Flow Over Weir (V-Notch)

OBJECTIVE:
To determine the relationship between head and flow rate over weirs having V-section. Also to
determine the discharge coefficient by comparing the measured flow with the ideal flow.

THEORETICAL BACKGROUND:

w
h

z1=H

z2

Reference

Figure 1: Flow over a weir from reservoir

Bernoulli equation between points 1 and 2:

P1 U 12
P
U2

z1 2 2 z 2

2g

2g
P1 and P2 are open to atmosphere
U1 0
z1= H

U 22
z 2 H
2g
U 2 2 gh

h z 2 H

Flow rate:

Q U A
U 2 gh
A 2 x dy

1/4

Q y 2 gy 2 x dy
Tan

x
x H y Tan
Hy

Q y 2 g y 2 H y Tan dy
H

Q 2 2 g y H y Tan dy
0

Theoretical flow rate

5

8
Qtheo.
2 g H 2 Tan
15

Discharge coefficient

Cd

Qact
Qtheo

Actual flow rate

5

8
Qact C d
2 g Tan H 2
15

Let

8
K Cd
2 g Tan
15
QKH

5
2

Log Q Log K

(1)

5
Log H
2

Log K a K 10 x
Cd

K
8
15

(2)

2 g tan

2/4

PROCEDURE:
1) Record the semi-angle of the V-notch.
2) Increase the flow to its maximum, and wait until the water level stays constant. Use the calibrated
scale to measure the height of the water. This is the gage height.
3) Measure the flow rate by timing the collection of water.
4) Now decrease the head about 5mm and take another set of flow rate reading.
5) Repeat step 4 until you have about 10 sets of readings.
6) Switch off the water supply.

REPORT REQUIREMENTS:
Width across top of V-notch, w =
Depth of V-notch, d =

mm

mm

1) To calculate the actual water height above the crest of the weir, H, the height of the weir needs to be
subtracted from the total water height.

H Gage Reading Reference Gage Reading

Reference Gage Reading =

mm

Table #:...

Gauge
Reading
(mm)

H
(m)

V
(L)

t
(s)

Q
(m3/s)

log Q

log H

3/4

NOTES:

The values of log Q should be calculated for the unit of m3/s.

The values of log H should be calculated for the unit of m.

2) Plot a graph of Q versus H. Use the power-fit function to verify the power in Eqn. 1. Determine the
power-fit function.
3) Plot graph of log Q versus log H. The points should lie on a straight line. Determine the linear-fit
function between log Q and log H.
4) Tabulate the fit equation of both figures, value of n and k in Table 2.
Table 2:.

log H vs. log Q

Q vs. H

Fit line equation

n
k

For Linear Fit :

For Power Fit :

log Q n log H log k y ax b

Q KH n

an

y ax b

b log k

aK

bn

5) Calculate the coefficient of discharge using Eqn. 2.

6) Compare the experimental discharge coefficient with theoretical one. C dtheo 0.62

4/4