University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Peshawar

Faculty of Mechanical, Chemical, Industrial, Mechatronics

&
Energy Engineering

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Fluid Mechanics (ME-223L)

Experiment 2 Title: To Study the Characteristics of Flow over a Rectangular Notch

Objectives
1. To calculate the values of coefficient of discharge Q for the given U notch by use of hydraulic
bench.

Theory Background
A notch may be defined as an opening in one side of a tank or a reservoir, like a large orifice, with the
upstream liquid level below the top edge of the opening.
Since the top edge of the notch above the liquid level serves no purpose, therefore a notch may have
only the bottom edge and sides.
The bottom edge, over which the liquid flows, is known as sill or crest of the notch and the sheet of
liquid flowing over a notch (or a weir) is known as nappe or vein. A notch is, usually made of a
metallic plate and is used to measure the discharge of liquids.

Types Of Notches
There are many types of notches, depending upon their shapes. But the following are important
1. Rectangular notch
2. Triangular notch
3. Trapezoidal notch
4. Stepped notch

Coefficient of Discharge:
It is the ration between actual discharge to the ideal/ theoretical discharge. When the water flows over
the notch (Rectangular), there will be a contraction at bottom vein and side contractions with a slight
fractional resistance.
 Figure 1. Rectangular Notch mounted in Hydraulic Bench Apparatus

Figure 2. U-shaped notched

Apparatus
Hydraulic bench apparatus, Stopwatch, Point Depth Gauge, Rectangular Notch. The Experimental setup
is shown is Figure 1.

Procedure
1. Calculate the width of notch.
2. Mount rectangular notch on hydraulic bench weir and tighten up the bolts to fix the notch.
3. Connect electrical connections for hydraulic bench.
4. Turn the hydraulic bench “ON” and the water will start accumulating in hydraulic bench channel.
5. Move the depth gauge to the center of the bed and by moving the vertical mast of the depth gauge,
take level reading of water. By using the valve, adjust the level of discharge, so that the water only
touches the needle tip, note height of water with the help of Vernier height gauge and take this
height as datum for further readings.
6. Note the reading on scale, it is a datum constant Ho, which is a constant throughout.
7. Now note the readings of change in volume per unit recorded time.
8. Using these volumes and time taken, calculate discharge.
9. Again note reading on scale, it is H. Now we can easily find Cd by the formula
 Q=2/3 Cd √ 2g H3/2
10. Take At least three readings by using above steps.
11. After that plot a graph between Q and H3/2 and log Q and log H.
12. Turn OFF electric supply to hydraulic bench after experiment.
13. Unmount rectangular notch from Hydraulic bench.

Observation and Calculations:

Record the data in Table 1.

Table 1. Results for Co-efficient of Discharge

S.No Head over notch/ channel Time Volume Discharge Co-efficient of

(sec) (cc) Lit/sec Discharge Cd
Initial head Final head Total H2-H1
H1 H2 (cm)
(cm) (cm)

Avg.

Using the data, plot a graph between the following;

1. Log H Vs Log Q
2. Qexp Vs H 3/2
3. Qact Vs Qth

Formulae to be Used
When the water flows over the notch (Rectangular), there will be a contraction at bottom vein and side
contractions with a slight fractional resistance. This causes the actual discharge to be less than the
theoretical discharge.
Cd=Qact/Qth or
Qact=CdQth ……1
Where Qth=Ideal discharge or Theoretical discharge and Qact = Actual discharge
Now, for a rectangular notch
Qth=2/3 B√2g H3/2 …2

Equation 1 gives actual discharge as:-

Qact= 2/3 Cd B√2g H3/2 …3
Where B = Width of the notch and H = head causing flow

Precautions
• Place a cup or glass over hydraulic bench nozzle connector to eliminate turbulence of water (in
case stilling baffles are not available).
• Ensure that the hydraulic bench is located on a level floor, as the accuracy of the results will be
affected if the bench is not level.
• As the experiment involves water and electric current, so special precautions should be taken while
operating the hydraulic bench switches.

******************************* THE END*******************************

 University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Peshawar

Faculty of Mechanical, Chemical, Industrial, Mechatronics

&
Energy Engineering

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Fluid Mechanics (ME-223L)

Experiment 3 Title: To study the characteristics of flow over a Triangular notch.

Objectives
1. To calculate value of coefficient of discharge and its vital role in calculating actual discharge

Theory Background
A Notch is regarded as an orifice with the water surface below its upper edge. Basically, it is a barrier
which is designed to alter the characteristics of flow. Triangular Notch or the V-shaped notch, as the
name indicates, is triangular in shape.

