WEIRS

WEIR
• Weirs are overflow structures which are built across an open
channel for the purpose of measuring or controlling the flow of
liquids.
• Weirs have been commonly used to measure the flow of water,
but it is now being adopted to measure the flow of other liquids.
Classification of Weirs
• According to shape
➢Rectangular
➢Triangular
➢Trapezoidal
➢Circular
➢Parabolic
➢Any other regular form
• The most commonly used shapes are rectangular, triangular and
the trapezoidal shapes.
Classification of Weirs
• According to form of the crest,
➢Sharp-crested
➢Broad-crested
• The flow over a weir
➢Free
➢Submerged
Definition of Terms
Nappe
• the overflowing stream in a weir
Crest of weir
• the edge or top surface of a weir with which the flowing liquid
comes in contact
Contracted weir
• weirs having sides sharp-edged, so that the nappe is contracted in
width or having end contractions, either one end or two ends
Suppressed weir or full-width weir
• weirs having its lengths L being equal to the width of the channel
so that the nappe suffers no end contractions
Drop-down curve
• the downward curvature of the liquid surface before the weir
Head, H
• distance between the liquid surface and the crest of the weir,
measured before the drop-down curve
RECTANGULAR
WEIR
Rectangular Weir
• Consider a differential area of length L and height dh to be located h meters
below the liquid surface.
• By orifice theory, the theoretical velocity through this area is:
𝑣1 = 2𝑔𝐻′
• Where the total head producing flow H’ = h + hv where hv is the velocity head
of approach and is equal to 𝑣𝑎2 /2𝑔.
Rectangular Weir
•The discharge through the elementary strip is then,
𝑑𝑄𝑡 = 𝑑𝐴𝑣𝑡
𝑑𝑄𝑡 = 𝐿𝑑ℎ 2𝑔(ℎ + ℎ𝑣 )
𝐻
න 𝑑𝑄𝑡 = 2𝑔𝐿 න (ℎ + ℎ𝑣 )1/2 𝑑ℎ
0
𝐻
2
𝑄𝑡 = 2𝑔𝐿 (ℎ + ℎ𝑣 )1/2
3 0
2 3/2 3/2
𝑄𝑡 = 2𝑔 𝐿 𝐻 + ℎ𝑣 − 0 + ℎ𝑣
3
Actual 𝑄 = 𝐶𝑄𝑡
Rectangular Weir
2 3/2 3/2
𝑄= 𝐶 2𝑔 𝐿 𝐻 + ℎ𝑣 − ℎ𝑣
3

It is common practice to combine 2/3 C into a single coefficient Cw called the weir factor. The
general formula for a discharge through a rectangular weir considering velocity of approach
then becomes,

𝑄 = 𝐶𝑤 𝐿 𝐻 + ℎ𝑣 3/2 − ℎ𝑣 3/2

If the ration H/P is sufficiently small, the velocity of approach becomes very small and the term
hv may be neglected. The discharge formula becomes,
𝑄 = 𝐶𝑤 𝐿 𝐻 3/2
Rectangular Weir
In situations where the discharge is required considering the velocity of approach,
using equation:
𝑄 = 𝐶𝑤 𝐿 𝐻 + ℎ𝑣 3/2 − ℎ𝑣 3/2

would lead to successive trials to solve for Q (since the velocity of approach hv is a
function of Q). The following simplified equation may be used:
2
𝐻
𝑄 = 𝐶𝑤 𝐿 𝐻 3/2 1 + 𝐶1
𝑑
3 𝐶2
𝐶1 = ×
2 2𝑔
Where: d = depth of water upstream
d=H+P
Standard Weir
Standard Weir
The following specifications must be applied to a standard rectangular weirs without end
contractions:

1. The upstream face of the weir plate should be vertical and smooth.

2. The crest edge shall be level, shall have a square upstream corner, and shall be narrow that
the water will not touch it again after passing the upstream corner.

3. The sides of the flume shall be vertical and smooth and shall extend a short distance
downstream past their weir crest.

4. The pressure under the nappe shall be atmospheric.

5. The approach channel shall be of uniform cross section for a sufficient distance above the
weir, or shall be provided with baffles that a normal distribution of velocities exists in the
flow of approaching the weir, and the water surface is free of waves or surges.
Standard Weir Factor (Cw) Formulas
• Numerous equations have been developed for finding the discharge coefficient Cw.
Some of these are given below.

• FRANCIS FORMULA
Based upon experiments on rectangular weirs from 1.07m (3.5ft) to 5.18 m (17ft)
long under heads from 180 mm to 490 mm.
2
𝐶𝑤 = 1.84 1 + 0.26 𝐻ൗ𝑑 (𝑆. 𝐼. 𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠)

For H/P < 0.4, the following value of Cw may be used.

𝑆. 𝐼. 𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑡, 𝐶𝑤 = 1.84
𝑆. 𝐼. 𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑡, 𝐶𝑤 = 3.33
Standard Weir Factor (Cw) Formulas
REHBOCK AND CHOW FORMULA
𝐻
𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑖𝑠ℎ 𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑡, 𝐶𝑤 = 3.27 + 0.40
𝑃
𝐻
𝑆. 𝐼. 𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑡 =, 𝐶𝑤 = 1.8 + 0.22
𝑃
BAZINE FORMULA
For rectangular weirs of length from 0.5 m to 2.0 m under heads rom 50 mm to 600
mm.
2
0.02161 𝐻
𝐶𝑤 = 0.5518 3.248 + 1 + 0.55
𝐻 𝑑
Contracted Rectangular Weirs
• The effective length of L of a contracted weir is given by:

