Alternatively, use an equation instead of Moody diagram in

the iteration.

0.1177 1.325
v= f Moody = 2
f ⎧ ⎡ ε / D 5.74 ⎤ ⎫
⎨ln ⎢ + 0.9 ⎥ ⎬
0.1177 ⎩ ⎣ 3.7 Re ⎦ ⎭
f D-W =
v2
All values SI
D 3
rho 999.7
mu 1.31E-03
eps 3.00E-04

vel 1 Guess
Re 2.29E+06 D*vel*rho/mu
f_D-W 0.1177
f_Moody 0.012781
error*10^5 10491.93

Estimating “Minor” Head Losses Flow Through Weirs and Orifices

• From bends, expansions, contractions, • For orifices, predicted outlet velocity and flow
rate for frictionless flow are:
valves, weirs, orifices, etc.
– Always assumed to be proportional to v2/2g, via v = 2 gH Q = A 2 gH
a coefficient that depends on element
¾ H is height above center of orifice, A is orifice area

• In both orifices and weirs, to account for frictional

losses, equations are typically written as:
v = C 2 gH Q = CA 2 gH

¾ C often ~0.6

Common Types of Weirs Common Types of Weirs

Crest: lowest point of weir
Nappe: water flowing over weir

Contractions

Sharp-crested weirs: air gap

exists between downstream
side of weir and water flowing
over the weir (nappe)

1
 Common Types of Weirs Example
• A circular clarifier has D =30 ft and processes 0.5
MGD. An effluent weir with 90o V-notches at 1.0-
ft intervals is located 1.5 ft inside the clarifier
circumference. How high above the weir crest is
the water in the clarifier? Assume C = 0.58.

¾ Length of weir = πD = π (27 ft) = 84.8 ft;

Assume 85 Notches
¾ Flow/notch = (500,000 gal/d)/85 = 5,882 gal/d
Broad-crested or suppressed weir: no air gap exists between Q = 0.0091 ft3/s
downstream side of weir and water flowing over the weir

Example
• For V-notch weirs, with US conventional units:

⎛8⎞ ⎛ θ⎞
Q = C ⎜ ⎟ 2 g ⎜ tan ⎟ H 2.5
⎝ 15 ⎠ ⎝ 2⎠

⎛8⎞ ⎛ 90o ⎞ 2.5

= ( 0.58 ) ⎜ ⎟ 2 ( 32.2 ) ⎜ tan ⎟ H = 2.48H
2.5

⎝ 15 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠

1/ 2.5 1/ 2.5
⎛ Q ⎞ ⎛ 0.0091 ⎞
H =⎜ ⎟ =⎜ ⎟ = 0.106 ft = 1.27 in
⎝ 2.48 ⎠ ⎝ 2.48 ⎠