Experiment No.

5
FLOW OVER WEIRS
Objective(s):
1. To determine the theoretical value of the discharge of the broad crested weir.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs):

At the end of the meeting the student shall be able to:
a) Experiments at the flow over weir apparatus
b) Determination of flow rate for various water heads for the type of weir
c) Comparison between experiment and calculation

Discussion:
The HM 160.31 broad-crested weir accessory unit serves to demonstrate
hydraulic processes in weirs and barrage systems in relation to overflow weirs
(complete overflows) and overflowed underwater weirs (incomplete overflows).
Reproducible experiments of a qualitative and quantitative nature can be performed.
The broad-crested weir gate has a square edge on one side and a rounded edge on the
other. By appropriate positioning of the flow, the flow burble as a function of the
rounding of the edge can be investigated.
The HM 160.31 broad-crested weir accessory unit is designed for installation in the
laboratory flow channel.
The following topics can be covered with the accessory unit:
Inflow and outflow processes on the broad-crested weir
Comparison of complete and incomplete overflow
Flow burble and cavitation
Flow metering on the broad-crested weir
Borderline between subcritical and supercritical flow states on the broad-crested weir

The term weir or barraqe system covers all installations in the bed of a water course
intended to bring about an artificial raising of the upstream water level. Upstream water
is the segment of the water course between the barrage system and the inlet; the
segment downstream of the barrage system is termed the downstream water.
A barrier serving primarily to raise the upstream water level is termed a weir. If it is
constructed to hold water and to compensate for the outflow, it is termed a dam or
barrage
Purpose of dams
Increase water depth of the natural river course This is primarily for the benefit of
shipping, to provide sufficient water depth even at low water on the river.
concentrate the natural river gradient at one point This purpose is important wherever
the natural gradient of the river is to be exploited for power generation g (e.g.
hydroelectric power stations).
Reduce fluctuation of the water level If water is conducted away from the course of the
river in artificial channels (e.g. for irrigation purposes), fluctuations in the natural water
level are to be prevented from affecting the channels, in order to ensure the amount of
water removed is kept as constant as possible.
High-water protection Dams and barrages offer the possibility of equalising the
seasonal fluctuations in flow of a river and storing surplus water (e.g. in reservoirs).
Weirs
As already mentioned, the main purpose of a weir is to raise the upstream water level.
A distinction is made between a number of different kinds of weir. An important
differentiation between weirs is their classification according to the height of the crest of
the weir relative to the downstream water (DW) level. A distinction is made between
overflow weirs and underwater weirs.
Overflow weir (complete overflow)
Depending on the outflow volume, one and the same weir may in fact be of both
categories. With a low outflow the weir acts as a overflow weir, but when the outflow is
high it acts as a underwater weir, because as the outflow increases the water depth in
the downstream water can rise much more quickly than in the upstream water(UW).
In a overflow weir complete overflow occurs; in a underwater weir incomplete overflow.
Transition from overflow weir to underwater weir The description "underwater weir" in

regard to weirs of which the crest is below the downstream water level cannot always be
sustained in practical operation. Rather, a overflow weir becomes a underwater weir at
the moment when a damming effect in the downstream water becomes noticeable in the
upstream water.
In the case of the broad-crested weir being examined here, this "transformation point"
can be investigated if an artificial damming effect is created by inserting plastic panels in
the groove provided on the outflow segment (see Operating Instructions, HM 160 multipurpose teaching flume).
First establish a complete overflow, and then during operation insert the panels from
above into the groove. Pay attention to the water level mark above
the broad-crested weir.
Design of weirs
In an actual case, the decisive factor in constructing a fixed weir in a river course will be
the
overflow height h of the weir (always measured from the upstream water level UW). h
must be
measured at a sufficient distance l from the weir (l>4h). If the structure height w and the
weir opening width b are fixed, the hydraulic calculation is reduced to the equation h =
f(Q). The through-flow Q indicates the efficiency of the overflow at an overflow height h.
An incomplete overflow is very difficult to represent mathematically, because of the
damming effect (backpressure).
For the complete overflow, neglecting the inflow speed in the upstream water, an
overflow formula is produced which indicates the through-flow Q (estimation formula)
3

2
Q= b 2 g h 2
3
In this, the symbols have the following meanings:
-Overflow coefficient, dependent on shape of structure
b - Width of the weir(in m!)
g - Acceleration due to gravity g=9,81 m/s2
h - Overflow height(in m!)
Broad-crested weir
The broad-crested weir, as a special form of weir, has already been quite thoroughly
investigated by researchers. The top (opposed to the direction of flow) of the weir
corresponds to a channel inlet, while the bottom corresponds to an overflow.
The object of the following is to ascertain the through-flow of the broad-crested weir,
assuming a complete overflow (downstream water level below weir crest), by applying
the overflow formula.

