Sharp crested weir

Assignment no. ICA-1

Module -MMD1002-N

B Engg (Hons) Civil Engineering

Teesside University
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 Index

1.1 Introduction 3
1.2 Types of weirs 3
1.2.1 Broad-crested weir 3
1.2.3 Combination weir 3
1.2.4 V-notch weir 3
1.2.5 Minimum Energy Loss weir 3
1.3 Aim of the experiment 4
1.4 Theory and formula used 4
1.5 Procedure 5
1.6 Results 5
1.7 Discussions 9
1.8 Conclusion 10
References 10

1.1 Introduction:

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In open channel hydraulics, weirs are commonly used to either regulate or to measure the
volumetric flow rate; they are of particular use in large scale situations such as irrigation
schemes, canals and rivers. For small scale applications, weirs are often referred to as notches
and invariably are sharp edged and manufactured from thin plate material. The flow pattern over
a notch or weir is complex and there is no analytical solution to the relationship between
discharge and head so that once again a semi-empirical approach has to be used.

Fig. 1.1: Weir water flow

1.2 Types of weirs:
1.2.1 Broad-crested weir:
This weir has flat-crested structure with a long crest as compare to the flow thickness.
1.2.2 Sharp crested weir or fayoum weir:
Water falls cleanly away from the sharp crested weir. This type of weir typically made by 1/4"
thick or thinner metal plates. Rectangular, V-notch and Cipolletti weirs come in these type weirs.
1.2.3 Combination weir:
The sharp crested weirs can be identified into three groups as their geometry: a) the rectangular
weir, b) the V or triangular notch and c) special notches, such as trapezoidal, circular or
parabolic weirs. Combination of above mentioned weirs are generally taken for accurate flow
measurement where wide range of flow rates occurs
1.2.4 V-notch weir:
Small discharge values are measure by V-notch type weir. Upper edge of section is kept above
water level.
1.2.5 Minimum Energy Loss weir:
Such type of weirs was developed to transfer fluid with minimal energy loss and afflux where
total head is constant.

1.3 Aim of the experiment:

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Aim of the experiment is the measurement of discharge coefficient and analysis of its relation
with flow rate and depth of head by plotting graph and examine whether standard formulas for
sharp crested weir suits or not.

1.4 Theory and formula used:

A rectangular notch in a thin square edged weir plate installed in a weir channel as shown in
figure 2. To regulate or to measure the volumetric flow rate weirs are used in open channel
flows. A rectangular notch made by thin metal plate is put in a manner that water flow over it.
Thin plate weir consist mostly rectangular notch. The flow over notch is complexes so no
analytical relation can be generated to get relation between discharge coefficient and head. To
get over this problem a semi empirical approach is established.
Discharge coefficient is defined as the ratio of flow rate practically calculated to flow rate
theoretically calculated.
Cd = Qact/Qth

Another aim of experiment is the calibration of weir. Calibration is called the validation
of specific scientific method and technique to get correct measurement of equipment. A
comparison is made in calibration while taking data with the help of instruments and practically
known approach. To minimize error any device must be calibrated.
Here in present case, calculate actual or practically determine flow rate and theoretical
flow rate from weir and then get its coefficient of discharge. Above given formula will be used
for this purpose. For same geometry discharge coefficient will be same. This is the benefit of
calibrated instrument.

Figure 1.2: Rectangular sharp crested weir and it nomenclature

The following are the formulas associated with the type of weir used for this laboratory
report:
• Actual Discharge Formula:

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Q actual, however, can be determined by taking account of volume flow per unit time taken in
the laboratory.

• Theoretical Discharge Formula:

Now, the calibration equation is formulated as,

n
Qact = K x H

Where, H is the head above crest, K and n are constants which depend on the geometry of the
weir. By taking logarithm on both sides we will have,

log Qact = log K + n log H

Which denotes an equation of a straight line, where log k is the intercept on y axis and n is its
slope. The graph log Qact Vs. log H will give values of K and n.

1.5 Procedure:
a. Take reading using vernier when there is no discharge or flow.
b. Now open the valve and let water flow above the weir notch.
c. Wait till flow becomes steady and uniform. Note down height of water using vernier.
d. In this steady flow condition, adjust the vernier to touch the new water level and note
down the reading. Difference of these vernier readings will be head of weir.
e. Also take down time for predetermined volume to be flown out of tank. This time reading
should be taken by two persons separately to reduce error.
f. Keep repeating this procedure for different head (H) while adjusting valve.

