UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN KIMIA

THERMOFLUIDS LABORATORY
(CGE 536)
NAME

EXPERIMENT
DATE PERFORMED
SEMESTER
PROGRAMME/ CODE
GROUP
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

Title
Abstract/ Summary
Introduction
Aims/ Objectives
Theory
Apparatus
Procedure
Result
Calculations
Discussion
Conclusions
Recommendations
References
Appendices
TOTAL

Remarks:

Checked by:

: MOHD ZAIDI BIN MOHD RADZALI

AMIRA BINTI KORMAIN
NURULTHAQIFAH BINTI BAHARUM
FARHAN HAIRI BIN KASIM
: FLOW OVER WEIRS
: 10/04/2015
:3
: EH243
:8
Allocated Marks %
5
5
5
5
5
10
10
10
20
10
5
5
5
100

(2014678172)
(2014851022)
(2014870248)
(2014204678)

Marks

TABLE OF CONTENTS

No
.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.

Title
Abstract
Introduction
Objectives
Theory
Apparatus
Procedure
Results
Sample Calculations
Discussion
Conclusion
Recommendation
References
Appendices

Page
No.
1
2
2
2
5
6
8
12
14
16
16
17
17

ABSTRACT
The experiment was conducted to observe the flow characteristics of a regular notch and vnotch and determine the discharge of fluid flow. The experiment started by levelling the weir
apparatus on the hydraulic bench and the rectangular notch weir installed. The flow control
was slowly opened until the water level is even with the crest of the weir and then allowed to
stabilize. With a vernier gauge positioned, the water was channelled and adjusted to obtain
head (H). After the water stabilized, head reading was taken for every increase of 1cm. The
procedure was repeated for different flow rates. Then, the experiment was repeated for vnotch replacing the regular one. The v-notch was found to have higher flow rate compared to
regular notch for the discharge coefficient. The Cd for regular notch is 0.9155 while Cd for vnotch is 2.869.

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Weirs are structures that consist of an obstacle such as a dam placed across the open channel
with a specialty shaped opening, also known as notch 1. The weirs will results the water level,
or head, in dam to increase. As the water level increase, the flow rate over a weir also
increases. The function of weirs is to measure the flow rates in open channels and rivers.
When we use term weirs, sometimes we will refer to the whole complex structure and
sometimes will refer to the notch only2.
There are various types of weirs that used worldwide. The common weirs constructed
are the rectangular notch, the triangular notch or v-notch and the broad-crested weirs. Weirs
with sharp-crested usually has sharp edge and constructed from thin metal plates. Weirs with
broad-crested has blunt edge and made of wide timber or concrete 1. Rectangular notch and
triangular or v-notch are often used in water supply, wastewater and sewage systems. For
broad-crested notch, it can be observed in dam spillways where the broad-crested can be
found under water surface of the stream. Other types of weirs that available are the
trapezoidal (Cipolletti) weirs, Sutro (proportional) weirs and compound weirs1.

2.0 OBJECTIVES
To observe the flow characteristics over a rectangular notch and v-notch and to determine the
discharge of the fluid flow.

3.0 THEORY
In this experiment, we are using two types of notch, rectangular notch and v-notch. The
method of calculating the discharge coefficients of the fluid flow is different when using
different type of notch.
1) Rectangular notch
A rectangular notch which is a thin metal plate with sharp edge is installed in a weir
channel shown in figure below.

Figure 3.1: Rectangular notch

2
Q t =Cd b (2 g) H 2
3

Where:
Qt = volume flow rate (m/s)
H = height above notch base (m)
b = width of rectangular notch (m)
Cd = the discharge coefficient
g = gravity (9.81 m/s2)

The discharge from a rectangular notch will be considered less from theoretical analysis due
to curvature effects. A coefficient of discharge, Cd, is therefore introduced so that
C d=

3 Qt
2 b (2 g)

2) Triangular notch (v-notch)

Figure 3.2: Triangular notch

Q t =Cd
tan ( ) (2 g) H 2
15
2

Where:
Qt = volume flow rate (m3/s)
H = height above notch base

= v-notch angle

Cd = the discharge coefficient

A discharge coefficient for v-notch is introduced, so that

C d=

15
8

Qt
5

tan ( ) ( 2 g ) H 2
2

V-notch is more reliable because at low flow rates, it get much more accurate measurement
compared to rectangular notch.
4

4.0 APPARATUS

Figure 4.1: The Hydraulic Bench

Figure 4.2: The Upper Part of the Hydraulic Bench

Figure 4.3: Rectangular Notch and V-Notch

5.0 PROCEDURES
General Start-Up Procedures
1. Make sure the hydraulic bench pump is securely connected.
2. Ensure the collection tank drain valve is left open to allow discharge back into sump
tank.
3. Set up the flow over weirs apparatus on the hydraulic bench.
4. Ensure thumb nuts are securing the rectangular notch weir plate is fully secured.
Note: Weirs notch have sharp edges. Take safety precautions while installing and changing
weirs notch.

