DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL AND INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY

LAB 3 REPORT (FLOW OVER WEIRS)

LECTURER : Mr V Hashe

MODULE NAME: HYDRAULIC MACHINE 2B

STUDENT NAME: NK MOKOENA

STUDENT NUMBER: 219026812

1
DECLARATION
This is my unique work, and I proclaim it to be such. All secondary resources I
utilize, whether printed or electronic, are thoroughly reviewed and referenced in
accordance with mechanical industry standards. This is the first time I've ever
submitted this work for credit. I realize that stealing is prohibited, and I've read
the Learner's Guide to learn about the sector's theft and reference rules.

Mokoena, Mokoena, Mokoena, Mokoena, Mokoena,

Date: October 14, 2021

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First and first, I'd like to thank the University of Johannesburg for allowing us
to utilize their facilities and equipment to perform our tests, particularly the
Faculty of Built Environment, Faculty of Engineering, and Department of
Mechanical Engineering. Mr. TLali, an advanced inspection engineer, and his
team have been supportive of this chance to develop skills and learn more about
mechanical engineering.

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Table of Contents
DECLARATION...................................................................................................................2
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.....................................................................................................3
ABSTRACT...............................................................................................................................5
OBJECTIVES............................................................................................................................6
BACKGROUND INFORMATION...........................................................................................6
THEORY....................................................................................................................................7
ASSUMPTIONS........................................................................................................................9
PROPERTIES............................................................................................................................9
EQUIPMENT AND APPARATUS...........................................................................................9
PROCEDURE..........................................................................................................................10
RESULTS................................................................................................................................12
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS......................................................................................................13
SAMPLE OF CALCULATIONS............................................................................................15
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS......................................................................................................16
DISCUSSION..........................................................................................................................19
CONCLUSION........................................................................................................................19
RECOMMENDATIONS.........................................................................................................20
REFERENCE...........................................................................................................................20
APPENDICES..........................................................................................................................21

Figure 1:rectangular notch.........................................................................................................7

Figure 2: v-notch........................................................................................................................8
Figure 3:experimental setup.....................................................................................................11
Graph 1: flow rate vs H………………………………………………………………………18
Graph 2: Cd vs H…………………………………………………………………………….18
Graph 3: illustration of v-notch…………………………………………………………….19
Graph 4: Cd vs H………………………………………………………………………….20

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ABSTRACT
Weir flow experiments were carried out to determine the quality of flow in
triangular and rectangular notches. Differences in the rhythm of the flow of
water flowing in the two channels were observed. In addition, the experiment
can study the flow coefficient of the fluid flow determined by the experimental
calculations. The experiment was started by following the procedure, with water
depths of different heights being tested by reading the time it took to collect 3L
of water, which would then be used to calculate the flow rate. Using the given
equation, the discharge coefficient is calculated, and the data obtained are
tabulated. At that time, diagrams were built to check the flow attributes. From
the graph in the rectangular notch the discharge coefficient decreases slowly
before reaching a constant value. Meanwhile, the triangular notch graph shows
that the discharge coefficient gradually decreases to a higher value than the
rectangular notch. In conclusion, the triangular notch has a higher discharge
coefficient than the rectangular notch. The experiment was successfully carried
out because all the objectives were achieved.

4
OBJECTIVES
Determine the properties of open channel flow using a rectangular notch and a
V notch.

Determine discharge coefficient values for both notches.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
An open channel is a channel through which a liquid flow with a free surface
exposed to atmospheric pressure. Along the channel, the surface pressure is
therefore constant, and the flow cannot be generated by external pressure but
only by the difference in potential energy due to the slope of the surface. The
slide channel is one of the most important tools available for teaching hydraulic
principles. Flow channels are designed to allow students to experiment with
various water flow in open channels under different flow conditions and to
analyse the effects of test patterns of various shapes on water flow. It also
allows verification of the Chewy equation and the Manning’s friction factor.
Furthermore, a study of the `specific energy` relationship, the effect of various
weirs and channels, hydraulic height and determination of the average hydraulic
depth can be carried out.
Flow Channels:

5
The flow channel is designed to allow a series of experiments to be carried out
on the flow of water through a rectangular channel. The channel has a
rectangular section with a height of 175 mm x a width of 55 mm and a length of
2500 mm. The flow channel incorporates a specially designed inlet section that
incorporates a stationary pool, filled with glass balls, to provide smooth, non-
turbulent flow conditions at the channel entrance. An adjustable gate valve is
provided at the drain end of the line which can be used to control the outflow.
The channel is supported by a steel structure incorporating a variable height
support at the right end which allows the slope of the channel to be varied. The
measuring point is provided along with the watch rangefinder and calibrated in
such a way that 1 turn of the watch face is equivalent to a slope of 1: 1500

(figure)
A dam is a barrier along the width of a river or stream that changes the
characteristics of the flow and usually causes a change in the water level.
Various types of weirs are designed for applications in natural drains and
laboratory drains. Weirs can be in the form of wide crest, short crest or pointed
crested. Sharp crested weirs, commonly called carvings, are made of thin metal
sheets with sharp edges. The relationship between flow rate and water depth
above the weir can be derived by applying Bernoulli's equation and making
some assumptions about the pressure drop and pressure distribution of the flow
through the weir. It is necessary to experimentally determine the discharge
coefficient for each weir to account for errors in the discharge estimation due to
this assumption.

THEORY
Weirs are hydraulic structures consisting of barriers placed through waterways
with specially shaped openings or notches. The dam structure will raise the

6
water level to be measured. Drainage reports are available for standard shape
openings or notches.

Figure 1:rectangular notch

3
2
Qt =C d b √ (2 g) H 2
3

3 Qt
C d= 3
2 b √(2 g) H 2

Qt = volume flow rate (m3/s)

H = height above notch base (m)
b = width of rectangular notch (0.03 m)
Cd = the discharge coefficient, which must be determined by experiment

A V-notch weir is a notch with a V-shaped opening. V-shaped weirs are often
used to measure low flow rates in a narrow operating range. The triangular
notch handles a wider range of flow rates. It can be shown that the notch must
have a curved wall.

7
Figure 2: v-notch

5
8 Ø
Q t =C d
15
tan
2 ( ) √(2 g) H 2

15Qt
C d= 5
Ø
8 tan( )√(2 g)H
2
2

Qt = volume flow rate (m3/s)

H = height above notch base (m)
Ø = Angle of the Vee in the triangular notch (o)
Cd = the discharge coefficient, which must be determined by experiment

ASSUMPTIONS
 Water flow is steady and uniform
 Bottom slope is constant
 negligible friction effects so that there is no dissipation of mechanical
energy
 upstream velocity head is negligible

PROPERTIES
 Ø Vee notch is 900
 b (width of the rectangular notch) is 30 mm
 Density of water at 00 C = 999.9 kg/m3, μ= 0.001792 kg.m-1.s-1

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EQUIPMENT AND APPARATUS
 F1-10 Hydraulics Bench

 F1-13 Stifling Baffle

 F1-13 Rectangular and Vee Notches
 Vernier height gauge
 Stopwatch
 Spirit level

PROCEDURE
1. Hydraulic bench was situated in a way that its surface was even
2. The rectangular notch weir was erected after the weir mechanism on the
hydraulic bench was leveled.
3. The gauge was lowered until the tip was slightly above the notch's base,
and the adjustment screw was secured in place.
4. The gauge was positioned using the fine adjustment screw until the tip
met the bottom of the notch. Readings were taken and recorded.
5. The gauge was cantered between the notch plate and the stilling baffle.
6. The hydraulic bench flow control valve was slowly opened to admit
water to the channel until the water was discharged over the weir plate.
7. Ensured that the valve was adjusted to give 10 mm depth above the base
of the notch.
8. For accurate height gauge readings, the gauge was lowered until the point
just touches its reflection.

