Broad crested weir

Aim: Determination of discharge coefficient for a broad

crested weir.
Theory:
• It is commonly used in open channel for measuring
discharge.
• It has advantage that it is simple to construct and has
no edge that can wear and thus alter the coefficient.
• Crest is sufficiently long in the direction of flow.
• The streamlines become parallel to the crest and the
pressure distribution above the crest is hydrostatic.
Free flow condition:
• Free flow regime means that water is freely spilling
over the nappe of the weir. It occurs in a flume when
there is insufficient backwater to reduce the
discharge through the flume.

Submerged flow condition:

• When the water surface downstream from the flume
is high enough to reduce flow through a flume. There
is sufficient backwater effect and water cannot exit
the flume quickly enough.
Head discharge relationship:
At critical section,
𝑄 = 𝐴𝑐 𝑣𝑐

H
 𝑄 = 𝐵𝐷𝑐 𝑣𝑐
𝑣𝑐
• 𝐹𝑟 = =1
𝑔𝐷𝑐

• 𝑣𝑐 = 𝑔𝐷𝑐 1/2
1/2
• 𝑄 = 𝐵𝐷𝑐 𝑔𝐷𝑐
• 𝑄 = 𝐵 𝑔𝐷𝑐 3/2 (1)
Now if we use Weir crest as datum and assume no loss of energy
Put this value in (1), neglect velocity head
2
𝑄𝑡ℎ = 𝑔𝐵( 𝐻1 )3/2
3
3/2
𝑄𝑡ℎ = 1.705𝐵𝐻1 (2)

Apparatus and Components Required

 Flow direction

Curved corner on upstream

Procedure:
1. Weir is fitted in the flume and discharge is applied.
2. Take the pointer gauge reading at a section well
upstream of the weir crest where the water surface
has no curvature, i.e. horizontal. Depth of flow is
measured at this section.
3. Measure actual discharge using the measuring tank.
4. Theoretical discharge is calculated using Equation(2)
5. Coefficient of discharge, 𝑐𝑑 = 𝑄𝑎𝑐𝑡 𝑄𝑡ℎ
6. Repeat steps (2) to (5) for more discharges by
regulating the flow control/delivery valve.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDkoWc
D5RYM
Observation:
P=25 cm
B=30 cm
𝑄𝑡ℎ = 1.705𝐵𝐻1 3/2
Discharge H, H1 Qth, m3/s Cd=
Qact, m3/s upstream (H-P), cm Qact/Qth
10-3 (Using depth, cm 10-3
measuring tank)
Plot
1. Qact vs H1
2. logQact vs logH1
𝑄 = 𝑘ℎ𝑛
𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑄 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑘 + 𝑛𝑙𝑜𝑔ℎ
𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐
𝑚=𝑛
𝑐 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑘
Assignment 4

1.Define a broad crested weir and derive equations for

it. 5
2. What is the effect of drowning the weir (increasing
the downstream depth)? 2
3. How is actual discharge of weir measured? 2
4. Would you expect the length of the weir crest to
affect the discharge coefficient. 1