General Shut-Down Procedures

6

1. Shut hydraulic bench flow control valve and close water supply.
2. Empty the residue water from channel and sump tank by ensuring the drain tank valve
is left open.

Experiment: Flow Characteristics over Weirs

1. The weir apparatus is levelled on the hydraulic bench and the rectangular notch weir
is installed.
2. The hydraulic bench flow control is slowly opened to admit water to the channel until
the water discharges over the weir plate. Ensure that the water level is even with the
crest of the weir.
3. The flow control valve is closed and the water level is allowed to stabilize.
4. The Vernier Gauge is set to a datum reading using the top block. The gauge is
positioned about half way between the notch plate and stilling plate.
5. The water is admitted to the channel. The water flow is adjusted by using the
hydraulic bench flow control valve to obtain heads (H).
6. The water flow condition is waited to be stabilized, take heads reading in every
increasing of about 1 cm.
7. Step 4 and 5 is repeated for different flow rate.
8. The readings of volume and time are taken using the volumetric tank to determine the
flow rate.
9. Repeat the experiment by replacing the notch with V-notch.
10. The results are recorded in the tables.

6.0 RESULTS
Rectangular Notch
Volume = 3L = 0.003 m3
B = 0.03 m

Height,
H (m)

Time (s)
T1
T2
T3

Average
Time (s)

0.01

39

36

36

37.00

0.02

18

16

17

17.00

0.03

12

12

10.67

0.04

5.67

0.05

4.33

0.06

3.33

Flowrate,
Q (m3/s)
8.11 x 105

1.76 x 104

2.81 x 104

5.29 x 104

6.93 x 104

9.01 x 104

Log
H
2.000
1.699
1.523
1.398
1.301
1.221

Log
Q
4.091
3.754
3.551
3.277
3.159
3.045

Q2/3
1.874
x 10-3
3.141
x 10-3
4.290
x 10-3
6.541
x 10-3
7.831
x 10-3
9.329
x 10-3

Cd

H/B

0.9155

0.333

0.7025

0.667

0.6105

1.000

0.7464

1.333

0.6997

1.667

0.6920

2.000

log Q against log H

-2
-1
.6
99
00
00
00
00
00
00
1
-1
.5
22
99
99
99
99
99
98
6
-1
.3
97
99
99
99
99
99
98
6
-1
.3
00
99
99
99
99
99
98
6
-1
.2
20
99
99
99
99
99
98
8

0
-1
log Q

-2
-3
-4
-5

log H

Figure 6.1: A graph of log Q against log H for rectangular notch

Q2/3 against H

0.
05

3.
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
02
E2

Q2/3

1.
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
05
E2

0.01
0.01
0.01
0
0
0

Figure 6.2: A graph of Q2/3 against H for rectangular notch

Q against H3/2

1.
46
97
E2

f(x) = 0x - 0

1.
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
2.
13
82
E80
3
00
00
00
00
00
5.
02
19
E60
3
00
00
00
00
00
8.
53
00
E00
3
00
00
00
00
01
1.
23
11
E80
3
00
00
00
00
00
13
E2

0
0
0
0
0
0

H3/2

Figure 6.3: A graph of Q against H3/2 for rectangular notch

Cd against H

0.
05

3.
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
02
E2

Cd

1.
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
05
E2

1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0

Figure 6.4: A graph of Cd against H for rectangular notch

V-Notch
Volume = 3L = 0.003 m3

Height, H
(m)

Time (s)

Average
Time (s)

Flowrate, Q
(m3/s)

Q2/5

Cd

T1

T2

T3

0.010

43

46

44

44.3

6.78 x 10-5

0.0215

2.869

0.020

17

15

16

16.0

1.88 x 10-4

0.0323

1.406

0.030

8.33

3.60 x 10-4

0.0419

0.977

0.040

4.00

7.50 x 10-4

0.0562

0.992

0.043

3.67

8.18 x 10-4

0.0582

0.904

10

Q2/5 against H
0.08
0.06
Q2/5

0.04
0.02
0
1

4.3

Figure 6.5: A graph of Q2/5 against H for V-notch

Q against H5/2

f(x) = 0x - 0

1.
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
05
E2.
2
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
11
E3.
2
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
02
E4.
2
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
22
E4.
2
30
00
00
00
00
00
00
03
E2

