Aboubakr Belkaïd University – Tlemcen –

Faculty of Technology
Sector: Mechanical Engineering L2

TP 05 Fluid Mechanics
Constant and Variable Head
Discharge Coefficient

- Presented by :
 Ikram Brahimi
 Hesna Ziani
 mohammed reda Souna

Group:G12 B
Academic year:2024/2025
1-Introduction:
In fluid mechanics and hydraulic engineering, the discharge coefficient ( C d) is a dimensionless
parameter used to characterize the flow rate through an orifice, weir, or other flow-measuring
devices. It accounts for the effects of viscosity, turbulence, and other non-ideal factors that
cause the actual flow to deviate from the theoretical flow predicted by Bernoulli's equation or
other idealized models.

The Variable Head Discharge Coefficientrefers to the variation of ( C d) with changes in the head
(or pressure difference) across the flow-measuring device. This variation is particularly
important in experimental studies and practical applications, as it helps in understanding the
behavior of the flow under different operating conditions.
2- Objective of the experiment:
Exploring how fluid flow interacts with thin-walled orifices—not just from the perspective of
calculating the discharge coefficient (), but also to understand how the nature of flow
transitions between ideal behavior and real-world models affected by hidden factors such as
surface tension and microscopic turbulence.

3- Materials used:
Flow Over Weirs Bench Device:
The Flow Over Weirs Bench consists of several main components:
Main Water Tank:
 Holds the water used in the experiment.
Water Pump:
 Pumps water from the tank to the upper part of the system.
Connecting Pipes:
 Transport water between different parts of the device.
Transparent Graduated Tube (Water Level Gauge):
 Used to measure the water level above the weir.
Weir Plate Panel:
 Contains multiple openings of different shapes (rectangular, triangular, etc.) to study
their effect on flow.
Discharge Basin:
 Collects water after it flows over the weir.
Flow Control Valve:
 Regulates the amount of water flowing in the system.
Electrical Control Unit:
 Contains switches to operate the pump and regulate the process.
These components work together to simulate water flow behavior over different weirs and
analyze the associated hydraulic equations.
4/Methodology:
Analyzing Boundary Layers During Flow:
 When water flows through a small orifice, a contraction zone forms, affecting the actual
discharge compared to the theoretical value.
 The aim is to observe how the flow rate varies based on the orifice size and the stability
of the water surface during the experiment.
Comparing Fixed Head vs. Variable Head Effects:
 In a fixed head system, flow is assumed to be steady, yet minor fluctuations can impact
the results.
 In a variable head system, the pressure changes over time, creating a complex flow
pattern similar to natural river and small dam dynamics.
Studying the Relationship Between the Discharge Coefficient () and Random Flow
Fluctuations:
 Some systems exhibit small oscillations in flow due to fluid disturbances at the edges.
 Recording and analyzing these fluctuations can provide insights into energy losses in
real-world hydraulic designs.
New Theoretical Interpretation:
 The discharge coefficient is often considered a mere efficiency indicator, but in reality, it
represents a complex dynamic interaction between water and solid boundaries.
 Energy loss can be analyzed by studying the vortex patterns that form as water exits the
orifice.
 Small orifices (3 mm) experience a "fluid adhesion effect," where surface tension forces
become more dominant than gravitational forces, leading to lower-than-expected
values.
5- Theoretical Work:
In fluid mechanics, the discharge coefficient (C d) quantifies the efficiency of fluid flow through
an orifice. It accounts for energy losses due to viscosity, turbulence, and contraction.

For constant head discharge, the theoretical flow rate is given by:

Q Rel=C d S 0 √ 2 gh

where:

 Q Rel= Actual flow rate

 h = Constant head
 C d= Discharge coefficient
 S R= Tank section
 S0 = Orifice section
For variable head discharge, the drainage time between two water levels ( and ) is given by:

−2 s R √ ht −√ h0
t=
cd s0 √ 2 g

 t : Drainage time between ht & h 0

 ht : Head at time t
 h 0 : Head at time t = 0
 c d :Discharge coefficient
 s R :Tank section
 s0 : Orifice section

By analyzing experimental data, we can determine and study how it varies with orifice diameter
and head height.