1.6 Results:
The following contains data obtained by experiment as well as calculated values of actual flow
rate, theoretical flow and coefficient of discharge.

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 Table 1.1: Data taken from experiment and resulted flow rates and Cd
Flow rate
Flow rate theoretical
practical Q/T Coefficient
Vol T1 T2 T mean Q/T (m3/sec) (m3/sec) of discharge
H (mm) (Litre) (Sec) (Sec) (Sec) *10-4 *10-4 Cd H3/2 H5/2 log Q
18.1
65.1 20 18.13 2 18.125 11.03448 15.68416 0.70354308 525.2566 34194.2 -2.95725
19.7 32896.1
64.1 20 19.47 4 19.605 10.20148 15.32417 0.66571187 513.2005 5 -2.99134
19.3
64.2 20 19.28 3 19.305 10.36001 15.36004 0.67447809 514.4019 33024.6 -2.98464
21.5 29061.9
61 20 21.25 1 21.38 9.35454 14.22606 0.65756356 476.4252 4 -3.02898
23.8 24207.9
56.7 20 23.62 2 23.72 8.4317 12.74866 0.66137979 426.9476 3 -3.07408
29.7 17589.4
49.9 20 29.47 2 29.595 6.7579 10.52545 0.64205322 352.4933 1 -3.17019
38.9
41.9 20 38.66 9 38.825 5.15132 8.09862 0.63607407 271.2196 11364.1 -3.28808
48.0
36.2 20 47.9 9 47.995 4.1671 6.50358 0.64073927 217.8025 7884.45 -3.38017
32.9 4568.06
29.1 10 33.33 5 33.14 3.0175 4.68737 0.64375143 156.9783 7 -3.52035
49.2 2143.36
21.5 10 48.84 1 49.025 2.03978 2.97679 0.68522769 99.6914 5 -3.69042
42.8 733.364
14 5 43.06 7 42.965 1.16374 1.56416 0.74400068 52.3832 8 -3.93414

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 Fig. 1.3: Plot of Q Vs H

Fig. 1.4: Plot of Q Vs H1.5

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Fig. 1.5: Plot of Q Vs H2.5

Fig. 1.6: Plot of log Q Vs H

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 Fig. 1.7: Plot of log Q Vs log H

Fig. 1.8: Plot of Cd Vs H

1.7 Discussions:

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 • When we observe both volume flow rates (Q) actual and theoretical we will find that
theoretically calculated flow rate is higher than actual flow rate for same H value. The
reason behind this is the flow behaviour of water where surface tension, type of flow
lamellar or transient, shear forces of surfaces etc. Established formula was generated
while taking them ideal.
• Initially flow rate of water was high but when water is drained out it lowers (Fig. 1.3).
This may be due to surface tension is higher for water coming out from the tank.
• Graph between Qact and H (Fig. 1.3) shows the polynomial behaviour as stated by
equation. Flow rate is the increasing function in H.
• Two other curves were also drawn (Fig. 1.4 and Fig. 1.5). Curve between Q and H 1.5
shows linear behaviour as proportionality shown by formula. Linear plot log Q Vs H
again verifies this.
• For a weir, coefficient of discharge should be constant. It is taken for special geometry of
weir which should be same for same geometry weir and should not fluctuate with head
(H). This statement is proven in plot of Cd Vs H (Fig. 1.8) where Cd is constant although
it deviate from linearity or low values of H which may be the effect of flow pattern at
lower height i.e. H or result of improper setup.

1.8 Conclusion:
After taking all data and plotting them of graph, formula for discharge coefficient and other
relations verified. The calibrated value of Cd is calculated as

Cd = 0.66859298
0.66859298
We had equation
log Qact = log K + n log H
log k = - 4.2 and slop n = 1.62899
1.5
Linear relation Qact = m H is clearly visible in plot (Fig. 1.7).

References:
• Chanson, H., "The Hydraulics of Open Channel Flow: An Introduction." Butterworth-
Heinemann, Oxford, UK, 2nd edition (2004), pp. 630

• Henderson, F.M., "Open Channel Flow", MacMillan Company, (1966).

• ASTM Standard, “Standard method for open-channel flow measurement of water with
thin-plate weirs”, American Society for Testing and Materials, Code ASTM D5242
(1993).

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• R. W. Carter, Kindsvater C. E., “Discharge characteristics of rectangular thin-plate
weirs. Transactions”, American Society of Civil Engineers, vol. 24 (1959).

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