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Flow over a Broad-Crested Weir in

Subcritical Flow Conditions, Physical Syudy

seyed hooman hoseini 1* and hossein afshar2

1
Department of Water Engineering, Islamic. Azad University, Central Tehran
Branch, Iran
2
Mechanical Engineering Department, Islamic Azad University, East Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran.

ABSTRACT
Basic experiments were conducted on rectangular broad- a simple cross section shape, such as rectangular, triangular,
crested weirs with different geometry. It was found that the trapezoidal, truncated triangular, and others [10, 24]. Some
discharge coefficient of a rectangular broad-crested weir is useful empirical discharge equations for these weirs have
related to upstream total head above the crest, length of weir been proposed. A broad-crested weir is a flat-crested
and Channel breadth. Multiple regression analysis equations structure with a length Lcrest large compared to the flow
based on the dimensional analysis concept were developed for thickness [14, 20]. The crest is termed broad when the flow
computing the discharge coefficient of a rectangular broad- streamlines are parallel to the crest and the pressure
crested weirs and discharge coefficient equation was used for distribution is hydrostatic [14, 19]. When the crest is
computing the discharge over the broad-crested weirs. Good
“broad”, the streamlines become parallel to the crest invert
agreements between the measured values and the values
computed from the predictive equation are obtained. and the pressure distribution is hydrostatic. The discharge
Therefore, a reliable equation for calculating the discharge above the weir equals:
coefficient of rectangular broad-crested weirs in subcritical 2 3
flow conditions is presented. 𝑄 = 𝐶𝑑 𝑔 𝑕1 .B (1)
3
Where Q is the discharge, B is the channel breadth, g is the
KEYWORD gravity acceleration, H1 is the upstream total head above the
Rectangular broad-crested weir, Discharge coefficient, Dimensional crest (Fig. 1), and Cd is the dimensionless discharge
analysis, Subcritical flow conditions. coefficient. Cd is unity for an ideal fluid flow above the
broad-crest.
INTRODUCTION Study of broad-crested weirs has attracted the attention of
many investigators [1]. Musterle [22] and Montes [19]
W eirs are a small overflow-type dams commonly used
performed experiments on broad crested weirs. Woodburn
[32] showed that the discharge coefficient increases up to
to raise the level of a river or stream and cause a large 8% if the upstream corner of the weirs is curved [1]. Chow
change of water level behind them. The use of portable [7] developed a relationship for discharge coefficient, using
instrument like kinds of weirs, flumes, floats, and momentum theorem. Ippen [16], using the Bernoulli and
volumetric tank are common. Discharges measured range boundary layer equations, developed a relationship for
from a trickle in ditch to a flood on the Amazon. Many discharge coefficient as a function of boundary layer
researchers have studied the head discharge relations for thickness [1]. Lewith [18] introduced the discharge
flows over sharp-crested weirs and broad-crested weirs with coefficient as a function of the head of water over the weir,
the length and width of the weir, and the flow viscosity [31].
Henderson [15] developed an equation to determine the
discharge coefficient for round corner weirs with critical
flow condition, assuming Yb=0.715Yc (Yc is the critical
depth and Yb is the depth of water at the edge of the weir).
In these studies it is also mentioned that separation of flow
can be eliminated, if a broad crested weir with upstream
*Corresponding Author: round corner is used. Also the critical depth will move
E-mailr: [email protected]
Telephone Numberr: +989360187818 , Fax. Numberr:+98218
downstream, resulting in a subcritical flow dominating all
over the weir.
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Belanger [4, 5] analyzed theoretically the overflow and he New experiments were conducted at the laboratory of
derived Eq. (1) for the ideal case (Cd =1). Successful Islamic Azad University of East Tehran branch, Iran, in a
physical studies included Bazin [3], Woodburn [32], Tison research flume that was made of glass with a cross section
[30] and Serre [28] Hall [13] and Isaacs [3] studied the 0.30 m wide, 0.50 m deep and 4.8 m long (Fig. 2). Water
effects of developing boundary layer on the overflow. was supplied from a large 1.5 m deep feeding basin leading
Ramamurthy et al. [23] investigated systematically the to a sidewall convergent enabling a very smooth and wave
discharge characteristics of round-edged and square-edged less inflow. The weirs are consisted of a 0.038 m height,
weirs and Sargison and Percy [26] showed the influence of 0.30 m width, with an upstream rounded corner (0.0134 m
the weir inflow design on the bottom pressure distributions radius) and 0.187 m and 0.336 m long flat horizontal crest
and discharge coefficient. Based on Sarker and Rhodes [27] respectively (Table 1). A pump controlled with an adjustable
works, measurements of the free surface profile over a frequency AC motor drive delivered the flow rate, enabling
laboratory scale, rectangular broad-crested weir were an accurate discharge adjustment in a closed-circuit system.
performed and were compared with numerical calculations Clear-water flow depths were measured on the channel
using commercial software. For the given flow rate, the centerline with a point gauge and using photographs through
prediction of the upstream water depth was excellent and the the sidewalls. The accuracy of point gauge and photographic
rapidly varied flow profile over the crest was reproduced data yielded the same results within 1 mm.
quite well. In the supercritical flow downstream, a stationary
wave profile was observed and reproduced in form by the
calculations. Gonzalez and Chanson [11] conducted
experiments in a near full-scale broad-crested weir. Detailed
velocity and pressure measurements were performed for two
configurations. The results showed the rapid flow
distribution at the upstream end of the weir, while an
overhanging crest design may affect the flow field.
Clemmens et al [8], studied RBC (Replogle-Bos-Clemmens)
broad-crested weirs for circular sewers and pipes. The
modified RBC broad-crested weir has many advantages over
related open channel flow devices. These include high
accuracy and reliability for a wide variety of shapes, low
head-loss requirements which are predictable, and relatively
(a)
simple inexpensive construction. Based on their
investigations, theoretical equations were presented for ideal
flow from which approximate ratings can be obtained to
within a reasonable accuracy with an empirical discharge
coefficient, however, a mathematical model is available
which accurately predicts these ratings by directly
accounting for the effects of friction. The ratings for a wide
variety of shapes and sizes of these weirs were computed
with the model and fit to an empirical equation. Design
examples are given which show how to select the flume
dimensions for maintaining free flowing conditions
(modular flow) and for minimizing sediment deposition.
The purpose of this study is investigation of discharge
coefficient (Cd) in rectangular broad-crested weirs. In
addition comparisons of present results with other (b)
researchers study have been carried out.
Fig.2. Experimental Set-Up (a) Laboratory flume. (b) broad-crested weir in
action.

