2020
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APPROVAL SHEET

This research project entitled To Study the Flow Characteristics over a Hump or Weir in an Open
Channel , prepared and submitted by Michael Abeleda, Joshua D. Francisco, Glady Ann Mae
Monterico, Gian Perey ,John Mcroy D. Ruzol in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering is hereby accepted.

Engr. Alpanorwen D. Aseo

Research Paper Adviser

Egnr. Allan B. Benogsudan

Chair, Defense Panel

<Panelist 1> <Panelist 2>

Panel Member Panel Member

Accepted and approved for the conferral of the degree HYDRAULICS ENGINEERING

Ruji P. Medina, Ph.D.

Dean, Graduate Programs
 iii

DEDICATION

I would like to dedicate this research study to my family who supported to conduct this, for

the professors who help and guide them to make a final output and for future researchers who can

use this study as their guide or reference.

- Abeleda, Michael

I dedicate my dissertation work to my family and friends. A special feeling of gratitude to

my loving parents whose words of encouragement and push for tenancy ring in my ears, for

supporting me throughout the process. I always appreciate all they have done.

- Francisco, Joshua

I dedicate my dissertation to my family who, through thick and thin, has been there for me.

Their support and drive is what has made me who I am.

- Monterico, Glady Ann Mae

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I dedicate this project to my family who fully supported me in my projects and give me

courage to never give up and try harder every time I fail.

- Perey, Gian

I dedicate this DoE for future students who will find it hard in engineering and lost behind.

Eum facere potes, tu fragmen stercore.

- Ruzol, John Mcroy

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would like to thank god almighty for giving me the strength, knowledge, abilty and

opportunity to undertake this research study and to preserve and complete it satisfactory. Without

his blessings, this achievement would not have been possible.

- Abeleda, Michael

I wish to thank my professors who were more than generous to share their knowledge,

expertise and precious time. I would also like to acknowledge and thank the CE tool room

instructors for allowing us to use the equipment’s.

- Francisco, Joshua

I wish to thank God for giving us life, knowledge, wisdom and for his unconditionally love. I

would also like to thanks my family, professors and friends who’s always supporting us and giving

us lessons that may help us now and in the future. And to my group mates thank you also and

Cheers!

- Monterico, Glady Ann Mae

-
 vi

I would like to give thanks to my professors who taught me the knowledge I will need for my

present and future study problems. And also my friends who can always give me support in my

hard times at school.

- Perey, Gian

I thank myself for pursuing this Design of Experiment.

- Ruzol, John Mcroy

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Table of Contents

APPROVAL SHEET................................................................................................................ii

DEDICATION..........................................................................................................................iii

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS..........................................................................................................v

Table of Contents...................................................................................................................vii

LIST OF TABLES...................................................................................................................ix

LIST OF FIGURES..................................................................................................................x

ABSTRACT.............................................................................................................................xi

1 INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................1

1.1 Background of the Study...........................................................................................1

1.2 Objectives of the Study.............................................................................................1

1.3 Significance of the Study..........................................................................................2

1.4 Scope and Delimitations...........................................................................................3

2 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK....................................................................................4

2.1 Review of Related Literature.....................................................................................4

2.2 Concept of the Study.................................................................................................6

2.3 Definition of Terms....................................................................................................8

3 OPERATIONAL FRAMEWORK....................................................................................9

3.1 Materials....................................................................................................................9

3.1.1 Software...........................................................................................................9
 viii

3.1.2 Hardware..........................................................................................................9

3.1.3 Data................................................................................................................10

3.2 Methods...................................................................................................................10

3.2.1 Experimental design.......................................................................................10

3.2.2 Procedures for the different phases...............................................................12

3.2.3 Evaluation.......................................................................................................13

4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION....................................................................................14

4.1 Results by phase of study.......................................................................................14

4.2 Verification studies..................................................................................................15

5 SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS.....................................16

5.1 Summary.................................................................................................................16

5.2 Conclusions.............................................................................................................16

5.3 Recommendations..................................................................................................16

REFERENCES......................................................................................................................18

APPENDICES.............................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

CURRICULUM VITAE................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

 ix

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE 3-1 DATA AND RESULTS..........................................................................................................12

