Lab-2: Flow Over A Weir Objectives: Water Resources Engineering Jagadish Torlapati, PHD Spring 2017

Water Resources Engineering
Jagadish Torlapati, PhD Spring 2017
LAB-2: FLOW OVER A WEIR
OBJECTIVES
1. Study different types of sharp-crested weirs

2. Study the discharge over a weir
3. Calculate the discharge coefficient for sharp-crested weir experimentally on a hydraulic
bench
BACKGROUND
In open channel hydraulics, weirs are elevated structures that are used to control outflow
and/or measure flow from basins and drainage channels. Sharp-crested or thin-plate weirs consist
of a plastic or metal plate that is set vertically and across the width of a channel. These weirs are
used where highly accurate discharge measurements are required, such as hydraulic laboratories
and industries. For a weir to be considered sharp crested, the ratio between the thickness of the
weird and the height of water above the weir should be greater than 1.5. Sharp-crested weirs are
usually classified per their cross-sectional shape. The main types of sharp-crested weirs are
rectangular and triangular weirs.
Rectangular weirs
Rectangular weirs, as their name implies, have rectangular cross-sections. They are generally
classified as suppressed and unsuppressed weirs. In suppressed weirs, the rectangular opening
spans across the length of the channel (Figure 1a) whereas in unsuppressed weirs, the rectangular
opening only spans a portion of the channel width (Figure 1b)
Figure 1: Illustrations showing (a) suppressed and (b) unsuppressed rectangular sharp-
crested weirs
1
The discharge (Q) over a rectangular weir in terms of height of water over the weir (H) is given
as
𝑄 = 𝐶𝑤 𝑏𝐻3/2 (1)
where b is the width of the weir and C w is the coefficient of the weir given by
2
𝐶𝑤 = 𝐶 √2𝑔 (2)
3 𝑑
where Cd is the coefficient of discharge given as 0.62 and g is the gravitational constant
Triangular weirs
A triangular or V-notch weir has a V-shaped opening instead of a rectangular shaped opening
(Figure 2). Triangular weirs are used instead of rectangular weirs where lower discharges are
desired for a given head (H) or where lower flowrates need to be measured with greater
accuracy.
Figure 2: Schematic diagram of V-notch weir
The discharge (Q) over a triangular weir in terms of height of water over the weir (H) is given as
𝑄 = 𝐶𝑤 𝐻5/2 (3)
where the coefficient of weir (Cw) is given as
8 𝜃 (4)
𝐶𝑤 = 𝐶𝑑 √2𝑔 tan
15 2
2
where  is the angle of the triangular notch (shown in the Figure 2). A Cd value of 0.58 is used
for a triangular weir with an angle between 20 and 100.
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
1. Fit the rectangular notch plate to the weir plate carrier which is bonded into the free end of
the molded channel in the top of the hydraulics bench. The weir plate is secured to the carrier
using plastic thumb nuts.
2. Ensure that the hook and point gauge is assembled with the point fitted. Set the top of the
weir plate opening as the datum for your experiment
3. Open the bench control valve and adjust the valve to produce a flow over the weir. Ensure
that the flow is large enough to prevent the outflow from the notch clinging to the notch plate
4. Determine the volumetric flowrate using the bench valve by dropping the ball to fill the tank
5. Measure the water level (H) using the point gage.
6. Repeat the process for four different flowrates and heads over weirs
7. Replace the rectangular weir with a triangular weir plate and repeat the experimental
procedure.
DATA REDUCTION AND ANALYSIS
• Compute the height of water above the weir notch (H)

• Compute the discharge coefficient (Cd) for each weir notch using the flowrate evaluated
experimentally
a. Plot Q vs Hn for each weir (n=3/2 for rectangular weir and n=5/2 for triangular weir)
b. Obtain the slope by fitting a trendline. What does the slope of trendline give you?
[check equations (1) and (3)]
c. Use the slope to compute the experimental Cd value
• Compute the discharge coefficient for each flowrate. Is this same for all flow rates? How is it
different from the slope evaluated above?
DELIVERABLES
• Letter of Transmittal
• Materials and methods –
o Provide a brief description of what was done, where it was done, the purpose of the
experiment and the equipment used
o Present all the formulae used and number them sequentially
• Results and Discussion (Include the answers to the question as a part of discussion)
o Summarize the data and the calculated results in a neatly formatted table
o Make sure all the Figures are large enough to read, include the equation for the
trendline and its corresponding R2 value on the Figure
o Discuss why there is a discrepancy between the theoretical and computed C d values
o What are the limitations of the experiment?
o How does the Cd value computed from the slope compare to the individual Cd values?
3
SAMPLE DATA COLLECTION SHEET
Date: __________________ Lab Partners: ___________________________
Weir Type: ____________________ Apparatus: ____________________________
Run Water Level (H) Discharge (Q) Hn Cd

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Water Resources Engineering

Jagadish Torlapati, PhD Spring 2017

LAB-2: FLOW OVER A WEIR

1. Study different types of sharp-crested weirs

Figure 2: Schematic diagram of V-notch weir

where the coefficient of weir (Cw) is given as

DATA REDUCTION AND ANALYSIS

• Compute the height of water above the weir notch (H)

SAMPLE DATA COLLECTION SHEET

Date: Lab Partners: _________

Weir Type: Apparatus: ________

Run Water Level (H) Discharge (Q) Hn Cd

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