Department of Civil Engineering

Course: CIVL 3120

Course Title: Hydraulics

Laboratory 04 – Flow Through Radial Gates

Due Date: December 5, 2019

Group members:
Roble Mohamed – 215368012
Abstract
For free and submerged flow, all three water levels tended to reach an equilibrium as the gate was
opened. The water level after the hydraulic jump (h2) ended up slightly higher than the downstream
water level (h1).

When the theoretical specific energy was plotted against the energy at h0, h1, and h2, it was noted that
the energy at h0 represented subcritical flow. The energy at h2 represented critical flow, and the energy
at h1 represented supercritical flow.

In free flow, our results showed that the theoretical flow under the radial gate becomes larger as the
flow coefficient decreases. The theoretical flow for the submerged flow becomes lower as the k factor
decreases.

One of the suggested improvements for the experiment was to fix the seal between the rectangular
plume wall and the radial gate, so it wouldn’t leak flow from the sides.
Table of Contents
Abstract.......................................................................................................................................................2
List of Figures...............................................................................................................................................4
List of Tables................................................................................................................................................4
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................5
Objective and Methods...............................................................................................................................5
Procedure....................................................................................................................................................5
Apparatus....................................................................................................................................................6
Data Collected & Numerical Analysis...........................................................................................................7
Discussion Questions.................................................................................................................................11
References.................................................................................................................................................11
Appendix...................................................................................................................................................12
List of Figures
Figure 1: Flow Apparatus with Component Description..............................................................................6
Figure 2: Upstream/Downstream vs Gate Opening for Free Flow...............................................................7
Figure 3: Specific Energy vs Water Level......................................................................................................8
Figure 4: Upstream/Downstream vs Gate Opening for Submerged Flow..................................................10

List of Table

Table 1: Raw Data for a Free Flow Case.......................................................................................................7

Table 2: Areas and Velocities of a Free Flow Case.......................................................................................8
Table 3: Specific Energies of a Free Flow Case.............................................................................................8
Table 4: Flow Coefficient Values of a Free Flow Case..................................................................................9
Table 5: Raw Data for a Submerged Flow Case...........................................................................................9
Table 6: K Factor Values for a Submerged Flow Case................................................................................10
Table 7: Theoretical Specific Energies........................................................................................................12
Introduction
For this experiment, flow patterns will be observed using a radial gate. Two experiments will be
conducted: one with free flow and another with submerged flow. The energies of flows at different
heights in the two cases will be analyzed, and the implications of these results on civil design will be
discussed.

Objective and Methods

 To observe flow patterns under a radial gate, including a jet contraction, free flow and
submerged flow.
 Examine the behavior of subcritical and supercritical open channel flows
 Determine the specific energies for a range of flows and flow coefficient
 Determine the discharge and backwater coefficients for free and submerged flow
 Understand the relationships between upstream water level, the radial gate opening and
flowrate.

Procedure
Part 1: Free Flow

1. Established slope of the Experimental Fume is set to 0%

2. Placed the radial gate vertical in the flume
3. Started the Experimental Flume and set the flow rate to 46m^3/h
4. Set the starting height of the radial gate to 2 cm
5. Moved the tilting weir horizontal position from the outlet
6. Recorded the flowrate from flow meter (Q)
7. Recorded the upstream water level (ho)
8. Recorded downstream water level (h1) at jet contraction
9. Recorded downstream water level (h2) after jet contraction
10. Increased the height of the radial gate by 1cm and repeated steps 6-9. Repeated this process
until there is data is collected at radial gate heights 2-7cm.
11. Turned off the machine

Part 2: Submerged Flow

1. Established slope of the Experimental Fume is set to 0%

2. Placed the radial gate vertically in the flume
3. Started the Experimental Flume and set the flow rate to 42 m^3/h
4. Set the height of radial gate to 2 cm
5. Adjusted the angle of tilt of the Experimental Flume until downstream water level (h2) is
approximately 20 cm.
6. Recorded the flowrate from flow meter (Q)
7. Recorded the upstream water level (ho)
8. Recorded downstream water level (h1) at the jet contraction
9. Recorded downstream water level (h2) after jet contraction
 10. Increased the height of the radial gate by 1cm and repeat steps 6-9. Repeat this process until
there is data is collected at radial gate heights 2-7cm.
11. Turned off the machine

Apparatus

Figure 1: Flow Apparatus with Component Description

The above figure is the flow apparatus used for the experiment. The gate was placed at the beginning
section of the plume on the right.
Data Collected & Numerical Analysis

Table 1: Raw Data for a Free Flow Case

Free Flow Data

Downstream Downstream
water water
Upstream level in a jet level after jet
Height of opening Water contraction (h1) contraction (h2)
Q (m^3/h) Gate (m) level (ho) m m m
46 0.02 0.32 0.02 0.12
46 0.03 0.21 0.023 0.13
46 0.04 0.14 0.031 0.085
46 0.05 0.1 0.039 0.09
46 0.06 0.085 0.043 0.088
46 0.07 0.08 0.061 0.088

Upstream and Downstream vs Gate Opening

0.35

0.3

0.25
Water Level (m)

0.2 Up Stream Water Level

Downstream Water (h1)
0.15 Downstream Water Level (h2)

0.1

0.05

0
0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08
Gate Opening (m)

Figure 2: Upstream/Downstream vs Gate Opening for Free Flow

For free flow, all three water levels tend to reach an equilibrium. The water level after the hydraulic
jump (h2) ended up slightly higher than the downstream water level (h1). h0 experienced the greatest
loss in water level as the gate opening increased. The downstream water level (h1) experienced a slight
increase as the gate opening increased.
Table 2: Areas and Velocities of a Free Flow Case

