Chapter 6

Chapter 6
Rapid Varied Flow - 2

6.1. The Sharp-crested Weir (SCW)
• A weir is a structure that built across a channel
to raise the level of water with the water
flowing over it.
• The sharp-crested weir also known as a notch
or a thin plate weir.
• The sharp-crested weirs are extensively used
for precise flow measuring device in
laboratories, industries, and irrigation fields.
• The characteristics of flow over a weir is
recognized on the basis of design.
6.1.1. Rectangular weir
• The water surface of the stream curves rapidly
at the upstream of the weir and plunges down in
a parabolic trajectory on the downstream. The
surface is known as upper nappe.
• At the weir crest, the flow separates to have a
free surface which initially jumps up to a level
higher than the weir crest before plunging
down. This surfaces is known as lower nappe.
• If the weir extends to the full width of the
channel, the lower nappe encloses a space
having air initially at atmospheric pressure.
Some of the air from the pocket is entrained by
the moving water surfaces and the pressure in
the air pocket falls below the atmospheric
pressure. This in turn causes the nappe surface
to be depressed.
To maintain standardized conditions for flow
measurement, the air pocket below the lower
nappe should be kept at a constant pressure.
This pocket is achieved through the provision
of air vents.
• The weir flow in above picture shows that the
tail-water level far below the crest and is
termed as free flow. The design of the flow
profile is done using the concept of projectile
motion.
Discharge Equation
Rectangular
(A) Free Fall
• For rectangular weir of length L spanning the
full width B of the rectangular channel (i.e.,
L=B):
Where,
H1 the depth of flow upstream of the
weir measured above the weir crest.
Cd is coefficient of discharge, for
rectangular sharp-crested weirs is
given by well known Rehbock formula:
(B) Sills
• For very small values of P relative to H1, i.e.,
for H1/p > 20, the weir acts as a sill.
(C) Submergence
• In the free flow the tail-water level is far below
the crest to affect the free plunging of the nappe. If
the tail-water level is above the weir crest, the
flow pattern changed and called submerged flow.
• The ration H2/H1, where H2 = downstream
water-surface elevation measured above the
weir crest, is called submergence ratio.
• In submerged flow, the discharge over the weir
Qs depends upon the submergence ratio and
estimated with the use of Villemonte formula:
Where,
Q1 =free-flow discharge
under H1
n = exponent of head in
the head-discharge
relationship Q= KHn.
For rectangular weir n=
1.5
(D) Aeration Need of Rectangular Weir
• To control the depression of the nappe surface.
• The rate of air supply (Qa in m3/sec) required to
completely meet the aeration need is given by:
Where:
Q= water discharge and,
yp = water-pool depth on the
downstream of the weir plate.
• yp can be estimated by the following empirical
equation:
E. Contracted Weir
Example 6.1
• A 2.5m wide rectangular channel has a

rectangular weir spanning the full width of
the channel. The weir height is 0.75m
measured from the bottom of the channel.
What discharge is indicated when this weir
is working under submerged mode with
depths of flow measured above the bed
channel of 1.75m and 1.25m on the upstream
and downstream of the weir respectively.
6.1.2 Non-Rectangular weir
• Sharp-crested weirs of various shapes are
adopted for meeting specific requirements
based on their accuracy, range and head-
discharge relationships. The general form of
head – discharge relationship for a weir can be
expressed as Q = KH1n, where k and n are
coefficients. The coefficient n depends upon the
weir shape and setting.
• A variety of sharp-crested weir shapes have
been designed to give specific head-discharge
relationships.
6.2. Broad-Crested Weir
• Weirs with a finite crest width in the direction
of flow are called broad-crested weirs.
• They have extensive applications as control
structures and flow measuring devices.
6.2.1. Classification of Weir
• Based on the value of H1/Bw the flow over a
broad-crested weir with an upstream sharp
corner is classified as:
a) Long-crested weir (H1/Bw ≤ 0.1) : the
resistance of the weir surface plays as
important role in determining the value of Cd:
Cd = 0.561(H1/Bw)0.222
b) Broad-Crested weir (0.1 ≤ H1/Bw ≤ 0.35): the
discharge coefficient varies slowly with H1/Bw.
Cd= 0.028(H1/Bw) + 0.521
c) Narrow-Crested Weir (0.35 ≤ H1/Bw ≤ 1.5 )
Cd = 0.12(H1/Bw) + 0.492
d) Sharp-Crested weir (H1/Bw ≥ 1.5 ):
The flow surface is highly curved
The weir is can be classified as sharp - crested
Example 6.2
• A broad – crested weir with an upstream square
corner and spanning the full width of a
rectangular canal of 2m width is planned. The
proposed crest length is 2.5m and the crest
elevation is 1.2m above the bed. Calculate the
water surface elevation upstream of the weir,
when the discharge is 2 m3/sec.
Example 6.3

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Chapter 6

Rapid Varied Flow - 2

• A 2.5m wide rectangular channel has a

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