CE 325

HYDRAULICS
ENGR. ROMMEL JAY G. TABANAO
INSTRUCTOR
7.10
WEIR
 WEIR
Weirs are overflow structures which are built across an open
channel for the purpose of measuring or controlling the flow of liquids.
Weirs have been commonly used to measure the flow of water, but it is now
being adopted to measure the flow of other liquids. The formula and
principles that will be discussed, i.e. applicable to any type of liquid.
Classification of Weirs
According to shape, weirs may be rectangular, triangular,
trapezoidal, circular, parabolic, or of any other regular form. The most
commonly used shapes are the rectangular, triangular, and the trapezoidal
shapes.
 WEIR
Classification of Weirs
According to the form of the crest, weirs may be sharped-crested or
broad-crested.
The flow over a weir may either be free or submerged. If the water
surface downstream from the weir is lower than the crest, the flow is free,
but if the downstream surface is higher than the crest, the flow is
submerged.
 WEIR
Definition of Terms
Nappe – the overflowing stream in the weir
Crest of weir – the edge or top surface of a weir with which the flowing liquid
comes contact
Contracted weir – weirs having sides sharped-edged, so that the nappe is
contracted in width or having end contractions, either one end or two ends.
Suppressed weir or full-width weir – weirs having its length L being equal to the
width of the channel so that the nappe suffers no end contractions.
Drop-down curve – the downward curvature of the liquid surface before the weir.
Head, H – the distance between the liquid surface and the crest of the weir,
measured before the drop-down curve.
 WEIR
RECTANGULAR WEIR
Consider a differential area of length L
and height dh to be located h meters
below the liquid surface. By orifice
theory, the theoretical velocity through
this area is:

𝑣𝑡 = 2𝑔𝐻′

Where the total head producing flow

𝐻’ = ℎ + ℎ𝑣 , where ℎ𝑣 is the velocity
head of approach and is equal to
𝑣𝑎 2 /2𝑔.
 WEIR
RECTANGULAR WEIR
The discharge through the elementary
strip is then,
𝑑𝑄𝑡 = 𝑑𝐴 𝑣𝑡

𝑑𝑄𝑡 = 𝐿 𝑑ℎ 2𝑔(ℎ + ℎ𝑣 )
𝐻
න 𝑑𝑄𝑡 = 1/2
2𝑔 𝐿 න ℎ + ℎ𝑣 𝑑ℎ
0
𝐻
2 3
𝑄𝑡 = 2𝑔 𝐿 ℎ + ℎ𝑣 2
3 0

2 3 3
𝑄𝑡 = 2𝑔 𝐿 𝐻 + ℎ𝑣 2 − 0 + ℎ𝑣 2
3
 WEIR
RECTANGULAR WEIR

2 3 3
𝑄𝑡 = 2𝑔 𝐿 𝐻 + ℎ𝑣 2 − 0 + ℎ𝑣 2
3
For Actual 𝑄 = 𝐶𝑄𝑡

𝟐 𝟑 𝟑
𝑸 = 𝑪 𝟐𝒈 𝑳 𝑯 + 𝒉𝒗 𝟐 − 𝒉𝒗 𝟐
𝟑
It is common practice to combine
𝟐
𝟐𝒈 𝑪 into a singe coefficient 𝐶𝑤
𝟑

called the weir factor.

 WEIR
RECTANGULAR WEIR
The general formula for a discharge
through a rectangular weir considering
velocity of approach then becomes
𝟑 𝟑
𝑸 = 𝑪𝒘 𝑳 𝑯 + 𝒉𝒗 𝟐 − 𝒉𝒗 𝟐
If the ratio H/P is sufficiently small, the
velocity of approach becomes very
small and the term ℎ𝑣 3/2 may be
neglected. The discharged formula
becomes
𝟑
𝑸 = 𝑪𝒘 𝑳 𝑯𝟐
 WEIR
RECTANGULAR WEIR
In situations where the discharge is
required the velocity of approached,
using the equation
𝟑 𝟑
𝑸 = 𝑪𝒘 𝑳 𝑯 + 𝒉𝒗 𝟐 − 𝒉𝒗 𝟐
would lead to successive trials to solve
for Q (since the velocity of approach ℎ𝑣
is function of Q). The following
simplified equation may be used:

𝟐
𝟑 𝑯
𝑸 = 𝑪𝒘 𝑳 𝑯𝟐 𝟏 + 𝑪𝟏
𝒅
 WEIR
RECTANGULAR WEIR
𝟐
𝟑 𝑯
𝑸 = 𝑪𝒘 𝑳 𝑯𝟐 𝟏 + 𝑪𝟏
𝒅

𝟑 𝑪𝟐
𝑪𝟏 = ×
𝟐 𝟐𝒈

Where d = depth of water upstream

d=H+p
 WEIR
STANDARD WEIR
The following specifications must be applied to a standard rectangular
weirs without end contractions:
1. The upstream face of the weir plate should be vertical and smooth.
2. The crest edged shall be level, shall have a square upstream corner,
and shall be narrow that the water will not touch it again after passing the
upstream corner.
3. The sides of the flume shall be vertical and smooth and shall extend a
short distance downstream past the weir crest.
4. The pressure under the nappe shall be atmospheric.
5. The approach channel shall be of uniform cross section for a sufficient
distance above the weir, or shall be provided with baffles that a normal
distribution of velocities exists in the flow approaching the weir, and the
water surface is free of waves or surges.
 WEIR
STANDARD WEIR FACTOR (Cw) FORMULAS
FRANCIS FORMULA:
Based upon the experiments on rectangular weirs from 1.07 m (3.5 ft) to
5.18 m (17 ft.) long under heads from 180 mm to 490 mm.
2
𝐻
𝐶𝑤 = 1.84 1 + 0.26 𝑆. 𝐼. 𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠
𝑑
For H/P < 0.4, the following value of 𝐶𝑤 may be used.

𝑆. 𝐼. 𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠, 𝐶𝑤 = 1.84

𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑖𝑠ℎ , 𝐶𝑤 = 3.33
 WEIR
STANDARD WEIR FACTOR (Cw) FORMULAS
REHBOCK AND CHOW FORMULA:

𝐻
𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑖𝑠ℎ 𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑡, 𝐶𝑤 = 3.27 + 0.40
𝑝

𝐻
𝑆. 𝐼. 𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑡, 𝐶𝑤 = 1.8 + 0.22
𝑃
 WEIR
STANDARD WEIR FACTOR (Cw) FORMULAS
BAZIN FORMULA:
For rectangular weirs of length from 0.5 m to 2.0 m under heads from 50
mm to 600 mm.

2
0.02161 𝐻
𝐶𝑤 = 0.5518 3.248 + 1 + 0.55
𝐻 𝑑
 Sample Problem
1. A rectangular, sharp-crested weir 15 m long with end contractions
suppressed is 1.5 m high. Determine the discharge when the head is 300
mm.
 WEIR
Contracted Rectangular Weirs
The effective length of L of a contracted weir is given by:
𝐿 = 𝐿′ − 0.1𝑁𝐻
Where L’= measure length of crest
N = number of end contraction (1 or 2)
H = measure head
 Sample Problem
2. A rectangular, sharp-crested weir with end contractions is 1.4 m long.
How high should it be placed in a channel to maintain an upstream depth of
2.35 m for a flow of 400 liters/second?
 WEIR
Triangular Weir (V-Notch)
At a very low heads, the nappe of a rectangular weir has a tendency to
adhere to its downstream face. A weir operating under such condition
would give a very inaccurate result. For very low heads, a V-notch weir
should be used if the accuracy of measurement is required. The vertex
angle 𝜃 of a V-notch weir is usually 10° to 90° but rarely larger.
 WEIR
Triangular Weir (V-Notch)
The discharge through the
differential strip is:
𝒅𝑸 = 𝒗 𝒅𝑨
𝒗= 𝟐𝒈𝒉 (𝑛𝑒𝑔𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑎𝑐ℎ)
𝒅𝑨 = 𝒙 𝒅𝒉
by similar triangles:
𝑥 𝐿
=
𝐻−ℎ 𝐻
𝑳
𝒙= (𝑯 − 𝒉)
𝑯
𝐿
𝑑𝐴 = 𝐻 − ℎ 𝑑ℎ
𝐻
 WEIR
Triangular Weir (V-Notch)
𝑑𝑄 = 𝑣 𝑑𝐴
𝑣 = 2𝑔ℎ
𝐿
𝑑𝐴 = 𝐻 − ℎ 𝑑ℎ
𝐻
𝐿
𝑑𝑄 = 2𝑔ℎ 𝐻 − ℎ 𝑑ℎ
𝐻
𝐿
𝑑𝑄 = 2𝑔 ℎ1/2 𝐻 − ℎ 𝑑ℎ
𝐻
𝐿
𝑑𝑄 = 2𝑔 𝐻ℎ1/2 − ℎ3/2 𝑑ℎ
𝐻
 WEIR
Triangular Weir (V-Notch)
𝐻
𝐿
න 𝑑𝑄 = 2𝑔 න 𝐻ℎ1/2 − ℎ3/2 𝑑ℎ
𝐻 0
𝐻
𝐿 2 3 2 5
𝑄= 2𝑔 𝐻 ℎ2 − ℎ2
𝐻 3 5 0
𝐿 2 3 2 5
𝑄= 2𝑔 𝐻 𝐻2 − 𝐻2 − 0
𝐻 3 5
𝐿 4 5
𝑄= 2𝑔 𝐻2
𝐻 15