0
0
0
0
0
0

H5/2

Figure 6.6: A graph of Q against H5/2 for V-notch

11

7.0 SAMPLE CALCULATIONS

Average time, T
T=

T 1 +T 2 +T 3
3

39.0+36.0+ 36.0
3

37.0 s

Flowrate, Q
3

Q=

Volume( m )
Time(s)

0.003 m
37.0 s

8.11105 (

m
)
s

H/B
H 0.01 m
=
B 0.03 m
0.33

Coefficient of discharge, Cd

12

a. Rectangular Notch
3
C d= Q
2

1
3
2

B 2 g( H )

3
C d= 8.11 105
2

1
3

0.03 2 ( 9.81 ) (0.01 2 )

0.9155

b. V-notch
C d=

15
Q
8

C d=

15
6.78 105
8

tan 2 g( H 2 )
2
1
5

90
tan 2(9.81)(0.01 2 )
2

2.869

Based on graph Q against H3/2 for rectangular notch, the equation obtained is:
y = 0.0002x 0.0001
m = Cd x K
= 0.0002
Cd = 0.0002
K
= 0.0002
2
3

2 g w

= 2.258 x 10-3

13

Based on graph of Q against H5/2 for V-notch, the equation obtained is:
y = 0.0002x 0.0002
m = Cd x K
= 0.0002
Cd = 0.0002
K
=
0.0002
8
15

2 g H5/2 (tan 2 )

= 8.466 x 10-5

8.0 DISCUSSIONS
All of the data are recorded in the results section. The coefficient of discharge, C d, for both
notch were calculated and determined. Graphs of Q versus H3/2 or H5/2, log Q against log H
and Cd against H were all plotted.
The coefficient of discharge, Cd, is an experimental correction factor which must be
applied to the theoretical discharge value to obtain the actual discharge. Because real flows
do not meet all the assumptions listed above, the actual flow will generally be less than the
theoretically predicted flow.

Below is how we can obtain the value of Cd,

14

Based on the results obtained, the Cd for rectangular notch is 0.9155 and for V notch is 2.869.
From dimensional analysis and experiments, the average value of Cd for a rectangular weir is
0.622, and the value of Cd for a V-notch weir 0.58 to 0.61.

For this experiment, the Cd value for both notch are not constant. Since Cd is not a
constant, a functional relationship needed to be created:
Qactual = a * Hn
Where a and n are constants

In order to find the value of a and n, a power fit or trend line in Excel needed to be used.

15

Q against H3/2
0
0
0
0
0
0

f(x) = 0 x^1.37

H3/2

Figure 8.1: A graph of Q against H3/2 for rectangular notch

Q against H5/2
0
0
0
0
0
0

f(x) = 0 x^1.62

H5/2

Figure 8.2: A graph of Q against H5/2 for V-notch

Based on both graphs above, the value of a and n for rectangular notch is 7 and 1.36999
respectively. As for V notch, the value of a is 7 and the value of n is 1.6219.
The experiment did not produce the exact resuls as the theory maybe due to human careless
mistakes. However, the coefficient of discharge can still be determined eventhough there is a
slight difference between the theory.

16

9.0 CONCLUSIONS
In the nutshell, the objectives of the experiment to demonstrate the flow characteristics over
rectangular notch and V-notch and the determination of the discharge coefficients are
achieved. Through the experiment, the discharge coefficients are been able to determine. The
V-notch has the higher flow rate compared to the rectangular notch even though at first the Vnotch takes longer time. The discharged coefficients for both notches were obtained from the
results and calculations where the Cd for rectangular notch is 0.9155 whilst the Cd for V-notch
is 2.869. Due to some mistakes during conducting the experiment, the results produced may
not be the exact results as the theory. On the contrary, the coefficient of the discharge can still
be gained since there is only small difference between the experiment results and the theory.

10.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Ensure that the weir plate is tightly bolted onto the hydraulic bench to prevent water
from leaking through and affect the reading.
2. Let the water level stabilize for a minute after adjusting the flow rate because the it
takes a while before the water reaches its supposed water level.
3. Take a higher volume reading for calculating the flow rate especially higher ones to
obtain more accurate results.
4. Ensure that the vernier gauge rod is exactly at water surface level at the start before
increasing the height to minimize errors.

11.0 REFERENCES
1. Retrieved 14th April 2015 from http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/weirs-flow-rated_592.html
2. Retrieved 14th
3.
4.
5.
6.

April

2015

from

http://www.hubbardbrook.org/w6_tour/weir-

stop/weirwork.htm
Retrieved 14th April 2015 from www.codecogs.com
Retrieved 14th April 2015 from saba.kntu.ac.ir
Retrieved 14th April 2015 from www.cussons.myzen.co.uk
Retrieved 14th April 2015 from www.efm.leeds.ac.uk
17

12.0 APPENDICES

18