1.

SUMMARY

This experiment was conducted by allowing the water pump to fill the flow channel first until the
water is not flowing out. From that, the zero base H was determined by using the vernier hook.
The H of the flow water is taken as the pointer attached to the vernier hook touch the surface of
the water. The H of the flowing water is varied in this experiment for each weir used. For
Rectangular notch, there are four different H used, while the V-notch only three H is plausible for
the weir that has been supplied to us. After a stable flow was achieved for every H, the time
taken for the flow of 3L water was taken and the flow rate of the weir was determined. By that,
the coefficient of discharge for every weir can be determined by using the weir equation.

2.0

INTRODUCTION

The Flow over Weir apparatus is an experiment conducted to study the effect of different weirs to
the flow of water in a channel. The experiment was conducted by altering the type of weirs plates
at the end of the flow channel on the Hydraulic Bench - Rectangular notch, V-notch. The
apparatus consists of:
1)
2)
3)

Water inlet that comes from a water pump.

Flow channel.
Stifling Baffle that is located in the flow channel to ensure smooth flow condition in

4)
5)

the channel.
A vernier hook with a pointer needle mounted on top of the flow channel.
Weirs plates - Rectangular notch, V-notch that is mounted at the end of the channel
flow of the Hydraulic Bench.

The flow rate of the channel will be recorded and by using the weir equation, the coefficient of
discharge for each weir will be determined at the end of the experiment.

3.0

AIM

The objectives of doing this experiment are:

4.0

1)

To determine the characteristics of open-channel flow over a rectangular notch and V-

2)

notch.
To determine the discharge coefficients for both notch.

THEORY
3

The experiment conducted for the flow over weirs is aimed to study the relationship between the
discharge coefficient and the factors that may affect the flow of the water. Weirs are obstacles or
barriers that are placed at a flow channel to alter its flow characteristics. The uses of weirs are
mostly to calculate the discharge of the flowing water. The structure of weirs when placed at a
flow channel, will increase the water level, H, which is significant for the flow rate of the water.
There are many types of weirs that are different in shapes. The shapes of the weir will determine
their discharge coefficient for the channel flow. The types of weirs used in this experiment are
the rectangular notch and the V-notch. The rectangular notch is commonly used in calculating
discharge of water. The width of the weirs and the width of the channel flow will are significant
for the water flowing. The V-notch is a triangular shaped weir which is usually used to measure
small discharge value. The upper section of the V-notch is usually above the water level, making
the flow of water is always in triangular shape, thus easier for the cross sectional area
calculation. In many cases, the V-notch weir is preferred more in low discharge condition as the
head above the weir crest is more sensitive to changes in the flow compared to rectangular weir;
giving more accurate data.

5.0

APPARATUS

5.1

Part A: Viscosity of liquid using measuring cylinder

The apparatus used in this experiment are:

6.0

Hydraulic Bench
Stilling Baffle
Vernier Hook
Weir Plates: Rectangular Notch and V-notch
Water Channel
Sump Tank
Stopwatch
Pump Switch
Pump

PROCEDURES
1)

The weir apparatus on the hydraulic bench is leveled and the rectangular notch weir is
installed.
5

2)

The hydraulic bench flow control valve was opened slowly to admit water to the
channel until the water discharges over the weir plate. The water level is ensured even

3)
4)

with the crest of the weir.

The flow control valve was closed and the water level was stabilized.
The Vernier Gauge was set up to a datum reading using the top of the hook. The

5)

gauge was positioned about half away between the notch plate and stilling baffle.
Water was admitted to the channel. The water was adjusted by using the hydraulic

6)

bench flow control to obtain heads (H).

The head readings in every increasing of about 1 cm were taken by waiting for water

7)
8)

flow condition to stabilize.

Step 4 and step 5 was repeated for different flow rate.
The readings of volume and time were taken by using the volumetric tank to

9)
10)

determine flow rate.

The notch with V-notch was replaced after finished with rectangular notch.
The result was recorded in the tables.

7.0

RESULT

7.1

Rectangular Notch

Time (s)

Volume
(L)

Height, H
(m)

T3

Average
Time (s)

Flow Rate, Q (m3/s)

T1

T2

0.01

58.74

57.82

57.78

58.11

0.00005

0.02

15.42

18.35

17.33

17.03

0.00018

0.03

8.83

8.19

8.51

8.51

0.00035

0.04

5.70

5.42

6.56

5.56

0.00054
6

7.2

0.05

3.79

3.68

3.63

3.70

0.00081

Log H

Log Q

Q2/3

Cd

H/B

-2.00
-1.70
-1.52
-1.40
-1.30

-4.29
-3.750
-3.450
-3.268
-3.092

0.00139
0.00314
0.00499
0.00663
0.00870

0.5828
0.7030
0.7658
0.7613
0.8186

0.33
0.67
1.00
1.33
1.67

V-Notch

Volume
(L)

