Weirs Are Structures Consisting of An Obstruction Such As A Dam or Bulkhead Placed Across The Open

Weirs are structures consisting of an obstruction such as a dam or bulkhead placed across the open
channel with a specially shaped opening or notch. The flow rate over a weir is a function of the head on
the weir.
Common weir constructions are the rectangular weir, the triangular or v-notch weir, and the broad-
crested weir. Weirs are called sharp-crested if their crests are constructed of thin metal plates, and
broad-crested if they are made of wide timber or concrete. If the notch plate is mounted on the
supporting bulkhead such that the water does not contact or cling to the downstream weir plate or
supporting bulkhead, but springs clear, the weir is a sharp-crested or thin-plate weir.
Water level-discharge relationships can be applied and meet accuracy requirements for sharp-crested
weirs if the installation is designed and installed consistent with established ASTM and ISO standards.
 Common Standards and Specifications for Weir Flow Measurements
Rectangular weirs and triangular or v-notch weirs are often used in water supply, wastewater and
sewage systems. They consist of a sharp edged plate with a rectangular, triangular or v-notch profile for
the water flow.
Broad-crested weirs can be observed in dam spillways where the broad edge is beneath the water
surface across the entire stream. Flow measurement installations with broad-crested weirs will meet
accuracy requirements only if they are calibrated.
Other available weirs are the trapezoidal (Cipolletti) weir, the Sutro (proportional) weir and the
compound weirs (combination of the previously mentioned weir shapes). By combining V-notch weirs
with broad chested weirs - larger range of flow can be measured with accuracy.
Rectangular Weir
The flow rate measurement in a rectangular weir is based on the Bernoulli Equation principles and can
be expressed as:
q = 2/3 cd b (2 g)1/2 h3/2 (1)
where
q = flow rate (m3/s)
h = elevation head on the weir (m)
b = width of the weir (m)
g = 9.81 (m/s2) - gravity
cd = discharge constant for the weir - must be determined
cd must be determined by analysis and calibration tests. For standard weirs - cd - is well defined or
constant for measuring within specified head ranges.
The lowest elevation (h = 0) of the overflow opening of the sharp-crested weirs or the control channel of
broad-crested weirs is the head measurement zero reference elevation.
 Froude number
Rectangular Weir Flow Rate Measurement Calculator
cd - discharge constant
b - width of weir (m)
h - height of weir (m)
The Francis Formula - Imperial Units
Flow through a rectangular weir can be expressed in imperial units with the Francis formula
q = 3.33 (b - 0.2 h) h3/2 (1b)
where
q = flow rate (ft3/s)
h = head on the weir (ft)
b = width of the weir (ft)
Alternative with height in inches and flow in gpm:

Triangular or V-Notch Weir
The triangular or V-notch, thin-plate weir is an accurate flow measuring device particularly suited for
small flows.
For a triangular or v-notch weir the flow rate can be expressed as:
q = 8/15 cd (2 g)1/2 tan(θ/2) h5/2 (2)
where
θ = v-notch angle
Broad-Crested Weir
For the broad-crested weir the flow rate can be expressed as:
q = cd h2 b ( 2 g (h1 - h2) )1/2 (3)
Measuring the Levels
For measuring the flow rate it's obviously necessary to measure the flow levels, then use the equations
above for calculating. It's common to measure the levels with:
 ultrasonic level transmitters, or
 pressure transmitters
Ultrasonic level transmitters are positioned above the flow without any direct contact with the flow.
Ultrasonic level transmitters can be used for all measurements. Some of the transmitters can even
calculate a linear flow signal - like a digital pulse signal or an analog 4 - 20 mA signal - before
transmitting it to the control system.
Pressure transmitters can be used for the sharp-crested weirs and for the first measure point in broad-
crested weir. The pressure transmitter outputs a linear level signal - typical 4-20 mA - and the flow must
be calculated in the transmitter or the control system.
An orifice is a small opening provided on the side or bottom of a tank, through which a fluid is flowing.
The opening can be of any shape or cross-section, like rectangular, triangular or circular. The orifices
may discharge fluid into the atmosphere or from one tank to another.
Orifices are classified based on the shape or the cross-sectional area as:
 Rectangular orifice
 Circular orifice
 Triangular orifice and
 Square orifice
Orifices are classified based on the size of the orifice and the head of fluid above the orifice as:
 Small orifice and
 Large orifice
Depending on the shape of the upstream edge of the orifices, they are classified as:
 Sharp-edged orifice and
 Bell-mouthed orifice
They are also classified based on the nature of the discharge as:
 Partially submerged or drowned orifice
 Fully submerged or drowned orifice
 Free discharging orifices
Select to solve for a different unknown

Solve for flow rate.
Solve for discharge coefficient.
Solve for orifice area.
Solve for gravitational constant.
Solve for center line head.

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Weirs are structures consisting of an obstruction such as a dam or bulkhead placed across the open

 Common Standards and Specifications for Weir Flow Measurements

q = 2/3 cd b (2 g)1/2 h3/2 (1)

q = flow rate (m3/s)

h = elevation head on the weir (m)

b = width of the weir (m)

g = 9.81 (m/s2) - gravity

cd = discharge constant for the weir - must be determined

Rectangular Weir Flow Rate Measurement Calculator

h - height of weir (m)

The Francis Formula - Imperial Units

q = 3.33 (b - 0.2 h) h3/2 (1b)

q = flow rate (ft3/s)

h = head on the weir (ft)

b = width of the weir (ft)

Alternative with height in inches and flow in gpm:

q = 8/15 cd (2 g)1/2 tan(θ/2) h5/2 (2)

q = cd h2 b ( 2 g (h1 - h2) )1/2 (3)

Measuring the Levels

 ultrasonic level transmitters, or

 Triangular orifice and

 Small orifice and

 Sharp-edged orifice and

 Partially submerged or drowned orifice

 Fully submerged or drowned orifice

 Free discharging orifices

Select to solve for a different unknown

Solve for discharge coefficient.

Solve for orifice area.

Solve for gravitational constant.

Solve for center line head.

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