UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN KIMIA

THERMOFLUID LABORATORY
(CGE 536)
NAME

: MUHAMMAD HAILMI BIN MOHD ZAINI (2015834108)

NURFARAHAIN BINTI ABU BAKAR (2015872636)
WAN MUHAMMAD HAFIDZ BIN WAN ALIAS (2015673932)
ZAFIRAH BINTI ZAIDI (2015655806)

EXPERIMENT
DATE PERFORMED
SEMESTER
PROGRAMME/ CODE
GROUP

: FLOW OVER WEIRS

: 13 May 2016
: 03
: EH2433A
: GROUP 5

No
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

Remarks:

Title
Abstract/ Summary
Introduction
Aims/ Objectives
Theory
Apparatus
Procedure
Result
Calculations
Discussion
Conclusions
Recommendations
References
Appendices
TOTAL

Allocated Marks %
5
5
5
5
5
10
10
10
20
10
5
5
5
100

Marks

2
Checked by:
TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0

ABSTRACT.........................................................................................................................3

2.0

INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................4

3.0

OBJECTIVES.......................................................................................................................5

4.0

THEORY..............................................................................................................................6

5.0

APPARATUS......................................................................................................................10

6.0

PROCEDURES..................................................................................................................11

7.0

RESULT..............................................................................................................................12

8.0

CALCULATIONS..............................................................................................................13

9.0

DISCUSSIONS...................................................................................................................16

10.0

CONCLUSION...................................................................................................................17

11.0

RECOMMENDATIONS....................................................................................................17

12.0

REFERENCES...................................................................................................................17

13.0

APPENDICES....................................................................................................................17

3
1.0

ABSTRACT
The purpose of this experiment is to demonstrate the characteristics of flow over weirs
and to determine the discharge coefficient of a rectangular weir and a V-notch weir. The
rectangular notch is installed and water is discharged over the weir plate. As the water
level is even with the crest of the weir, it is at the datum line. After the water level is
stabilized, it is raised 1 cm subsequently until the water overflow. The time is taken for
every 3 L to determine its flow rate. The rectangular weir is capable in measuring higher
flows than the V-notch weir and has a larger operating range. While for V-notch, it is used
to measure lower flows within a smaller operating range. The discharge coefficient of
weirs depends mainly on the curvature of the streamlines. For the rectangular weir, the
coefficient of discharge (Cd) is directly proportional to the relative head (H/B) at a
constant value of discharge. For V-notch weir, the coefficient of discharge is directly
proportional to the relative head. Decreases in angle is more effective on discharge
coefficient value than the increase in head.

4
2.0

INTRODUCTION
The Flow over Weirs (FM26) apparatus comes with two weirs plates of different shape
which is rectangular weir and V-notch. The unit consists of a quick release connector in
the base of the channel which unscrewed and a delivery nozzle screwed in its place and a
stifling baffle locates in the walls of the channel. Combination of inlet nozzle and stifling
baffle give smooth flow conditions in the channel. It is also contain Vernier hook and a
point gauge that 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. The rectangular weir or V-notch weir to be tested is
clamped to the weir carrier in the channel by thumb nuts. The Flow over Weirs Apparatus
is custom designed and developed to provide student with comprehensive understanding
of 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 Flow over Weirs apparatus is experimented with the aids of a hydraulic bench.

Figure 2.1 Flow over weirs (FM26) hydraulic bench

5
Weirs are the overflow structure that is built across open channel hydraulics to
measure the volumetric water flowrate. Normally, it is practically used in large scale
situations such as canals, rivers and irrigation schemes. 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.
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.
The most frequently weirs used are sharp-crested rectangular, trapezoidal,
Cipoletti and triangular or 90 V-notch weirs. Rectangular weir is able to measure higher
flowrate than the v-notch weir and typically used to measure flowrate within wider
operating range while for V-notch is used 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.
3.0

OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this experiment are:
To demonstrate the characteristics of flow over weirs.
To determine the 'Coefficient of Discharge' for each type of weir.

6
4.0

THEORY
4.1

Flow over weir

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 that widely used in this experiment of
flow over weirs are rectangular shape opening and V-notch.

4.2

Types of weir
4.2.1

Rectangular Weir
A rectangular notch is a thin square edged weir plate installed in a weir
channel as shown in figure 4.1.

Figure 4.1 Rectangular Weir

The rectangular weir is able to measure higher flows than the v-notch weir
and 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.

