TABLE OF CONTENT

CONTENT
ABSTRACT / SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
AIMS / OBJECTIVE
THEORY
APPARATUS
PROCEDURE
RESULTS
CALCULATION
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSION
RECOMMENDATION
REFERENCES
APPENDICES

PAGE
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2-3
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4-6
7
8
9
10-11
12
13
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14

ABSTRACT / SUMMARY

From the experiment that have been done, we are going to determine the
characteristics of a rectangular notch and triangular ( vee ) notch. The flow
pattern of water from both notches are being observed. Other than that
we are going to determined the best discharged coefficient between both
notches. The discharged coefficient are going to be determined from the
volumetric flowrate calculated from the time taken and the volume
collected.

INTRODUCTION

Fluids mechanics has develop as an analytical discipline from the

application of the classical laws of statistics, dynamics and
thermodynamics, to situations in which fluids can be treated as continuous
media. The particular laws involved are those of the conservation of mass,
energy and momentum and, in each application, these laws can be
simplified in an attempt to describe quantitatively the behaviour of the
fluid.
A weir is an opening in the sidewall of a tank at top. The stream of liquid
coming out the weir is known as a nappe, sheet, or vein. There is no
difference between a notch and weir except that the former is a small
structure and has sharp edges. A weir is generally an overflow structure,
with a broad crest, built across an open channel. The terms air and weirs
are used synonymously in general. The top of weir wall over which the
liquid flows is known as the sill or crest. The head under which the weir is
discharging is measured from the crest to the free surface. A weir or notch
is generally used for measuring the flow of liquids.

[1]

In this experiment, we are using the rectangular weirs and triangular

weirs. Rectangular weirs and triangular or v-notch weirs are often used in
water supply, wastewater and sewage systems. They consist of a sharp
edged plate with a rectangular, triangular or v-notch profile for the water
2

flow.Broad-crested weirs can be observed in dam spillways where the

broad edge is beneath the water surface across the entire stream. Flow
measurement installations with broad-crested weirs will meet accuracy
requirements only if they are calibrated.

[3]

There are different types of weir. It may be a simple metal plate with a Vnotch cut into it, or it may be a concrete and steel structure across the bed
of a river. A weir which causes a large change of water level behind it,
compared to the error inherent in the depth measurement method, will
give an accurate indication of the flow rate. Some of them are :
i)

Broad-crested weir

A broad-crested weir is a flat-crested structure, with a long crest compared

to the flow thickness (Chanson 1999,2004, Henderson 1966, Sturm 2001).
When the crest is broad, the streamlines become parallel to the crest
invert and the pressure distribution above the crest is hydrostatic. The
hydraulic characteristics of broad-crested weirs were studied during the
19th and 20th centuries. Practical experience showed that the weir
overflow is affected by the upstream flow conditions and the weir
geometry. [2]
ii)

Sharp crested weir (fayoum weir)

A sharp-crested weir allows the water to fall cleanly away from the weir.
Sharp crested weirs are typically 1/4" or thinner metal plates. Sharp
crested weirs come in many different shapes such as rectangular, V-notch
and Cipolletti weirs.
iii)

[2]

Combination weir

The sharp crested weirs can be considered into three groups according to
the geometry of weir: a) the rectangular weir, b) the V or triangular notch
and c) special notches, such as trapezoidal, circular or parabolic weirs. For
accurate flow measurement over a wider range of flow rates, a

combination weir combines a V-notch weir with a rectangular weir. This is

typically used in pipes ranging from 4" to 15" in diameter.

[2]

AIMS/ OBJECTIVE
i.

To determine the characteristics of a rectangular notch and

ii.

triangular ( vee ) notch.

To determine the values of discharged coefficient for both
notches.

THEORY
i)

Rectangular Notch.

[4]

A rectangular notch in a thin square edged weir plate installed in a weir

channel as shown in figure 2.

Figure 2 Rectangular Notch

4

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.
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 3, in particular the width of the nappe is
reduced by the contractions at each end.

Figure 3 Shape of a Nappe

Qt = Cd 2/3 b (2g) H3/2

Where
Qt = volume flow rate ( m/s )
H = height above notch base (m)
b = width of rectangular notch ( 0.03 m)

Cd = the discharge coefficient, which has to be determined by

experiment
The discharge from a rectangular notch will be considerably less,
approximately 60%, of the theoretical analysis due to these curvature
effects. A coefficient of discharge Cd is therefore introduced so that
Cd =

3Qt

2b(2g) H3//2
However, Cd is not a true constant tending towards a constant only for
large heads and a low velocity of approach in the weir channel.

ii)

Triangular ( vee ) Notch

[4]

Figure 4 Triangular or V Notch

Qt C d

8

tan
15 2

2g H 2

Where
Qt = volume flow rate
6

H = height above notch base

B = width of rectangular notch
= angle of the Vee in the triangular notch
Cd = the discharge coefficient, which has to be determined by experiment
Thus,
Cd =