Y
 x

LIST OF FIGURES

YFIGURE 1 1 ENERGY LINE

FIGURE 1 2 DAMMING ACTION AND HYDRAULIC JUMP...........................................................................3

FIGURE 2-3 CASES/TYPES OF FLOW.................................................................................................... 6

FIGURE 2-4 EFFECT OF HUMP OVER THE DEPTH OF FLOW.....................................................................7

FIGURE 2-5 ADDITIONAL CONCEPT OF THE STUDY................................................................................7

FIGURE 3 1 SUB-CRITICAL FLOW....................................................................................................... 10

FIGURE 3 2 CRITICAL FLOW...............................................................................................................11

FIGURE 3 3 SUPER-CRITICAL FLOW................................................................................................... 11

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ABSTRACT

Research findings have shown that accurate estimation of performance and water surface

profiles in hydraulic structures are cumbersome and time-consuming. Furthermore, investigating

hydraulic variables experimentally required more money to conduct the field tests and to find the

needed equipment. Additionally, laboratory measurements of the hydraulic parameters are not

accurate when compared with numerical simulation results. Therefore, numerical simulation of

hydraulic problems such as flow over hump using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) science is a

great alternative for laboratory tests. Therefore, multi-purpose teaching flume and 3D hump/weirs

model are recommended as a useful tool to predict and investigate the flow behavior at upstream

and downstream of the weirs as well as in different hydraulic structures.

.
 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

In open channels, the most common hydraulic structures used for flow discharge

measurements are the weirs because of their accuracy, simplicity, and ease of design and

construction. Their main functions include managing water levels at upstream and downstream as

well as measuring flow discharge and channel stabilization. In addition, they have different

engineering applications in the laboratory and field especially in safety, for example in discharging

excess water from rivers and dams during flood times. Weirs can be categorized into different

types based on their geometry and design. These include broad-crested, sharp-crested, narrow-

rested, and ogee-shaped weirs. However, based on opening shape, weirs can be classified into 3

main types namely, rectangular, triangular and trapezoidal weirs. In these types of weirs, accurate

estimation of performance and surface profiles are sometimes cumbersome and time-consuming.

Figure 1 1 Energy Line

 1.2 Objectives of the Study

General Objectives:

The main objective of this experiment is to study the variation in flow due to
introduction of different types of humps in the flume.

Specific objectives:

a. To draw the water surface profile over the hump

b. To measure the discharge or flow over a hump

Using this formula:

1.3 Significance of the Study

The study of flow characteristics over a hump or weir in an open channel can be a learning

paradigm for the other students and researchers to enhance their knowledge about hydraulic

structures used for flow discharge measurements thru actual data’s from experiments. The
experiment’s goal is to understand the principle, purpose, and effects of humps or weirs in a

channel that they can apply for future purposes.

Figure 1 2 Damming Action and Hydraulic Jump

1.4 Scope and Delimitations

The study will focus on the effects sharp crested weirs or sharp corner hump in an open

rectangular channel and their respective flow profile. The researchers conduct three (3) trials of

different discharges that will occur in the flume (HM 160). The Students researcher’s limits their

design of experiment in getting the value or data’s because there is no actual experiment occur,

yep there is no actual experiment occur because of the pandemic corona virus disease (ncov19).
 2 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

2.1 Review of Related Literature

During the experiments using the flume, the students researchers in Pakistan proved

through actual experiments that the specific energy is at a particular section is defined as energy

head referred to the channel bed as datum. The sum of all the heads measured from the bed of

channel solved through the energy formula and the relation of specific energy it is quite obvious

that for a given discharge the specific energy is the function of depth of flow only (Qcet Sahiwal,

2018).

In this study there is much helpful research that can be read on books that interest readers,

like the idea of artificial channels built for various purposes:

1. Water-power development – the water is brought form streams or reservoirs to

headworks above the power plant.

2. Irrigation – water is brought from streams or reservoirs to storage ponds or tanks

or directly to land to be irrigated.

3. City water supply – the water is brought from streams or storage reservoirs to

ponds supplying city distribution systems.

