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1. Introduction:
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.

2. Purpose:
To demonstrate the characteristics of flow over weirs.
To determine the 'Coefficient of Discharge' for each type of weir.

3. Apparatus:
Hydraulics Bench incorporates a weir channel. The rectangular notch weir or (V) vee notch
weir to be tested is clamped to the weir carrier
in the channel by thumb nuts.
Flow over vee notch

1. Hydraulics Bench
2. Weir channel
3. (V) Vee notch weir
4. Hook & point gauge


Fig (1): vee notch weir


2


Rectangular notch weir (Fig.2)

5. Basket of glass spheres
6. Volumetric measuring tank
7. Rectangular weir
8. Hook Gauge and Scale


Fig (2): Rectangular notch weir

There are different shapes of weirs that can be used to measure the volumetric flow rate.
These shapes with their dimension are shown in fig. 3 below.















Fig (3): Details of weirs



3


4. Theory:
a. Rectangular Weir:
A rectangular notch is a thin square edged weir plate installed in a weir channel as shown
in figure (4).




Fig (4): Rectangular Notch
Consider the flow in an element of height h at a depth h below the surface. Assuming
that the flow is everywhere normal to the plane of the weir and that the free surface remains
horizontal up to the plane of the weir, then
Velocity through element 2gh
Theoretical discharge through element uQ = v. uA = 2gh. b. uh
Integrating between h = 0 and h = H
Total theoretical discharge Q
th
= 2gh. B. uh
H
0
= B2g h
1
2
. uh
H
0

So, Q
th
=
2
3
B2gB
3
2

In practice the flow through the notch will not be parallel and therefore will not be normal
to the plane of the weir. The free surface is not horizontal and viscosity and surface tension
will have an effect. There will be a considerable change in the shape of the nappe as it
passes through the notch with curvature of the stream lines in both vertical

4

And horizontal planes as indicated in Figure (5), in particular the width of the nappe is
reduced by the contractions at each end.




Fig (5): Shape of a Nappe

The discharge from a rectangular notch will be considerably less.
time
Volume
H g B C Q C Q
d th d act

2
3
2
3
2

C
d
=
e
Intcrccpt
2
S
B2g

In British Code:

2
3
) 001 . 0 ]( 2716 . 0 5461 . 0 [ H H Q
act


Vee (Triangular) Notch:
A sharp edged triangular notch with an included angle of is shown in Figure (6).
Q
th
=
8
15
2g tan[

2
B
S
2

Q
act
= C
d
8
1S
2g tan_

2
] B
5
2

C
d
=
e
Intcrccpt
8
1S
2g tan

2


5

Fig (6): Triangular or V Notch

5. Operation:
1. FLOW
MEASUREMENT
The discharge from the weir may be measured using either the
Rotameter (if fitted) or by using the volumetric measuring tank and
taking the time required to collect a quantity of water. The time to
collect the water is at least 120 seconds to obtain a sufficiently
accurate result.
2. Measuring the
Weir Datum
head-gauge datum or gauge zero, which is defined as the gauge
reading corresponding to the level of the weir crest (rectangular
weirs) or the level of the vertex of the notch (triangular-notch weirs).
3. Measuring the
Head
The surface of the water as it approaches the weir will fall, this is
particularly noticeable at high rates of discharge caused by high
heads. To obtain an accurate measure of the undisturbed water level
above the crest of the weir it is necessary to place the hook gauge at
a distance at least three times the head.

6. Experimental Procedure:
1. Place the flow stilling basket of glass spheres into the left end of the weir channel and
attach the hose from the bench regulating valve to the inlet connection into the stilling
basket.
2. Place the specific weir plate which is to be tested first and hold it using the five thumb
nuts. Ensure that the square edge of the weir faces upstream.
3. Start the pump and slowly open the bench regulating valve until the water level reaches
the crest of the weir and measure the water level to determine the datum level Hzero.
4. Adjust the bench regulating valve to give the first required head level of approximately
10mm. Measure the flow rate using the volumetric tank or the rotameter. Observe the
shape of the nappe.
5. Increase the flow by opening the bench regulating valve to set up heads above the
datum level in steps of approximately 10mm until the regulating valve is fully open.
At each condition measure the flow rate and observe the shape of the nappe.

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6. Close the regulating valve, stop the pump and then replace the weir with the next weir
to be tested. Repeat the test procedure.

7. Results and Analysis:
a. Record the results on a copy of the results sheet. Record any observations of the shape
and type of nappe paying particular attention to whether the nappe was clinging or
sprung clear, and of the end contraction and general change in shape.
b. Plot a graph of loge (Q) against loge (H) for each weir. Measure the slopes and the
intercepts.
From the intercept calculate the coefficients of discharge and from the slopes of the
graphs confirm that the index is approximately 1.5 for the rectangular weir and 2.5 for
the triangular weirs.
c. Compare the results with those predicted using the empirical formula for rectangular
weir in British Standard BS3680.


Vee notch ( =90)
Trail H (m) V(m3) t (sec)
uct.
ln
uct..
ln H
1 0.021 0.011 128.9 8.53375E-05 -9.3688 -3.863
2 0.0245 0.015 124.28 0.000120695 -9.0222 -3.709
3 0.0285 0.024 127.33 0.000188487 -8.5765 -3.558
4 0.033 0.035 128.53 0.00027231 -8.2085 -3.411
Table (1): Results for Triangle

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As shown in Fig () the intercept = 0.676 , then
Cd = 0.832

Rectangular notch (B = 100 mm)
Trails H (m) V(m3) t (sec)
uct.
ln
uct.
.
thco.
. ln H
1 0.0085 0.006 162.08 3.7E-05 -10.204 0.00023 -4.768
2 0.0125 0.01 134.4 7.4E-05 -9.506 0.00041 -4.382
3 0.02 0.023 158.3 0.00015 -8.839 0.00084 -3.912
4 0.026 0.027 123.77 0.00022 -8.431 0.00124 -3.649

Table (2): Results for Rectangle
y = 2.605x + 0.676
-10
-9.5
-9
-8.5
-8
-7.5
-7
-4 -3.8 -3.6 -3.4 -3.2 -3
l
n

_
(
o
c
t
.
)
.
ln H
FIG (7): Triangle
y = 1.5637x - 2.7121
-10.5
-10
-9.5
-9
-8.5
-8
-5 -4.8 -4.6 -4.4 -4.2 -4 -3.8 -3.6 -3.4 -3.2 -3
l
n

_
(
o
c
t
.
)
ln H
FIG (8):Rectangle

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As shown in Fig () the intercept = -2.7121 , then
Cd = 0.225

8. Comments:
We find some error, because the slope which we get differs of the expected slope by little
amount.
Errors founded and may be affected on a results in the experiment due to many reasons
listed below:
1. Zero error: If the setup reading isnt zero at zero load.
2. Human error: if the experimenter red the outputs and calculate incorrectly.

It is recommended to make sure that there is no zero error. And it should to the
experimenter to see and analysis the changes of parameters during the experiment
by engineering sense and make comments.