Open channel Hydraulic Lab

Specific Energy and hydraulic jump

Purpose:
The purpose of this lab experiment is to analyze the energy relationships in the
transition of flow from subcritical flow to supercritical flow in an open
channel.
Background:
The total energy of a channel flow referred to datum is given by:

The sum of the depth of flow and the velocity head is the Specific Energy and
can be expressed in terms of total volumetric flow rate (Q) and wetted area (A)
For a rectangular channel the flow area (A) is equal to the depth of flow (y) times
the channel width (b) giving:

1
If the discharge is constant for the same value of specific energy E, there are two
different y values,. This two toots are known as alternate depths. One depth supercritical
flow, and the other in subcritical.
The specific energy is minimum the depth is critical.

2
Objective
1. To know the critical depth
2. To derive the Specific energy equation
3. To draw the specific energy diagram
Procedure:
 Ensure the flume is horizontal

 Place the adjustable undershot weir vertically in position with its bottom
edge about 10mm above the flume bottom.

 Open the inlet valve and admit water until u/s depth Yo = 200 mm. with Yo at
this height measure Q, d/s depth Y1 and E1.

 Raise the weir increments = Yg about 10 mm up to 40 mm above the flume

bottom.

 At each level of the weir record the value of Yo and Y1, and calculate the
values of Eo and E1 with this constant flow rate (Q).

(Note: this experiment can done at a given Specific Energy (keeping Yo = 200
mm) by
varying the flow rate, and measuring Q, Y1 & E1 for each opening.)
Observation and result sheet for specific energy equation and specific energy

Discussion
• Calculate Eo for each value of Q.

• Plot Eo against Yo and Y1 against E1 to establish the shape of the curve on either
side of the minimum energy point.

• To the graph add values of Emin calculated directly from the equation shown, for
the measured values of Q
 Hydraulic Jump
hydraulic jump is created when super critical flow passes to sub critical flow

The momentum balance leads to the following equation for the depths
before and after a hydraulic jump.

Objective
1. To create the hydraulic jump.
2. To determine characteristics of the hydraulic jump obtained in the laboratory using
impulse momentum & specific energy equations.
3. To compare measured flow depths with theoretical results
Procedure:
1. Make the channel horizontal and let water flow in to it.

2. Adjust the sluice gate in order to form a stable hydraulic jump in the flume.

3. Take the pointer gauges for the bed levels and water surface elevations at pre-jump
and post-jump sections.

4. Measure the volume and time to calculate the discharge.

5. Repeat steps 2 and 4 for four other discharges and sluice openings.
Calculation of the Experimental and Theoretical Conjugate Depths
Calculations for the Experimental and Theoretical Energy Losses
 Rectangular and V-noch weirs
Weirs are commonly used to measure or regulate flow in rivers, streams,
irrigation canals, etc.
a weir can be designed as a flow-measuring device.

 Weirs are also built to raise the water level in a channel to divert the flow to
irrigation systems that are located at higher elevations.

Objective
The objectives of this experiment are to:
A. determine the characteristics of flow over a rectangular and a triangular weir,
and
B. determine the value of the discharge coefficient for both notches.
Figure (a) Triangular weir, (b) Rectangular weir
Method
The coefficients of discharge are determined by measuring the height of the
water surface above the notch base and the corresponding flow rate.

Equipment
The following equipment is required to perform the flow over weirs
experiment:
F1-10 hydraulics bench;
F1-13 rectangular and triangular weirs;
Vernier height gauge; and
Stopwatch.
Theory
The depth of water above the base of a weir is related to the flow rate through
it; therefore, the weir can be used as a flow measuring device.

The relationships of flow over weirs can be obtained by applying the energy
equation from a point well upstream of the weir to a point just above the weir
crest. This approach requires a number of assumptions, and it yields the
following results:

for a triangular weir (Figure a):

for a rectangular weir (Figure b)

where:
Q : flow rate;
H : height above the weir base;
b : width of rectangular weir (R-notch); \theta : angle of triangular weir (V-
notch);
Cd: discharge coefficient to account for the effects of simplifying assumptions in
the theory, which has to be determined by experiment [9].
for a V-notch

or a R-notch:

Experimental Procedure
•Ensure that the hydraulics bench is positioned so that its surface is horizontal.
•Mount the rectangular notch plate onto the flow channel, and position the stilling baffle.
•Turn on the pump, and slightly adjust the flow control to fill the channel upstream of the
weir with water.
•Turn off the pump when the water starts to flow over the weir.
•Wait a few minutes to allow the water to settle.
•Level the point gauge with the water level in the channel. Record the reading as ho.

•Adjust the point gauge to read 10 mm greater than the datum.

•Record the reading as h.
•Turn on the pump, and slightly adjust the flow until the water level coincides with the
point gauge. Check that the level has stabilized before taking readings.
•Measure the flow rate using the volumetric tank.
•Observe the shape of the nappe and take pictures of it.
Note: To obtain a sufficiently accurate result, collect around 25 liters of water each time, or
collect the water for at least 120 seconds.

•Close the regulating valve, stop the pump, and then replace the weir with the V-notch.

•Repeat the experiment with the V-notch weir plate, but with 5 mm increments in water
surface elevation.

•Collect seven head and discharge readings for each weir.

Position of the notch and

Vernier height gauge to set
the datum.
Report
• Plot a graph of Q (y-axis) against H 3/2(x-axis) for the rectangular weir and Q against H 5/2
for the triangular weir.

• Use a linear function to plot the best fit, and express the relationship between Q and H n
and in the form of: Q= mHn in which the exponent value n is 1.5 for the rectangular weir
and 2.5 for the triangular weir.

• Calculate the coefficients of discharge Cd (theoretical method) using respective

Equations. Record Cd values calculated from the theoretical method in the Result Table

Compare the experimental results to the theory by calculating the percentage of error.
What are the limitations of the theory?
Discuss your observations and any source of errors in calculation of Cd.
 Compare the experimental results to the theory by calculating the percentage of
error.
What are the limitations of the theory?
Why would you expect wider variation of Cd values at lower flow rates?
Compare the results for Cd of the weirs utilized in this experiment with those you
may find in a reliable source (e.g., textbooks). Include in your report a copy of the
tables or graphs you have used for textbook values of Cd.
Discuss your observations and any source of errors in calculation of Cd.