4. Sewerage – city sewers, although usually cover the conduits or pipes, originally

are designed as an open channels because these are not supposed to flow full but

to have a free surface under atmospheric pressure.

 5. Drainage – it’s a low-lying, swampy, or waterlogged lands are quaintly made

productive by draining them through the open ditches or by laying and covering

pipe which may or may not flow full.

6. Flood control – its served as protection of cities or valuable land s from floods often

requires improving a natural channel by straightening, cleaning, or even paving to

increase its natural capacity, or by building additional flood channels on new

locations.

Open channels may be either or natural or artificial. Natural water channels vary in size

from tiny side-hills though brooks, small rivers, and large rivers, to tidal estuaries. Underground

streams in caves are open channels as long as they have a free surface. Natural channels are

usually irregular in cross section and alignment and in character and roughness of stream bed (W.

King & O. Wisler & G. Woodburn, 1948)

2.2 Concept of the Study

 Figure 2-3 Cases/Types of Flow

These some cases are expected to show the actual types or variations of flow in the

laboratory experiment and to gather the data’s on each case. Also, to show the Effects of Hump

Height over Depth of Flow (Over the Hump), depth of flow in the entrance (U/S), and the depth of

flow in the exit (D/S).

Types of Flow:

1. Critical Flow (FN = 1)

2. Sub-Critical Flow (FN < 1)

3. Super-Critical Flow (FN > 1)

 Figure 2-4 Effect of hump over the depth of flow

Critical Hump height is the minimum height of hump which causes the critical dept or

critical flow conditions over the hump.

Figure 2-5 Additional Concept of the Study

Damming Action is the hump height is made higher than the critical hemp height, critical

depth is maintained over the hump and depth, upstream of the flow is increased. This phenomenon

is known as Damming Action. The Difference Between a weir and a barrage, if its control gates are

provided over weir it is called barrage.

 2.3 Definition of Terms

Weir it is a Structure or Obstruction that is constructed across a river or stream to raise the

level of water on upstream side so that it can be diverted to canals to meet the irrigation

requirements.

Hydraulic Jump is defined as the rise of water level, which takes place due to transformation of the

unstable shooting flow (super-critical) to the stable streaming flow (sub-critical).

Flow Number (FN) the values of the discharge and the circulation flow number are calculated

for the different working conditions. Values of discharging flow number and circulation flow number

are commonly plotted against Reynolds Number.

 3 OPERATIONAL FRAMEWORK

3.1 Materials

3.1.1 Software

Microsoft Office Excel – is a spreadsheet developed by Microsoft for Windows, in this study

it serves as an automated to record and analyze data. Although, there is no data to input

Microsoft Office Word - is a word processor developed by Microsoft, it serves

as the software written materials of this study.

3.1.2 Hardware

Multi-Purpose Teaching Flume (HM 160) – is a base unit offering wide-ranging

experimentation options in connection with open flumes such as weirs, overflows and sluice gates,

oceanography and offshore engineering. It is designed for research and training purpose and the

main body of this study.

Rectangular Styrofoam (Styrofoam) – is a light, usually white plastic used especially for

putting around delicate objects inside containers to protect them from damage, but for this

experiment it will serve as the hump.

3.1.3 Data

This study focus on getting data’s though experiment in the laboratory, and the type of data

that made the idea of this experiment came from the internet by suggesting using the flume to

indicate the types of flow or different variations of flow. This study is commonly done by

engineering schools like TIP, the other countries used flume such as oceanography and for

offshore engineering.

3.2 Methods

3.2.1 Experimental design

The idea of this design is that the hump is uniformed, a rectangular hump and there will be

a various types of flow. In every flow there are 3 trials that must indicate if it’s critical flow, sub-

critical flow, and super-critical low.

