TYPES OF NOTCHES, RECTANGULAR AND TRIANGULAR NOTCHES,

RECTANGULAR WEIRS
22.1 Flow Over Notches and Weirs
22.1.1 Notch
A notch may be defined as an obstruction over which the flow of liquid occurs. As the
depth of flow above the base of the notch is related to the discharge, the notch forms a
useful measuring device. In case of measuring tank or reservoir, the opening is
provided at the side of the tank such that the liquid surface in the tank is below the top
edge of the opening. In fact, this is a large opening which has no upper edge, so that it
has a variable area depending upon the level of the free surface.
22.1.2 Weir
A weir is a notch on a large scale used for measuring the flow of a river, canal etc. It
is a concrete or masonry structure of substantial breadth built across the river in the
direction of flow. This allows the excess water to flow over its entire length to the
downstream side. Thus a weir is similar to a small dam constructed across the river,
with a difference that the excess water flows downstream only through a small portion
called spillway and in case of weir, the excess water flows over its entire length.
22.1.3 Nappe and crest
The sheet of water flowing through a notch or over a weir is known as nappe or vein.
The bottom edge of the notch or the top of a weir over which water flows is known
as sill or crest. The height above the bottom of the tank or channel is known as crest
height.

Fig. 22.1 Nappe and crest

 Table 22.1 Difference between orifice and notch
Orifice Notch
An orifice may be defined as an A notch may be defined as an opening
opening provided in the side or bottom provided in the side of tank or vessel
of tank or vessel such that the liquid such that the liquid surface in tank is
flows through the entire orifice. below the top edge of opening.

Table 22.2 Difference between notches and weirs

Notch
A notch may be defined as an opening
provided in the side of tank or vessel such
that the liquid surface in tank is below the
top edge of opening.
Weir
A weir may be defined as any regular
obstruction in open stream over which the
flow takes place.

Small structure Large structure

Made of metallic plates. Made of concrete/bricks.
Measure small flow rate. Measure large flow rate.

Table 22.3 Types of notches

Types Diagram Discharge/flow rate
 of
notches
a Rectang
. ular

b Triangu
. lar

c Trapezo Q = Q1 + Q2
. idal

d Stepped
.

Q = Q1 + Q2 + Q3

22.2 Types of Weir

1. Shape
 Rectangular
 Triangular
 Trapezoidal

Table 22.4 Types of weir on basis of shape

 Types of Diagram Discharge/flow rate
weir
a Rectangu
. lar

b Triangula
. r

c Trapezoi Q = Q1 + Q2
. dal

Note: The discharge equation for rectangular, triangular and trapezoidal weir is same
as of notch.
2. Nature of discharge
 Free: Liquid level on the downstream side is lower than the crest.

Fig. 22.2 Free flowing weir

 Drowned: Liquid level submerges the crest

Fig. 22.3 Drowned weir

3. Width of crest
 Sharp: The crest is narrow

Fig. 22.4 Sharp crest weir

 Broad: The crest is broad

Fig. 22.5 Broad crest weir