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MODULE 5.7 Weirs
MODULE 5.7 Weirs
7: WEIRS
a. Description
An overflow hydraulic structure extending across an open channel normal to the direction of
flow for the purpose of flow measurement and control. In general, weirs are classified in
accordance to their upstream characteristics and shapes:
1. Sharp-crested Type: This has a thin upstream edge so fashioned that the passing mass of
liquid simply touches a line. Shapes are normally rectangular (suppressed and contracted),
triangular and trapezoidal. The figure below shows an example of a sharp-crested weir.
2. Broad-crested Type: The figure below shows two sub-types of a broad-crested weir. One
has a rounded upstream corner (a), where the mass of liquid passes smoothly and slides
over the surface of the crest. The (b), the other sub-type, has a square upstream corner in
where is the same as the mean velocity of approach VA, h is the variable head, 0 < h <
H
is the velocity at point 2 in the mass of liquid and obtained by the energy equation
between 1 and 2 (head losses neglected)
Integrate above differential to obtain the total theoretical rate of flow, from h = 0 to h = H,
Assuming VA to be a constant velocity, the theoretical discharge is finally determined as,
(2) from his more than 80 experiments, conducted between 1848 and 1852, using
weir lengths, 1.00 < L < 5.20 m, and heads, 18 < H < 50 cm, Francis obtained results
0.622 (C = 1.84). Substituted to the
equation, the following relations, known as the Francis Formula for suppressed weir
rectangular weir is obtained:
Francis Formula
King Formula
(2) From his investigation on end contraction effect, V.M. Cone in 1916 developed a more
precise flow formula (English Units) for a contracted rectangular weir,
V.M. Cone Formula
(3) To ensure complete contraction, the distance S in the figure above must have a
minimum normal distance of 2H both from the side and the bottom of the weir plate.
c. Triangular or V-notch Weirs
The triangular or V-notch weir is illustrated in the figure below with vertex angle , liquid
surface length L and head over the vertex, H. The elemental opening shown has an area,
dA = xdh, under the variable head h (0 < h < H). Following the development of theoretical
flow for rectangular weirs, head losses and velocity head of approach neglected, the
discharge is obtained as,
Using basic mathematics principles, x = L(H h)/H and L = 2h tan( /2), which when
substituted to the above equation and integrated from h = 0 to h = H results to,
where:
NOTE:
(1) For a vertex angle
formula is obtained,
Approximate Formula
(2) Formulas developed by different experimenters on the V-notch or triangular weirs, using
the following parameters:
(i) James Thomson (1861 ; Head H varying from 5 to 18 cm
(ii) James Barr (1908): Extension of J. Thomson works, using 8 < H < 25cm.
(iii) V.M. Cone (1916): Expressed in the English units
(iv) A.T. Lenz undertook a comprehensive study of the flow over triangular weirs using
liquids other than water. In the English units, he obtained the formula
A.T. Lenz Formula
where N and n are given in the table below, with ratio having a minimum value
of 0.090.
d. Trapezoidal Weirs
The isosceles trapezoidal weir in the figure below has an opening which can be divided
into two parts: a suppressed rectangular weir and an isosceles triangular part (combination
of the two right triangular parts at the contracted ends). Applying the principles utilized in
the previous lesson, and assuming approach velocity head and head losses negligible,
theoretical flow is,
triangular parts, the reduces to the actual discharge,
where: ;
NOTE: A trapezoidal weir which automatically eliminates the end contraction effect on a
contracted rectangular weir, as investigated by Francis, was proposed by C. Cipoletti. He
proved than for or for , the amount of liquid that is supposed to
flow over the weir through the triangular end of the trapezoidal weir, is compensated by
the effect of end contraction. Under these special conditions, Cipoletti proposed the
following relation,
Cipoletti Formula
closely expressing Francis formula on suppressed rectangular weir, with crest length L and
head H.
e. Broad-Crested Weirs (Rectangular)
Two common types of broad-crested weirs are shown:
(a) Rounded upstream corner:
this type ranges from 0.50 to 0.57.
(b) Ogee-shaped spillway
with a fixed reservoir surface, the flow over these two structures will be approximately
equal, but the head on type (a) weir will be slightly greater than that of type (b). For the
same flow the smaller coefficient is compensated by the larger head and vice versa.
f. Submerged Sharp-Crested Weirs
Submerged weirs are categorized in accordance to the type of nappe developed as the liquid
mass passes over the structure:
(i) The plunging nappe type: the nappe is similar to the free-flow type;
(ii) The surface nappe type: the nappe remains on or near the surface, leaving the liquid
below undisturbed. Below is an example of a submerged sharp-crested weir.
Where A is in general function of the variable head H and A represents the horizontal area
of the reservoir controlled by the weir at elevation H, measured above the crest of the weir.
The flow QW is the flow over the weir, that is,
(i) , for a suppressed rectangular weir (Francis Formula)
(ii) , for a 90 V-notch weir (Approximate Formula)
(iii) , for a trapezoidal weir (Cipoletti Weir)
And so on, dependent on the type of weir considered.
SAMPLE PROBLEMS:
1. A suppressed rectangular weir with L =3.66m (12ft); H = 47cm (1.54 ft); and P = 1.07m
(3.50ft) is used. Find the discharge using the following formulas:
a. Bazin Formula
b.
c. Francis Formula
2. There is a suppressed rectangular weir across a 6.10m wide channel. The depth of flow is
90cm with a mean velocity of 75 cm/s. What will be the height of the weir that will increase
the depth of flow to 1.50m, from the original depth of 90cm. Assume a correction factor of
0.622.
3. A contracted rectangular weir has the following properties: Length, L = 1.83m (6ft); Head,
H = 47cm (1.55ft). Find the flow rate by the Francis Formula (using the end-contraction
correction). Assume two-end contraction and check by the Cone Formula.
4. A V-notch weir with vertex angle of 90 and flow rate, Q = 32 liters/sec. Find the head, H,
over the weir using the approximate formula. Check by the Barr and AT Lenz relations.
5. A Cipoletti weir is 1.00m high and 3.60m long. Find the head, H, for the discharge to be
1.80 m3/s.
6. A Cipoletti weir L = 9.20m, P = 0.75m is built across a rectangular channel 10.50m wide,
and flows under a head, H = 37.50cm. Some distance upstream is a rectangular sharp
crested weir with P = 1.05m, the middle of which is along the centerline of the channel. If
the head on this second weir is 50cm, what is the length of its crest?
7. A V-notch weir is located at one end of a large tank having a horizontal square section 10m
x 10m. If the initial head on the weir is 1.20m and it takes 375 seconds to discharge 100m3
of water, what could have been the vertex angle
0.60.