SOLTEQ

EQUIPMENT FOR ENGINEERING EDUCATION

EXPERIMENTAL MANUAL

FLOW OVER WEIRS

MODEL: FM 26

SOLUTION ENGINEERING SDN. BHD.

NO.3, JALAN TPK 2/4, TAMAN PERINDUSTRIAN KINRARA,

47100 PUCHONG, SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN, MALAYSIA.
TEL: 603-80758000 FAX: 603-80755784
E-MAIL: solution@solution.com.my
WEBSITE: www.solution.com.my
425-1210-FM

SOLTEQ Flow Over Weirs (MODEL: FM26)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1.0

INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................... 1

2.0

GENERAL DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................... 2

2.1 Description................................................................................................................. 2
2.2 Experimental Capabilities .......................................................................................... 2
2.3 Specifications ............................................................................................................ 2
2.4 Requirements ............................................................................................................ 3
2.5 Manual....................................................................................................................... 3

3.0

SUMMARY OF THEORY .................................................................................................. 4

3.1 Flow Over Weirs ........................................................................................................ 4
3.2 Types of Weirs........................................................................................................... 4

4.0

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES .................................................................................... 6

4.1 Objectives .................................................................................................................. 6
4.2 General Start-up Procedures .....................................................................................
4.3 General Shut-down Procedures ................................................................................
4.4 Experiment 1: Flow Characteristics over Weirs .........................................................

APPENDIX A
APPENDIX B

EXPERIMENTAL DATA SHEETS

TYPICAL EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS

SOLTEQ Flow Over Weirs (MODEL: FM26)

1.0

INTRODUCTION
The Flow over Weirs (FM26) apparatus comes with two weirs plates of different shape
(rectangular notch & V-notch), thus allowing familiarization and comparison with the theory.
The unit consists of the following used in conjunction with the flow channel in the moulded
bench top of the Hydraulics Bench:
a) A quick release connector in the base of the channel is unscrewed and a delivery nozzle
screwed in its place
b) A stifling baffle locates in the slots in the walls of the channel. The inlet nozzle and
stifling baffle in combination promote smooth flow conditions in the channel.
c) A Vernier hook and a point gauge are mounted on an instrument carrier which is located
on the side channels of the moulded top. The carrier may be moved along the channels to
the required measurement position.
d) The rectangular notch weir or (V) notch weir to be tested is clamped to the weir carrier
in the channel by thumb nuts. The weir plates incorporate captive studs to aid assembly.

SOLTEQ Flow Over Weirs (MODEL: FM26)

2.0

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
2.1

Description

The Flow over Weirs Apparatus is customly designed and developed to provide student
comprehensive understanding water flowing over weirs. The Flow over Weirs Apparatus
will enable student to understand the relationship between coefficient of discharge, width of
notch, height and flow rates.
A weir may be defined as an overflow structure built across an open channel. The structure
act as an obstruction is designed and calibrated to measure the rate of open channels flow.
The Flow over Weirs apparatus is experimented with the aids of a hydraulic bench.

3
4

8
1. Stilling Baffle
2. Vernier
3. Hook
4. Weir plate (V or rectangular)

2.2

5. Hydraulic Bench (FM 110)

6. Flow control valve
7. Water channel
8. Sump tank

Experimental Capabilities

Flow characteristics demonstration over a rectangular notch and a (V) notch.

Determination of the discharge coefficients.

2.3

Specifications
The Flow over Weirs Apparatus comes complete with the followings:
Weirs Plates:
Height
Width

: 160mm
: 230mm
2

SOLTEQ Flow Over Weirs (MODEL: FM26)

Thickness

: 4mm

Rectangular Notch:
Height
: 82mm
Width
: 30mm
V-Notch:
Angle
: 90
Hook and point gauge : 0 to 150mm, 0.1mm
2.4

Requirements
Hydraulics Bench (FM 110)

2.5

Manual
The unit is supplied with Operating and Experiment Manuals in English giving full
descriptions of the unit, summary of theory, experimental procedures and typical
experimental results.

SOLTEQ Flow Over Weirs (MODEL: FM26)

3.0

SUMMARY OF THEORY
3.1

Flow over Weirs

Investigations of weir flows aim at studying the relation between the discharge
coefficient and the parameters influencing the flow.
Weirs are hydraulic structures consisting of an obstruction placed across a water
channel with a specially shaped opening or notch. The weir structure will increase
the water level, which will be measured. Water level-discharge relationships are
available for standard-shaped openings or notches.
Two types of weirs are widely used: Rectangular shape opening and (V) notch are
used in experiment of flow over weirs.
Stilling baffle is used to ensure minimum turbulence. The stilling baffle will act as a
reservoir to collect water volume and slowly disperse the water from the opening at
the bottom of the stilling baffle.

3.2

Types of Weirs
Rectangular Weir:
The rectangular weir is able to measure higher flows than the v-notch weir and
over a wider operating range.
B, 30mm

89mm

Where

2
= Cd B 2 g H 2
3

Cd
B
H
Q

= Coefficient of discharge
= Width of notch
= Head above bottom of notch
=Flow rate

V-Notch:
The V-notch weir is a notch with a V shape opening. V-notch weir typically used to
measure low flows within a narrow operating range.

