DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment

#FLOW OVER WEIRS

ITEMOGENG.B. BABE
(218002346)

Hydraulics Machines 2B

B. ENG TECH (BENG(TECH))

Engineering: Mechanical
DATE: 28 October 2020
Table of contents:
Titles Page number
1. Abstract……………………………………………………........3
2. Introduction/Theory………………………………………….....3
3. Objectives……………………………………………………....3
4. Assumptions……………………………………………………3-4
5. Equipment………………………………………………………4
6. Procedure……………………………………………………….4-5
7. Results………………………………………………………......5-6
8. Analysis of results………………………………………………6
8.1. Rectangular weir……………………………………………6-7
8.2.Table for rectangular notch………………………………….7
8.3.Vee notch weir………………………………………………7-8
8.4. Table for Vee notch…………………………………………8
9. Discussion………………………………………………………...9
10. Conclusion………………………………………………………..9
11. Recommendations……………………………………………......9-10
12. Questions to answer………………………………………………10
13. References………………………………………………………...11
14. Appendix………………………………………………………….12

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 1. Abstract:
This experiment was conducted to observe the characteristics over a rectangular notch and a
triangular notch. The discharge coefficient, Cd of the fluid flow was also determined by
calculations. The experiment was done using a triangular and a rectangular notch. At first the
reading of the water level in the tank was recorded and then the depth of water with different height
was tested by recording the time taken to collect 5L of water which is used to determine the flow
rate of the flow. The graphs plotted, were to analyze the characteristics of the flow. Based on the
graph plotted for rectangular notch, it was observed that there is a decrease in the discharge
coefficient, Cd before it finally reaches a constant value.

2. Introduction/ theory:
The depth of water above the base of a weir is related to the flow rate through it; therefore, the
weir can be used as a flow measuring device. The relationships of flow over weirs can be obtained
by applying the energy equation from a point well upstream of the weir to a point just above the
weir crest. This approach requires several assumptions, and it yields the following results (Applied
fluid mechanics lab manual, n.d).
Rectangular weir;
3 𝑄𝑡
Cd= 2 × 3
𝑏√(2𝑔)𝐻 2

For vee weir:

3. Objective:
To determine the characteristics of open channel flow over a rectangular notch and vee notch.
To determine values of the discharge co-efficient for both notches.

4. Assumptions:
The flow is constant, steady and uniform.
The roughness of the wetted surface of the channel and thus the friction coefficient is constant.
The channel is sufficiently wide so that the end effects are negligible.
Velocity of the fluid approaching the weir is small so that kinetic energy can be neglected.
The velocity depends only on the depth below the free surface.

5. Equipment:
F1-10 Hydraulics Bench, F1- 13 Stifling Baffle

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F1-13 Rectangular and Vee Notches, Vernier Height Gauge, Stopwatch, Spirit Level

Figure 9.1: Hydraulics bench and weir apparatus

6. Procedure:
• Ensure that the hydraulic bench is positioned so that its surface is horizontal.
• Mount the rectangular notch plate into the flow channel and position the stifling
baffle as shown in the diagram.
• Position the instrument carrier the opposite way around from that shown in the
diagram.
• Then lower the gauge until the point is above the notch base and lock the coarse
adjustment screw.
• After that, use the fine adjustment screw to position the gauge until the point just
touches the notch bottom and then take the readings. Pay attention to the notch so
that it does not get destroyed.
• Mount the instrument carrier as shown in the diagram and then locate it
approximately just in between the stifling baffle and the notch plate.
• Then open the bench control valve and admit water to the channel, adjust valve to
give approximately 10mm depth above the notch base.