Fig. 1. Definition sketch of a broad-crested weir

EXPERIMENTAL LAYOUT
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Table 1- Experimental investigations of horizontal broad-crested weirs outlet values of rectangular broad-crested weir discharge (Q)
Experiment L ∆𝑧 B Q H1
for different Geometries used in this study. In Figure 6,
m m m m3/s m head-discharge for various weir lengths is presented. Figure
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
7 shows the comparison of observed and calculated
Geometry 1
Geometry 2
0.187
0.336
0.38
0.38
0.30
0.30
0.00133 to 0.006
0.00133 to 0.006
0.0234 to 0.0508
0.0252 o 0.0512
triangular broad-crested weir discharge coefficient using
Equation (5) for all the experimental data. Also, the
comparison of observed and calculated discharge coefficient
Table 2- Equations used by other researcher for Cd in broad-crested weir using Equation (5) and equations used by other researchers
Experiment Equation Condition
(Table 2) is shown in Figure 8.
𝐻1
GOVINDA RAO & 𝐶𝑑 = 0.521 + 0.028( 𝐿 ) 0.1< (H1 / L) < 0.35
MURALIDHAR [12]
Q=1.33 Lit/s Q=1.66 Lit/s Q=2 Lit/s
Q=2.33 Lit/s Q=2.66 Lit/s Q=3 Lit/s
Q=3.33 Lit/s Q=3.66 Lit/s Q=4 Lit/s
AZIMI & RAJARATNAM [2] 𝐶𝑑 = 0.9 + 0.147(𝐻1 /(𝐻1 + P)) 0.1< (H1 / L) < 0.4 Q=4.33 Lit/s Q=4.66 Lit/s Q=5 Lit/s
Q=5.33 Lit/s Q=5.66 Lit/s Q=6 Lit/s
𝐻1
FELDER& CHANSON [9] 𝐶𝑑 = 0.92 + 0.153( 𝐿 ) 0.02 < H1/L < 0.3 Broad-Crested Weir

100.00
𝐻1
SALMASI et al. (2012) 𝐶𝑑 = 0.612 + H1/L ≤ 0.27
𝐿

80.00
Depth of Flow (mm)
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 60.00
The discharge coefficient (Cd) of rectangular broad-
crested weir can be written as a function of the width of the 40.00
channel (B), total energy head upstream of the weir (h1),
mean flow velocity in the main channel (v), length of broad-
20.00
crested weir (L), and acceleration due to gravity (g).

