UNIVERSIDAD SAN FRANCISCO DE QUITO

COLEGIO POLITÉCNICO
ICV-0385 INGENIERÍA CIVIL HIDRÁULICA

LABORATORY #2
FLOW THROUGH WEIRS
OBJECTIVES:
 To determine the flow discharge over weirs of various geometric dimensions.
 To determine the coefficients of discharge (𝜍𝐷 ) of rectangular and triangular weirs.

APPARATUS REQUIRED:
 Hydraulic Canal Flow
 Weirs – Rectangular and triangular shape.
 Ruler or measuring tape
 Collecting tank
 Stopwatch

THEORY:
A notch or weir is a sharp-edged device used for the measurement of discharge in free surface flows.
A weir can be of different shapes – rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal etc. A triangular weir is particularly
suited for measurement of small discharges. The discharge over a weir mainly depends on the head H,
relative to the crest of the weir P, measured upstream at a distance about 3 to 4 times H from the crest.
General formula can be obtained for a symmetrical trapezoidal weir which is a combined shape of rectangular
and triangular weirs. By applying the Bernoulli Equation (conservation of energy equation) to a simplified
flow model of a symmetric trapezoidal weir, the Theoretical Discharge Qth is obtained as:

2 8 𝜃
𝑄𝑡ℎ = √2𝑔 𝐿 𝐻 3/2 + √2𝑔 tan 𝐻 5/2
3 15 2

Where H is the water head measured above the crest, θ is the angle between the side edges and L is the
bottom width of the weir. When θ = 0, this equation is reduced and applicable for rectangular weirs or when
L = 0 (no bottom width) it is applicable for triangular weirs. Hence the same equation can be also used for
both rectangular and triangular weirs by substituting corresponding values (i.e.: θ = 0 or L = 0).

If the Real Discharge Qreal is known, then coefficient of discharge CD of the weir can be expressed as:

Real Discharge Q 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙

𝜍𝑤 =
Theoretical Discharge Q 𝑡ℎ

EXPERIMENT DESCRIPTION:
In open channel hydraulics, weirs are commonly used to either regulate or to measure the volumetric
flow rate. They are of particular use in large scale situations such as irrigation schemes, canals and rivers. For
small scale applications, weirs are often referred to as notches and invariably are sharp edged and
manufactured from thin plate material. Water enters the stilling baffles which calms the flow. Then, the flow
passes into the channel and flows over a sharp-edged weir set at the other end of the channel. Water of the
channel comes in the form of a nappe is then directed into the calibrated collection tank. The volumetric flow
rate is measured by recording the time taken to collect a known volume of water in the tank. A vertical ruler

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ICV-0385 FLOW THROUGH WEIRS HIDRÁULICA

and point gauge, mounted over the channel is used to measure the head of the flow above the crest of the
weir as shown in Fig. 2.1.

FORMULAS USED:

A) RECTANGULAR WEIR B) TRIANGULAR WEIR

𝜽 𝟓/𝟐
𝑸𝒕𝒉 = 𝑳 𝑯𝟑/𝟐 𝑸𝒕𝒉 = 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝑯
𝟐

where, For angles θ = 90°, 60°, 30°, Unknown.

Length of the weir is: L = L’ - 0.1 n∙H

n is the number of contractions, and

H = head of water level above the weir.

For both cases use the following equations to determine

 Discharge Coefficient (çD)
Volume Collected
Real Discharge Q 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙 =
Time Taken

Real Discharge Q𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙

𝜍𝑤 = ;
Theoretical Discharge Q𝑡ℎ

2 8
where, 𝜍𝑤 = 𝜍𝐷 3 √2𝑔 for rectangular; 𝜍𝑤 = 𝜍𝐷 15 √2𝑔 for triangular.

PRECAUTIONS:

 Check that air is not trapped in the hose or pump before turning it on.
 Ensure water level is constant in the supply tank before taking any readings.
 Use 2 decimal digits for measurements values.
 Ensure and read initial water level reading just above the crest a distance about 3 to 4 times H.

PROCEDURE (LAB INSTRUCTIONS):

Preparation for experiment:

1. Insert the given notch into the hydraulic bench and fit tightly to prevent leakage.
2. Open the water supply and allow water until overflows over the weir. Stop water supply, let
excess water drain through weir and note the initial reading of the water level h0 using the ruler
and point gauge. Let water drain from collecting tank and shut the valve of collecting tank after
emptying the collecting tank.

Experiment steps:
3. After initial preparation, open regulating valve to increase the flow and maintain water level over
weir. Wait until flow is steady.
4. Measure the current water level h1 to find the water head H = h1 - h0 above the crest of the weir.
5. Note the piezometric reading z0 in the collecting tank while switch on the stopwatch.

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ICV-0385 FLOW THROUGH WEIRS HIDRÁULICA

6. Record the time taken T and the piezometric reading z1 in the collecting tank after allowing
sufficient water quantity of water in the collecting tank.
7. Repeat step 3 to step 6 by using different flow rate of water, which can be done by adjusting the
water supply. Measure and record the H, the time, and piezometric reading in the collecting tank
until 5 sets of data have been taken. If collecting tank is full, just empty it before the step no 3.
8. To determine the coefficient of discharge for the other weir, repeat from step 1.

