DISCHARGE OVER WEIRS
OBJECTIVE:
To determine the relationship between head H on a weir and the
resultant discharge Q over the weir by deriving an equation
relating H to Q. Also, to demonstrate different relationships for
V-notch and rectangular weirs.
PROCEDURE:
See attached experimental procedure handout.
RESULTS:
Show trial-by-trial data that includes gage height, water height,
mass, and time. Also include flow rate Q calculation and points
used on the graph (see Table 1 in this handout). In another table,
compare the values of the coefficient of discharge Cd and slope n
with the theoretical values given in this handout and give a percent
error between the two.
GRAPHS:
Plot log Q (y-axis) vs. log H (x-axis) on rectilinear graph paper or
in a spreadsheet. Plot all three weirs on the same graph. Make
sure to convert H to meters.
CALCULATIONS: Show one sample calculation for each step, as outlined in the
attached calculations section. Also in your sample calculations,
make sure to show the final equations that are determined for each
weir.
DISCUSSION:
Explain why the values determined for n and Cd in this experiment
are only valid for the weirs used in this lab. How do these values
differ from the theoretical values? Examine the equations given in
the calculation section of this handout along with the graph
developed from your data and then explain the following
relationships;
1.
The dependence of weir length, L, for the rectangular weir
equation.
2.
The dependence of notch angle, , for the V-notch weir
equation.
What is the significance of a depth-discharge relationship and how
does it influence the engineering applications of the weir?
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
1.
Level the weir apparatus on the hydraulic bench and install one of the three types
of weirs. There is one level in the lab that can be shared to determine whether the
apparatus is level. If it is not level, screw or unscrew the legs to get it level.
Write down what weir is being used on the attached table.
2.
Turn the water on. Fill the front portion of the apparatus until the water level is
even with the crest of the weir. For the rectangular notch, check by placing a steel
ruler on the crest. For the V-notch, the vertex of the V serves as an indicator.
Adjust the calibrated scale to the surface of the water by matching the tip to its
reflection. Read this value from above the scale holder (TA will demonstrate) and
record it as the Weir Height in the attached table.
3.
Increase the flow to its maximum. Use the calibrated scale to measure the height
of the water. This is the gage height.
4.
Perform the weight-time method and record the associated data.
5.
Decrease the flow rate slightly. Again record the gage height and perform the
weight-time method.
6.
Repeat Step 4 for four additional flows. There should be a total of six different
flows recorded.
7.
Repeat Steps 2-6 for two more weirs.
CALCULATIONS
The following weirs are used in this laboratory:
V-shaped
Rectangular
Gage Height
Weir Height
H
= 90 or 30
1.
To calculate the actual water height above the crest of the weir, H, the height of
the weir needs to be subtracted from the total water height, gage height (This will
be demonstrated in the lab by the TA). Record this value as meters in your table.
H = Weir Height - Gage Height
2.
The flowrate of the water, Q (m3/s), can be calculated by using the weight-time
method calculation.
Q=
where:
3 m
tavg H 2O
Q = flowrate (m3/s)
m = mass (kg)
tavg = average time (s)
H 2O = density of water = 1000
kg
m3
3.
Create a graph of the log of the flowrate, Q, on the y-axis versus the log of the
water height, H, on the x-axis for all three weirs. Put the best-fit lines on the
graph as well as the regression equations.
4.
Determine the slope, n, and the y-intercept, k, of your best-fit line. This can be
calculated by hand or by finding the regression equation using a spreadsheet.
y = n x + k
n=
dy
dx
5.
Determine the equation for each weir, by substituting in your slope, n, and your yintercept, k, into the following equation:
Q = kHn
6.
Calculate the coefficient of discharge, Cd, using the following equations
(dependent on weir type):
k
L
L = 0.03 m (given)
Cd =
Rectangular: k = Cd L1.02 therefore:
where: k = y-intercept from graph
1.02
V-Notch (one calculation for each angle):
therefore:
where:
k = Cd 0.53 (2 g ) (tan( ))
2
k
Cd =
0.53 (2 g ) (tan( ))
2
= angle of V-notch (degrees)
g = acceleration due to gravity = 9.81 m/s2
k = y-intercept
The coefficient of discharge indicates the resistance to flow over the weir. Is the
flow encountering lots of friction, or is it a smooth ride over?
7.
