TITLE:

LAB REPORT ON BROAD CRESTED WEIR

JOMO KENYATTA

UNIVERSITY

OF AGRICULTURE

AND
TECHNOLOGY

NAME: WABURI FRANCIS GATUBU

REG NO: EN251-3428/2013

COURSE: Bsc CIVIL ENGINEERING

UNIT: HYDRAULICS 1

UNIT CODE: ECE 2304

LECTURER: DR PHD KAZUNGU MAITAIRIA

SUBMITED ON: JAN 2015

Lab Report 2
TABLE OF CONTENT
CONTENT

PAGE

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

AIMS / OBJECTIVE

THEORY

MATERIAL

METHOD

RESULTS

7-9

CALCULATION

DISCUSSION

11

CONCLUSION

12

RECOMMENDATION

12

LITERATURE CITED

14

APPENDICES

14

3-4

9-11

Lab Report 2
ABSTRACT

Basic experiments were conducted on rectangular broad-crested . It was found that

the discharge coefficient of a rectangular broad-crested weir is related to upstream total
head above the crest, length of weir and Channel breadth. Multiple regression analysis
equations based on the dimensional analysis concept were developed for computing the
discharge coefficient of a rectangular broad-crested weirs and discharge coefficient
equation was used for computing the discharge over the broad-crested weirs. Good
agreements between the measured values and the values computed from the predictive
equation are obtained. Therefore, a reliable equation for calculating the discharge
coefficient of rectangular broad-crested weirs in subcritical flow conditions is presented.

INTRODUCTION
OBJECTIVES
1)

To observe the change of the state of flow.

2)

To calibrate a laboratory-scale round-nose broad-crested weir.

3)

To compare the coefficient of discharge obtained by the experiment with that by

British Standard (BS3680, Part 4f).

THEORY
A weir is commonly used in open channels for controlling upstream water levels
and measuring discharge. For both tasks it acts as an obstruction which promotes a
condition of minimum specific energy in sub critical flow. When used for the latter
purpose all weirs must be calibrated because theoretical predictions of discharge are
rendered inadequate by the effects of viscosity and the variations of flow geometry with
upstream depth. Broad crested weirs are generally constructed from reinforced
concrete and are widely used for flow measurement and regulation of water depth in
rivers, canals and other natural open channels.

Lab Report 2
A weir in general can take on many shapes, however broad crested weirs
operate more effectively than their sharp crested counterparts under higher downstream
water levels, and can be used to measure the discharge of rivers since the parallel flow
caused by the weir allows it to be accurately analyzed by the use of energy principles
and critical depth relationships.
It works on the principle that subcritical flow upstream of the weir moves over the
obstruction and this height of the weir causes critical flow, accelerating the liquid which
then transitions into supercritical nappe after the weir is crossed downstream. This
critical depth required to cause critical flow is not easily measured because its exact
location is not easy to determine and may vary with flow rate. However, the upstream
depth can be used to determine the flow rate through mass conservation which is a
more reliable measurement.
Experimentally, broad crested weirs can be used as a flow rate-measuring device
and has the advantage that it is simple to construct and has no edge that can wear and
thus alter the coefficient.

Using Bernoullis equation, it can be derived that

1.5

[( ) ]

v 12
Q=1.705 B
+H1
2g

Furthermore, the discharge is related to a coefficient of discharge for the weir, C d,

2
2g
3
defined by the equation Q=Cd Cv 3 B 3 H 1 2 .

()

Lab Report 2

FIGURE 1

MATERIALS
1. Round-nose broad-crested weir with rubber packings.
2. A steady water supply system.
3. An adjustable-slope rectangular open channel with point gauge.
4. A v-notch with a hook gauge.
5. A steel tape measure.
6. A thermometer.

METHOD
1) The dimensions of the broad-crested weir were taken and the distances from
section 2A to section 2F were taken.
2) The open channel was then set horizontal and the temperature of the water
measured.
3) The crest level of the broad-crested weir and that of the channel bed were
determined using a point gauge.
4) The level of the v-notch pouring the water up to the crest level was determined
using a hook gauge and values got recorded.
5) The operation of the steady water supply system was started and the discharge
was set small.
6) The head above the v-notch was measured after the flow was steady
7) The depth of flow in the upstream where the weir does not exert influence on the
water surface was determined and recorded (section 1).
8) The changes of state of flow by the broad-crested weir were observed and the
section where the control section occurs was noted, letting a drop of water fall on
the surface of flow.
5

Lab Report 2
9) The discharge was then increased and procedure 6 and 7 repeated.
10)One flow was selected and the depth of flow at section 2A -2F were determined.
.