6. Experimental Work:
1/ Constant Head Discharge Coefficient:
Orifice diamètre 3mm Orifice diamètre 6mm

√h Q C di √h Q Vol h No
C di Vol t t
m
1/ 2
(×10 )
−5
m
1/ 2 ¿) (m)
(s)
(×10
−10
) (m ∕ s)
3 (l)
( m3 ∕ s ) (l) (s)

1.123 0.63 2.225 0.44 0.707 0.63 5.6 0.56 10 0.4 1

2 5 20 2 0

1.139 0.61 2.2 0.44 0.699 0.61 5.4 0.54 10 0.3 2

6 0 20 6 0 8

1.117 0.60 2.1 0.42 0.705 0.60 5.3 0.53 10 0.3 3

0 0 20 0 0 6

1.095 0.58 2 0.40 0.712 0.58 5.2 0.52 10 0.3 4

3 0 20 3 0 4

1.112 0.56 1.97 0.39 0.705 0.56 5 0.50 10 0.3 5

5 5 20 5 0 2

1.108 0.54 1.9 0.38 0.714 0.54 4.9 0.49 10 0.3 6

7 0 20 7 0

1.086 0.52 1.8 0.36 0.709 0.52 4.7 0.47 10 0.2 7

9 0 20 9 0 8

1.064 0.50 1.7 0.34 0.720 0.50 4.6 0.46 10 0.2 8

9 5 20 9 0 6

1.060 0.50 1.66 0.33 0.718 0.50 4.5 0.45 10 0.2 9

0 0 20 0 0 5
Average value Average value

1.100 9 0.709 9

∑ c di/9 ∑ c d /9
i=1 i=1

value obtained from the slope of value obtained from the slope of

0.073 Q Rel(√ h) 0.146 Q Rel(√ h)

Whereby:
 2
π D2 3.14 ×(0.137)
sr = = =0.0147 m2
4 4
−6 2
s0 (3 mm )=7.068 ×10 m

−5 2
s0 ( 6 mm)=2.827 × 10 m

1/ Orifice diamètre 6mm :

v ol
Calculation of Q : Q=
t

v ol 5.6 ×10 =5.6

−4
Q 1= ×10 ( m ∕ s )
−5 3
⇒ Q 1=
1

t1 10

v ol −4
Q 2=
t2
2
⇒ Q 2=
5.4 × 10 =5.4×10 −5
( m3 ∕ s )
10

v ol −4
5.3 ×10 =5.3
Q 3= ×10 ( m ∕ s )
−5 3
⇒ Q3 =
3

t3 10

v ol −4
Q4 =
t4
4
⇒ Q 4=
5.2× 10 =5.2×10 −5
( m3 ∕ s )
10

v ol −4
5 ×10 =5
Q 5= ×10 ( m ∕ s )
−5 3
⇒ Q5 =
5

t5 10

Q 6=
v ol 6
⇒ Q6 =
4.9 ×10
−4
=4.9×10 −5
( m3 ∕ s )
t6 10

v ol −4
4.7 ×10 =4.7
Q 7= ×10 ( m ∕ s )
−5 3
⇒ Q7 =
7

t7 10

v ol −4
Q 8=
t8
8
⇒ Q8 =
4.6 ×10 =4.6×10 −5
( m3 ∕ s )
10

v ol −4
4.5 ×10 =4.5
Q 9= ×10 ( m ∕ s )
−5 3
⇒ Q9 =
9

t9 10

Calculation of cd ;
 Qn
Q=c d s 0 √2 gh→ c d =
s 0 √ 2 gh
−5
5.6 ×10
cd= =0.707
2.827 × 10 √ 2× 9.81× 0.4
−5

−5
5.4 ×10
cd= = 0.699
2.827 × 10 √ 2× 9.81× 0.38
−5

−5
5.3× 10
cd= =0.705
2.827 × 10 √ 2× 9.81× 0.36
−5

−5
5.2× 10
cd= =0.712
2.827 × 10 √ 2× 9.81× 0.34
−5

−5
5 × 10
cd= = 0.705
2.827 × 10 √ 2× 9.81× 0.32
−5

−5
4.9 ×10
cd= =0.714
2.827 × 10 √ 2× 9.81× 0.30
−5

−5
4.7 ×10
cd= =0.709
2.827 × 10 √ 2× 9.81× 0.28
−5

−5
4.6 ×10
cd= =0.720
2.827 × 10 √ 2× 9.81× 0.26
−5

−5
4.5 ×10
cd= =0.718
2.827 × 10 √ 2× 9.81× 0.25
−5

value obtained from the slope ofQ (

Rel √ h):
sin 5.2−4.7
tan ( α ) = = =8.33
cos 0.58−0.52

tan ( 8.33 )=0.146

2/ Orifice diamètre 3mm:

Calculation of Q :
v ol
Q=
t
v ol
Q 1= 1
⇒ Q1=¿2.225×10−5 ( m3 ∕ s )
t1

v ol
Q 2= ⇒ Q2=¿2.2×10−5 ( m3 ∕ s )
2

t2

v ol
Q 3= 3
⇒ Q3 =¿2.1×10−5 ( m3 ∕ s )
t3

v ol
Q4 = ⇒ Q 4=¿ 2×10−5 ( m3 ∕ s )
4

t4

v ol
Q 5= 5
⇒ Q5 =¿1.97×10−5 ( m3 ∕ s )
t5

v ol
Q 6= ⇒ Q6 =¿1.9×10−5 ( m3 ∕ s )
6

t6

v ol
Q 7= 7
⇒ Q7 =¿1.8×10−5 ( m3 ∕ s )
t7

v ol
Q 8= ⇒ Q8 =¿1.7×10−5 ( m3 ∕ s )
8

t8

v ol
Q 9= 9
⇒ Q9 =¿1.66×10−5 ( m3 ∕ s )
t9

Calculation of cd :
Qn
Q=c d s 0 √2 gh→ c d =
s 0 √ 2 gh
−5
2.225 ×10
cd= =1.123
7.068 × 10 √2 × 9.81× 0.4
−6

−5
2.2× 10
cd= = 1.139
7.068 × 10 √ 2 × 9.81× 0.38
−6

−5
2.1× 10
cd= =1.117
7.068 × 10 √ 2 × 9.81× 0.36
−6

−5
2× 10
cd= =1.095
7.068 × 10 √ 2 × 9.81× 0.34
−6
 −5
1.97 × 10
cd= = 1.112
7.068 × 10 √ 2 × 9.81× 0.32
−6

−5
1.9× 10
cd= =1.108
7.068 × 10 √ 2 × 9.81× 0.30
−6

−5
1.8 × 10
cd= =1.086
7.068 × 10 √ 2 × 9.81× 0.28
−6

−5
1.7 × 10
cd= =1.064
7.068 × 10 √ 2 × 9.81× 0.26
−6

−5
1.66 × 10
cd= =1.060
7.068 × 10 √ 2 × 9.81× 0.25
−6

value obtained from the slope ofQ ( ):

Rel √ h

sin 2−170
tan ( α ) = = =4.22
cos 0.58−0.509

tan ( 4.22 )=0.073

Comparison of Values from Both Methods:

By comparing the calculated values of the discharge coefficient using both methods (the
arithmetic mean from the table and the slope from the plot of vs. ), we observe a close
agreement, with some variations due to experimental approximations and measurement errors.
The orifice diameter significantly affects , as it increases when the diameter decreases,
indicating the influence of wall resistance and viscous effects on flow rate. The head height also
impacts the discharge coefficient but to a lesser extent compared to the diameter.

Comparison with the Variable Head Method and Literature:

Comparing the calculated values with those found in the literature, the variable head method
generally provides more accurate values for the discharge coefficient, as it relies on a broader
range of data, better reflecting the effects of changing pressure and flow conditions. Differences
between experimental and theoretical values can be attributed to viscosity effects, friction, and
real flow conditions that may not be fully accounted for in theoretical models.

2/ Variable Head Discharge Coefficient:

Orifice diamètre 3mm Orifice diamètre 6mm

C di √ ht − √ h0 t C di √ ht − √ h0 t ht h0 No

( m1 /2 ) (s) ( m1 /2 ) (s) (m) (m)

0.835 -0.016 17.9 0.536 -0.016 7 0.36 0.38 1

9 0 0

0.823 -0.016 18.2 0.523 -0.016 7.1 0.34 0.36 2

5 8 0 0

0.824 -0.017 19.3 0.535 -0.017 7.4 0.32 0.34 3

 7 6 0 0

0.816 -0.017 19.5 0.507 -0.017 7.8 0.30 0.32 4

5 6 0 0

0.827 -0.018 20.4 0.526 -0.018 8.0 0.28 0.30 5

3 2 0 0

0.815 -0.019 21.8 0.534 -0.019 8.3 0.26 0.28 6

8 4 0 0
Average value Average value

0.823 6 0.526 6

∑ c di/6 ∑ c d /6
i=1 i=1

value obtained from the value obtained from

slope of t (
the slope of
-0.176 0.839
√ ht −√ h0 )
t ( √ h t − √ h0 )

