XAVIER UNIVERSITY – ATENEO DE CAGAYAN

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING - DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

HYDRAULICS LABORATORY (CE47L)

Experiment No: 2

Experiment Title: DETERMINATION OF COEFFICIENT OF DISCHARGE IN A

RECTANGULAR WEIR

Filed by:
1. Weldie Sten L. Salino

Date Performed: December 5, 2018

Date Filed: December 11, 2018

Instructor:

Engr. Emmanuel Nikko P. Quiogue

 XAVIER UNIVERSITY – ATENEO DE CAGAYAN
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING - DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

I. Experiment 2:

Determination of Coefficient of Discharge in a Rectangular Weir

II. Objectives:
a) To Determine the Coefficient of Discharge in a Rectangular Weir

III. Materials and Equipment/Apparatus

 Meter Stick
 Bucket
 Tank
 Stopwatch
 Rectangular Weir
 Graduated Cylinder

IV. Procedure:
1. Measure the dimensions of the tank and the rectangular weir (P & L
& B) Refer to the Photo below.

2. Turn the Water valve on and wait for the level of the water to be
constant.
3. Once the level is constant, Measure the height from the bottom of
the tank to the water level.
4. Use the Bucket to get Volume and Record its time.
5. Transfer the water collected to the Graduated Cylinder and read the
measurement
6. Do steps 3 to 5 for three trials.
 XAVIER UNIVERSITY – ATENEO DE CAGAYAN
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING - DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

V. Tabulated Data and Results:

*Data were converted to standard units for easier calculations
Table 1. Measured Data
Trial L (m) B (m) P (m) D (m) H (m) Volume Time
(m3) (s)
1 0.15 .515 0.171 0.235 0.064 5.5x10-4 0.4
2 0.15 .515 0.171 0.242 0.071 4.72x10-4 0.16
3 0.15 .515 0.171 0.26 0.089 4.69x10-4 0.13

Table 2. Calculated Data

Trial Q (m3/s) L’ (m) Velocity (m/s) hv (m) Cw
1 1.375x10-3 0.1372 0.011 6.17 x 10-6 0.566
2 2.95x10-3 0.1358 0.024 2.94 x 10-5 1.04
3 3.35x10-3 0.1322 0.025 3.19 x 10-5 0.84

Where L = Length of the Weir

P = Height of the weir from the bottom to the crest
H = Head over the weir
Q = Actual Discharge
L’ = Effective Length
hv = Velocity Head
Cw = The Weir Factor

VI. Computations:
Computing for Discharge: 𝑄 = 𝑉𝑡
Where Q = Discharge (m3/s)
V = Volume (m3)
t = Time (s)
5.5𝑥10−4 𝑚3
𝑄1 = 0.4 𝑠

Q1 = 1.375 x 10-3 m3/s

4.72𝑥10−4 𝑚3
𝑄2 = 0.16 𝑠

Q2 = 2.95 x 10-3 m3/s

 XAVIER UNIVERSITY – ATENEO DE CAGAYAN
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING - DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

4.69𝑥10−4 𝑚3
𝑄3 = 0.13 𝑠

Q3 = 3.35 x 10-3 m3/s

Computing for L’: 𝐿′ = 𝐿 − 0.1𝑛𝐻

Where L’ = Effective Length
L = Length of the Weir
n = number of contracted portion
H = Head (m)
L’1 = 0.15 – 0.1(2)(0.064)
L’1 = 0.1372 m
L’2 = 0.15 – 0.1(2)(0.071)
L’2 = 0.1358 m
L’3 = 0.15 – 0.1(2)(0.089)
L’3 = 0.1322 m

Computing for Velocity: 𝑉 = 𝑄𝐴 , A = BD

Where V = Velocity (m/s)
Q = Discharge (m3/s)
A = Area (m2)
1.375𝑥10−3 𝑚3 /𝑠
𝑉1 = .515 𝑥 0.235

V1 = 0.011 m/s
2.95𝑥10−3 𝑚3 /𝑠
𝑉2 = .515 𝑥 0.242

V2 = 0.024 m/s
3.35𝑥10−3 𝑚3 /𝑠
𝑉3 = 51.5 𝑥 0.26

V3 = 0.025 m/s

2
Computing for hv: ℎ𝑣 = 𝑉2𝑔

Where hv = vertical head (m)

V = Velocity (m/s)
G = Gravity (9.81 m/s2)
𝑚
(0.011 )2
ℎ𝑣1 = 𝑠
2(9.81𝑚/𝑠2
 XAVIER UNIVERSITY – ATENEO DE CAGAYAN
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING - DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

hv1 = 6.17 x 10-6 m

𝑚
(0.024 )2
𝑠
ℎ𝑣2 = 2(9.81𝑚/𝑠 2

hv2 = 2.94 x 10-5 m

𝑚
(0.025 )2
ℎ𝑣3 = 𝑠
2(9.81𝑚/𝑠2

hv3 = 3.19 x 10-5 m

3 3
Computing for Cw: 𝑄 = 𝐶𝑤 𝐿 [(𝐻 + ℎ𝑣 )2 − ℎ𝑣 2 ]
Where Q = Discharge
Cw = Weir Coefficient
L = Length of Weir
𝑄
𝐶𝑤 = 3 3
𝐿 [(𝐻 + ℎ𝑣 )2 − ℎ𝑣 2 ]
1.375𝑥10−3 𝑚3 /𝑠
𝐶𝑤1 = 3 3
0.15 [(0.064 + 6.17 x 10−6 m)2 − (6.17 x 10−6 m)2 ]
Cw1 = 0.57
2.95𝑥10−3 𝑚3 /𝑠
𝐶𝑤2 = 3 3
0.15 [(0.071 + 2.94 x 10−5 m)2 − (2.856 x 10−5 m)2 ]
Cw2 = 1.04
3.35𝑥10−3 𝑚3 /𝑠
𝐶𝑤3 = 3 3
0.15 [(0.089 + 3.19 x 10−5 m)2 − (3.19 x 10−5 m)2 ]
Cw3 = 0.84

