INTRODUCTION

Weirs are the overflow structure that is built across open channels to measure the
volumetric rate of water flow. The crest of a measurement weir is usually perpendicular to the
direction of flow. There are some general terms used to weirs which are notch (the opening
which water flows through), crest (the edge which water flows over), nappe (the overflowing
sheet of water) and length (the width of the weir 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.

There are a few types of weirs such as sharp-crested weir and broad-crested weir. Weirs is
normally been identified by the shape of their opening or their notch. For sharp-crested weir,
these weirs has sharp upstream corner or edge such that the water springs clear of the crest. The
most frequently weirs used are sharp-crested rectangular, trapezoidal, Cipoletti and triangular or
90 V-notch weirs. The weir plate thickness should be from 0.03 to 0.08 inches at the crest edges.
The weir plate may be beveled at the crest edges so that it can achieve the necessary thickness.
For rectangular weir, it is able to measure higher flows than the v-notch weir and over a wider
operating range. For V-notch, it is a notch with a V shape opening. V-notch weir typically used to
measure low flows within a narrow operating range.

Different from sharp-crested weir, the broad-crested weir has a horizontal or nearly
horizontal crest sufficiently long in the direction of flow so that the nappe will be supported and
hydrostatic pressures will be fully developed for at least a short distance. Some weirs are not
sharp nor broad-crested but they can be calibrated for flow measurement.

Weirs are commonly used to regulate or to measure the volumetric flow rate in open
channel hydraulics. Normally, it is practically used in large scale situations such as canals, rivers
and irrigation schemes. For small scale applications, weirs are often referred to as notches and
invariably are sharp edged and manufactured from thin plate material.
 It can be designed as suppressed weir or contracted weir. Suppressed weir is rectangular
weir whose the notch (opening) sides are coincident with the sides of the approach channel and
also rectangular which extend unchanged downstream from the weir. The flow is laterally flow
contraction. For contracted weir, the sides and crest of a weir are far away from the sides and
bottom of the approach channel. The nappe will fully contract laterally at the ends and vertically
at the crest of the weir. The other name of contracted weir is unsuppressed weir. For this weir, the
calibration is slightly more complex than for a suppressed weir.

There are a few units that mould at the bench top of the Hydraulics Bench such as
connector, stifling baffle (to ensure minimum turbulence, will act as a reservoir to collect water
volume and slowly disperse the water from the opening at the bottom of the stilling baffle.) and
inlet nozzle (promote smooth flow conditions in the channel, Vernier hook, point gauge and
rectangular or V notch weir.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this experiment are:

1. to determine the flow characteristics demonstration over a rectangular notch and a (V) notch.

2. to determine of the discharge coefficients, Cd.

THEORY

Weirs are the overflow structure that is built across open channels to demonstrate the
characteristics of flow over weirs and to determine the 'Coefficient of Discharge' for each type of
weir. There are two type of weirs that is mainly used for experiment purpose that is rectangular
weir and V-notch weir.

For rectangular weir, it is a weir that able to measure higher flows compared to the V-
notch weir and also over a wider operating range. This type of weir is used in practice to measure
small free-surface flows.

From application of the Bernoulli equation we get the equation below relating the height of fluid
above the weir crest and the weir width to the flow over the weir.

2
Q=Cd B 2 g H 3 /2
3

Where :

Cd = Coefficient of discharge
B = Width of notch
H= Head above bottom of notch
 Q =Flow rate

2
Cd B 2 g
As 3 is constant, a graph of Q against H3/2 would be a straight line intercepting the

2
Cd B 2 g
Q axis at 0 with gradient 3 . To examine the accuracy of the experiment the gradient

of the graph can be compared with the theoretical value. See the figure below:

It also can be look at the experimental value of the exponent. Taking logs of equation gives

Thus a plot of log Q against log H gives a straight line of gradient 3/2 which intercepts the log Q

2
Cd B 2 g
axis at log 3 .

See the figure below:

 For V- notch
weir, the weir is a notch
with a V shape opening. V-notch weir is typically used to measure low flows within a narrow
operating range.

V-notch weir implies this equation for calculation:

8
Q=Cd 2 g tan H 5/ 2
15 2

Where :

Cd = Coefficient of discharge
/2= Half the enclosed angle the vee.

H = Head above bottom of notch

Calculate Q2/5 and determine Cd value and then plot the graph Q 2/5 against H and determine Cd
value from the slope of the graph. Lastly, determine whether the C d value constant for this notch
or not.