FLOW MEASURING

STRUCTURES
SURFACE WATER HYDROLOGY Nayana R
CE23M089
Prof. Dr. Subbarao Pichuka
 DIRECT METHOD
Area velocity method, dilution
techniques, electromagnetic
STREAMFLOW method, Ultrasonic method
MEASUREMENT
INDIRECT METHOD

Hydraulic structures, slope-area

method
 WEIRS

NOTCHES
COMMONLY USED
STRUCTURES
FLUMES

SLUICE GATES
 Weir is a small barrier built across a
river or stream to control flow of water

USES
 To raise water level on the upstream
side
 Divert water
 Control flow of water at outlets and

WEIR etc..

Notch is a device used to measure the

flow of liquid through small channel
or tank

USES
 To measure the rate of flow of
water in a stream
 Regulate the flow
 Offers minimum resistance to flow
NOTCH
 • Flumes are structures for measuring
flow of water in open channels
• Categorised into two:
 Water rights- for measuring overall
apportionment of water from an
irrigation canal
 In field flows-to measure in field
flows(furrows)

FLUME

Sluice gate is a valve that controls the

flow of water in rivers, canals, and
other water resources.

Uses
 Controls water levels
 Feed reservoirs in downstream
 Diverts water into rivers and etc..
SLUICE GATE
• Flow measuring structures are mainly categorised into
three:

1. Thin plate structures: made from vertically set metal plate

Eg; V-notch, Rectangular Notch etc..
2. Long Base Weirs(Broad crested weirs): made of concrete
masonry and for large discharges
3. Flumes: made of concrete, masonry or metal sheets and
are mainly used in open channels
Flow measuring structures are field structures (Utility is limited
by factors like ranges of head, debris, sediment load)
Structures are selected based on the site and usage.
Basic principle is such that they provide a unique control section
in flow

Here discharge Q is a function of water surface elevation from

specific upstream location

Q = f(H)

Q=KHn
Equation is applicable only when the
downstream water level is below certain
limiting water level known as modular limit
H = head over weir
K,n = system constants
FREE FLOWS
Flows which are independent of downstream water level

SUBMERGED OR DROWNED FLOW

Flows in which tail water conditions are considered
• Flow measuring structures are used in

Natural streams
Irrigation and drainage canals
Water purification plants and Industries
Hydraulic laboratories
Sanitary engineering and industry
 WEIRS

BROAD SHARP
CRESTED CRESTED

Broad crested weirs

For calculating instantaneous
flows

Sharp crested weirs

Constructed in different shapes
such as triangular notch,
rectangular etc..
THANK YOU