𝟒
𝑸= 𝟐𝒈 𝑳𝑯𝟑/𝟐
𝟏𝟓
 WEIR
Triangular Weir (V-Notch)
4
𝑄𝑡 = 2𝑔 𝐿𝐻3/2
15

Actual Q = C x Qt
𝟒
𝑸= 𝑪 𝟐𝒈 𝑳𝑯𝟑/𝟐
𝟏𝟓
This equation can be used even if the side of
inclination are unequal

For triangular V – Notch weir

𝐿/2
tan 𝜃/2 =
𝐻

𝐿 = 2𝐻 tan(𝜃/2)
 WEIR
Triangular Weir (V-Notch)
4
𝑄= 𝐶 2𝑔 2 𝐻 tan(𝜃/2) 𝐻3/2
15
8
𝑄= 𝐶 2𝑔 tan(𝜃/2) 𝐻5/2
15

𝑸 = 𝑪𝒘 𝒕𝒂𝒏(𝜽/𝟐) 𝑯𝟓/𝟐

For standard 90° weir:

𝑸 = 𝟏. 𝟒 𝑯𝟓/𝟐 𝑺. 𝑰 𝑼𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒔

𝑸 = 𝟐. 𝟓𝑯𝟓/𝟐 𝑬𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉
 WEIR
Trapezoidal Sharp Crested Weir
The discharge from a trapezoidal weir is assume the same as that from a
rectangular weir and a triangular weir in combination.

𝑸 = 𝑪𝒘𝟏 𝑳𝑯𝟑/𝟐 + 𝑪𝒘𝟐 𝒁𝑯𝟓/𝟐

𝑏
Where 𝑍 = 𝑜𝑟 tan 𝜃/2
𝐻
 WEIR
CIPOLLETTI WEIR
Cipolletti weirs are trapezoidal weirs with side slope of 1 horizontal to 4
vertical. The additional area at the sides adds approximately enough
effective width of the stream to offset the side contractions.

𝑸 = 𝟏. 𝟖𝟓𝟗 𝑳𝑯𝟑/𝟐 (𝑺. 𝑰. 𝑼𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒔)

𝑸 = 𝟑. 𝟑𝟕 𝑳𝑯𝟑/𝟐 (𝑬𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝑼𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒔)
 WEIR
SUTTRO WEIR OR PROPORTIONAL FLOW WEIR
It may be noted that, in a rectangular weir, discharge varies with 3/2 power
of H and, in triangular weir, with 5/2 power of H. There exist a shape for
which the discharge varies linearly with the head, the proportional flow or
Rettger weir, also known as Suttro Weir.

𝟏
𝑸= 𝑪𝝅𝑲 𝟐𝒈 𝑯
𝟐
𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆: 𝑲 = 𝟐𝒙 𝒚
 WEIR
SUBMERGED SHARP WEIR
The discharge over a submerged sharp-crested weir is affected not only
by the head on the upstream side 𝐻1 but by the head downstream 𝐻2 . The
discharge for a submerged weir is related to the free or unsubmerged
discharge. Villemonte expressd this relationship by the equation

𝟎.𝟑𝟖𝟓
𝑸𝒔 𝑯𝟐 𝒏
= 𝟏−
𝑸 𝑯𝟏

Where n is the exponent of H in the equation

For free discharge for the shape of weir used.
For rectangular, n=3/2 and n=5/2 for triangular
weir.
 WEIR
UNSTEADY FLOW WEIR (VARIABLE HEAD)
𝐻1
𝐴𝑠 𝑑𝐻
𝑡= න
𝐻2 𝑄𝑜
If the flow is through a suppressed rectangular weir:
𝐻1
𝐴𝑠 𝑑𝐻
𝑡= න 3/2
𝐻2 𝐶𝑤 𝐿𝐻

𝐴𝑠 𝐻1 −3/2
𝑡= න 𝐻 𝑑𝐻
𝐶𝑤 𝐿 𝐻2
𝐻2
𝐴𝑠 −
1
𝑡= 2𝐻 2 𝐻1
𝐶𝑤 𝐿
 WEIR
UNSTEADY FLOW WEIR (VARIABLE HEAD)

𝟐𝑨𝒔 𝟏 𝟏
𝒕= −
𝑪𝒘 𝑳 𝑯𝟐 𝑯𝟏

Where Cw= weir factor

L = crest length
As = constant water surface area of
reservoir or tank
H1 = initial head
H2 = final head
 END OF
PRESENTATION
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