CHAPTER 7

FLOW THROUGH NOTCHES &

WEIRS
 INTRODUCTION
WEIR

Figure 7.1: Flow over a sharp – crested weirs

 Elevated structures  measure flow & control outflow
from basins.
 Opening of regular shape (rectangular, triangular or
trapezoidal).
 INTRODUCTION
WEIR

.... Cont ‘
 Bottom edge of opening = ‘crest’
 Notch on a large scale.
 Two types of weirs in common use:
i) Sharp – crested weirs ( - will be focused)
ii) Broad – crested weirs
 INTRODUCTION
SHARP – CRESTED WEIR

 Also known as a notch or ‘thin-plate’.

 Plastic or metal plates – set vertically & across of channel
width.
 Thickness of the crest & side plates (1 to 2 mm).

Figure 7.2: Sharp – crested weirs

 INTRODUCTION
.... Cont ‘
SHARP – CRESTED WEIR

 Two conditions of weirs:

A) SUPPRESSED (uncontracted)
The opening spans the entire width of the channel.

Disadvantage !!!

Figure 7.3: Suppressed

 INTRODUCTION
... Cont ‘
SHARP – CRESTED WEIR

Suppressed (uncontracted)

 Disadvantage : Air is trapped beneath the nappe  reduce air

pressure  drawing the nappe toward the face of weir.
 Avoid ??  place vent beneath the weir (Figure 7.3).
 INTRODUCTION
... Cont ‘
SHARP – CRESTED WEIR

B) UNSUPPRESSED (contracted)

The opening spans only a portion of the channel.

Advantage !!!
Figure 7.4: Unsuppressed weirs
 INTRODUCTION
... Cont ‘
SHARP – CRESTED WEIR

Unsuppressed (contracted)

 Advantage: Air beneath nappe is in contact with atmosphere

 venting no necessary.

NOTCH
 Opening in the side of a measured tank / reservoir
extending above the free surface.
 Any suitable geometrical form.
 No upper edge  variable area depends on the free
surface level.
 RECTANGULAR NOTCH WEIR

Figure 7.5: Rectangular notch weir (uncontracted)

 For uncontracted notch weirs  rate of flow can be calculated
using formula 7.1 (general):
2
Q  C d B 2g H 3 2
3 ……. 7.1

where;
Cd = Coefficient of discharge
B = Width of notch weir
H = Height of water level above the bottom of
the notch weir
EXAMPLE 7.1

The discharge over a rectangular notch weir is to be 0.14

m3/s when the water level is 23 cm above the sill. If the
coefficient of discharge is 0.6 calculate the width of the
notch required.

SOLUTION:

Given:-
Q = 0.14 m3/s
H = 23 cm = 0.23 m
Cd = 0.6
B ??
 SOLUTION .... Cont ‘

Using equation 7.1:

2
Q  Cd B 2g H 3 2
3
 2
0.14    (0.6)(B) (2)(9.81) (0.23) 3 2
 3
0.14  0.195B

B  0.72 m
EXAMPLE 7.2

The head over a rectangular notch weir 12 m is 38 cm

and the sill of the weir is 1.5 m above the bed level of
the channel. Using Bazin’s formula for the coefficient of
discharge, calculate the rate of flow.

SOLUTION:

Given:-
H = 38 cm = 0.38 m
P = 1.5 m
C = Bazin’s formula
Q ??
 SOLUTION .... Cont ‘

Using equation 7.4:

0.00451    H  
2

Cd   0.607   1  0.55   
 H    P  H  

0.00451    0.38  
2

Cd   0.607   1  0.55   
 0.38    1. 5  0.38  
Cd  0.633

Substitute Cd = 0.633 into equation 7.1 yields to:

SOLUTION .... Cont ‘

2
Q  Cd B 2g H 3 2
3
 2
Q    (0.633)(12) (2)(9.81) (0.38) 3 2
 3

Q  5.25 m 3 /s
 RECTANGULAR NOTCH WEIR
.. Cont ‘

Figure 7.6: Notch weir with end contraction

 For contracted notch weirs  rate of flow can be calculated
using formula 7.2 (by Kindsvater & Carter):

2
Q  Cdc 2g L e H 1e 3 2
3 ……. 7.2
 RECTANGULAR NOTCH WEIR
... Cont ‘

H
Cdc  K 1  K 2  
P
Le  L  K L

H1e  H  K H

where;
K1, K2, KL & KH = From Table 7.1
H = Height of water level above the bottom of the notch weir
P = Height of sill above floor of channel or crest height
L = Length of contracted notch weir
Note: Value of Cdc is a function of L/B and H/P
Equation 7.2 is subject to the limitation H/P < 2, H > 0.03 m,
L > 0.15 m and P > 1 m
 RECTANGULAR NOTCH WEIR
... Cont ‘
Table 7.1: Values of parameters for use in equation 7.2
(contracted notch weirs)
 RECTANGULAR NOTCH WEIR
... Cont ‘
 Alternative formula for contracted notch weirs  to calculate
the rate of flow using formula 7.3 (by Franzini & Finnemore):

