Mechanics of Fluids 15CV33
MODULE-5
WEIRS AND NOTCHES
Weir:
• A weir is a concrete or masonry structure which is constructed across the open channel
(such as a river) to change its water flow characteristics.
• Weirs are constructed as an obstruction to flow of water.
• These are commonly used to measure the volumetric rate of water flow, prevent flooding
and make rivers navigable.
Types of Weirs:
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Weirs are classified according to:
1. Types of Weirs based on Shape of the Opening
➢ Rectangular weir C
N
➢ Triangular weir
➢ Trapezoidal weir
SY
2. Types of Weirs based on Shape of the Crest:
➢ Sharp-crested weir
➢ Broad- crested weir
U
➢ Narrow-crested weir
➢ Ogee-shaped weir
VT
3. Types of Weirs based on Shape of the Crest
➢ Sharp-crested weir
➢ Broad- crested weir
➢ Narrow-crested weir
➢ Ogee-shaped weir
Classification Based on Shape of Opening:
Rectangular Weir:
• It is a standard shape of weir. The top edge of weir may be sharp crested or narrow
crested.
• It is generally suitable for larger flowing channels.
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Flow over Rectangular weir:
To find the discharge over rectangular weir, consider an elementary horizontal strip of water
thickness dh and length L at a depth h from the water surface.
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Area of strip = L x dh
Theoretical velocity of water
C
N
SY
Therefore, discharge through strip
U
Where Cd = coefficient of discharge
VT
By integrating above equation with limits 0 to H we can get the total discharge Q.
Finally discharge over the weir
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Flow Over Triangular weir:
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C
N
SY
Here also consider an elementary horizontal strip of water of thickness dh at a depth h from the
water surface.
U
VT
Therefore, area of strip
Theoretical velocity of water
Therefore, discharge through strip dQ = Cd x area of strip x velocity of water
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By integrating the above equation with limits 0 to H we can get the total discharge Q.
Therefore,
Finally, we get
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Trapezoidal Weir:
• C
Trapezoidal weir is also called as Cippoletti weir. This is trapezoidal in shape and is the
N
modification of rectangular weir with slightly higher capacity for same crest strength.
• The sides are inclined outwards with a slope 1:4 (horizontal : vertical).
SY
U
VT
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Flow over cippoletti weir or trapezoidal weir:
In cippoletti weir both sides are having equal slope. So, we can divide the trapezoid into
rectangle and triangle portions.
So, Total discharge over trapezoidal weir Q = discharge over rectangular weir + discharge over
triangular weir
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Broad-crested weir:
C
• These are constructed only in rectangular shape and are suitable for the larger flows.
N
• Head loss will be small in case of broad crested weir.
SY
U
VT
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H = Head of water in the upstream side of the weir
H = Head of water on the downstream side of the weir
V = Velocity of the water on the downstream side of the weir.
L = Length of the weir
Cd = Co-efficient of discharge
Applying Bernoulli’s equation , we get
𝑣2
0+0+H = 0+ +h
2𝑔
𝑣2
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= H-h
2𝑔
V = √2𝑔(𝐻 − ℎ)
Discharge over weir Q = Cd x L x h x√2𝑔(𝐻 − ℎ)
C
N
Qmax = Cd x L x√2𝑔(𝐻ℎ2 − ℎ3 )………………..(A)
SY
The Discharge will be maximum if (𝐻ℎ2 − ℎ3 ) is maximum.
𝑑
(𝐻ℎ2 − ℎ3 ) = 0
𝑑ℎ
U
2hH-3h2 = 0
VT
2H = 3h
2
h=3H
Substituting the value of h in Equation (A)
2 2
Qmax = Cd x L x√2𝑔(𝐻( H)2 − ( H)3 )
3 3
4 9
= Cd x L x √2𝑔 𝑥 √ 𝐻3 − 𝐻3
9 27
4
= Cd x L x √2𝑔 𝑥 √ 𝐻3
27
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2 𝐻
= Cd x L x √2𝑔 𝑥 𝐻√
3 3
3
2
= Cd x L x √2𝑔 𝑥 𝐻2
3 √3
3
2
= 0.3849 L x √2𝑥9.81 𝑥 𝐻 2
3√3
3
= 1.705 Cd L𝐻 2
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Proportional Weirs:
• The Weirs, in which the discharge is proportional to head, are known as proportional
Weirs. By float-regulated dosing devices the flow over a proportional weir can be
•
controlled.
C
Hence are used in irrigation, in hydraulic, sanitary and chemical engineering Industry.
N
For a prescribed shape of weir, the discharge can be determined, e.g. in the case of a
rectangular notch it is proportional to 3/2 h , and in the case of a triangular (V-notch) the
SY
discharge is proportional to 5/2 h , etc., where h is the head over weir.
• The inverse problem is for a known head-discharge relationship finding the shape of a
weir constitutes the design of proportional weirs.
U
Linear Proportional Weirs:
VT
• The linear proportional weir, with its linear head-discharge characteristic is used as a
control for dosing services, as a flow measuring device and as an outlet for grit chambers.
The linear proportional Weir was devised by Stout (1897).
• This is of theoretical interest only as its width at base is infinite. This was modified by
Sutro (1908) to develop a practical linear Proportional Weir and is known as the Sutro
Weir (Fig Sutro Weir).
• A designed shape is fitted for the Sutro Weir which has a rectangular base. It is to be
noted that for flows above the base of the weir, the discharge is proportional to the head
measured above a reference plane located at one third of the depths of the crest of the
base weir.
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C
N
SY
U
.
VT
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