Experiment No.

(2)
Discharge over a Weir

2.1 Introduction
Weirs are overflow structures built across open channels and it’s usually
perpendicular to the direction of flow. It is 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 are sharp edged and manufactured from thin plate material. The
rectangular notch is the most commonly used thin plate weir. The V- notch or triangular
notch design causes small changes in discharge to have a large change in depth allowing
more accurate head measurement than with a rectangular notch. There are, many types of
weir, as shown in Fig. (2.1).

2.2 Objectives
The objectives of the Experiment are:
1. To measure the flow rate.
2. To determine the relationship between upstream head and flow rate for water
flowing over a V-Notch weir and Broad crested weir.
3. To calculate the coefficient of discharge Cd.
4. .

Fig. (2.1): Common Sharp-Crested Weir Shapes

2.3 Description of Equipment

The standard Hydraulics Bench is used for the laboratory experiments carried out
during most of the course, see Figs. (2.2) and (2.3).

Fig. (2.2): Hydraulic Bench with V-notch

Discharge Tank Point Gauge

Inlet Tank

Broad Crested Weir

Slope Adjustment
Hand Wheel

Fig (2.3): The Flume

2.4 Results and Calculations

The flow rates passing over the weir were calculated from the flow equation
For V-Notch plate weir is
8 𝜃 5
𝑄𝑡ℎ = √2𝑔 𝑡𝑎𝑛 ( ) 𝐻2 (2.1)
15 2
For Broad Crested Weir, see Fig. (2.4)

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 𝑄𝑡ℎ = ℎ ∗ 𝑏 ∗ √2𝑔(𝐻 − ℎ) (2.2)
Where: 𝑄𝑡ℎ = Theoritical flow rate,
cm
g = accelersation due to gravity (981 ),
𝑠𝑒𝑐 2

H = upstram head of water over the weir crest,

θ = 150 angle of the notch (deg. ),
h = head of the water over the weir crest.

For each flow rate (actual discharge), measure and record the volumes in the
collecting tank and the time required to collect that volume by stopwatch.
𝑉
𝑄𝑎𝑐𝑡 = (2.3)
𝑇
Where: 𝑄𝑎𝑐𝑡 = actual flow rate,
V = volume of the collecting tank,
T = time taken to rise volume.
The coefficient of discharge Cd is defined as the ratio of actual discharge
obtained experimentally to the theoretical discharge.
𝑄𝑎𝑐𝑡
𝐶𝑑 = (2.4)
𝑄𝑡ℎ
Where: Cd = Coefficient of discharge.

Fig. (2.4): Weirs

H = Water Level − Crest Level

Table (2.1): Results for V-Notch Weir
Gauge
Crest level Volume Time H Q *104 𝐻5/2 *103
Reading Cd
(mm) (Lt) (s) (m) (m3/s) (m5/2)
(mm)

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 1.94
1.94
1.94
1.94
1.94
1.94
1.94
1.94

Plot Qact against H, Qact against H5/2, and Cd against H.

Table (2.2): Results for Broad Crested Weir
No. H (cm) h (cm) Time V Q act 𝑄𝑡ℎ Cd
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Plot Qact against H, Qact against H5/2, and Cd against H.

2.5 Conclusions
Dose the magnitude of the flow rate affect the discharge coefficient? Dose Cd
Increase or decrease with increasing flow rate?
What is the pattern of the water as it passes over the weir?
Would you expect the length of the weir crest to affect the discharge coefficient?
What is the effect of drowning the weir (increasing the downstream depth)?

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