RESULTS
TITLE: EXPERIMENT OF BROAD-CRESTED WEIR
Date: 10/29/2014
No. : 02
***FUNDAMENTAL DATA***
Properties of Water

Temperature

21c

Density ()

997.996 kg/m3

Width (B)

0.30 m

Length (L)

0.30 m

Height (Z)

0.15 m

1-0.006L/B

0.994

Crest level (point gauge)

0.626m

Property of channel

Bed level (point gauge)

0.475 m

Properties of V-notch

Half angle of V-notch

45

Coefficient of discharge(Cdv)

0.859

Coefficient (Kv)

1.42

Dimensions of broad crested

weir

Lab Report 2
Crest level (hook gauge)

0.216 m

***Operation Data***
V- notch
Stag
e

Readi

Hea

ng

(m)

(m)

Section 1
Dischar
ge
(Q)

H1-Z

L /

(m)

H1-Z

Specific energy
Velocit

Velocit

Readin

Dept

gs

y of

y head

(H1 )

flow

10-5m

(m)

-3

10 m/s

Es

The
oret
ical
(Qt)

Cd

Cdt

m/s

(m)

0.15
5

0.06
1

1.305

0.647

0.172

0.02
2

13.6
4

0.02
5

3.186

0.02
2

1.66
4

0.78
4

0.93
4

0.14
8

0.06
8

1.712

0.650

0.175

0.02
5

12

0.03
3

5.550

0.02
5

2.01
6

0.84
9

0.94
1

0.14
1

0.07
5

2.187

0.654

0.179

0.02
9

10.3
4

0.04
1

8.568

0.02
9

2.51
9

0.86
8

0.94
8

0.13
4

0.08
2

2.734

0.658

0.183

0.03
3

9.09

0.05
0

12.74
2

0.03
3

3.05
7

0.89
4

0.95
4

0.12
7

0.08
9

3.356

0.662

0.187

0.03
7

8.11

0.06
0

18.34
9

0.03
7

3.63
0

0.92
5

0.95
8

0.12
2

0.09
4

3.847

0.665

0.190

0.04
0

7.5

0.06
7

22.88
0

0.04
0

4.08
0

0.94
3

0.96
1

0.11
7

0.09
9

4.379

0.670

0.195

0.04
5

6.67

0.07
5

28.67
0

0.04
5

4.86
8

0.90
0

0.96
4

Lab Report 2
8

0.11
1

0.10
5

5.073

0.673

0.198

0.04
8

6.25

0.08
5

36.82
5

0.04
8

5.36
3

0.94
6

0.96
6

0.10
5

0.11
1

5.829

0.679

0.204

0.05
4

5.56

0.09
5

45.99
9

0.05
4

6.40
0

0.91
1

0.96
9

10

0.09
2

0.12
4

7.689

0.688

0.213

0.06
3

4.76

0.12
0

73.39
4

0.06
4

8.25
7

0.93
1

0.97
3

Cdm

Cdtm

0.89
5

0.95
7

*******FUNDAMENTAL DATA*****
Selected stage
Actual discharge [Qa]
Crest level of the weir
Width of the weir
[B]
****** OPERATION DATA******
section
Distance
Water
from
level
section 2A
[point
(m)
gauge]
2A
0.0
0.680
2B
0.05
0.671
2C
0.1
0.667
2D
0.15
0.664
2E
0.20
0.663
2F
0.25
0.653

10
7.689x10 m3/s
0.626 m
0.3 m
-3

Depth
m
0.054
0.045
0.041
0.038
0.037
0.027

Velocity of
flow[v]
(m/s)
0.475
0.5696
0.625
0.674
0.693
0.949

Propagatio
n
velocity[u]
m/s
0.728
0.664
0.634
0.611
0.602
0.515

Froude
number
[Fr]
0.653
0.858
0.986
1.103
1.151
1.843

SAMPLE CALCULATIONS
All readings for distance were taken in Millimetres so a conversion factor of 0.001 was
used to convert it to meters.
Actual Discharge, Qa

= Kv Hv

5
2

Where kv-cofficient of v notch,

Hv- Head above v north
=1.42x0.0612.5

Lab Report 2
=

1.302 X 103

m3s-1

Upstream velocity, v1
Q=

A v1

v1 =

Q
A

v1 =

1.305 x 103
(0.3 x 0.172)