Where

As

Cd

Q
Cd
B
H
Q
2
B 2 g
3

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

is constant, a graph of Q against H3/2 would be a

2
straight line intercepting the Q axis at 0 with gradient Cd 3 B 2 g . To
examine the accuracy of the experiment, the gradient of the graph can be
compared with the theoretical value as 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
2
which intercepts the log Q axis at log Cd 3 B 2 g as figure below.

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 and horizontal planes as indicated in figure
4.2, in particular the width of the nappe is reduced by the contractions at each
end.

Figure 4.2 Shape of a Nappe

4.2.2

V-Notch
A sharp edged triangular notch with an included angle of

is shown in

Figure 4.3

Figure 4.3 Triangular or 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. Vnotch weir implies this equation for calculation as below.

Where

Q
Cd

=
= Coefficient of discharge

10

5.0

= Half the enclosed angle the v shape.

= Head above bottom of notch

APPARATUS
The apparatus used is Hydraulic Bench (FM 110) which incorporates a weir channel. The
rectangular notch weir and V-notch weir to be tested is clamped to the weir carrier in the
channel by thumb nuts.

Figure 5.1 Vernier Scale

11
Rectangular
weir

Stilling baffle
V-notch
weir
Figure 5.2 Samples of weirs and baffle

12
6.0

PROCEDURES
1

The weir apparatus on the hydraulic bench was levelled and the rectangular notch

weir was installed

The hydraulic bench flow control was opened slowly to admit water to the channel
until the water discharges over the weir plate. The water level was ensured that it was

3
4

even with the crest of the weir

Flow control valve was closed and water level is allowed to stabilize
Vernier Gauge is set to a datum reading using the top of the hook. The gauge position

was about half way between the notch plate and stilling baffle.
Water was admitted into the channel. The water flow was adjusted by using the

hydraulic bench flow control valve to obtain heads (H)

The water flow condition is waited until it stabilized then the head readings was taken

7
8

in every increasing of about 1cm

Step 4 and 5 was repeated for different flow rate
Reading of volume and time is taken using the volumetric tank in order to determine

flow rate.
9 The experiment was repeated by replacing rectangular notch with V-notch
10 The results were recorded in the tables.

13
7.0

RESULT
a

Rectangular notch

Volume (L)

Height (m)

3
3
3
3
3
3
3

0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.05
0.06
0.07

Log H
-2.00
-1.70
-1.52
-1.40
-1.30
-1.22
-1.15

Time (s)
T1

19.9
Log Q10.6
6.8
-3.82 5.1
-3.55 3.8
-3.35 3.6
-3.24 2.9
-3.12
-3.07
-2.99

T2

T3

20.5
19.8
2/3 11.2
10.0
Q
6.5
6.8
5.0
0.00282 5.5
4.2
0.00428 4.0
3.6
0.00587 3.4
3.0
0.00695 2.7
0.00825
0.00904
0.01020

Flowrate (m3/s)

Average time (s)

20.0
Cd10.6
6.7
5.2
1.2683
4.0
1.6741
3.5
2.1968
2.9
2.4521
2.8361
2.9687
3.2918

H/B
0.33
0.67
1.00
1.33
1.67
2.00
2.33

0.00015
0.00028
0.00045
0.00058
0.00075
0.00086
0.00103

V notch

Time (s)

Volume
(L)

Height
(m)

T1

T2

3
3
3
3
3

0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.05

53.1
38.4
13.1
9.7
4.2

52.9
38.8
12.7
9.4
4.1

Flowrate
(m3/s)

Q2/5

T3

Average
time (s)

53.5
38.5
13.0
9.6
4.4

53.2
38.6
12.9
9.6
4.2

0.000056
0.000078
0.000233
0.000313
0.000714

0.01992
0.02274
0.03523
0.03964
0.05514

Cd
0.9470
0.9327
2.2749
2.6466
5.3999

14
8.0

CALCULATIONS

Average time =

Flowrate =

19.9+20.5+ 19.8
3

volume
time
0.003m 3
20.0 s

= 0.00015 m3/s
Log H = Log 0.01
= -2.00
Log Q = Log 0.00015
= -3.82
Q2/3 = 0.000152/3
= 0.00282

Cd =
= 1.2683
H/B = 0.01 / 0.03
= 0.33

= 20.0 s

15
a) Rectangular notch

Q2/3 vs H
0.01

y = 0.13575x +
0.0014

0.01
0.01

Q2/3

0.01
0
0
0

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

0.08

Height (m)