Determine the percent error between the experimental and theoretical coefficient
of discharges, Cd, for each weir. Also determine the percent error between the
experimental and theoretical slopes, n, found for each weir.
% Error =
Theoretical Actual
100
Theoretical
Table A: Theoretical Values for n and Cd
Weir Type
30 deg V-Notch
90 deg V-Notch
Rectangular
n
2.5
2.5
1.5
Cd
0.6
0.6
1.69
Finally, the theoretical equations needed for the discussion are as follows:
V-Notch:
Qtheo = Cd (8 /15) (2 g ) tan( ) H 2.5
2
Rectangular:
Qtheo = Cd L1.02 H 1.47
EXAMPLE TABLES:
Table 1: Weir Data
Weir Type Weir Height Gauge Height Water Height, H
(m)
(m)
(m)
o
90 Notch
0.117
0.069
0.048
0.117
0.074
0.043
0.117
0.079
0.038
0.117
0.084
0.033
0.117
0.090
0.027
0.117
0.097
0.020
o
30 Notch
0.112
0.038
0.074
0.112
0.045
0.067
0.112
0.057
0.055
0.112
0.078
0.034
0.112
0.095
0.017
Rectangular
0.113
0.062
0.051
0.113
0.070
0.043
0.113
0.080
0.033
0.113
0.091
0.022
0.113
0.099
0.014
Mass
(kg)
4
4
4
2
1
1
4
4
4
2
1
4
4
2
1
1
Table 2: Slope and Coefficient Comparision
Weir Type
Actual n
Theoritical n
o
30 V-Notch
90o V-Notch
Rectangular
3.1060
3.1287
2.3049
T1
(s)
17.96
27.85
30.50
28.07
27.94
67.57
9.50
12.20
22.25
85.59
190.18
5.98
23.24
19.62
12.70
27.50
T2
T3
Tavg Flow Rate, Q
3
(m /s)
(s)
(s)
(s)
19.30
20.21 19.157
6.26E-04
16.07
23.38 22.433
5.35E-04
33.34
36.72 33.52
3.58E-04
30.31
28.19 28.857
2.08E-04
32.34
29.13 29.803
1.01E-04
59.28
65.69 64.18
4.67E-05
8.42
9.65
9.19
1.31E-03
12.32
11.96 12.16
9.87E-04
20.94
26.00 23.063
5.20E-04
70.34
81.63 79.187
7.58E-05
195.10 199.66 194.98
1.54E-05
6.52
4.09
5.53
2.17E-03
15.28
13.75 17.423
6.89E-04
11.13
13.58 14.777
4.06E-04
27.38
21.16 20.413
1.47E-04
33.25
37.68 32.81
9.14E-05
24.24
25.15
53.66
0.961
0.410
3.920
0.6
0.6
1.69
60.17
31.67
131.95
SAMPLE GRAPH:
0.000
-2.000
-1.800
-1.600
-1.400
-1.200
-1.000
-0.800
-0.600
-0.400
-0.200
0.000
log (Flow Rate, Q (m^3/s))
-1.000
-2.000
90 Degree V-Notch
30 Degree V-Notch
y = 3.1287x + 0.9621
-3.000
y = 2.3049x + 0.1097
y = 3.106x + 0.6042
Rectangular
Linear (Rectangular)
Linear (90 Degree V-Notch)
Linear (30 Degree V-Notch)
-4.000
-5.000
-6.000
log (Water Height, H (m))
Figure 1: Head and Discharge Relationship
-1.319
-1.367
-1.420
-1.481
-1.569
-1.699
-1.131
-1.174
-1.260
-1.469
-1.770
-1.292
-1.367
-1.481
-1.658
-1.854
Actual Cd Theor. Cd % Diff.
% Diff.
2.5
2.5
1.5
Log H Log Q
-3.203
-3.272
-3.446
-3.682
-3.997
-4.330
-2.884
-3.006
-3.284
-4.121
-4.813
-2.664
-3.162
-3.391
-3.833
-4.039
Table 3: Weir Data
Trial
Weir Type
Weir Height
(mm)
Gauge Height
(mm)
Water Height
(mm)
Mass
(kg)
Time (s)
2
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
Table 4: Slope and Coefficient Comparison
Weir Type
Actual n Theor. n % error Actual C d Theor. Cd
30 deg V-Notch
90 deg V-Notch
Rectangular
%Error
Avg. Time
(s)
