CMT 255 LABORATORY REPORT

EXPERIMENT 4
NO.
TITLE FLOW OVER WEIRS

GROUP AS1154B
NAME ID
ASRIN AWANG SELAN 2016495168
GROUP
SYANAYA NASYA BINTI 2016494746
MEMBER(S)
SHAHARONY
SYAHIRAH BINTI ALI 2016494814
NUR HISMANIZA BINTI MORSIDI 2016618438
DATE OF 11TH APRIL 2018
EXPERIMENT
DATE OF 8TH JUNE 2018
SUBMISSION
ABSTRACT
The flow over weirs experiment was conducted to investigate the characteristics of flow over
a rectangular notch and triangular notch. The difference in flow rate of water that flows into
both of the channel was observed. Furthermore, the experiment was capable to study the
discharge coefficient of fluid flow that determined by calculation of this experiment.
The experiment was started as follows the procedures, with the depth of water with
different height was tested by recording the time taken to collect 1L of water, which later will
be used to calculate the flow rate of the flow. The data obtained were further tabulated by
calculating the discharge coefficient, using the equation provided.
Then, the graphs were constructed to analyse the characteristics of the flow. From the
constructed graphs, rectangular notch graph shows the discharge coefficient decrease slowly
before a constant value is reached. Meanwhile, the triangular notch graph shows the discharge
decrease smoothly, but the values are higher than the rectangular notch.
To conclude, the triangular notch has a higher discharge coefficient than rectangular
notch. The experiment was successfully accomplished as all the objectives were gained.
OBJECTIVES
1. Flow characteristics demonstration over a rectangular notch and a (V) notch.
2. Determination of the discharge coefficients.

INTRODUCTION
The flow rate in pipes and ducts is controlled by various kinds of valves. Liquid flow in open
channels, however, is not confined, and thus the flow rate is controlled by partially blocking
the channel. This is done by either allowing the liquid to flow underneath it is called an
underflow gate. Such devices can be used to control the flow rate through the channel as well
as to measure it. A weir is a flow control device in which the water flows over the obstruction.
In this experiment, the rectangular weirs and triangular weirs have been used,
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.
APPARATUS
1) Rectangular notch
2) V – notch
3) Stopwatch
4) 1L beaker

MATERIALS
1) Water
PROCEDURE
General Start-up Procedures
1. The hydraulic bench pump was confirmed is securely connected.
2. The collection tank drain valve was ensured left OPEN to allowed flow discharged
back into the sump tank.
3. The flow over weirs apparatus were set up on the hydraulic bench.
4. Thumb nuts were confirmed securing the rectangular notch weir plate is fully secured.
General Shut Down Procedures
1. The hydraulic bench flow control valve was shut, and water supply is closed.
2. The residue water from channel and sump tank was emptied by ensuring the drain
tank valve is left open.
Experiment 1: Flow Characteristics Over Weirs
1. The weir apparatus on the hydraulic bench was levelled and the rectangular notch
weir was installed.
2. The hydraulic bench flow control valve was slowly opened to admit water to the
channel until the water discharged over the weir plate. The water level was ensured
that it was even with the crest of the weir.
3. The flow control valve was closed and allowed water to stabilized.
4. The Vernier Gauge was set to give a datum reading using the top of the hook.
5. The gauge was installed about half way between the notch plate and stifling baffle.
6. Water was admitted to the channel. The water flow was adjusted by using the
hydraulic bench flow control valve to obtain heads (H).
7. After water flow condition was stabilized, heads readings were recorded in every
increasing of about 1 cm.
8. Step 4 and 5 were repeated for different flow rate.
9. The readings of volume and time were taken using the volumetric tank to determine
flow rate.
10. The rectangular notch was replaced with v-notch
11. The results were recorded in the tables.
DATA AND RESULTS
Rectangular Notch
Volume Height, Time (s) Flow Rate, Log H
(L) H (m) T1 T2 T3 Average Q (m3/s)
Rectangular 1.0 0.01 6.8 6.4 6.8 6.67 1.50×10-4 -2.0
Notch 1.0 0.02 3.5 3.3 3.2 3.33 3.00×10-4 -1.7
1.0 0.03 2.3 2.2 2.3 2.27 4.41×10-4 -1.5
1.0 0.04 1.6 1.7 1.6 1.63 6.13×10-4 -1.4