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 9. Time required to collect a known volume of water in a volumetric tank
was measured.
10.Procedure was repeated for various flow rates in every increasing of
about 10 mm until the water level reaches the top of the notch.
11.After finished with rectangular notch, the notch was replaced with V-
notch, working in 5-6 mm increment.
12.The results were recorded in the tables.

Figure 3:experimental setup

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RESULTS
Rectangular Notch Plate Height: 130 mm

Datum Height Water Volume Collected Time for Collection

Ho level h V (s)
(mm) (mm) (L)
17 20 177
24 20 112
53.5
29 20 76
Table 1: obtained results

Vee Notch Plate Height: 131 mm

Datum Height Ho Water level h Volume Collected V Time for Collection

(mm) (mm) (L) (s)
17 20 363
24 20 170
95
29 20 110
Table 2: calculated results

ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
Datu Water Volum Time Volume Rectangul Rec. Notch Vee Vee.
m level e for Flow rate ar Discharge Notch Notch
5
height h collecte collectio Q notch coefficient Discharge
H 2 (m)

11
 3
(m) d n Coefficien
H (m)2

h0 V (s) t
(m) (m3) (m3/s) Cd
1.1300×10 0.0022165 0.57547376
-4
 - - 
0.017 0.02 177 29 4
0,053 1.7557×10 0.0037180 0.53303282
-4
 -  -
5 0.024 0.02 112 64 1
2.6316×10 0.0049385 0.60151074
-4
-   -
0.029 0.02 76 22 2
5.5036×10 3.7681×1 0.6182672
-5
-  -
0.017 0.02 363 0-5 08
1.1765×10 8.9234×1 0.5581016
0,095 -4
 -  -
0.024 0.02 170 0-5 94
1.8182×10 1.4322×1 0.5373902
-4
 - - 
0.029 0.02 110 0-4 15
Table 3: calculations results

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RECTANGULAR NOTCH TRIANGULAR/ V-NOTCH
Volume (m3) Volume (m3)
Volume of water collected (L)= 20 L Volume of water collected (L)= 20 L
V . water collected V . water collected
V= V=
1000 1000
20 20
¿ =0.02 m3 ¿ =0.02 m3
1000 1000

Volume flow rate (m3/s) Volume flow rate (m3/s)

V =0.02m 3 Time for collection = V =0.02m3 Time for collection = 363
177 s s
V V
Qt = Qt =
t t
0.02 0.02
¿ ¿
177 363
¿ 1.1299 ×10−4 m3 / s ¿ 5.5096 ×10−5 m 3 /s

Height above Notch (m) Height above Notch (m)

H=0.017 m

H=0.017 m

3 5
2 2
H H
H=0.017 m H=0.017 m
3 3 5 5
2 2
H 2 =( 0.0145 ) H 2 =( 0.017 )
¿ 2.2165 ×10−3 m ¿ 3.7681× 10−5 m
Discharge Co-efficient Discharge Co-efficient
3
b=33 mm=0.033 m ∅=900 g=9.81 m/ s2
H 2 =2.2165 ×10−3 m

Q t =1.1299× 10− 4 m 3 / s Qt =5.5096 ×10−5 m3 /s

5
H 2 =3.7681 ×10−5 m

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 3 Qt
C d= 3
2 b √(2 g) H 2
15Qt
C d= 5
Ø

−4
8 tan ( )
2
√(2 g)H 2
3 × ( 1.1299× 10 )
C d=
2 ( 0.03 ) √( 2 × 9.81 ) ×2.2165 ×10−3
15 ( 5.5096 ×10−5 )
C d=
¿ 0.5755
8 tan ( 902 ) √ ( 2× 9.81) × 3.7681×10−5

¿ 0.6183

SAMPLE OF CALCULATIONS

THEORETICAL EXPERIMENTAL
H 3 Qt
C wd. rec=0.598+0.0897 C d=
PW 3
2 b √(2 g) H 2
H= 0,017 m