Figure 8.1 Q2/3 vs H

Log Q vs Log H
-2.1

-2

-1.9

-1.8

-1.7

-1.6

-1.5

-1.4

-1.3

-1.2

0
-1.1
-0.5
-1
-1.5
-2

Log Q

-2.5
-3
-3.5
-4
-4.5

Log H

16
Figure 8.2 Log Q vs Log H

Cd vs H
3.5
3
2.5
2

Cd

1.5
1
0.5
0

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

0.08

Height ( m)

Figure 8.3 Cd vs H
b) V-notch

Q2/5 vs H
0.06
0.05

y = 0.65733x +
0.013

0.04

Q2/5

0.03
0.02
0.01
0
0.01

0.01

0.02

0.02

0.03

0.03

Height (m)

0.04

0.04

0.05

0.05

0.06

17
Figure 8.4 Q2/5 vs H

9.0

DISCUSSIONS
The main objective in this experiment is to determine the flow of water and the
coefficient of discharge in a triangular notch and V-notch weirs. Besides that, it also to
determine the relationship between the head H of the weir and the discharge of water over
the weir and the objective are achieved. The objective of this experiment can be achieved
by plotting graphs related to the experiment. The data of discharge coefficient also was
determine by calculation using the formula.
In this experiment, V-notch and rectangular notch are used as hydraulic bench to
determine the flow rate of water with different heights by adjusted the Vernier gauge.
Throughout this experiment, it can be conclude that the different heights gives different
flow rate of water. The tip of Vernier gauge must touched the surface of water then
stabilize the water flow in order to get the reading. Then, times taken for 3 litres of water
elevation are recorded by using stopwatch for each height.
The discharge coefficient, Cd originally derived by dividing the actual volume
flowrates with the ideal flowrate. Then the final formula C d is obtained as shown in the
theory section. In this experiment, formula was used for calculation and tabulation. The
Cd formulas are also derived depending on the type of notch. Only two types of notch
used in this experiment thus only two formulas of Cd is used for calculation.
For the rectangular notch, the graph shows that the depth of water, H increases as volume
flowrate, Q, increase. The discharge coefficient, C d also increases for the increase in
depth. The increasing can be seen in the graph shown in result that the height, flowrate
and coefficient discharge Cd is directly proportional.
As for the V-notch or can be said as triangular notch, the graph shown the same as
rectangular notch. The depth of water, H increases as volume flowrate, Q, increase. The
discharge coefficient, Cd also increases for the increase in depth. But the flowrate almost
constant in the three last parameter of the experiment. This is could due to water tension
that disturb the flow of water toward the notch. The water surface tensions also exist in
this situation but the high magnitude of, Cd occurs due to the angle of the triangular notch.

18
More higher the depth, the larger space for the water to flow. It will caused the value of
Cd different from the rectangular notch.
10.0

CONCLUSION
To measure or control the volumetric flowrate in open channel hydraulic, weirs are
usually used. There are two basic type of notch which is rectangular notch and triangular
V notch. The weir can be used to observe flow characteristic of water flow in open
channel. In this experiment, the notch have been used to determine the discharged
coefficient for both type. In this experiment, coefficient discharged of two type of notch
is different. The rectangular notch show coefficient discharged value which is 1.2683,
1.6741, 2.1968, 2.4521, 2.8361, 2.9687 and 3.2918 for the height above datum line 0.01,
0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06 and 0.07 m. For the v notch the discharged coefficient is
0.9470, 0.9327, and 2.2749 for height 0.01, 0.02, and 0.03 m. The discharged coefficient
is affected by angle of notch as for v notch. Despite the different in result, the V-notch or
can be said as triangular notch, the graph shown the same as rectangular notch. The depth
of water, H increases as volume flowrate, Q, increase. The coefficient discharge value for
both notch have the same pattern which is increasing as the height is increases.

11.0

RECOMMENDATIONS
1
2
3
4

12.0

Ensure the water level to make sure it is even with the crest of the wall
Ensure the datum only touches the surface of the water
Repeat the reading 3 times to obtain the average value to get more accurate result.
Ensure the baffles was already inside the tank before conduct the experiment.

REFERENCES
1. http://iwtc.info/2005_pdf/04-3.pdf
2. Flow of water over weir. Retrieved May 20,2016, from
http://www.scribd.com/doc/34695544/Flow-of-Water-Over-Weirs
3. Weir. Retrieved May 20, 2016, from
http://www.haywardgordon.com/usercontent/documents/flowweir_fundamentals.pdf
4. Lab manual Thermofluid laboratory CGE536 (2016)

19
13.0

APPENDICES