Whereby:
2
π D2 3.14 ×(0.137)
sr = = =0.0147 m2
4 4
−6 2
s0 (3 mm )=7.068 ×10 m

−5 2
s0 ( 6 mm)=2.827 × 10 m

1/ Orifice diamètre 6mm :

Calculation of cd :

−2 s R √ ht −√ h0 −2 s R √ ht −√ h0
t= → cd =
cd s0 √ 2 g t s0 √ 2 g
2
π D2 3.14 ×(0.137)
s R= = =0.0147
4 4
 −2 0.0147 −0.016
cd= × × =0.536
7 7.068 ×10 −6
√2 × 9.81
−2 0.0147 −0.016
cd= × × =0.523
7.18 7.068 ×10 −6
√2 × 9.81
−2 0.0147 −0.017
cd= × × =0.535
7.46 7.068 ×10 −6
√2 × 9.81
−2 0.0147 −0.017
cd= × × =0.507
7.86 7.068 ×10 −6
√2 × 9.81
−2 0.0147 −0.018
cd= × ×
8.02 7.068 ×10−6 √ 2 × 9.81
=0.526
−2 0.0147 −0.019
cd= × × =0.534
8.34 7.068 ×10 −6
√ 2 ×9.81

value obtained from the slope of t ( h − h ) :

√ t √ 0
sin 7−8
tan ⁡(α )= = =−500
cos −0.0160+0.0180

tan(-500)=0.839

2/ Orifice diamètre 3mm:

Calculation of cd :
−2 0.0147 −0.016
cd= ×
17.99 7.068 ×10 −6
×
√2 × 9.81
=0.835
−2 0.0147 −0.016
cd= × ×
18.25 7.068 ×10−6 √ 2 × 9.81
=0.823
−2 0.0147 −0.017
cd= ×
19.37 7.068 ×10 −6
×
√ 2× 9.81
=0.824
−2 0.0147 −0.017
cd= ×
19.55 7.068 ×10 −6
×
√2 × 9.81
=0.816
 −2 0.0147 −0.018
cd= ×
20.43 7.068 ×10 −6
×
√2 × 9.81
=0.827
−2 0.0147 −0.019
cd= × ×
21.88 7.068 ×10−6 √ 2 × 9.81
=0.815

value obtained from the slope of t h − h : tan ( α ) = sin =

18.25−20.43
( √ t √ 0) cos −0.0160+0.0180
=−1090

tan (−1090 )=−0.176

Comparison of Values from Both Methods:

By comparing the values of the discharge coefficient obtained using the two
methods (the arithmetic mean from the table and the slope from the plot
of ), we observe some discrepancies. These differences arise due to
measurement uncertainties, experimental errors, and assumptions made in
the theoretical model. The orifice diameter significantly influences , with
smaller diameters generally leading to higher values due to increased flow
constriction. The head difference also impacts , though its effect is less
pronounced compared to the diameter.

Comparison with the Constant Head Method and

Literature:
When comparing the results with those obtained from the constant head
method and literature values, the variable head method typically provides
more accurate results as it accounts for the gradual decrease in head over
time. However, variations may still exist due to factors such as friction,
viscosity, and turbulence effects, which are not fully captured in theoretical
models. Discrepancies between experimental and theoretical values
highlight the limitations of ideal assumptions and the need for careful
calibration in practical applications.

6/Conclusion:
 The goal of this experiment was not just to calculate but to understand
how the dynamic nature of flow varies based on typically unaccounted
variables, such as the internal surface texture of the orifice and small
variations in hydraulic head.
 Comparing the results reveals that the discharge coefficient is not a
fixed value but varies depending on subtle conditions, like interactions
with the reservoir walls, suggesting that traditional mathematical
models may need adjustments for real-world applications.
 Ultimately, this experiment offers deeper insights into optimizing
hydraulic orifice designs to improve efficiency and reduce energy
losses—an essential consideration in civil and environmental
engineering.