Figure 3 1 Sub-Critical Flow

 Figure 3 2 Critical Flow

Figure 3 3 Super-Critical Flow

Data and Results:

Trials Q q yc U/S Depth of Flow

m3/sec m3/sec/m mm mm mm mm mm
y1 y2 y3 yave.
x x x
1
2
 Trials Over the Hump D/S Depth of Flow
mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
y1 y2 y3 yave. y1 y2 y3 yave.
x x x x x x
1
2

Trials Type of Flow

U/S OVER D/S
HUMP

1
2

Table 1 Data and Results

3.2.2 Procedures for the different phases

For doing the experiment:

1. Attach/Install the provided rectangular hump in the fume.

2. Fix 1 particular value of slope.

3. Open the power of flume and start it.

4. For 1 value of discharge maintain steady flow condition in flume.

5. Measure the depth of flow at various locations.

6. Measure horizontal distance at each section.

 7. Repeat the same procedure in various discharges.

8. Repeat the same procedure for rectangular hump.

9. Plot the water surface profiles.

For making the rectangular hump:

1. Prepare the rectangular Styrofoam.

2. Cut the Styrofoam in 12 in. length, 3.5 in. width, and 5 in. depth.

3. Make sure too cut it properly and that’s it.

3.2.3 Evaluation

There is no actual experiment happen because of the pandemic virus ncon19. Peace out.
 4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Results by phase of study

Trials Q q yc U/S Depth of Flow

m3/sec m3/sec/m mm mm mm mm mm
y1 y2 y3 yave.
x x x
1
2

Trials Over the Hump D/S Depth of Flow

mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
y1 y2 y3 yave. y1 y2 y3 yave.
x x x x x x
1
2

Trials Type of Flow

U/S OVER D/S
HUMP

1
2
 4.2 Verification studies

A transition in general form may have a change of channel shape, provision of a hump or a

depression, contraction or expansion of channel width, in any combination. In addition, there may

be various degrees of loss of energy at various components. However, the basic dependence of

the depths of flow on the channel geometry and specific energy of flow will remain the same. Many

complicated transition situations can be analyzed by using the principles of specific energy and

critical depth. In subcritical flow transitions the emphasis is essentially to provide smooth and

gradual changes in the boundary to prevent flow separation and consequent energy losses. The

transitions in supercritical flow are different and involve suppression of shock waves related

disturbances.
 5 SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Summary

The study is focus on the laboratory experiment that uses open channel flow model with a

rectangle weir. The hydraulic characteristics of unsteady open channel can be predicted and to

determine the relationship between the specific energy and flow depth of water flow over a crump

weir. From the experiment and the relationship graph between flow rate and flow depth, the

characteristics of hydraulic for variable flow rate is shown. The increasing of flow depth will cause

the increasing of specific energy. The flow is become sub critical. The specific energy is decreasing

at super critical flow. It has shown that when the increasing of flow, flow depth is increasing at sub

critical flow and decreasing at super critical flow. From the graph of surface profile and total specific

energy line, shows that upstream flow is sub critical and downstream flow is super critical. Head

energy is decreased when flow is over a crump weir. So, flow surface profile for unsteady open

channel is influenced by the existing of weir. Specific energy curves show that the value of ideal

flow depth and specific energy (from 8 times lab experiment conducted) for variable flow rate.

5.2 Conclusions

The change in flow has major effects to the depths in the channel flow especially to

the upstream section. In terms of flow properties, it can be observed that the flows were

sub-critical and supercritical in nature at the upstream and downstream respectively. This is

ascribed to the presence of the hump along the flow path and can be highly applicable in
 the design of hydraulic structures especially in channel stabilization. In addition, flow

velocities were found to generally increase as the flow moves from upstream to

downstream, while flow depths were found to decrease from upstream to downstream for all

the cases.

5.3 Recommendations

As soon as possible do the experiment in laboratory so that you can have data in early

days.

Don’t drink and Drive. 

 REFERENCES

[1] Sciencedirect.com (2017). Flow Characteristics. Retrieved from

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii

[2] Frreebirdsengineering.blogspot.com (2019). Study flow characteristics over hump. Retrieved

from https://freebirdsengineering.blogspot.com/2016/10/to-study-flow-characteristics-over-

hump.html

[3] Cambrige.com (2014). Laminar Flow Unsteady humps the formation of waves. Retrieved from

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-fluid-mechanics/article/laminar-flow-over-

unsteady-humps-the-formation-of-waves

[4] Sciencedirect.com (2018).study of flow through fume. Retrieved from

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/art