Log Q 2 Cd H
Q3
2 B
Rectangular Notch (m2/s 3 )
-3.82 2.83×10-3 1.54 0.30
-3.52 4.48×10-3 1.09 0.61
-3.36 5.79×10-3 0.87 0.91
-3.21 7.22×10-3 0.78 1.21

V-Notch
Volume Height, Time (s) Flow Rate, Q
(L) H (m) T1 T2 T3 Average (m3/s)
V-Notch
1.0 0.01 13.0 12.1 11.4 12.17 8.22×10-5
1.0 0.02 4.1 4.2 4.5 4.27 2.34×10-4
1.0 0.03 2.4 2.5 2.0 2.30 4.35×10-4
1.0 0.04 1.4 1.4 1.5 1.43 6.99×10-4

2 Cd
Q5
6 2
V-Notch (𝑚5 /s 5 )
0.0232 3.48
0.0353 1.75
0.0452 1.18
0.0547 0.92
DISCUSSION
The Cd value is not constant for the rectangular notch. This is because the value for the flow
rates, Q and the head above bottom of notch, H obtained for both rectangular notch and V-
notch are different in each experiment. However, the Cd values of rectangular notch is smaller
compared to the Cd values of V-notch. Calculation below shows the average value of Cd for
rectangular notch for the range of the test: -

Cd
1.54 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐶𝑑 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
Average Cd =
1.09 𝑛
0.87
0.78 1.54+1.09+0.87+0.78
=
4

=1.07

From the collected results for rectangular notch, the average Cd value 1.07. From the Q2/3 versus
H rectangular notch graph, it is proven that the Q and H relationship can be described by an
empirical formula Q = kHn . From the graph, it is shown that Q2/3 = 0.9H
Q2/3 = 0.15H
Q = (0.15H)3/2
Q = 0.0581H3/2
Therefore
k = 0.0581; n = 3/2

For V-notch, the Cd values obtained from equation (2) is not physical (maximum value for Cd
is 1). This is because the Q and H values involved are small. Any small change will affect
results greatly. Therefore, the following approach is used to calculate the Cd.
(Based on graph Q2/5 against H)
From the Q2/5 versus H V-notch graph, it is shown that
Q2/5 = 1.05H + 0.0125, 0.0125 approximately equal to 0
Q = (1.05H)5/2
Q = 1.13H5/2
Comparing the theory equation,
8 Ɵ 5
𝑄 = 𝐶𝑑 √2𝑔 tan 𝐻 2
15 2
Therefore,
8 Ɵ
𝐶𝑑 √2𝑔𝑡𝑎𝑛 = 1.13
15 2
Cd = 0.48
Typical value for triangular Cd are in the range of 0.41 to 0.75. Therefore, Cd = 0.48 is
reasonable.
The Cd values between rectangular notch and V-notch are significant. Cd value for rectangular
notch is 1.07 which is higher than V-notch which is 0.48. The relationship between the head of
the weir and the discharge of the weir over the weir is directly proportional. The lower flow
rates produce lower heights above the notch creating larger changes from the theoretical
equations.

There are a few errors that were made during the experiment such as the time taken for
measuring the volume needed was not particularly accurate because of the high flow rate of
water gushing out of the weirs.
CONCLUSION
In this experiment, we were able to demonstrate the flow characteristics over a rectangular
notch and a (V) notch and determine the coefficient discharge for both rectangular notch and
v-notch. Hypothesis are accepted.

REFERENCES
1. http://www.academia.edu/18747051/CHE241_-
_Lab_Report_Solteq_Flow_Over_Weirs_FM26_2015_
2. Experimental Manual, FLOW OVER WEIRS Model: FM26, Solution Engineering Sdn.
Bhd. , SOLTEQ Equipment For Engineering Education And Research
3. http://www.codecogs.com/library/engineering/fluid_mechanics/weirs/introduction.php