Height, H
(m)

3
3
3
3

0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04

Time (s)
T1

T2

T3

64.38
19.22
8.13
3.90

62.38
18.63
8.68
3.96

67.28
18.72
8.81
3.86

8.0

CALCULATIONS

8.1

Rectangular Notch

Average
Time (s)

Flow Rate,
Q (m/s)

Q2/5

Cd

64.68
18.86
8.54
3.91

0.00005
0.00016
0.00035
0.00077

0.0185
0.0302
0.0415
0.0567

1.9630
1.1900
0.9539
1.0149

30 mm

Flow rate , Q=

volume
time

1 L = 0.0003 m
3

Q=C d

2
B 2 g H 2
3

Where,

8.1.1

Cd

= Coefficient of discharge

= Width of notch

= Head above bottom of notch

= Flow rate

1st reading

Height, H

= 0.01 m

Average time = 58.11 s

Volume

= 0.003 m

= 0.03 m

0.003m
58.11 s

= 0.00005 m/s

Using formula:
3

2
2
= Cd 3 B 2 g H

0.00005

2
C d (0.03)( 2 9.81)( 0.01)3 /2
3
0.00005

Cd

8.1.2

2
(0.03)( 2 9.81)(0.01)3 /2
3

= 0.5828

2nd reading

Height, H

= 0.02 m

Average time = 17.03 s

Volume

= 0.003 m

= 0.03 m

0.003m
17.03 s

= 0.00018 m/s
Using formula:
3

0.00018

2
2
= Cd 3 B 2 g H
=

2
C d (0.03)( 2 9.81)( 0.02)3 /2
3
0.00018

Cd

2
(0.03)( 2 9.81)(0.02)3 /2
3

= 0.7030

8.1.3

3rd reading

Height, H

= 0.03m

Average time = 8.51 s

Volume

= 0.003 m

= 0.03 m

0.003m
8.51 s

= 0.00035 m/s
Using formula:
3

0.00035

2
2
= Cd 3 B 2 g H
=

2
C d (0.03)( 2 9.81)( 0.03)3 /2
3
0.00035

Cd

2
(0.03)( 2 9.81)(0.03)3 /2
3

= 0.7658
8.1.4

4th reading

Height, H

= 0.04 m

Average time = 5.56 s

Volume
B

= 0.003 m
= 0.03 m

10

0.003m
5.56 s

= 0.00054 m/s

Using formula:
3

0.00054

2
2
= Cd 3 B 2 g H
=

2
C d (0.03)( 2 9.81)( 0.04)3/ 2
3
0.00054

Cd

2
(0.03)( 2 9.81)(0.04)3/ 2
3

= 0.7613
8.1.5

5th reading

Height,

= 0.05 m

Average time = 3.70 s

Volume

= 0.003 m

= 0.03 m

0.003m
3.70 s

= 0.00081 m/s
Using formula:
11

0.00081

2
2
= Cd 3 B 2 g H
2
3 /2
C d (0.03)( 2 9.81)( 0.05)
3

0.00081
Cd

2
(0.03)( 2 9.81)(0.05)3 /2
3

=
= 0.8186

90

50mm

8.2

V-Notch

Q=C d

Where,

2 g tan H 2
15
2

Cd

= Coefficient of discharge

= Half the enclosed angle the vee

12

H
8.2.1

= Head above bottom of notch

1st reading

Height, H

= 0.01 m

Average time = 64.68 s

Volume

= 0.003 m

0.003m
64.68 s

= 0.00005 m/s
Using formula:
5

8
2
= C d 15 2 g tan 2 H
5

8
90
2
= C d 15 2 9.81 tan 2 (0.01)

0.00005

Cd

0.00005
5
8
90
2
2
9.81
tan
(0.01)

15
2

= 1.963

8.2.2

2nd reading

Height, H

= 0.02 m

Average time = 18.86 s

Volume
Q

= 0.003 m
=

0.003m
18.86 s

= 0.00016 m/s
13

Using formula:
5

8
2
= C d 15 2 g tan 2 H
5

8
90
2
= C d 15 2 9.81 tan 2 (0.02)

0.00016

Cd

0.00016
5
8
90
2 9.81 tan (0.02)2
15
2

= 1.190
8.2.3

3rd reading

Height, H

= 0.03 m

Average time = 8.54 s

Volume

= 0.003 m

0.003m
8.54 s

= 0.00035 m/s
Using formula:
5

8
2
= C d 15 2 g tan 2 H
5

8
90
2
= C d 15 2 9.81 tan 2 (0.03)