L = L’- 0.1NH

• Where L’ = measure length of crest

N = number of end contraction (1 or 2)
H = measured head
TRIANGULAR WEIR (V-NOTCH)
• At very low heads, the nappe of a rectangular weir has a tendency to adhere
to its downstream face.
• A weir operating under such condition would give a very inaccurate result.
• For very low heads, a V-notch weir should be used is accuracy of measurement
is required.
• The vertex angle of a V-notch weir is usually between 10 to 90 but rarely
larger.
TRIANGULAR WEIR (V-NOTCH)
The discharge through the
differential strip is:
𝑑𝑄 = 𝑣 𝑑𝐴
𝑣 = 2𝑔ℎ (neglecting velocity
approach)
𝑑𝐴 = 𝑥𝑑ℎ
By similar triangles:
𝑥 𝐿
=
𝐻−ℎ 𝐻
𝐿
𝑥 = (𝐻 − ℎ)
𝐻
𝐿
𝑑𝐴 = 𝐻 − ℎ 𝑑ℎ
𝐻
 TRIANGULAR WEIR (V-NOTCH)
𝐿
𝑑𝑄 = 2𝑔ℎ 𝐻 − ℎ 𝑑ℎ Actual 𝑄 = 𝐶 × 𝑄𝑡
𝐻 𝑄=
4
𝐶 2𝑔𝐿𝐻3/2
𝐿 15
𝑑𝑄 = 2𝑔 ℎ1/2 𝐻 − ℎ 𝑑ℎ
𝐻
𝐿 - This can be used even if side inclination is unequal
𝑑𝑄 = 2𝑔 𝐻ℎ1/2 − ℎ3/2 𝑑ℎ
𝐻
Integrate
𝐻
𝐿
𝑄= 2𝑔 න 𝐻ℎ1/2 − ℎ3/2 𝑑ℎ
𝐻 0
𝐻
𝐿 2 3/2 2 5/2
𝑄= 2𝑔 𝐻 ℎ − ℎ
𝐻 3 3 0
𝐿 4 5/2
𝑄= 2𝑔 𝐻
𝐻 15
4
𝑄= 2𝑔 𝐿 𝐻 3/2 (𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑄)
15
 TRIANGULAR WEIR (V-NOTCH)
For triangular V-Notch weir,
𝐿ൗ Actual 𝑄 = 𝐶 × 𝑄𝑡
tan 𝜃ൗ2 = 2 𝑄=
4
𝐶 2𝑔𝐿𝐻3/2
𝐻 15
𝐿 = 2𝐻 tan 𝜃Τ2
Then,
4
𝑄= 𝐶 2𝑔 2𝐻 tan 𝜃ൗ2 𝐻 3/2
15
8 𝜃 5/2 𝜃 5/2
𝑄= 𝐶 2𝑔 tan 𝐻 = 𝐶𝑤 tan 𝐻
15 2 2
For standard 90° weir:
𝑄 = 1.4 𝐻 5/2 (𝑆. 𝐼. 𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠)
𝑄 = 2.5𝐻 5/2 (𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑖𝑠ℎ)
TRAPEZOIDAL SHARP CRESTED WEIR
The discharge from a trapezoidal weir
is assumed the same as the from a
rectangular and triangular weir in b b
combination.

3ൗ
𝑄 = 𝐶𝑤1 𝐿𝐻 2 + 𝐶𝑤2 𝑍𝐻 5/2
θ/2 H θ/2
Where:
𝑏 𝜃
𝑍= , 𝑆𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡𝑎𝑛
𝐻 2

L
Cipolletti Weir
Cipolletti Weirs are trapezoidal weirs with side slope of 1 horizontal to
4 vertical. The additional area at the sides adds approximately enough
effective width of the stream to offset the side contractions.

𝑸 = 𝟏. 𝟖𝟓𝟗𝑳𝑯𝟑/𝟐 𝑺𝑰 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒔
𝑸 = 𝟑. 𝟑𝟕𝑳𝑯𝟑/𝟐 𝑬𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒔
Suttro Weir or Proportional Flow Weir

It may be noted that, in a rectangular weir, discharge varies with 3/2

power of H and, in a triangular weir, with 5/2 power of H.
There exist a shape for which the discharge varies linearly with the
head, the proportional flow or Rettger weir, also known as Suttro Weir.

𝟏
𝑸 = 𝑪𝝅𝑲 𝟐𝒈𝑯
𝟐
𝑲 = 𝟐𝒙 𝒚
Submerged Sharp Weir
The discharge over a submerged sharp-crested weir is affected only by
the head of the upstream side H1 but by the head downstream H2.
The discharge for a submerged weir is related to the free or
unsubmerged discharge.
𝒏 𝟎.𝟑𝟖𝟓
𝑸𝒔 𝑯𝟐
= 𝟏−
𝑸 𝑯𝟏
When n is the exponent of H in the equation for free discharge for the
shape of weir used. For rectangular weir, n = 3/2 and n = 5/2 for
triangular weir.
Unsteady Flow Weir (Variable Head)
𝑯𝟏
𝑨𝒔 𝒅𝑯 Where:
𝒕=න
𝑯𝟐 𝑸𝒐 Cw = Weir factor

If the flow is through a suppressed L = crest length

rectangular weir: As = constant water surface are of
𝐻1
𝐴𝑠 𝑑𝐻 reservoir or tank
𝑡=න 3/2
𝐻2 𝐶𝑤 𝐿𝐻 H1=initial head
𝐴𝑠 𝐻2 −3/2 𝐴𝑠 𝐻2
𝑡= න 𝐻 𝑑𝐻 = 2𝐻 −1/2 H2 = final head
𝐶𝑤 𝐿 𝐻1 𝐶𝑤 𝐿 𝐻1

𝟐𝑨𝑺 𝟏 𝟏
𝒕= −
𝑪𝒘 𝑳 𝑯𝟐 𝑯𝟏
Sample Problems