15Qt

8 tan (/2) (2g) H5/2

For a rectangular notch the rate of discharged is proportional to the liquid depth raised to
power 1.5 and for the triangular notch to a power of 2.5. A triangular notch will therefore
handle a wider range of flowrates. It can be shown that the notch must have curved walls
giving a large width to the bottom of the notch and a comparatively small width towards the
top. The weir is frequently installed for controlling the flow within the unit itself, for instance
in a distillation column or reactor. [5]
APPARATUS

1. The F1-10 hydraulic bench which allows us to measure flow by timed volume
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

collection.
The F1-13 Stilling Baffle.
The F1-13 Rectangular and Vee notches.
Vernier Height gauge (supplied with F1-13).
Stop watch.
Spirit level

PROCEDURE
1. The hydraulic bench was positioned so that its surface is horizontal
(necessary because flow over notch is driven by gravity).
2. The rectangular notch plate was mounted into the flow channel and
the stilling baffle was positioned as shown in the diagram.
3. In order to measure the datum height (with the height gauge) of the
base of the notch, the instrument carrier was positioned in the
opposite way round from that shown in the diagram.
4. Then carefully the gauge was lowered until the point was just above
the notch base and the coarse adjustment screw was locked.
5. Then, using the fine adjustment, the gauge was adjusted until the
point just touched the notch bottom and a reading would be taken.
Here we must be careful not to damage the notch.
6. The instrument carrier was mounted as shown in the diagram and it
would be approximately located half way between the stilling baffle
and the notch plate.

7. The bench control valve was opened and water was admitted to the
channel.
8. The general features of the flow were observed and recorded.
9. To take an accurate height reading, the fine adjustment was used to
lower the gauge until the point just touched its reflection in the
surface and the water flow are waited till its flow are steady.
10.

The flow rate was ensured large enough to prevent the outflow

from the notch clinging to the notch plate. It was projected clear of
the plate.
11.

The time are started when the

ball valve close the tank

outflow and stop until the water level reach 3 litre.

12.

After determined the volume collected, the valve was opened

again at the end of the measurement.

13.

This procedure was repeated 6 times by having opened the

bench

valve

further,

to

produce

an

increase

in

depth

of

approximately 5 mm. The level was checked in stable condition

before taking readings.
14.

The flowrates of the water flor are calculated.

15.

The rectangular notch plate was replaced with the Vee notch

plate and procedure above was repeated.

RESULTS

RECTANGULAR NOTCH

Height, H

H3/2

( m3 )
0.005

3.536 x

0.010

10-4
1.000 x

Volume

Time ,t

Flowrate,

Discharged

( m3 )

(s)

Q ( m3/s )

coefficient.

-3

3 x 10

32

9.375 x 10

Cd
2.993

3 x 10-3

24

1.250 x 10-

1.411
9

10-3
0.015

1.837 x

0.020

10-3
2.828 x

0.025

10-3
3.953 x

0.030

10-3
5.196 x

3 x 10-3

15

2.000 x 10-

1.229

3 x 10-3

3.330 x 10-

1.329

3 x 10-3

3.750 x 10-

1.071

3 x 10-3

10-3

5.000 x 10-

1.086

TRIANGULAR ( VEE ) NOTCH

Height, H

H5/2

(m)

Volume

Time ,t

Flowrate,

Discharge

( m3 )

(s)

Q ( m3/s )

d
coefficient.

0.005

1.768 x

0.010

10-6
1.000 x

0.015

10-5
2.750 x

0.020

10-5
5.675 x

0.025

10-5
9.882 x

0.030

10-5
1.559 x
10-4

3 x 10-3
3 x 10-3
3 x 10-3
3 x 10-3
-3

3 x 10

-3

3 x 10

208

1.442 x

Cd
3.453

130

10-3
2.308 x

0.977

65

10-5
4.615 x

0.709

36

10-5
8.333 x

0.602

19

10-5
1.579 x

0.676

13

10-4
2.308 x

0.627

10-4

SAMPLE CALCULATION
10

RECTANGULAR NOTCH
b = 0.03 m
g = 9.81 m/s2
For H = 0.005 m
H

3/2

= ( 0.05 )3/2
= 3.536 x 10-6

volume, m3
time, s

Volumetric flowrate, Q =

3 10 m
32 s

= 9.375 x 10-5 m3/s

3Q

Discharged coefficient, Cd =

2 b 2 g H

3
2

3 9.375 105
6
2 0.03 2 9.81 3.536 10

= 2.993

11

TRIANGULAR ( VEE ) NOTCH

= 90O

g = 9.81 m/s
For H = 0.005 m
H

5/2

= 1.768 x 10-6

Volumetric flowrate, Q =

volume, m3
time, s
3

3 10
208 s

= 1.442 x 10-5 m3/s

Discharged coefficient, Cd =

15 Q
5

8 tan 2g H 2
2

15 1.442 105
90
8 tan
2 g 1.768 106
2

= 3.453

12

DISCUSSION

From the experiment, we are about to determine the discharged

coefficient of the both rectangular and the triangular notches. The
discharged coefficient for the rectangular notch are influenced by its H and
also its volumetric flow rate while the triangular notch are influenced by its
, H and also its volumetric flow rate.