= 0.025 ms-1

[ ]
2

Velocity head =

v1
2g

0.0252
19.62

=3.186 x10 -5 ms-1

v 12
2g

Specific energy (E) = H1 Z +

=0.172 0.15 +3.186 x10 -5

=0.022 J

Critical Depth (HC)

2
E
3

2
X 0.022
3

Theoretical Discharge, Qt =

=0.015m

v 12
1.705 B
+H1
2g

3
2

Lab Report 2

0 .0252
1.705(0.3)
+0.172
19.62

3
2

= 1.664x 10-3 m3s-1

Co-efficient of Discharge, Cd

Qa
Qt

1.305
1.664

= 0.784
Value of =

L
( H 1Z)

= 0.3/0.022
=13.64
0.003 L
H 1Z
Theoretical coefficient of discharge (Cdt) = (
) 3/2
0.006 L
1

B
1

= (1-0.006X0.3/0.3) (1

0.003 x 0.3
0.1720.15

) ^1.5

= 0.934

CALCULATIONFOR SECTION 2 (selected section 10)

10

Lab Report 2
Q
A

Velocity of flow (v) =

7.689 x 10
= 0.3 x 0.054
=0.475m/s

Propagation velocity of long waves, v=

=

gH
9.81 x 0.054

=0.728m/s

Froude Number, Fr =

v
gH
0 .475
9.81 x 0.054

= 0.653

AGRAPH OF Cd AGANAIST H1

11

Lab Report 2
1
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
Cd

0.5
Cd vs H1

0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0.17

0.18

0.19

0.2

0.21

0.22

0.23

H1

AGRAPH OF Qa AGANIST H1
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
Qa 0

Qa vs H1

0
0
0
0
0.17

0.18

0.19

0.2

0.21

0.22

0.23

H1

12

Lab Report 2

A GRAPH OF Log Qa AGANIST Log E

-1.7

-1.6

-1.5

-1.4

-1.3

-1.2

0
-1.1
-0.5
-1

Log Qa

-1.5
Log Qa vs Log E

Linear (Log Qa vs Log E)

-2
-2.5
-3
Log E

DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS

Froude Number at Broad Crested Weir Edge
The Froude numbers calculated at the edge of the broad crested weir i.e. the
Froude numbers fell well out of the expected range. Since the flow upstream of the weir
was subcritical and the flow at the edge of the weir theoretically is supposed to be
critical, a value close to 1 was expected. The values obtained ranged between 0.6531.843.This may have been due to erroneous measurement or calculation. The only
sense that could be made of these very high Froude numbers is that the liquid achieved
a very high velocity hence a high energy (both total and specific).

13

Lab Report 2
Magnitude of Flow Rate and Effect on Discharge Coefficient Cd
It was found that as the magnitude of the flow rate increased, so did the
discharge coefficient. This may have been due to the shape of the weir which had a
rectangular control section. Since the height of the water increased with increased flow,
more friction loosed may have occurred.
Relationship Between Cd and Flow Rate
Experimental data showed that Cd increased with increasing flow rate.
Magnitude of Flow Rate and Effect on Velocity Coefficient Cv
It was found that as the magnitude of the flow rate increased, so did the velocity
coefficient.
Relationship Between Cv and Flow Rate
Experimental data showed that Cv increased with increasing flow rate.

Pattern of Water Over Weir

Test no.1

14

Lab Report 2

Errors & Precautions

Error due to parallax in reading the vernier scale and tank.

The flow may not have been fully stabilized when the readings were taken.

Reaction time error when using the stopwatch.

CONCLUSION
Within the limits of experimental error, it was found that both the discharge and
velocity coefficient are directly influenced by the flow rate. Also, nappe patterns of flow
were observed.

RECOMMENDATION

i)

The readings of height should be taken carefully by avoiding sight error. The
time collection should be taken much appropriately.

ii)

The experiment should be carried out by all civil engineering students in order
to appreciate the theory learnt in class.

LITERATURE CITED.
1. Daugherty, Robert L. Hydraulics. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company,
Inc, 1925. Print.
2. Harris, Charles W. Hydraulics. New York: J. Wiley, 1936. Print.
3. King, Horace W, Chester O. Wisler, and James G. Woodburn. Hydraulics. New York:
J. Wiley, 1948. Print.
4. Simon, Andrew L, and Andrew L. Simon. Hydraulics. New York: Wiley, 1986. Print.
15

Lab Report 2

5. Lecturers note and lab hard outs by Dr.PHD K. Maitairia, 2014.Print.

APPEDICES

The images show some applications of broad-crested weirs

16