1.

0 Objectives
The objectives of this experiment were:
 To maintain a steady flow rate of water in the weir.
 To take a series of measurements of discharge and head on the weir.
 To plot a graph of discharge against head of weir.
 To determine the coefficient of discharge of the triangular weir.
 To compare the theoretical value of the coefficient of discharge to the experimental value
of the coefficient of discharge.

2.0 Theory
Weirs are simply a notch of standard form usually found in rivers on large scale through which
water may flow. The structure of the weir will augment the water level, which will be measured.
Broadly there are two types of weirs used which include:
1. Rectangular weir.
2. V-notch.
In this experiment, we are using V-notch weir. It is a notch consisting of a sharp edged plate with
a V-shape opening. The common application of a V-notch weir is inside big dams for the use as
leakage water monitoring system.

Figure 1 A V-notch weir

Source: (https://www.google.mu/search?
q=v+notch&biw=1366&bih=662&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjt3ICN8a3QAhUeOsAKHd
IUDAoQ_AUIBigB#imgrc=zhyd7MUu06REeM%3A)

Assumptions for the calculation of discharge of the V-notch weirs

 The kinetic energy is neglected because the velocity approaching the fluid is assumed to
be small.
 The velocity in the flow depends solely on the depth between the free surfaces. (Assume
u = √ 2 gh )
Derivation of formula
Consider a horizontal strip of width b at depth h below the free surface as shown below.

Figure 2 a V - notch front view

Source: (https://www.google.mu/search?
q=v+notch&biw=1366&bih=662&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjt3IC
N8a3QAhUeOsAKHdIUDAoQ_AUIBigB#imgrc=L6z8-kBJ74l9lM%3A)

Using trigonometry, the dimension b can be calculated. Consider the triangle below,
b/2 b/2

H-h

θ/2

θ b
Tan =¿( ¿ ÷ (H-h)
2 2
b θ
=¿ tan
2( H−h) 2
θ
b = tan × 2(H-h)
2
Discharge through the strip,

dQ = A × u

θ
dQ = dh × tan × 2(H-h) × √ 2 gh
2
Integrating from h = 0 to h = H will give the total theoretical discharge.

H
θ
Qtheoritical = 2√ 2 g tan
2 ∫ ( H−h) √ h dh
0

H
θ
Qtheoritical = 2√ 2 g tan
2 ∫¿¿ - h 1.5
) dh
0

θ 2
Qtheoritical = 2√ 2 g tan {
2 3 () ()
Hh1.5 -
2 2.5 H
5
h }0

= 2√ 2 g tan {( ) H H – ( )H }
θ 2 2
Qtheoritical 1.5 2.5
2 3 5

= 2√ 2 g tan {( ) H – ( )H }
θ 2 2
Qtheoritical 2.5 2.5
2 3 5
8 θ
Therefore, Qtheoritical = √ 2 g tan × H 2.5
15 2

This equation is for theoretical discharge which is an overestimate as energy losses is nor taken
into consideration.
To obtain the actual discharge, the theoretical discharge is multiplied by a coefficient of
discharge to take into account the energy losses at the edges of the weir and contraction in the
area of flow.
8 θ
Hence, Qactual = Cd × √ 2 g tan × H 2.5
15 2
Where,
Cd – Coefficient of discharge
g – Gravitational acceleration
θ
– Half the angle enclosed of the V – notch
2
H – Head above notch
Q – Flow rate

3.0 Anticipated results

The typical values of a triangular notch are in the range of 0.58 to 0.65 and the graph of
discharge against head of the weir should have the equation in the form Y = mX which passes
through the origin.

4.0 Apparatus used

 Water storage tank – It is connected to the flow channel and provides water when the
inlet valve is opened.
 Flow channel with a triangular weir – It supplies water to the wide end of the tank (to the
V – notch weir).

Figure 3 Triangular weir

 Inlet valve – it is turned in the clockwise to allow water in the flow channel and is used to
control the velocity of water.

Figure 4 Inlet valve

 A sump tank with a scale attached at the side of it – It is to collect the water discharging
over the notch and the scale attached to it is used to calculate the volume of water
discharged.
  Drainage tank – It is used to evacuate excess of water in the sump tank by opening the
valve on the drainage tank.
 Hook gauge – It is used to measure the level of water in the channel by adjusting the
pointer on the surface of the water.
 Stopwatch – It is used to the measure the time taken for the discharge when reaching a
required level.
 Measuring tape – It used to measure the dimensions of the sump tank for the the
calculation of volume of the tank.