Standard: Cw = 1.84
Percentage Difference
1.84 − 0.57
%1 = 𝑥100
(1.84 + 0.57)/2
%1 = 105.39 %
1.04
%2 = 𝑥100
1.84
%2 = 55.56 %
0.84
%3 = 𝑥100
1.84
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COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING - DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

%3 = 74.63 %

VII. Sketch/ Layout:

Photo 1: Experiment Set-Up

Photo 2: Measurement of Rectangular Weir

 XAVIER UNIVERSITY – ATENEO DE CAGAYAN
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING - DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

Photo 3: Measuring of the height of water from the bottom

 XAVIER UNIVERSITY – ATENEO DE CAGAYAN
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING - DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

Photo 4: Getting Volume of Water

Photo 5: Transferring collected water to the Graduated Cylinder

 XAVIER UNIVERSITY – ATENEO DE CAGAYAN
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING - DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

VIII. Discussion/Analysis:
From the results calculated, The Coefficient of Discharge does not
conform with the Standard C for a rectangular weir which is 1.84. For the
three trials, we have calculated a coefficient of discharge of 0.57, 1.04, and
0.84. The percentage differences between the actual and the theoretical
values are very big, ranging from 50- 105%, which may be caused by
different factors. One, The Flow of the water is very fast that it is difficult to
synchronize both the clicking of the timer and the getting of water. Due to
fast water flow, there could be impact force applied to the bucket which can
cause spillage which could also affect the accuracy of the results. Another
would be human error in terms of measurement. Since the water is flowing,
it is difficult to know whether the water is already really steady or not. Also,
the group could not read the measurement within eye-level because the
measurement is inside the tank and the tank has water in it. Lastly,
Equipment/Instrument error. It is possible that the equipments used in the
experiment have defects which explains the massive difference between the
actual and the standard value.
In order to improve efficiency of the weir, one must increase the
discharge capacity through increasing reservoir levels which includes;
improvement of embankment crest, addition of device such as labyrinth weir
(to increase free surface discharge, installation of a fuse device, and a
design of embankment to safely overtop. Improving the embankment crest
includes raising the crest by steepening the upper slopes of an earthfill dam,
adding a crest parapet, and improving the crest’s imperviousness and
resistance to wave erosion. Moreover, A labyrinth weir is made of thin
vertical reinforced concrete, and appears in plain view as a series of
trapezoids. The height of the weir is typically 3 or 4 meters high, and the
total crest length is about four times the structure length. One example of
this is a Piano Key Weir, which increases the spillway discharge capacity by
a factor of four over a conventional spillway. Aside from that, Using fuse
devices may be very cost-effective, delivering the benefits of a gated
spillway with lower material and construction costs. Their primary drawback
 XAVIER UNIVERSITY – ATENEO DE CAGAYAN
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING - DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

is the cost of replacement and lost reservoir storage if the fuse device does
deploy. Typically, these types of spillways are used for floods having an
annual probability of 1 in 100 or less.
There are a lot of practical uses of a rectangular weir. The data gained
from flow rate calculations over a rectangular weir can be used to formulate
Flood Control and General Water Management Policies and Practices. The
flow data can also be used to determine if a hydroelectric project would be
possible or profitable. Another application would be the water flow data can
be used for environmental impact studies, specifically in determining how
the weir or other structures would affect the ecosystem of a stream or river.
One concrete example for a practical use of a weir are Watermills.
According to Wikipedia, Mill Ponds are created by a weir that impounds
water that then flows over the structure. The energy created by the change
in height of the water can then be used to power waterwheels and power
sawmills, grinding wheels and other equipment. This kind of Mill Ponds can
be found in Thorp, Washington, USA

IX. Conclusion:

A Weir is an obstruction in the flow path in an open channel. The weir

will cause an increase in the water depth as the water flows over the weir.
This means that the greater the flow rate, the greater will be the increase in
depth of flow. In the experiment, a contracted rectangular weir was used. In
determining the coefficient of discharge in a rectangular weir, the general
formula for a discharge through a rectangular weir considering velocity
3 3
approach was used with the formula 𝑄 = 𝐶𝑤 𝐿 [(𝐻 + ℎ𝑣 )2 − ℎ𝑣 2 ].
Based from the results, one can conclude that there are a lot of factors
affecting the accuracy of the coefficient of discharge. Aside from the
Coefficient of discharge depends on weir height, total head, crest shape, it
is also important to consider other factors affecting it like synchronization,
human error, equipment error and others. As much as possible, Avoidance
of these factors can really help in getting more accurate values.
 XAVIER UNIVERSITY – ATENEO DE CAGAYAN
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING - DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

X. References:

Kumar, S. (2015). EEffect of Weir Height on Flow Performance of Sharp

Crested Rectangular-Planform Weir. Department of Civil Engg, Indian
Institute of Technology, Roorkee, India.

Tiwari, H. and Sharma, N. (2015). Developments to improve hydraulic

competence of spillwaysr. Department of Water Resources Development
& Management, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, India

Lemperiere, F. and Vigny, J. (2007). Cost-Effective Ways to Increase

Discharge Capacity at Spillways. HRW-Hydro Review Worldwide.
PennWell Corporation, Tulsa