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 • The coefficient of discharge values can be determined from measurements of the
height of the free surface of water above the notch base and corresponding
volume flow rate.
• For accurate height gauge readings, fine adjustment is used to lower the gauge
until the point just touches its reflection.
• Determine the volume flow rate by measuring the time required to collect a
known volume of water in the volumetric tank.
• Take the readings twice to ensure consistency.
• Repeat the procedure for different flow rates increasing depth by approximately
10mm until the water level reaches the top of the notch.
• Use the vee notch and repeat again. For the vee notch, work in 5 to 6 mm
increments.
7. Results:
Reading table 1: Rectangular Notch

Time for
Datum Height Water level Volume Collected
collection

h0 h V t
(mm) (mm) (L) (s)
17 5 51
82 22 5 31
27 5 25

Plate Height:78 mm

Reading table 2: Vee Notch

Time for
Datum Height Water level Volume Collected
collection

h0 h V t

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 (mm) (mm) (L) (s)
17 5 122
40.6 22 5 57
27 5 35

8. Analysis of results:

8.1.Rectangular weir
5l= 5×10^-3 𝑚3 , t=51s
Volume flow rate, Qt
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑
= 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛
5×10^−3
= =9.804×10^-5 𝑚3 /𝑠
51
H=h-ℎ𝑜 = 82-17= 65mm
Flow rate, Qt= 9.804×10^-5 𝑚3 /𝑠
Discharge coefficient, Cd
3 𝑄𝑡
Cd= 2 × 3
𝑏√(2𝑔)𝐻 2

3 9.804×10^−5
=2× 3
(0.03)√(2∗9.81)0.0652

= 0.067
Theoretical discharge coefficient:
Q= m𝐻 𝑛 , n=1.5
𝑄
m= 𝐻 2.5

= 5.906×10^-3
𝑚
Cd= 2
×√2𝑔×(𝑏)
3

5.906×10^−3
=2
×√2×9.81×(0.03)
3

= 0.067
8.2.Table for rectangular notch:

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 Datum Water level H (m) Flow rate 3 Experimental Theoretical
𝐻2
Height h (𝑚3 /𝑠) Cd Cd
h0 (m) (m)
0.017 0.065 9.804×10^-5 0.0166 0.067 0.067
0.082 0.022 0.06 1.613×10^-4 0.0147 0.124 0.124
0.027 0.055 2×10^-4 0.0129 0.175 0.175

8.3.Vee notch weir:

5l= 5×10^-3 𝑚3 , t=122s

H=h-ℎ𝑜 = 40.6-17= 23.6 mm

Discharge coefficient, Cd
15 𝑄𝑡
Cd= × 5
8 ∅
tan √(2𝑔)𝐻 2
2

15 4.098×10^−5
= × 5
8 89.15
tan √(2∗9.81)0.02362
2

= 0.206
Theoretical discharge coefficient:
Q= m𝐻 𝑛 , n=2.5
𝑄
m= 𝐻 2.5

= 0.479
𝑚
Cd= 8 ∅
×√2𝑔×tan
15 2

0.479
= 8 89.15
×√2×9.81×tan
15 2

= 0.206
Percentage error% = (0.206-0.206)/0.206=0%
8.4.Table for Vee notch:
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 Water H (m) Flow rate 5 Experimental Theoretical
Datum 𝐻2
level (𝑚3 /𝑠) Cd Cd
Height
h
h0 (m)
(m)
0.017 0.0236 4.098×10^-5 8.56×10^-5 0.206 0.206
0.0406 0.022 0.0186 8.772×10^-5 4.72×10^-5 0.799 0.799
0.027 0.0136 1.43×10^-4 2.157×10^-5 2.85 2.85

flow rate vs H^(3/2)

20
flow rate ×10^-5

15

10

0
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
H^(3/2)

Figure 1:flow rate vs H^(3/2) for rectangular notch

flow rate vs H^(5/2)

10
8
6
4
2
0
0 2 4 6 8 10
H^(5/2)×10^-5

Figure 2: flow rate vs H^(5/2) for Vee notch

9. Discussion:
The results above show the calculations performed for rectangular and vee notch; the volume
collected remains the same. For rectangular notch, as time for collection was decreasing the water

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level was increased. As the head of a weir increases the flow rate were decreasing, it can be
observed from the graphs computed above. As the flow rate increases, the discharge coefficient
increases however when calculating the theoretical discharge coefficient, the values are the same
as the one of the experimental and the percentage error is 0 which actually does not make sense
because in the experiment there are factors that contributes or influence inaccuracy in readings.
The results might be affected by maybe the theoretical discharge coefficient equation used or the
time when calculating the head of the weir. These results of percentage error obtained, may results
from the theoretical equation used or the line of the graph when drawing the best fit to obtain the
linear equation.