Q  1.84(L  0.1nH )H 3 2
……. 7.3

where;
L = Width of contracted notch weir
H = Height of water level above the bottom
of the notch weir
n = Number of sides of the notch weir that
are contracted
 n = 2m + 2 (m = number of piers)
 RECTANGULAR NOTCH WEIR
... Cont ‘

Figure 7.7: Number of piers

 RECTANGULAR NOTCH WEIR
... Cont ‘

COEFFICIENT OF DISCHARGE, Cd

 The coefficient of discharge, Cd varies with the head over the sill, H.
 The value of Cd can be estimated from:

Basin’s Formula
 Used when there are full contractions at either side of the
notch weir.

0.00451    H  
2

Cd   0.607   1  0.55   
 H    P  H   ……. 7.4

where;
H = Head over sill (m)
P = Height of sill above floor of channel or
crest height (m)
 RECTANGULAR NOTCH WEIR
.... Cont ‘
 If the correction of P is omitted, equation 7.4 turns to:

 0.00451 
Cd   0.607  
 H  ……. 7.5

Rehbock’s formula
 Used when there is no end contractions at either side of the
notch weir.
 For H/P  5.0:-

0.08H
Cd  0.611 
P ……. 7.6
where;
H & P are same definition as above
 RECTANGULAR NOTCH WEIR
.... Cont ‘
Rehbock’s formula
 For H/P  20:- (weir acts as a sill )

32
 P
Cd  1.06  1  
 H ……. 7.7

where;
H & P are same definition as before

 Equation 7.6 & 7.7 valid if pressure under nappe is atmospheric.

 Note : H is to be measured upstream of the notch weir surface at a
distance of 4H from the weir crest.
 RECTANGULAR NOTCH WEIR
.... Cont ‘
Rehbock’s formula
 Value of Cd also can be obtained from Figure 7.8
(by Kandaswamy & Rouse)
Cd

P/H
Figure 7.8: Variation of Cd for notch weirs and sills
EXAMPLE 7.3

A rectangular notch weir is 6 m long and is

situated centrally in a channel 9 m wide.
If the head above sill is 25 cm calculate
the discharge. Use Franzini & Finnemore
formula.
SOLUTION:

Given:-
L=6m
B=9m
H = 25 cm = 0.25 m
n = 2 (centrally)
Q ??
 SOLUTION .... Cont ‘

Using equation 7.3:

Q  1.84 (L  0.1nH )H 3 2
Q  1.84  6 - (0.1)(2)(0.25) (0.25)3 2

Q  1.369 m 3 /s
 V – NOTCH WEIR

Figure 7.9: V – Notches

 Also known as triangular notch weir.
 Used for low-flow conditions (not more 0.28 m3/s).
 Rate of flow can be calculated using formula 7.8:
8
Q Cd 2g tan H 5 2
15 ……. 7.8
where;
Cd = Coefficient of discharge
B = Width of notch weir
H = Height of water level above the
bottom of the notch weir
... Cont ‘ V – NOTCH WEIR
 Values of Cd for a variety of notch weir angles,  and heads,
H is shown in Figure 7.10.

Figure 7.10: Discharge coefficient in V – notch

Note: Figure 7.8weirs
only limited for H > 50 mm (0.17 ft) & 20 <  < 100
EXAMPLE 7.4

The discharge over a triangular notch weir

is to be 42.5 dm3/s. If V- notch is having
angle of 35 find the head in centimeters.
Take coefficient of discharge as 0.62

SOLUTION:

Given:-
Q = 42.5 dm3/s = 0.0425 m3/s
 = 35
Cd = 0.62
H ??
 SOLUTION .... Cont ‘

Using equation 7.6:

8
Q Cd 2g tan H 5 2
15

8
0.0425  ( 0.62) ( 2)(9.81) tan 35 H 5 2
15
0.0425  1.0256H 5 2

H  0.28 m  28 cm
 TRAPEZOIDAL – NOTCH WEIR

Figure 7.11: Trapezoidal – Notches

 Also known as Cipolletti weir - sides slope 1(H) : 4 (V).
 Has a base width, L.
 Each side makes an angle  to the vertical.
 Notch is formed with consisting of rectangular ABCD of
width L & two triangular areas AEF & BDC (Figure 7.11).
 Theoretical discharge through rectangular portion:

2
Q  C d B 2g H 3 2
3 …….…. (i)
 TRAPEZOIDAL – NOTCH WEIR
... Cont ‘
 Theoretical discharge through triangular portion:

8
Q Cd 2g tan H 5 2
15 …….…. (ii)

 Therefore, total theoretical discharge of TRAPEZOIDAL

notch weir:

2 8
Q  Cd B 2g H 3 2  Cd 2g tan H 5 2
3 15

2  4 
Q  Cd 2g H 3 2  L  tan . H 
3  5  ……. 7.9