5.0 Procedures
 Firstly, the length and width of the sump tank were measured using a measuring in order
to calculate cross sectional area of the tank.

Figure 5 measuring the dimensions of the tank

 The height and base of the V – notch were measured using the measuring tape and its
enclosed angle was calculated using Pythagoras Theorem. A measuring tape was used
instead of a ruler as the ruler would displace a certain amount of water.
 Initially, the level of water lied just on the apex of the V – notch. When the water was
stabilized, the hook gauge was levelled by making its tip touch the water surface and the
initial height of the water level, Ho was recorded.
 Figure 6 tip of the gauge touching the surface of water

 The inlet valve was opened slowly by turning it in the clockwise direction to allow water
in the flow channel.
 Water was allowed to stabilize and after constant flow was reached, the reading on the
hook gauge was noted as H1.
 For the calculation of discharge, the time taken for the water to reach a certain level in the
sump tank was determined with the aid of a stopwatch.
 While waiting for constant flow to reach and if the sump tank was overflowed, the valve
on the drainage tank was opened to evacuate the excess of water. But, when measuring
the time taken, the valve was closed.
 A series of measurements were taken with different flow until the water level in the flow
channel was near to maximum.
9.0 Critique
The results of the experiment were inaccurate as the values obtained will obviously not be the
same as the expected one due to some limitations during the experiment. The limitations include:
 The most obvious one is parallax error. When readings were being taken, our eyesight
could not be parallel with the reading of the scale in the sump tank as we had to bend
down to record the reading.
 Vibration from pump and presence of rust in the flow channel affect the steadiness of the
water flow through the V – notch. Due to the unsteadiness flow of water, we tend to
obtain innacurate values of H.
 It was difficult to start and stop the stopwatch for the measurement of time as the increase
in water level in the scale in the sump tank was very rapid.
 It was difficult for us to detect with our eyes accurately whether the pointer of the hook
had touched the surface of the water.
 The lab sheet provided did not contain enough information about how to proceed to the
analysis part.
We need to take several precautions in order to counter for the errors and mistakes during the
experiment. These include:
 The equipment should be in good condition that is no presence of rust.
 An automatic system could be used to evacuate the excess of the in the sump tank in
order to save time.
 For each set of measurements, for the flow rate calculation, the experiment can be
repeated at least three times and an average can calculated.
 The lab sheet should contain the analysis part, for example information of how to
calculate the coefficient of discharge.

10.0 Contribution of team members

Table 1 Duties and responsibilities during practical

Team member I.D. Duties and responsibilities

Geshav RAMSAGUR Adjusting the hook gauge, reading of the hook gauge
turning the inlet valve, measuring the dimensions of
the sump tank.
Sailesh GUNGA 1516888 Cross checking of hook gauge readings, recording
results, turning the valve of the drainage tank.
Table 2 Duties and responsibilities during report

Team member I.D. Duties and responsibilities

Geshav RAMSAGUR Results, Discussion, Conclusion, Title page, Table of
contents, Compiling
Sailesh GUNGA 1516888 Objectives, theory, Anticipated results, Apparatus
used, Procedure, Critique, References, Appendix.

11.0 References
 Hustiel (2016) In this experiment we are using the triangular weirs - ENG - ECE 2301.
Available at: https://www.coursehero.com/file/p4gf6ka/In-this-experiment-we-are-using-
the-triangular-weirs-triangular-or-v-notch/ (Accessed: 16 November 2016).
 Images and 5, S. (2004) Triangular notch - notches - fluid mechanics - engineering
reference with worked examples. Available at:
http://www.codecogs.com/library/engineering/fluid_mechanics/notches/triangular-
notch.php (Accessed: 17 November 2016).
 Inc, S. (2016) To measure the flow rate and determine the coefficient of discharge and
head of variation for variety kinds of notches..Docx. Available at:
https://www.scribd.com/doc/183295846/To-measure-the-flow-rate-and-determine-the-
coefficient-of-discharge-and-head-of-variation-for-variety-kinds-of-notches-docx
(Accessed: 17 November 2016).
 Inc, S. (2016) Flow of water over weirs. Available at:
https://www.scribd.com/doc/34695544/Flow-of-Water-Over-Weirs (Accessed: 17
November 2016).
 Lab sheet provided by the laboratory, Faculty of engineering, University Of Mauritius
12.0 Appendix

Figure 7 Data recorded

Figure 8 Lab sheet