𝐶𝑑 = 𝑓(𝐵, 𝑕1 , 𝐿, 𝑣, 𝑔) (2) 0.00

0.00 100.00 200.00 300.00 400.00 500.00 600.00 700.00
Dimensional analysis based on Buckingham‟s theorem Longitudinal section (mm)

was used to find non-dimensional variables in the present

study. Fig.3. Free surface profiles above a broad-crested weir for L=18.7cm

𝑉 𝑕1 𝑕1
𝐶𝑑 = 𝑓( , , ) (3)
𝑔𝑕 1 𝐵 𝐿 Q=1.33 Lit/s Q=1.66 Lit/s Q=2 Lit/s
Q=2.33 Lit/s Q=2.66 Lit/s Q=3 Lit/s
Q=3.33 Lit/s Q= 3.66 Lit/s Q=4 Lit/s
𝑉 Q=4.33 Lit/s Q=4.66 Lit/s Q=5 Lit/s
In which 𝐹𝑟 = is the Froude number in the main Q=5.33 Lit/s Q=5.66 Lit/s Q=6 Lit/s
𝑔𝑕 1 Broad-Crested Weir
100.00
channel. Therefore, Eq. (3) reduces to:
90.00
𝑕1 𝑕1 80.00
𝐶𝑑 = 𝑓(𝐹𝑟 , , ) (4)
𝐵 𝐿 70.00
Depth of Flow (mm)

60.00
The discharge coefficient was computed using the
50.00
Equation (1). In order to estimate the outflow over a
40.00
rectangular broad-crested weir, the discharge coefficient in
30.00
the weir equation needs to be known. Equation (5) was
20.00
developed for computing the discharge coefficient of a
rectangular broad-crested weir from the experimental 10.00

results. The SPSS mathematical software has been used to 0.00

consider simultaneous effects of dimensionless parameters 0.00 100.00 200.00 300.00 400.00 500.00 600.00 700.00 800.00

on discharge coefficient. The variation of Froude number Longitudinal section (mm)

did not have significant effect on discharge coefficient.
Thus, the dimensionless discharge coefficient data was best Fig.4. Free surface profiles above a broad-crested weir for L=33.6cm
correlated by:

𝑕 𝑕
𝐶𝑑 = 6.419( 1 )0.0669 − 10.461( 1 )0.0135 (5)
𝐵 𝐿

Free surface profiles over rectangular broad-crested weirs

for different value of discharge and weir length are shown in
Figures 3 and 4. Figure 5 shows the comparison of inlet and
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1.70 Present Study GOVINDA RAO & MURALIDHAR (1963)

FELDER & CHANSON (2012) AZIMI & RAJARATBAM (2009)
1.50 SALMASI (2012)
1.20

1.30 1.10

1.10 1.00
Qout (Lit/s)

0.90 0.90

Cd (calculated)
0.70 0.80

0.70
0.50
0.60
0.30
0.50
0.10
1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00 6.00 7.00 0.40
0.60 0.70 0.80 0.90 1.00 1.10 1.20
Qin (Lit/s)
Cd (measured)

Fig.5. Comparison of inlet and outlet values of broad-crested

Fig.8. Comparison of measured and calculated discharge coefficient using
weir discharge
different equation

5.50 7.00

L=18.7cm L=33.6cm
5.00 6.00
y = 0.989x + 0.0038
4.50 R² = 0.9936
5.00
Q calculated (Lit/s)

4.00
h1 (cm)

4.00
3.50
3.00
3.00

2.00
2.50

2.00 1.00

1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00 6.00 7.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00 6.00 7.00
Q measured (Lit/s)
Q (Lit/s)

Fig.6. Upstream total head above the weir crest according to different
value of discharge Fig.9. Comparison of measured and calculated discharge of broad-
crested weir

The mean relative error percentage (RE), root mean

1.05 square errors (RMSE), mean absolute errors (MAE), slope
of regression line (k) and coefficient of determination (R2)
1.00 statistics are used to evaluate the model accuracies. R2 is
y = 0.8108x + 0.1836 defined as the ratio of the sum of squares explained by a
0.95
R² = 0.8113
regression model and the „„total‟‟ sum of squares around the
Cd (calculated)

mean. Different types of information about the predictive

capabilities of the model are measured through RMSE and
0.90
MAE. The RMSE sizes the goodness of the fit related to
high discharge coefficient values whereas the MAE
0.85 measures a more balanced perspective of the goodness of
the fit at moderate discharge coefficients. The k is constant
0.80 and it is shown that the present model is very close to the
0.80 0.85 0.90 0.95 1.00 1.05 1.10 line of perfect agreement. The RE, RMSE and MAE are
Cd (measured) defined as:
100 N Q 0i −Q ci
𝑅𝐸 = i=1 (6)
Fig.7. Comparison of measured and calculated discharge coefficient of N Q 0i
broad-crested weir 1 𝑁
𝑅𝑀𝑆𝐸 = (Q 0i − Q ci )2 (7)
𝑁 𝑖=1
1 N
𝑀𝐴𝐸 = i=1 Q 0i − Q ci (8)
N
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