Fluid Mechanics Laboratory Experiment No 4
Experiment 4: To calibrate Rectangular Notch
Aim: To determine the coefficient of discharge (Cd) of rectangular notch.
Apparatus: Experimental set up with channel, inlet, notch, hook gauge with vernier for
measuring head, Collecting tank, stop watch, scale.
Diagram:
Fluid Mechanics I, 3rd Semester, Civil Engineering Department
Shri Ramdeobaba College of Engineering and Management, Nagpur−13
Fluid Mechanics Laboratory Experiment No 4
Formula:
Coefficient of discharge
Qact
Cd
Qtheo
volume collected L B h
Qact
time of collection t
3
2
Qtheo 2g L H 2
3
Theory:
In open channel flows, weirs are commonly used to either regulate or to measure the
volumetric flow rate. They are of particular use in large scale situations such as irrigation
schemes, canals and rivers. For small scale applications, weirs are often referred to as
notches and are sharp edged and manufactured from thin plate material. The basic
principle is that discharge is directly related to the water depth above the crotch (bottom)
of the notch. This distance is called head over the notch. Due to the minimal installation
costs flow rate measurement with a notch is very less expensive. The rectangular notch is
the most commonly used thin plate weir. The V notch or triangular notch design causes
small changes in discharge to have a large change in depth allowing more accurate head
measurement than with a rectangular notch. The flow pattern over a notch or weir is
complex and there is no analytical solution to the relationship between discharge and
head so that a semi-empirical approach has to be used.
Procedure:
1. Fix the notch. Allow flow in the channel gradually by opening inlet valve. When
the level of water is at crest level of notch and close inlet valve then take gauge
reading H0
2. Increase the flow by operating inlet valve, wait for some time to allow the flow to
be steady. When level of water above crest of notch becomes constant, take hook
gauge reading H1.
3. Collect fixed volume (10 lit/ 20 lit) water in measuring tank by closing outlet
valve of the measuring tank during collection and count the time of collection in
sec. Repeat it thrice for accuracy.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for different inlet (to channel) valve settings to get set of
observations. Observations should be taken in ascending order of discharge i.e
head(H)
5. Take 5 sets of observations
Fluid Mechanics I, 3rd Semester, Civil Engineering Department
Shri Ramdeobaba College of Engineering and Management, Nagpur−13
Fluid Mechanics Laboratory Experiment No 4
Observations:
H0 = Gauge reading at crest level of notch (cm) = ……….
L = Length of rectangular notch at crest level in cm = ………
Observation Table:
Sr Gauge Head over Volume of Time of Qact = Qth Cd = Average
no. Reading crest of water collected collection Vol/t Qact/ Cd
H1 notch in tank V t (cm3/sec) Qth
H=H1-H0 litre (cm3) (Sec)
Sample Calculation:
Plot the graph between Log10H Vs Log10 Qact (i.e. X axis Vs Y axis)
From graph find logk and slope (n)
Qact = Cd. Qth
3
2
= Cd. 2 g LH 2
3
5
2
Qact kH 2 i.e k C d . 2g L
3
log10 Qact log10 k n log10 H
By knowing logk , calculate k
2
Substitute in equation k C d . 2g L
3
Calculate Cd and ‘n’ from graph and compare with the theoretical value
Fluid Mechanics I, 3rd Semester, Civil Engineering Department
Shri Ramdeobaba College of Engineering and Management, Nagpur−13
Fluid Mechanics Laboratory Experiment No 4
Result: For Rectangular notch Avg. Cd is found to be
1. Cd (analytical)
2. Cd(graphical)
3. K & n from graph
Discussion Questions:
Q1 Why Cd of rectangular notch is less than triangular notch.
Q2 What are the limitations of rectangular notch.
Q3 What is the theoretical and experimental value of n.
Q4 What are the probable error in experimentation.
Fluid Mechanics I, 3rd Semester, Civil Engineering Department
Shri Ramdeobaba College of Engineering and Management, Nagpur−13