Coefficient of Discharge:
It is the ration between actual discharge to the ideal discharge. When the water flows over the notch
(Triangular), there will be a contraction at bottom vein and side contractions with a slight fractional
resistance. This causes the actual discharge to be less than the theoretical discharge.

Types Of Notches
There are many types of notches, depending upon their shapes. But the following are important
1. Rectangular notch
2. Triangular notch
3. Trapezoidal notch
4. Stepped notch

Applications:
• Used to measure small flow rates.
• Used to measure seepage form dams and reservoirs.
 Figure 1. Notch mounted in Hydraulic Bench Apparatus

Figure 2. V-shaped notched

Apparatus
Hydraulic bench, Stopwatch, Point Depth Gauge, Triangular Notch, etc. The Experimental setup is
shown is Figure 1.

Procedure
1. Calculate angle of the notch and Mount triangular notch on hydraulic bench weir.
2. Connect electrical connection for hydraulic bench.
3. Place a cup or glass over hydraulic bench connector to eliminate turbulence of water (in case stilling
baffles are not available).
4. Turn the hydraulic bench “ON” and the water will start accumulating in hydraulic bench channel.
5. Fix a V-notch in the hydraulic bench.
6. Switch on the motor and open the delivery control valve so that the discharge is going to take
place through the rectangular channel into the volumetric tank.
7. The dump valve should remain closed during the above steps.
8. Control the speed of discharge and keep it such that water only touches the needle tip.
9. Note the reading of scale; Ho is the datum head reading which will remain constant throughout
 the experiment.
10. Now take reading from glass tube from 0 to 12 and start the stopwatch simultaneously to note the
time.
11. Again, note the reading on scale, it is H’.
12. Now, we can easily find Cd with the help of formula.
Q=8/15 Cd √2g tan θ/2 H 5/2
13. Turn OFF electric supply to hydraulic bench.
14. Unmount triangular notch from Hydraulic bench.

Observation and Calculations:

Record the data in Table 1.

Table 1. Results for Co-efficient of Discharge

S.No Head over notch/ channel Time Volume Discharge Co-efficient of

(sec) (cc) Lit/sec Discharge Cd
Initial head Final head Total H2-H1
H1 H2 (cm)
(cm) (cm)

Avg.

Using the data, plot a graph between the following;

4. Log H Vs Log Q
5. Qexp Vs H 5/2
6. Qact Vs Qth

Formulae to be Used
When the water flows over the notch (Triangular), there will be a contraction at bottom vein and side
contractions with a slight fractional resistance. This causes the actual discharge to be less than the
theoretical discharge.
Cd = Qact / Qth Or Qact = Cd x Qth …1

Where Qth=Ideal discharge or Theoretical discharge.

Mathematically,
Qth=8/15 √2g tan (θ/2) H5/2 …2

Equation 1 gives actual discharge as:-

Qact= 8/15 Cd √2g tan (θ/2) H5/2 …3

Where θ = Angle of notch and H = head causing flow

 We know that
dQ= V x dA where v = √2gh and dA = B x dh
tan θ/2 = b / H-h
b = (H-h) tan θ/2 and as B = 2 b
so
B = 2 (H-h) tan θ/2 ……..equation x
Therefore
dA = 2 (H-h) tan θ/2 dh……equation y
Putting value of v and B in equation of flow rate
dQ = √2gh 2 (H-h) tan θ/2 dh = 2√2gh (H-h) tan θ/2 dh
= 2√2g h1/2 (H-h) tan θ/2 dh = √2g tan θ/2 (Hh1/2-h3/2) dh
Integrating from limits 0-H and solving
Q = 2√2g tan θ/2 (2/3 Hh3/2-2/5 h5/2)
Putting limits 0-H
Q =2√2g tan θ/2 (2/3 H5/2-2/5 H5/2)
Q =2√2g tan θ/2 (4/15 H5/2)
Q =8/15 √2g tan θ/2 H5/2 …………..1

Figure 3. V-Notch

Precautions
• Place a cup or glass over hydraulic bench nozzle connector to eliminate turbulence of water (in
case stilling baffles are not available).
• Ensure that the hydraulic bench is located on a level floor, as the accuracy of the results will be
affected if the bench is not level.
• As the experiment involves water and electric current, so special precautions should be taken while
operating the hydraulic bench switches.

******************************* THE END******************************