ECW437/ECW421 LABORATORY MANUAL 2022

COURSE HYDRAULIC LABORATORY

COURSE CODE ECW 437 / ECW 421
LEVEL OF OPENNESS 1
CATEGORY PARTIALLY OPEN
DEGREE OF OPEN ENDED (%) 33
PERIODOF ACTIVITY 1 WEEK
EXPERIMENT FLOW OVER BROAD-CRESTED WEIR

Introduction

The need for an open-ended laboratory activity is emphasized in enhancing

independent learning activities and inculcating creativity and innovation of
students. It is now a required element in an accreditation exercise as stipulated in
the EAC Manual 2012.

Objectives

To study the behaviour of non-uniform flow and the use of a broad-crested weir to
measure the discharge in a rectangular open channel.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the laboratory activities, students would be able to:

1. Measure discharge over the broad-crested weir.
2. Understand the verification of broad-crested weir as the limiting factor in
designing of a channel.

Theoretical Background

PREAMBLE Whenever an obstruction such as a broad-crested weir is placed in the channel,

flow is disrupted and the flow is no longer uniform. If the flow is subcritical, the
water will flow over the weir and a drop in the weir level occurs over the weir. If
the weir height exceeds the critical value of E – Emin. Where E and Emin are the
specific energy and minimum specific energy in the channel respectively, the flow
over the weir becomes critical flow and the depth is equal to the critical depth, yc.

The critical depth, yc for a rectangular channel of width, B discharging at a rate, Q

can be obtained from the equation

𝑄2 (i)
𝑦𝑐 = { 2 } 1/3
𝑔𝐵

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ECW437/ECW421 LABORATORY MANUAL 2022

Rearranging the equation yields the discharge in the channel as

𝑄 = 𝐵√(𝑔𝑦𝑐 3 ) (ii)

But the relationship between Emin and yc for a rectangular channel is given by

2 (iii)
𝑦𝑐 = 𝐸
3 𝑚𝑖𝑛

Hence combining (ii) and (iii) yields

2 (iv)
𝑄 = 𝐵𝑔√( {𝐸𝑚𝑖𝑛 } 3
3

Upon simplifying Eq. (iv)

𝑄 = 1.705𝐵𝐸𝑚𝑖𝑛 3/2

This can be further approximated by

𝑄 = 1.705𝐵𝐻3/2 (v)

Where H is the depth of water behind weir, measure from the top of the weir.

If the height of the weir is known and the depth just upstream of the weir is
measured, the discharge in the channel is easily determined by Eq. (v).

The broad-crested weir can be used to measure the discharge in an open channel
and can also be used to raise the depth of flow in a small stream.

Students are required to set up the broad-crested weir in the flume placed in the
Hydraulics Laboratory. The rounded top edge of the weir should be placed
upstream of the flow. This is to avoid the separation losses which would occur at a
sharp edge. By ensuring that the flow is subcritical over the range of flow rates for
PROBLEM STATEMENT the experiment and that the resultant flow conditions result in choking (water level
rises upstream of the weir), measurement of the depths at upstream of the weir
and verification of the broad-crested equation for flow rate can be conducted.
Then students should carry out findings on the application of this situation in real
life cases.

Apparatus:
i. Open Channel Flume (Hydraulic Laboratory)
ii. Broad-crested Weir
iii. Point Gauge for measuring depth

Procedures:
WAYS AND MEANS
i. Record the width of the channel, B.
ii. Adjust the channel slope to a mild slope.
iii. Measure the height, pw and length, Lw of the broad-crested weir.
iv. Install the broad-crested weir with the rounded top edge upstream.
v. Let the water flow over the weir.
vi. Ensure that choking occurs and the water behind the weir increases in
depth.

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ECW437/ECW421 LABORATORY MANUAL 2022

vii. Record the flow rate in the channel using the flow meter or any other
method.
viii. Measure the depth behind the weir and deduce the value of H.
ix. Repeat for different flow rates. Take another nine (9) different flow
rates, Q and depths, H. The proper depths H should be between the
range of Lw/12 and Lw/2

The group will be required to prepare the technical report of the laboratory results
highlighting the procedures of the experiments, data taken and recommendations
RESULTS to be adopted in order to obtain good results. Show at least one sample
calculation. Submit your report after one week or before the next experiment
started.

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