3 × ( 9.6667 ×10−5)
C d=
Pw= 0.0535 m 2 ( 0.03 ) √( 2 × 9.81 ) ×2.2165 ×10−3
H 0,017
= =0.3178
P W 0.0535
¿ 0.5755
H
<2
PW

0.017
C wd. rec=0.598+0.0897
0.0535

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 C wd. rec=0.6265

ANALYSIS OF RESULTS
RECTANGULAR NOTCH GRAPH

Q2/3 H Cd
0.002337324 0.017 0.575473764
0.003135452 0.024 0.533032821
0.004106577 0.029 0.0601510742

Q^2/3(m) VS H
0.04

0.03

0.03

0.02
Axis Title

0.02

0.01

0.01

0
0 0 0

Graph 1: flow rate vs h

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 CD VS H
0.7

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0.02 0.02 0.03

Graph 2:cD VS H

Triangular Notch graph

2
Q 5
H cd
0.019781478 0,017 0.618267208
0.026806294 0,024 0.558101694
0.031904847 0,029 0.537390215

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 FLOW RATE VS H
0.04

0.03

0.03

0.02

0.02

0.01

0.01

0
0.02 0.02 0.03

FLOW RATE VS H

Graph 3: illustration of v-notch

Cd VS H
4

3.5

2.5

1.5

0.5

0
0.02 0.02 0.03

Cd VS H

Graph 4: Cd vs H

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DISCUSSION
Based on the calculation for the value of V-notch Cd, the gain value of Cd
decreases as the flow rate decreases. Furthermore, as the head increases above the
lower notch, the gain in Cd value also decreases. This shows that the value of Cd
depends on the value of the flow rate, Q and on the value of the head above the
notch, H.

CONCLUSION
Because the velocity distribution in the approach flow has a clear impact on the
discharge over the weir, proper flow rate estimation requires uniform flow to and
over the weir. The discharge coefficient grows increasingly true to the theoretical
value as the flow rate increases. It clings to the notch and glides down when the
flow velocity is low. This alters the discharge coefficient since the water must now
contend with the viscosity and friction of the notch surface in addition to gravity.
Theoretically, it must be flat, so gravity is the sole force acting on the water, and
there must be continuous flow and pressure. This experiment's theory implies that
there is a minimum level of water above the notch, and that any height below this
begins to diverge from the theory at an increasing pace. The head of the weir and
the flow of water over the weir have a direct proportional connection. With a lower
flow rate, the height above the notch is lower, resulting in a bigger deviation from
the theoretical equation.

RECOMMENDATIONS
A weir is a barrier across a weir designed to change its flow characteristics. Weirs
are commonly used to change river flow to prevent flooding, measure discharge,
and help make rivers navigable.

18
There are many recommendations for estimating discharge when using a weir as it
is very important to ensure that all flow enters through the weir and not around the
weir or under the weir. It should be noted that the dam should be extended into the
ground to minimize groundwater flow under the dam. To ensure critical flow at the
top of the weir, it is important to maintain a "clear bottom". If the flow conditions
downstream of the weir do not affect the flow above the weir, free flow is
maintained.

REFERENCE
1) Kundu, Pijush K.; Cohen, Ira M. (2008), Fluid Mechanics (4th revised
ed.), Academic Press
2) Hamilton Smith, 1886, Hydraulics, the Flow of Water Through
Orifices, Over Weirs, and Through Open Conduits and Pipes
3) http://discoverarmfield.com/en/products/view/f1-13/flow-over-weirs ,
retrieve in August 2015.
4) http://www.codecogs.com/library/engineering/fluid_mechanics/weirs/
index.php , retrieve in August 2015.
5) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluid_mechanics , retrieve in August
2015.

6) http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/weirs-flow-rate-d_592.html ,
retrieve in August 2015.

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APPENDICES

Figure 3:v-notch

Figure4: rectangular notch

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