VIKAS COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

FLOW OVER RECTANGULAR NOTCHES

AIM
To determine the co-efficient of discharge of rectangular notch.

INTRODUCTION

A notch is a device used for measuring the flow rate of a liquid through a small

channel or tank. It may be defined as an opening in side of a tank or a small

channel in such a way that the liquid surface in the tank or channel is below the

top edge of the opening. The sheet of water flowing through the notch is called

Nappe or Vein. The bottom edge of a notch over which the water flows, is known

as the sill or crest.

A weir is the name given to a concrete or masonry structure built across the river

in order to raise the level of water on the upstream side and allow excess water to

flow over its entire length to the downstream side. Thus a weir is similar to a small

portion called spillway, the same in the case of weir flows over its entire length.

Weir may also be used for measuring the rate of flow of water in the river or

stream.
THEORY
The notches are usually classified according to the shape of the openings as:
 Rectangular Notch, Triangular Notch (V Notch), Trapezoidal Notch
The edges of all these notches are beveled on the downstream side so as to have
sharp edges sides and crest, resulting in minimum contact with the flowing fluid.
Since the liquid surface is always below the top edge of the notch, a notch is
usually provided with only a crest and side with no top edge .
DISCHARGE OVER A RECTANGULAR NOTCH:

Discharge may be calculated for a rectangular

Q= (2/3) Cd*L

CO-EFFICIENT OF DISCHARGE:
The ratio of actual discharge over a notch to the theoretical discharge is known as co-
efficient of discharge. Mathematically, Co-efficient of discharge:
Actual Discharge
Cd= l
Theoretical Discharge

DESCRIPTION:

The present set up is designed to demonstrate the flow characteristics over the
notch. Three notches, rectangular , triangular and trapezoidal are provided with
the set up. These are interchangeable and can easily be installed on the flow
channel one at a time. Pointer gauge and hook gauge are also provided with the
set up to measure the level of water in the flow channel.
A triangular weir is fixed in a small steel flume. Supply to this flume is made
through a supply pipe in which a valve is fitted to regulate the supply. To dampen
the fluctuations in the water level in the flume, two or more screens are placed
immediately downstream of the flow-inlet section.
UTILITIES REQUIRED:
Measured water supply source.

MEASURMENT OF LIQUID SURFACE:

Point gauge:
The point gauge consists of a thin vertical rod, pointed at its lower end. The pointer
is lowered until its point just touches the liquid surface (that is the point appears to
touch its reflection in the liquid surface).The rod is attached to a vernier scale to
read the liquid surface elevation.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

1. Fill the test channel with water up to the height where flow through the
notch is zero (up to crest height).
2. Measure the crest height, with pointer gauge or hook gauge provided.
3. Regulate Flow of water through channel from the inlet water supply.
4. Record the height of water level in the channel, at particular flow rate with
the help of pointer gauge or hook gauge provided.
5. Record the flow rate of water through the channel from the measured water
supply source.
6. Repeat the experiment for, different depths of water in the test sections by
increasing or decreasing the flow from inlet supply.
SPECIFICATION:
Accessories General std. data std. data as per offered
by manufracturer specification
Rectangular Material-Brass, height mm,
Notch width mm.

Pointer Gauge Size 150 mm, least count 0.02

OBSERVATION & CALCULATION

OBSERVATION TABLE:
[Link] h Water level Rise Time Actual Theoretical
(cm) Above crest, of (s) Discharge, Discharge,
H Wate Qa (cm3/s) Qt Cd
(cm) r (cm3/s)
(cm)

Average

FORMULAE:
Discharge (Qa): From measured water supply source in m3/sec

Qa =

For Rectangular Notch:

Water level above the crest:

Theoretical Discharge (Qt):

Coefficient of Discharge (Cd):

NOMENCLATURE:
 Cd = Coefficient of discharge
g = Acceleration due to gravity, cm/sec2
H = Water level above the crest height.
h = Water level in the test section at particular flow
through channel.
hOR = Crest height of the rectangular notch, cm
hOV = Crest height of the V notch, cm
L = Width of the rectangular notch, cm
 = Angle of V notch(900, 600).
Qa = Actual discharge, cm3/sec
Qt = Theoretical discharge, cm3/sec.

Result: coefficient of discharge:

REFERENCES:

1. J.P. Holman, “Experiment methods For Engineers”, 6th ed. McGraw Hill, NY,
1994.
2. Modi & Seth, “Hydraulic and Fluid Mechanics including Hydraulic Machines”,
15th ed., N. Delhi, 2005.