Definition:

A weir is an overflow
structure built across an
open channel for the
purpose of measuring the
flow.
 Liquid Surface
Nappe

Head
Crest

Height of weir
Weir plate

Nappe is the downward falling stream.

Crest is the edge or top surface of the

weir over which the liquid flows.
 Liquid Surface
Nappe

Head
Crest

Height of weir
Weir plate

The hydraulic head (H) for weirs is simply

the height of the water surface above the
weir crest, measured at a point upstream
(about 4H) so that the influence of the
velocity head can be ignored.
Classification of Weirs:
Weirs are classified
according to:

1. Shape
2. Extent of the sides
3. Form of crest
4. Nature of discharge
Classification according to
shape:
1. Rectangular weir
Classification according to
shape:
1. Rectangular weir
2. Triangular or V-notch weir
Classification according to
shape:
1. Rectangular weir
2. Triangular or V-notch weir
3. Trapezoidal Weir
Classification to the extent of
the sides:

1. Suppressed weir – is a type of weir

which is extended from wall to wall of
an open channel.
Classification to the extent of
the sides:

2. Contracted weir – is one that does

not span the full width of the
channel.
Classification according to the
form of the crest:
1. Sharp-crested weir has a thin or
sharp upstream edge or crest over
which the passing mass of liquid
simply touches a line.
 Classification according to the
form of the crest:
2. Broad-crested weir may either have a
rounded or square upstream edge so
that the passing mass of liquid comes in
contact with the surface of the crest.
Classification according to the
nature of discharge:

1. Free-flow weir is one in which the

water surface downstream is lower
than crest.
Classification according to the
nature of discharge:

2. Submerged weir is one in which the

water surface downstream is higher
than crest.

h1
h2
SUPPRESSED RECTANGULAR SHARP-
CRESTED (STANDARD) WEIR:
2 3 2
Q= 2gC' LH
3
Let
2
C = C' 2g
3
Thus,
32
Q = CLH
Where: C = weir coefficient
Standard Weir Coefficient Formulas:
1. Francis Formula,
C = 1.84
Francis came up with this value of C
after conducting series of experiments
on rectangular weirs having varying
lengths from 1m to 5.2m and heads
varying from 180 mm to 490 mm.

Thus,

Q = 1.84LH 32
Standard Weir Coefficient Formulas:
2. Bazin Formula
 0.0119   H
2
C =  1.792 +  1 + 0.55  
 H    d  
where
d = effective depth upstream
d=H+P
P = height of the weir
Thus,
 0.0119    H
2
32
Q =  1.792 +  1 + 0.55   LH
 H    d  
Standard Weir Coefficient Formulas:

3. Rehbock & Chow Formula

H
C = 1.8 + 0.22
P
Thus,

 0.22H  3 2
Q =  1.8 + LH
 P 
Sample Problem No. 1:
A rectangular suppressed weir 1.20m
high extends across a rectangular
channel 3 m wide. If the measured
head is 40 cm, determine the discharge
using the Francis, Bazin and Rehbock
formula.
Given: Required: Q
P = 1.20 m
L = 3.0 m
H = 40 cm = 0.40 m
Given: P = 1.20 m; L = 3m, H = 0.40m
Solution:
a. Using Francis Formula
32
Q = 1.84LH
32
Q = 1.84(3)(0.4)
Q = 1.396 m3/s
Given: P = 1.20 m; L = 3m, H = 0.40m
Solution:
b. Using Bazin Formula
 0.0119    H
2
32
Q =  1.792 +  1 + 0.55  LH
 H    d  
But, d = P + H
d = 1.2 + 0.4 = 1.6 m
 0.0119    0.4 
2
32
Q =  1.792 +  1 + 0.55  (3)(0.4)
 0.40    1.6  
Q = 1.430 m3/s
Given: P = 1.20 m; L = 3m, H = 0.40m
Solution:
c. Using Rehbock & Chow Formula
 0.22H  3 2
Q =  1.8 + LH
 P 
 0.22(0.4)  32
Q =  1.8 + (3)(0.4)
 1.2 
Q = 1.422 m3/s
Sample Problem No. 2:
A rectangular suppressed weir 1m
high extends across a rectangular
channel 6m wide in which the flow is
2.80 m3/s. Determine the depth of
water upstream from the weir using
the Francis and Rehbock formula.
Given: Required: d
P = 1.0 m
L = 6.0 m
Q = 2.80 m3/s
Given: P = 1m; L = 6m, Q = 2.80m3/s
Solution:
a. Using Francis Formula
32
Q = 1.84LH
32
2.80 = 1.84(6)(H)
H = 0.4 m
Solving for the depth of water
d=P+H
d = 1.4 m
Given: P = 1m; L = 6m, Q = 2.80m3/s
Solution:
b. Using Rehbock Formula
 0.22H  3 2
Q =  1.8 + LH
 P 
 0.22H  32
2.80 =  1.8 + (6)(H)
 1 
H = 0.394 m
Given: P = 1m; L = 6m, Q = 2.80m3/s
Solution:

Solving for the depth of water

d=P+H
d = 1.0 + 0.394
d = 1.394 m
 Contracted Rectangular Weir:
The effective length L’ of a contracted weir is
given by
L’ = L – 0.1NH
where: L = measured length of the crest
N = number of end contraction
H = measured head

Therefore, the discharge is given by

𝟑Τ𝟐
𝑸 = 𝟏. 𝟖𝟒(𝑳 − 𝟎. 𝟏𝟎𝑵𝑯)𝑯
 Contracted Rectangular Weir:

Therefore,
For One-End Contracted Weir:
32
Q = 1.84(L − 0.10H)H

For Two-End Contracted Weir:

32
Q = 1.84(L − 0.20H)H
Sample Problem No. 3:
In a river 20 meters wide, having an
average depth of 1 meter and a mean
velocity of 0.35 m/s, a contracted
rectangular weir 10 meters long is to be
constructed. Determine the head over the
weir.
Given: Required: H
W = 20 m
d = 1.0 m
V = 0.35 m/s
L = 10 m
Given: W = 20m; d = 1m, V = 0.35m/s;
L = 10m
Solution:
a. Using Francis Formula
32
Q = 1.84(L − 0.20H)H
Solve for the discharge Q
Q = AV
Q = (20)(1)(0.35)
Q = 7 m3/s
Given: W = 20m; d = 1m, V = 0.35m/s;
L = 10m
Solution:
32
7 = 1.84(10 − 0.2H)H
H = 0.529 m
 Triangular or V-Notch Weir:
8  52
Q= 2gC tan H
15 2
where:  = vertex angle
Formulas:
1. Approximate Formula, C’=0.60
 52
Q = 1.42 tan H
2
2. Thomson Formula
 52
Q = 1.4 tan H
2
 Sample Problem No. 4:
Determine the discharge of water over a 60°
triangular weir if the measured head is 19 cm.
Use (a) Approximate, and (b) Thomson Formula.
Given: Required: Q
 = 60°
H = 19 cm = 0.19 m
Solution for (a):
 52
Q = 1.42 tan H
2
52
Q = 1.42(tan 30)(0.19)
Q = 0.013 m3/s or 13 L/s
Solution for (b):
 52
Q = 1.4 tan H
2
Q = 1.4(tan 30)(0.19) 5 2

Q = 0.013 m3/s or 13 L/s

 Trapezoidal Weir
Formula:
2 8  52
Q = 2gCLH +
32
2gC tan H
3 15 2
where:
C = C = 0.60
Therefore:
32  52
Q = 1.77LH + 1.42 tan H
2
 Trapezoidal Weir
C. Cipolletti proposed a design for a
trapezoidal that would automatically eliminate
the end contraction effect on a contracted
rectangular weir.
2
Q = 2gC(L − 0.20H)H32
3
2 3 2 0.4

Q = 2gC LH − 
2gC H 52
3 3
The 2nd term is the loss due to end contraction.
 Trapezoidal Weir
Cipolletti proposed this loss is compensated
by the additional flow at both ends if two half-
triangles of vertex angle ½ are to be cut here.
2 3 2 0.4

Q = 2gC LH − 
2gC H 52
3 3
So,
0.4 8  52
2gCH =
52
2gC tan H
3 15 2
 1
tan =
2 4
 Cipolleti Weir
The Cipolletti Weir is the commonly used
trapezoidal weir.
Its sides inclined outwardly at a slope of 1
horizontal to 4 vertical.
Formula:
Q = 1.859LH3 2
 1
For trapezoidal weirs where tan  ,
2 4
the flow may be approximated using the
previous formula.
Sample Problem No. 5:
Compute the discharge of water over a
Cipolletti weir 1.5 m long under a head of
250 mm.
Given: Required: Q
L = 1.5 m
H = 250 mm = 0.25 m
Solution:
Q = 1.859LH3 2
Q = 1.859(1.5)(0.25) 3 2
Q = 0.349 m3/s or 349 L/s
 Sample Problem No. 6:
Compute the discharge over a trapezoidal
weir 2m long under a head of 250 mm. The
sides are inclined at an angle of 60° with the
horizontal.
Given: Required: Q
L=2m
H = 250 mm = 0.25 m
/2 = 30 °  52
3 2
Solution: Q = 1.77LH + 1.42 tan H
32
2 52
Q = 1.77(2)(0.25) + 1.42(tan 30)(0.25)
Q = 0.468 m3/s or 468 L/s
 Broad-Crested Weir:
Formulas:
1. Formulas on rectangular weir are also
applicable to broad-crested weirs
2 3 2 0.65
Q= 2g C' LH where: C' =
3 H
1+
P
Therefore:
1.919LH3 2
Q=
H
1+
P
Formulas:
2. If the height of the weir is not known
a. Square upstream corner
Q = 1.71LH3 2

b. Well-rounded upstream corner

Q = 1.67LH3 2
Sample Problem No. 7:
A broad-crested weir in a horizontal channel
is 10m wide and 1.4m high. Compute the
discharge over the weir if the head over the
weir is 1.3 m.
Given: Required: Q
L = 10 m
P = 1.4 m
H = 1.3 m
Given: L = 10m; P = 1.4 m; H = 1.3 m
Solution:
1.919LH3 2
Q=
H
1+
P
1.919(10)(1.3) 3 2
Q=
1.3
1+
1.4
Q = 20.482 m3/s
Sample Problem No. 8:
A broad-crested weir discharges 3.5 m3/s of
water at a constant head of 950 mm. Find
the length of the weir if upstream corner is:
a. square
b. rounded
Given: Required: L
Q = 3.5 m3/s
H = 950 mm or 0.95 m
Given: Q = 3.5 m3/s; H = 0.95 m
Solution:
a. Square upstream corner

Q = 1.71LH3 2
3.5 = 1.71L(0.95) 3 2

L = 2.21 m
Given: Q = 3.5 m3/s; H = 0.95 m
Solution:
b. Rounded upstream corner

Q = 1.67LH3 2
3.5 = 1.67L(0.95) 3 2

L = 2.26 m