The Pontifical and Royal

University of Santo Tomas

The Catholic University of the Philippines

Faculty of Engineering________________________________________________
Department of Civil Engineering
CE 422L: Hydraulics Laboratory

Lab 6, Ground Floor, Fr. Roque Ruao Bldg.,

Espaa Boulevard, Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines
1500
(632)406-1611 loc. 8516

EXPERIMENT NO. 3
FLOW OVER WEIRS
A. Rectangular Notch
B. Triangular Notch
INTRODUCTION:
A weir is a barrier across a river designed to alter the flow characteristics. In most
cases, weirs take the form of a barrier, smaller than most conventional dams, across a river
that causes water to pool behind the structure (not unlike a dam) and allows water to flow
over the top. Weirs are commonly used to alter the flow regime of the river, prevent
flooding, measure discharge and help render a river navigable.
OBJECTIVE:
The experiment aims;
to determine the characteristics of open channel flow over a rectangular notch.
to determine values of the discharge coefficient for a rectangular notch.
APPARATUS AND SUPPLIES:
Hydraulics bench
Rectangular notch
V-notch
Vernier Height Gauge
Stopwatch
PROCEDURE:
EQUIPMENT SET UP
1. Ensure that the hydraulic bench is positioned so that its surface is horizontal
(necessary because flow over notch is driven by gravity). Mount the rectangular
notch plate into the flow channel and position the stilling baffle. In order to measure
the datum height (with the height gauge) of the base of the notch, position the
instrument carrier the opposite way round. Then carefully lower the gauge until the
point is just above the notch base and lock the coarse adjustment screw. Then, using
the fine adjustment, adjust the gauge until the point just touches the notch bottom
and take a reading; be careful not to damage the notch.
2. Mount the instrument carrier and locate it approximately half way between the
stilling baffle and the notch plate. Open the bench control valve and admit water to
the channel; adjust the valve to give approximately 10 mm depth above the notch
base. To help achieve this, you may find it useful to preset the height gauge position
to give a rough guide.

TAKING A SET OF RESULTS

1. Observe and record the general features of the flow.
2. To take an accurate height reading, use the fine adjustment to lower the gauge until
the point touches its reflection in the surface;(to achieve this, you will need to have
your eye level just above the surface). Ensure that the flow rate is large enough to
prevent the outflow from the notch clinging to the notch plate; it should project
clear of the plate. Determine the volume flow rate by measuring the time required to
collect a known volume in the volumetric tank. This is done by using the ball valve to
close the tank outflow and then determine the volume collected from the sight-glass.
This measurement should be repeated twice, to check for consistency. Remember to
open the valve again at the end of the measurement.
3. Repeat this procedure having opened the bench valve further, to produce an increase
in depth of approximately 10 mm; check that the level has stabilized before taking
readings. Continue to take readings with increasing flow until the level reaches the
top of the notch; take care not to allow spillage to occur over the plate top adjacent
to the notch.
4. Before starting this test, check that there is sufficient water in the bench main tank to
allow the pump to operate without drawing in air at the maximum flow rate (i.e.
maximum height above notch).
5. Replace the rectangular notch plate with the vee notch plate and repeat the above
procedure. Note, however, that for this notch you will need to work with height
increments of 5-6 mm.
Technical Data:
The following dimensions from the equipment are used in the appropriate
calculations. If required these values may be checked as part of the experimental procedure
and replaced with your own measurements.
Width of rectangular notch
Angle of vee notch

b=0.03 meters
=90 degress

For rectangular notch

Cd

3Qt
2b2g H3/2

For vee notch

Cd

15Qt
8 tan (/2) 2g
H5/2

where,
Qt, is the volume flow rate
H, is the height above notch base
b, is the width of rectangular notch
, is the angle of the vee in the triangular notch

Cd, is the discharge coefficient

The Pontifical and Royal

University of Santo Tomas

The Catholic University of the Philippines

Faculty of Engineering________________________________________________
Department of Civil Engineering
CE 422L: Hydraulics Laboratory

Lab 6, Ground Floor, Fr. Roque Ruao Bldg.,

Espaa Boulevard, Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines
1500
(632)406-1611 loc. 8516

EXPERIMENT NO. 3
FLOW OVER WEIRS
A. Rectangular Notch
B. Triangular Notch
Year and Section:
Group Number:
Group Members:

4CE-A
1

Date Started:
Date Finished:
Date Submitted:

ALVAREZ, PAULO
BEROA, CHRISTELLE MARIE
CANLAS, JAYSON CASTRO
DAVID, JOHN PAUL

July 7, 2016
July 7, 2016
July 12, 2016

DE JESUS, KIRAH ALEJNA

DATA AND RESULTS:

Table 3.1 Rectangular Notch

TRIAL

1
2

Volume, V
(m)

2x10^(-3)

Time, t
(s)

Discharge,
Qactual
(m/s)

H
(m)

Discharge
Coefficient
(cd)

8.63

2.317x10^-4

0.0295

0.516

7.50

2.667 x10^-4

0.0300

0.579

Discharge,
Qactual
(m/s)

H
(m)

Discharge
Coefficient
(cd)

0.0346

0.726

Table 3.2 Triangular or V-Notch

TRIAL

Volume, V
(m)

Time, t
(s)

2x10^(-3)

5.240

3.8172x10^(
-4)

5.825

FORMULAS AND COMPUTATIONS:

TRIAL

TRIAL

3.4332x10^(
-4)

0.0350

0.634

DRAWINGS/SKETCHES/DIAGRAMS/GRAPHS:

Figure 1. No Flow

Figure 3. Reading at the edge/weir

Figure 2. Calibration

Figure 4. Flow of water (Rectangular)

Figure 5. Reading for H

7. SOURCES OF ERRORS

A possible source of error is an error in the calibration of the equipment. Once the
hook is not aligned properly, an error would occur. This experiment is also prone to human
errors, in which the data is read incorrectly. Also, in measuring the flow of liquid, once the
timer is started too early or too late, an error would occur.
8. CONCLUSIONS AND REMARKS

The objective of this experiment is to find the discharge coefficient of two weird: a
rectangular weir nd a triangular weir. Done over the course of 2 trials, the researchers
were able to obtain reasonable values of discharge coefficients of the two weirs. Two
values were obtained for each weir, each corresponding to a different discharge value.

CE 422L: Hydraulics Laboratory | Experiment No. 3: Flow Over Weirs