From the results, we can see that the volumetric flow rate of both notches
are increased. These showed that the water outflow increased as the H
increased. These is supposed to happen as the water level increased, the
water outflow from the notch should be increased over time. But from the
discharged coefficient, we can see that the value of the both notches are
not stable. This may be from the friction at the head of the notches during
the starter of the experiment. The friction will effect the time taken to
collected 3 litres of the water. Thus it will effect the volumetric flow rate
and also the discharged coefficient as the volumetric flow rate influenced
the value of the Cd.
These deviations of values are contributed by the errors during handling
the experiment. If we take it as overall errors, most of errors occurred
when step of taking the height started. First, we have to be careful about
the height of datum. For convenience, it is recommended to take your
datum height as zero.Other than that, the time should be taken at least 3
times to take the average so that the error during the time taken can be
minimized. The purpose of doing it is to minimize the errors. Besides that,
we noticed that there is inconsistency in our readings because of the error
that occur.

13

CONCLUSION

i)

Rectangular weir has wide range variations of Cd. This is because

this notch has width,b with 0.03 m.

ii)

V-notch has small range of variations for the value of Cd. This is
because this notch has an angle at its bottom where about 90 o.
This angle might effect the values of flowrate and Cd.

iii)

Therefore the best discharged coefficient, Cd is from the V-notch

compared to rectangular notch.

RECOMMENDATION

i)

The data that was observed in the experiment that was time gain
should be taken twice. This can avoid the very wide deviation
because of only take once of each observation.

ii)

Take care not to allow spillage to occur over the plate top
adjacent to the notch. If this happened, it would effect the
collection of known volume.

iii)

Once the data were taken, the procedure cannot be reverse to

find the value of time collection by adjusting the height. This
14

would affect the value of height datum. The height datum must
be constant and the observation should be done once round for
the little increment of height especially for V-notch.
iv)

The readings of height should be taken carefully by avoiding sight

error. The time collection should be taken much appropriately.

REFERENCES

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

http://www.gitam.edu/eresource/environmental/murali/notches.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weir
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/weirs-flow-rate-d_592.html
http://www.cussons.co.uk/SOFTWARE/Part5/PART5.HTM
Fluid Flow, Heat Transfer and Mass Transfer Volume 1, Sixth Edition,
Coulson & Richardsons Chemical Engineering by J M Coulson & J F
Richardson with J R Backhurst and J H Harker.

APPENDICES

15

Weirs
Posted in Hydraulics |

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Weir is defined as a barrier over which the water flows in an open channel. The edge or
surface over which the water flows is called the crest. The overflowing sheet of water is the
nappe.
If the nappe discharges into the air, the weir has free discharge. If the discharge is partly under
water, the weir is submerged or drowned.
Types of Weirs.
A weir with a sharp upstream corner or edge such that the water springs clear of the crest is a
sharp-crested weir.
All other weirs are classed as weirs not sharp crested. Sharp-crested weirs are classified
according to the shape of the weir opening, such as rectangular weirs, triangular or V-notch
weirs, trapezoidal weirs, and parabolic weirs. Weirs not sharp crested are classified according
to the shape of their cross section, such as broad-crested weirs, triangular weirs, and
trapezoidal weirs.
The channel leading up to a weir is the channel of approach. The mean velocity in this
channel is the velocity of approach. The depth of water producing the discharge is the head.
Sharp-crested weirs are useful only as a means of meas- uring flowing water. In contrast,
weirs not sharp crested are commonly incorporated into hydraulic structures as control or
regulation devices, with measurement of flow as their secondary function.

16

FLOW OVER WEIRS.

1) Rectangular Weir
The Francis formula for the discharge of a sharp-crested rectangular weir having a length b
greater than 3h is
Q=0.333*(b -nh)*[(h+h0)(3/2)-h0(3/2)]
where
Q= discharge over weir, ft3/s (m3/s)
b= length of weir, ft (m)
h= vertical distance from level of crest of weir to water surface at point unaffected by weir
drawdown (head on weir), ft (m)
n= number of end contractions (0, 1, or 2)
h0= head of velocity of approach
If the sides of the weir are coincident with the sides of the approach channel, the weir is
considered to be suppressed, and n=0. If both sides of the weir are far enough removed from
the sides of the approach channel to permit free lateral approach of water, the weir is
considered to be contracted, and n= 2. If one side is suppressed and one is contracted, n=1.

17

2) Triangular Weir
The discharge of triangular weirs with notch angles of 30,
60, and 90 is given by the formulas as
Discharge of Triangular Weirs
Notch (vertex) angle Discharge
formula
90

0.685h2.45

60

1.45h2.47

30

2.49h2.48

18