After entering the readings in the Tabulation 2.1 and 2.2, compute the necessary values.

PROCEDURE (Write down your own procedure report format)

Fig 2.1: Experimental setup for determination of weir’s coefficients

H Nappe

Collecting
Tank R

Fig 2.2: Cross Sectional view of different weirs

dh dh H dh
H H

θ θ
Crest of Weir Crest of Weir
B
Crest of Weir
Weir Plate Weir Plate Weir Plate

Rectangular Weir θ = 0 Triangular Weir B = 0 Trapezoidal Weir

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ICV-0385 FLOW THROUGH WEIRS HIDRÁULICA

OBSERVATION AND COMPUTATIONS – I

A) RECTANGULAR WEIRS Fecha: ___________________
2
Area of collecting tank AT = _______________ cm Nombre: _____________________________

Tabulation 2.1: Determination of Cw for rectangular weirs.

No. THEORETICAL DISCHARGE MEASUREMENT ACTUAL DISCHARGE MEASUREMENT Cw CD

Weir Contrac- Weir TheoreticalWater Rise in Time Volume of = 0.611

Type h0 h1 H Discharge Discharge, Qreal
Length L’ tions Length L Collecting Taken Water + 0.08
𝐻
(draw) (cm) (cm) (cm) Qreal (L/s) Qth ℎ0
(cm) n (cm) 𝑄𝑡ℎ = 𝐿 𝐻 3/2 Tank R (cm) T (sec) Collected (L)

̅
Ave. 𝐶𝑤
Rectangular Weir: Average Value of CD = _______________ vs. 2 = ________________
3
√2𝑔

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ICV-0385 FLOW THROUGH WEIRS HIDRÁULICA

OBSERVATION AND COMPUTATIONS - II

B) TRIANGULAR WEIRS
Area of collecting tank AT = _______________ cm2

Tabulation 2.2: Determination of Cw for triangular weirs.

No. THEORETICAL DISCHARGE MEASUREMENT ACTUAL DISCHARGE MEASUREMENT Cw CD

Theoretical Discharge Water Rise in Volume of = 0.565
Weir h0 h1 H 𝜃 Time Taken Discharge, Qreal
Collecting Water 0.0087
Angle θ (cm) (cm) (cm) 𝑄𝑡ℎ = tan 𝐻 5/2 Tank R (cm)
T (sec)
Collected (L)
Qreal (L/s) Qth +
𝐻1/2
2
1

4
Broad Crest
5 Width B

Round Crest
6 Width B

Ave. 𝐶𝑤
Triangular Weir: Average Value of CD = _____________ vs. 8 = _____________
15
√2𝑔

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ICV-0385 FLOW THROUGH WEIRS HIDRÁULICA

RESULTS AND COMMENTS:

 Collected volume is determined by multiplying the area of the collecting tank (AT) by the water depth in
collecting tank “R”.
 Calculate the Theoretical Discharge and Real Discharge in L/s.
 The Real Discharge is calculated by dividing the collected volume by the time taken to collect such volume.
 After you have calculated all of the coefficients for each run, determine the average value for the coefficient.
 Compare the calculated coefficients vs the anticipated values of Cw and CD.
 Show a table with columns H, P, CD, and Cw; where CD is calculated with the CD equation.
 Analyze and explain the results and calculations obtained from your lab experiment.
 Examine and justify any extreme values (min. & max) in your runs. Explain causes and consequences.

GRAPH:

1. Plot Cw vs H by drawing Cw on x-axis and H on y-axis in the same graph for all the weirs.
2. Plot L vs H by drawing L on x-axis and H on y-axis for rectangular weirs.
3. Plot CD vs H by drawing CD on x-axis and H on y-axis for triangular weirs.
4. Plot Tan(/2) vs H by drawing Tan(/2) on x-axis and H on y-axis for triangular weirs.

 For each graph, plot points for each trial experiment, then fit a line for the overall tendency.
 Discuss the meaning of each graph and the tendency of each relationship.

DISCUSSION:

 Discuss assumptions of the theory applied in this lab practice.

 Discuss the accuracy of each result, numerically. Explain possible experimental errors.
 Analyze probable sources of error. Explain causes of the error and how much on consequence.

 QUESTIONS:
1) Why do we need to understand and analyze the behavior of weir flow? What are the purposes of
notches and weirs and where do you use them in the practical life?

2) Why do we need to determine the effective length L from L’? and how do you determine the number
of contractions a weir has?

3) The discharge over a weir mainly depends on the head H, relative to the crest of the weir P. Explain
why do we need to measure H at a distance about 3 to 4 times H upstream from the crest.

4) Explain why the Weir-Equation for rectangular weirs has H3/2 and for triangular weir has H5/2?

5) Compare the performance of a V-notch weir versus that of the rectangular weir.

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