SOLTEQ Flow Over Weirs (MODEL: FM26)

90
50mm

Q
Where

Cd

2
H

2 g tan H 2
15
2
= Coefficient of discharge

= Cd

= Half the enclosed angle the vee.

= Head above bottom of notch

SOLTEQ Flow Over Weirs (MODEL: FM26)

4.0

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES
4.1

Objectives
1. Flow characteristics demonstration over a rectangular notch and a (V) notch.
2. Determination of the discharge coefficients.

4.2

General Start-up Procedures

1. Make sure the hydraulic bench pump is securely connected.
2. Ensure the collection tank drain valve is left OPEN to allow flow discharge
back into sump tank.
3. Set up the flow over weirs apparatus on the hydraulic bench.
4. Ensure thumb nuts are securing the rectangular notch weir plate is fully
secured.
Note: Weirs notch have sharp edges. Take safety precautions while installing and
changing weirs notch.

4.3

Experiment 1: Flow Characteristics over Weirs

1. Level the weir apparatus on the hydraulic bench and install the rectangular
notch weir.
2. Slowly open the hydraulic bench flow control valve to admit water to the
channel until the water discharges over the weir plate. Ensure that the water
level is even with the crest of the weir.
3. Close flow control valve and allow water level to stabilize.
4. Set the Vernier Gauge to a datum reading using the top of the hook. Position
the gauge about half way between the notch plate and stilling baffle.
5. Admit water to the channel. Adjust the water flow by using the hydraulic bench
flow control valve to obtain heads (H).
6. Wait for water flow condition to stabilize, take heads readings in every
increasing of about 1 cm.
7. Repeat step 4 and 5 for different flow rate.
8. Take readings of volume and time using the volumetric tank to determine flow
rate.
9. After finish with rectangular notch, replace the notch with v-notch.
10. Record the results in the tables.
Discussions:
Rectangular Notch
1. Tabulate recorded flow rates and heights.
2. Calculate Q2/3, Log H, Log Q and H/B.
3. Determine coefficient of discharge, Cd.
4. Plot graph Q2/3 against H, Log Q against Log H and Cd against H
5. Is Cd value constant for this notch?
6. Estimate an average value of Cd for the range of the test.
7. Is Q & H relationship be describe by an empirical formula Q = kHn? If yes, find
the values of K and n.

SOLTEQ Flow Over Weirs (MODEL: FM26)

V-Notch
1. Tabulate recorded flow rates and height.
2. Calculate Q2/5 and determine Cd value.
3. Plot graph Q2/5 against H and determine Cd value from the slope of the graph.
4. Is Cd value constant for this notch?
Note:
It is advisable to prevent damage to the knife edge of weir plate. A small head will
be present due to meniscus at the water which will result in a slight error. However,
use of this technique should be eliminate damage to the notches
4.4

General Shut Down Procedures

1. Shut hydraulic bench flow control valve and close water supply
2. Empty the residue water from channel and sump tank by ensuring the drain
tank valve is left open.

SOLTEQ Flow Over Weirs (MODEL: FM26)

APPENDIX A
EXPERIMENTAL DATA SHEETS

SOLTEQ Flow Over Weirs (MODEL: FM26)

Experiment 1:
Volume Height,
(L)
H (m)

Time (s)
T1
T2
T3

Average
Time (s)

Flow Rate, Q
(m3/s)

Log H

Q2/3

Log Q

Cd

Rectangular
Notch

Volume Height,
(L)
H (m)
V-Notch

Time (s)
T1
T2
T3

Average
Time (s)

Flow Rate, Q
(m3/s)

Q2/5

Cd

H/B

SOLTEQ Flow Over Weirs (MODEL: FM26)

APPENDIX B
TYPICAL EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS

SOLTEQ Flow Over Weirs (MODEL: FM26)

Experiment 1:
Volume
(L)
3
Rectangular
3
Notch
3
3
3

Height,
H (m)
0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.05

Time (s)
T2
26.09
13.34
7.74
5.05
3.50

Average
Time (s)
26.42
13.45
7.51
5.10
3.66

T3
26.84
13.56
7.45
5.56
3.69

Log H

Log Q

Q2/3

Cd

H/B

-2
-1.7
-1.5
-1.4
-1.3

-3.94
-3.65
-3.40
-3.23
-3.09

0.00234
0.00368
0.00542
0.00702
0.00875

1.28
0.89
0.87
0.83
0.83

0.333
0.667
1.000
1.333
1.667

Rectangular
Notch

V-Notch

T1
26.34
13.45
7.34
4.69
3.80

Volume
(L)
3
3
3
3

V-Notch

Height,
H (m)
0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04
Flow Rate, Q
(m/s)
0.00005
0.00013
0.00033
0.00069

T1
63.00
23.44
9.35
4.41

Time (s)
T2
69.00
23.23
9.18
4.12

Q2/5
0.0183
0.0277
0.0406
0.0545

T3
66.60
23.86
8.50
4.44

Flow Rate, Q
(m/s)
0.00011
0.00022
0.00040
0.00059
0.00082

Average
Time (s)
66.20
23.51
9.01
4.32

Cd
1.92
0.95
0.90
0.92

Note: The first reading may give a higher coefficient of discharge due to the water surface tension.

SOLTEQ Flow Over Weirs (MODEL: FM26)

Rectangular Notch

SOLTEQ Flow Over Weirs (MODEL: FM26)

V-Notch