WEIRS
A weir is an obstruction structure placed in an open channel that causes the water to back
up behind it and flow over it. They are built across an open channel for the purpose of
measuring the discharge or controlling the flow of water.
1) Sharp-Crested Weir
Weirs constructed from a sheet of metal or other material so that the jet or nappe
springs free as it leaves the upstream face.
Sharp Crested Rectangular Weir
3
2
a) Q = 𝐶𝑤 √2𝑔 L 𝐻 2
3
0.075𝐻
b) Cw = 0.611 +
𝑃
where:
Cw = discharge coefficient
H = height of water above the crest
L = length of weir
Va = velocity of approach
Using Francis Formula:
a) Neglecting velocity of approach
Q = 1.84 L H3/2
b) Considering velocity of approach
Q = 1.84 L [ (H + hv)3/2 – (hv)3/2]
𝑉𝑎2
hv =
2𝑔
Q = Va dL
2) Broad Crested Weirs
Are weirs having sufficient elevation above the channel bottom to choke the flow and
it is long enough so that the overflow streamlines become parallel resulting in a
hydrostatic pressure distribution
2
dc = 𝐻 (critical depth)
3
Vc = √𝑔𝑑𝑐 (critical velocity)
2
a) Q = Cw √2𝑔 LH 3/2
3
0.65
b) Cw = 𝐻
(1+ )0.5
𝑃
if P (height of weir plate is not known)
c) Q = 1.71 L H3/2
for a well-rounded upstream corner of a broad crested weir
d) Q = 1.67 L H3/2
3) Contracted Rectangular weirs
When the weir does not extend completely across the width of the channel
Q = 1.84 L’ H3/2
L’ = L – 0.2 H
Q = 1.84 L’ H3/2
L’ = L – 0.10H
4) Suppressed weirs
The length of the weir is equal to the width of the channel
Q = 1.84 L H3/2
(neglecting velocity of approach)
Q = 1.84 L [(H + hv)3/2 – (hv)3/2]
(considering velocity of approach)
0.075𝐻
Cw = 0.611 + for sharp crested weir
𝑃
0.65
Cw = 𝐻 for broad crested weir
(1+ )0.5
𝑃
Q = 1.84 L H3/2 Francis Formula
Triangular Weir or V-notch Weir
8 𝜃
a) Q = C √2𝑔 tan H5/2
15 2
b) Q = 1.4 H5/2 when 𝜃 = 90o
Trapezoidal Weir
Q = Q rectangular weir + q triangular weir
2 8 𝜃
Q= C √2𝑔 LH 3/2 + C √2𝑔 tan H5/2
3 15 2
Cippolletti Weir
1
Tan 𝜃 =
4
Q = 1.859 L H3/2
Submerged Weir
𝑄𝑠 𝐻2
= [ 1 – ( )1.5 ]0.385
𝑄 𝐻2
Qs = discharge of the submerged weir
Q = discharge of a suppressed weir under a head of H1
2
Q= Cw √2𝑔 LH1 3/2
3
SAMPLE PROBLEM 1
A channel carries a head of water equal to 0.60m. Compute the discharge of a certain
channel if:
1. A 90o triangular weir is used
2. A cippolletti weir 4.5 m long
3. A rectangular suppressed weir 6 m long.
SOLUTION:
1) discharge for a 90o triangular weir
Q = 1.4 H5/2 Q = 1.4 (0.60)5/2
Q = 0.390 m3/sec Q = 390 liters/sec
2) Discharge for a cippolletti weir 4.5 m long
Q = 1.859 L H3/2
Q = 1.859 (4.5) (0.60)3/2
`
Q = 3.89 m3/sec
Q = 3890 liters/sec
3) Discharge for a suppressed weir
Q = 1.84 L H3/2
Q = 1.84 (6) (0.60)3/2
Q = 5.13 m3/sec
Q = 5130 liters/sec
SAMPLE PROBLEM 2
The length of a weir of a reservoir is 200 m long. After a heavy downpour the depth of
water over the weir was 4m. The total discharge through the weir was 1,000,000 m3.
1. Compute the average rate of flow of the water until the flow over the weir lasted.
2. How long did the flow over the over the weir lasted?
3. What is the depth of water after 300 sec when the discharge through the weir is
only 540000 m3.
SOLUTION:
1. Average rate of flow
Q1 = 1.84 L H3/2 Q1 = 1.84 (200) (4)3/2 Q1 = 2944 m3/sec
Q2 = 1.84 L(200) (0)3/2 Q2 = 0
2944+0
Qave = Q ave = 1472 m3/sec
2
2) Time the flow over the weir lasted:
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 1,000,000
t= t= t = 679.35 sec
𝑄𝑎𝑣𝑒 1472
3) Depth of water after 300 sec:
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 540000
t= 300 = Qave = 1,800 m2/sec
𝑄𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑄𝑎𝑣𝑒
Q1 = 1.84 L H3/2 1800 = 1.84 (200) H3/2
H = 2.88m