Resource(s)
1. HM 160.31
2. Ruler
Procedure
1. Prepare the apparatus needed for the experiment
2. Switch on the flume makes sure that there is no discharge when opening the
machine.
3. Set the desired discharge rate by twisting the cap gently counter clockwise.
4. Using the ruler, measure the overflow height created by the weir.
5. Repeat the above procedure for the next discharge rate.
6. Twist the cap again clockwise after the experiment is done for the water to drain.
7. Turn off the flume
TABLE AND COMPUTATIONS
Trial

Qsystem (cu.m/hr)

h(m)

Qtheo (cu.m/hr)

Deviation (%)

0.04825

4.732

5.36%

0.05325

5.486

8.57%

0.06325

7.102

11.23%

0.068

7.91

12.11%

COMPUTATIONS
Working Equation:
2
Qtheo= C b 2 g h1.5
3
Given Values:
Use: C (Coefficient of Discharge) = 0.5
b (length of weir) = 84 mm
DISCHARGE (THEORETICAL)
Qtheo = 5 m3/hr

H = 0.04825m
2
1.5
Qtheo= (0.5)(0.084) 2(9.81)0.04825
3

(3600sec) = 4.732 m3/hr

Qsystem = 6 m3/hr
H = 0.05325m
2
Qtheo= (0.5)(0.084) 2(9.81)0.053251.5
3

(3600sec) = 5.486 m3/hr

Qsystem = 8 m3/hr
H = 0.06325m
2
1.5
Qtheo= (0.5)(0.084) 2(9.81)0.06325
3

(3600sec) = 7.102 m3/hr

Qsystem = 9 m3/hr
H = 0.068m
2
Qtheo= (0.5)(0.084) 2(9.81)0.0681.5
3

DEVIATION (%)
54.732
100=5 . 36
%Error =
5
%Error =

65.486
100=8 .57
6

%Error =

87.102
100=11 . 23
8

%Error =
GRAPH

97.91
100=12 .11
9

(3600sec) = 7.91 m3/hr

Theoretical vs. Calculated

9
8

7.91

7.1

5
4.73

6
5.49

THEORETICAL
CALCULATED

CONCLUSION
Using the formula of discharge for computing the discharge. It shows that the
data gathered is directly proportional to the discharge that is been set for the said trial. It
shows only that the machine demonstrates accurately in showing how a weir works in
the field.

TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES

938 AURORA BLVD. CUBAO, QUEZON CITY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

CE 483L1
HYDRAULICS

EXPERIMENT NO. 7
BROAD CRESTED WEIR

SUBMITTED BY:
DELEN, JOHN REINALD L.
SUBMITTED TO:
ENGR. BILLY I. REJUSO

MARCH 6, 2015

Assessment (Rubric for Laboratory Experience)

CRITERIA

BEGINNER (1)

ACCEPTABLE (2)

PROFICIENT (3)

SCORE

Members
do
not
demonstrate
needed
skills.

Members occasionally
demonstrate
needed
skills.

Members
demonstrate
skills.

Members are unable to

set-up the materials.

Members are able to

set-up the materials with
supervision.

Members are able to setup the materials with

minimum supervision.

Members
do
not
demonstrate
targeted
process skills.

Members occasionally
demonstrate
targeted
process skills.

Members
demonstrate
process skills.

Members do not follow

safety precautions.

Members follow safety

precautions most of the
time.

Members follow safety

precautions at all times.

Members do not finish

on time with incomplete
data.

Members finish on time

with incomplete data.

Members finish ahead on

time with complete data
and time to revise data.

Members do not know

their tasks and have no
defined responsibilities.
Group conflicts have to
be
settled
by
the
teacher.

Members have defined

responsibilities most of
the time. Group conflicts
are
cooperatively
managed most of the
time.

Members are on tasks and

have
defined
responsibilities
at
all
times. Group conflicts are
cooperatively managed at
all time.

Messy workplace during

and after experiment.

Clean
and
orderly
workplace
with
occasionally
mess
during and after the
experiment.

Clean
and
orderly
workplace at all times
during and after the
experiment.

Members
supervision
teacher.

Members
require
occasionally supervision
by the teacher.

Members do not need to

be supervised by the
teacher.

I. Laboratory Skills
Manipulative
Skills

ExperimentlaS
et-up

Process Skills

Safety
Precautions

always
needed

always
targeted

II. Work Habits

Time
Management/
Conduct
Experiment

Cooperative
and Teamwork

Neatness and
Orderliness

Ability to do
independent
work

by

Other Comments / Observations:

require
the

TOTAL SCORE
RATING = [(total score)/24] (100)