Area Area Velocity Velocity (m/s) Velocity

Q (m^3/s) Area (m^2) h0 (m^2) h1 (m^2) h2 (m/s) h0 h1 (m/s) h2
0.01277778 0.09888 0.00618 0.03708 0.129225099 2.067601582 0.3446
0.01277778 0.06489 0.007107 0.04017 0.196914436 1.797914419 0.318093
0.01277778 0.04326 0.009579 0.026265 0.295371655 1.333936505 0.486494
0.01277778 0.0309 0.012051 0.02781 0.413520316 1.060308504 0.459467
0.01277778 0.026265 0.013287 0.027192 0.48649449 0.961675154 0.469909
0.01277778 0.02472 0.018849 0.027192 0.516900396 0.677902158 0.469909

Table 3: Specific Energies of a Free Flow Case

Energy (m)
Energy (m) h1 Energy (m)
h0
h2
0.32085113 0.2378887 0.126052464
0.21197631 0.187755161 0.135157129
0.14444671 0.121692487 0.097063042
0.10871555 0.096301433 0.100759936
0.09706304 0.09013655 0.099254582
0.09361804 0.084422596 0.099254582

Water Level vs Specific Energy

0.4
0.35
0.3
Water Level (m)

0.25
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
0
0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4
Specific Energy (J)

h0 h1 h2 theoretical

Figure 3: Specific Energy vs Water Level

When the theoretical specific energy is plotted against the energy at h0, h1, and h2, we can see that the
energy at h0 represents subcritical flow. The energy at h2 represents critical flow, and the energy at h1
represents supercritical flow. The three plots represent 3 segments of the theoretical water level vs
specific energy graph.
Table 4: Flow Coefficient Values of a Free Flow Case

Flow theoretical flow

h0/a Angle (degrees) Coefficient (m^3/s)
16 39.94450519 0.75 0.011613797
7 41.88859692 0.72 0.013547881
3.5 43.76174269 0.67 0.013724824
2 45.572996 0.63 0.013633851
1.41666667 47.32976613 0.61 0.014604898
1.14285714 49.03821145 0.6 0.016259316

In free flow, our results show that the theoretical flow under the radial gate becomes larger as the flow
coefficient decreases. This is true, because in a free flow condition, as the height of the gate is increased,
the flow increases.
Table 5: Raw Data for a Submerged Flow Case

Submerged Flow Data

Downstream Downstream
Height of Upstream water water
Q opening Water level in a jet level after jet
(m^3/h) Gate (m) level (ho) m contraction (h1) m contraction (h2) m
42 0.02 0.388 0.1 0.17
42 0.03 0.291 0.115 0.174
42 0.04 0.221 0.132 0.174
42 0.05 0.192 0.14 0.17
42 0.06 0.179 0.155 0.17
42 0.07 0.172 0.149 0.17
 Upstream and Downstream Levels vs Gate Opening
0.45
0.4
0.35
0.3
Water Level (m)

0.25 Upstream Water Level (ho)

DownStream Water Level (h1)
0.2
Downstream Water Level (h2)
0.15
0.1
0.05
0
0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08
Gate Opening (m)

Figure 4: Upstream/Downstream vs Gate Opening for Submerged Flow

For the submerged flow, 2 of the water levels (h0 and h2) reached an equilibrium but not h1. h2 stayed
fairly constant, and h0 experienced a more gradual decrease in water level with the increase in the gate
opening.
Table 6: K Factor Values for a Submerged Flow Case

Flow theoretical flow

h0/a a/h0 a/h2 k Coefficient (m^3/s)
19.4 0.051546392 0.117647059 0.86 0.76 0.011144636
9.7 0.103092784 0.172413793 0.84 0.73 0.013582443
5.525 0.180995475 0.229885057 0.78 0.71 0.014253354
3.84 0.260416667 0.294117647 0.55 0.67 0.011050097
2.98333333 0.335195531 0.352941176 0.4 0.65 0.009033563
2.45714286 0.406976744 0.411764706 0.3 0.61 0.007271455

The theoretical flow for the submerged flow becomes lower as the k factor decreases. The a/h0 ratio
increases as well. The theoretical flow should decrease, because a lower k factor reduces flow in he
equation.
Discussion Questions

1. The radial gate wasn't fully blocking the flow above the opening, there was some flow leaking
from the sides. I would improve the seal between the rectangular plume wall and the radial
gate. Another improvement I would recommend is for the grid to be on the entire length of the
plume wall to make it easier to take height readings.
2. A radial gate can better resist water pressure than a sluice gate can due to it's curvature. It's
preferred when dealing with large pressure heads and flows. A radial gate's angle can be
changed to allow small flows.
3. To compute the force on the gate, I would find the pressure head acting on the gate, and then
place a distributed load representing this on the surface of the gate. The resultant force would
be this distributed load multiplied by the surface area.
4. Procedural errors include: incorrect reading of the water level and the opening of the radial
gate. An instrumental error is the leaking of flow from the sides of the gates.
5. During free flow, the hydraulic jump is higher, because the flow is greater, and velocity is faster.
During a submerged case, the hydraulic jump is lower, because of the decreased flow rate and
velocity.

References
Lassonde. (n.d.). Flow through Radial Gates: Lab Manual.
Appendix

Table 7: Theoretical Specific Energies

Water Theoretical Specific

Level Energy
0.02 0.2378887
0.04 0.094472175
0.06 0.084209856
0.08 0.093618044
0.1 0.108715548
0.12 0.126052464
0.14 0.144446708
0.16 0.163404511
0.18 0.182689984
0.2 0.202178887
0.22 0.221800733
0.24 0.241513116
0.26 0.261289282
0.28 0.281111677
0.3 0.300968394
0.32 0.320851128
0.34 0.34075394
0.36 0.360672496