0.00035

Cd

0.00035
5
8
90
2 9.81 tan (0.03)2
15
2

= 0.9539
8.2.4

4th reading
14

Height, H

= 0.04 m

Average time = 3.91 s

Volume

= 0.003 m

0.003m
3.91 s

= 0.00077 m/s
Using formula:
5

8
2
= C d 15 2 g tan 2 H
5

8
90
2
= C d 15 2 9.81 tan 2 (0.04)

0.00073

Cd

0.00073
5
8
90
2 9.81 tan (0.04)2
15
2

= 1.0149

15

9.0

DISCUSSION

The discharge coefficient for both the rectangular notch and the V-notch become more accurate
to the theoretical value when the flow rate increases. This is due to the fact that when the flow
rate is larger the stream projects from the notch and it doesn't cling to the notch. When water
clings to the notch, the accuracy of the flow rate decreased. Also the lower flow rates produce
lower heights above the notch creating larger changes from the theoretical equations.

Graph 9.1: Graph Q 3

against H

16

Graph 9.2: Graph log Q against log H

Q & H is related by an empirical formula which is

Q=k H n

where k is a constant and integer

n is a gradient of the graph which based on the graph log Q against log H. The value of n is
1.7013 which is stated on the graph above. Based on formula,
Q=k H

0.01

0.00005=k
k =0.1263
The value of k in this experiment is 0.1263. So, the formula Q=0.1263 H

1.7013

17

Graph 9.3: Graph

On this rectangular notch, the value of

However, the value

Cd

Cd

Cd

against H

continuously increase starting at height of 0.01 m.

is decreasing just a little on the certain height which is on the 0.04 m

height with value 0.7613. The values

Cd

keep on constant but only a small changes value. As

conclusion, the value of Cd is constantly throughout the experiment.

Throughout the experiment which by using V-notch, the value of

Cd

is not constant and the

values keep decreases as height of the head increasing.

The average value of

Cd

that has been calculated in this experiment is 0.7263. So the

conclusion is in the graph above will be a good range which is starts on 0.02 m height until 0.03
m.

18

Graph 9.4: Graph Q 5

against H

19

10.0

CONCLUSIONS

The reading of flow rate for rectangular notch is increase as the head reading increase. Therefore,
the discharge coefficient of rectangular notch is more accurate to theoretical value. Same goes
for V-notch as flow rate increase, the discharge coefficient more accurate to theoretical value.
When the flow rate becomes low, it clings to the notch and flow down. This changes the
discharge coefficient of the notch because water has to resist the friction of notch surface. This
theory indicates that the water has to be level so that there has to be constant flow and constant
pressure. The lower flow rates produce lower heights above the notch creating larger changes
from the theoretical equations.

20

11.0

RECOMMENDATIONS

Before carry out this experiment, all the apparatus must be set up correctly according to the lab
guidelines given. While opening control valve, make sure that the water level even with the crest
of the weir. It must be stabilize and touches the end of vernier hook.
At the same time, student must ensure that water level inside the tank related equipment must not
rise beyond the safe level. Look out at all times, in case water hose falls off or water overflows
from the tank.
During handle this experiment, student is advice to repeat the experiment more than once so that
the average reading can be taken which is more accurate. Ask more than one class mate to record
the readings to avoid errors. Also, while performing the experiment, more than one class mate
should carry out the tasks so that the different approaches will show the results observed and
the variables recorded.

21

12.0

REFERENCES

12.1

Books

1. Yunus A. Cengel, John M. Cimbala. (2014). Fluid Mechanics Fundamental and

Applications. Singapore. Mc Graw Hill Education
2. K Subramanya. (2009). Flow in Open Channel. New Delhi. Tata McGraw-Hill

12.2

Internet

1. The Engineering Toolbox. (2012). Weirs-Flow Rate Measure. Retrieved on 27 September

2014. http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/weirs-flow-rate-d_592.html
2. Wikipedia.
(2014).
Weir.
Retrieved
on
27
September

2014.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weir
3. YouTube. (2013). Flow Over

2014.

Weirs.

Retrieved

on

28

September

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXYHe-DGyVE
4. Cussons Technology. (2010). Flow Over Weirs. Retrieved on 27 September 2014.
http://www.cussons.myzen.co.uk/SOFTWARE/Part5/PART5.HTM

13.

APPENDICES
22

Some of apparatus and materials used for this experiment:

PUMP SWITCH

VERNIER

RECTANGULAR NOTCH WITH STILLING BAFFLE

23

RECTANGULAR NOTCH

VOLUMETRIC TANK

PUMP

24

CONTROL VALVE

STILLING BAFFLE

SUMP TANK

25