10.Conclusion:
As a conclusion for this experiment, it is concluded that the discharge coefficient for the triangular
weir is higher/lower than rectangular weir. This is due to the shape of the weir itself and the size
of the space for the water to flow through the weir. The relationship between the head of the weir
and the discharge of the water over the weir is directly proportional. However, the calculation for
percentage error shows no difference between the theoretical and experimental values. The
experiment was successfully conducted, and the aim/objectives of the experiment was achieved
but due to other results obtained such as percentage error still needs investigation.

11.Recommendations:
For the experiment to be successful and to obtain accurate readings or results, the following should
be considered:
The apparatus should be checked before starting with the experiment. More type of weirs should
be introduced in order to see more variations in terms of shapes, discharge coefficient and depth
of the water. Ensure that the apparatus is not vibrating that could cause inaccuracy of the results
obtained. Ensure the needle point is in zero positioning before setting the initial depth of water.
When changing the weir, the screw must be tight to avoid any leakage while the water flows.

12.QUESTIONS TO ANSWER:
1. Compare your results to theory
a) The results are compared between experimental and theoretical values, the percentage
errors are also computed from those results and discussed the factors that could affect the
results.
2. What are the limitations of theory?
a) The limitations of theory are that you required to obtain the theoretical values by drawing
the line of the best fit from the graphs that have been drawn to form a linear equation to find
the slope and also the information about the theory is not sufficient to use it to find solutions
to the problem. Other limitations are that is it supposed to be level so that the force that is only
acting on the water is gravitational force. There should be a steady/constant flow and constant
pressure also. The theory states that there should be a minimum height of water above the notch

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 any heights below this, start to deviate from theory at an increasing rate. The relationship
between the head of the weir and the discharge of the water over the weir is directly
proportional. The lower flow rates produce lower heights above the notch creating larger
changes from the theoretical equations (Syahiirah, 2015)
3. Would you expect wider variations of Cd at lower flow rates?
a) At lower flow rates, the coefficient discharge might depend on the type of notch, but for
rectangular notch it shows a wide variation. As this is due to the difference in values of the
head that is in wide range and for vee-notch, the values of coefficient discharge at low flow
rate are not in wide variations. As this was due to the low height. Cd depends on the flow
rate and the head above the notch. It is noted that the head affects the flow rate of water.
The relationship between the head of the weir and the discharge of the water over the weir
is directly proportional. Besides other factors, temperature variations influence the fluid
properties such as viscosity.

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 13.References:
a) Applied fluid mechanics lab manual, (n.d). “EXPERIMENT #9: FLOW OVER WEIRS”.
Available from: https://uta.pressbooks.pub/appliedfluidmechanics/chapter/experiment-9/.
Accessed date: 05 October 2020.
b) Figure 3: c and k vs notch angle (n.d). available from;Accessed date: 26 October 2020
c) Tutorbin. (n.d).” LAB #5 DISCHARGE OVER WEIRS”. Available from:
https://tutorbin.com/static/img/qs_ans/LAB%20REPORT%20-
%20Discharge%20over%20Weirs.pdf. Accessed date: 26 October 2020.
d) Syahiirah, N. (2015). “CHE241 - Lab Report Solteq Flow Over Weirs FM26 (2015)”.
Available from:
https://www.academia.edu/18747051/CHE241_Lab_Report_Solteq_Flow_Over_Weirs_
FM26_2015_. Accessed date: 25 October 2020

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 14.Appendix:

Figure: (a) Triangular weir, (b) Rectangular weir

Figure 3: c and k vs notch angle

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