Updated: 09-16-08

Flume
The Flume as shown in fi gure one is a useful tool in analyzing the fl ow
in an open channel. In this lab students will determine the relationship
between upstream head and fl ow rate for water fl owing over a sharp
crested weir and under an undershot weir (also known as a sluice
gate). The discharge coeffi cient will then be found for both weirs.

Figure 1: Flume Diagram

Sharp Crested Weir

Equipment (Figure 1)
Flume

Sharp Crested weir

Hook and Point level gauge, 300mm scale

Stopwatch if measuring flow rate using the volumetric tank

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Summary of Theory/Background

Figure 2: If the aeration pipe of the rectangular weir is plugged/blocked, a clinging nappe
forms.

Using Bernoullis equation the following equation can be derived for a rectangular
sharp crested weir:

2 3
Q C d bh 2 2 g (1)
3
where (see Figure 2):

Q= Volume flowrate [m3/s]

Cd=Coefficient of discharge [Dimensionless]

b= Breadth of weir [m]

h= Head above crest of weir (upstream) [m]

g=Gravitational constant [9.81m/s2]

P=Height of weir crest above bed [m]

When the rectangular weir extends across the whole width of the channel, the weir is
referred to as a suppressed weir. For a suppressed weir, the Rehbock formula can be
applied to determine Cd as follows:

C d 0.602 0.083 h (2)

P

Procedure

1. Check that the flow control valve is completely CLOSED (clockwise).

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2. Make sure that the drain from the Volumetric Tank to the sump tank is opened
(lift black handle to lift ball out of drain hole and rest on OPEN ledge).

3. Measure and record the width of the sharp crested overshot weir.

4. Slightly bend the rubber gasket upstream, Figure 3a, and insert weir into the
channel above a hook with the sharp edge of the weir upstream. The weir must
be secured to the bottom of the channel by attaching a hook through the hole
in the bottom and hooking it to the retaining bar as shown in Figure 3b.
Carefully pull the model down so that the rubber feet sit on the floor of the
channel, as shown in Figure 3c.

a) b)

c)
Figure 3. The rubber gasket of the weir should be bent upstream.

5. Make sure the flume is level by adjusting the channel slope, operated by a
hand-wheel. Set the slope indicator to zero.

6. Straddle a hook and point gauge between the channel sides and above the
weir.

7. The datum for all measurements will be the top edge of the weir plate. Carefully
adjust the level gauge to coincide with the top of the weir, taking care not to
damage the edge of the weir, and then record the datum reading.

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8. Set the level gauge to zero at the height of the weir. This adjusts the level
gauge to measure the height of the water with respect to the top of the weir,
Figure 2.

9. Reposition the level gauge some way upstream from the weir.

10.Plug the pump extension cord of the sump tank (hydraulics bench) into the
outlet in the floor and turn the pump switch ON (the black button).

11.Slowly open the Flow Control Valve shown in Figure 1. Water will now begin
flowing over the weir.

12. Assess whether the nappe is clinging to the back face of the weir. If so, then
the ventilation tube is filled with water. Ventilate the nappe by inserting the
end of a piece of hollow tube into the space behind the weir. The nappe should
spring away from the weir.

13.Measure the flow rate (Q) and the head (h) for a span of head levels (h) having
10 mm increments. You should be able to collect measurements for at least
four or five head levels. Note: You may wish to measure the flow rate and
head MULTIPLE times for each head level for analyzing the uncertainty of the
measurements.

a. To measure the flow rate, use the sight tube and scale on the hydraulics
bench (Figure 1) and a stopwatch to measure the volume change as a
function of time.
i. Only use the upper scale on the sight tube to measure in Liters.
ii. Try to measure over at least 20 seconds (if possible) to obtain an
accurate flow rate measurement.
b. Measure the head with the level gauge.

14.Sketch the flow pattern as the water flows over the weir when the nappe is
ventilated properly.

15.Reduce the flow rate until the water is no longer flowing over the weir. Then
slowly increase the flow rate so you fill the ventilation tube with water and
sketch the flow pattern with the nappe clinging to the weir.

16.Repeat step 13 to measure the flow rate (Q) and the head (h) while the nappe is
clinging to the weir, incrementing the head in 10 mm steps.

17.After the experiment, turn the pump switch OFF, and close the Flow Control
Valve.

Questions
1. Plot Q against h, log Q against log h and C d against h.

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2. From the straight-line graph of log Q against log h find the intercept log k on the
log Q axis and the gradient m. The relationship between Q and h is then
Q=khm.

3. Calculate Cd for the condition when the nappe is not properly ventilated and for
the condition in which the nappe is properly ventilated.

4. Is Cd constant for this weir? If not, under what conditions does it vary?

5. What average value of Cd would you use for this weir?

6. Use Excels linear regression tool to find the uncertainty in C d.

7. Does your value for Cd when the nappe is unventilated differ from your average
value? If so, why?

8. Comment on the profile of the nappe when ventilated and unventilated.

9. How does the value for Cd predicted by the Rehbock formula compare with your
average value?

10.How do your values for k and m in the equation Q=kh m agree with the
theoretical equation for a sharp crested rectangular weir?

Sluice Gate / Undershot Weir

Equipment Set-Up
Flume

Adjustable undershot weir

Hook and point gauge, 300mm scale- 2 required

Stopwatch if measuring flow rate using the volumetric tank

Summary of Theory/Background

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Figure 4: The upstream and downstream head are used to find the flow rate.

For flow beneath a sharp edged undershot weir it can be shown that

2 g y 0 y1
Q y1C D b ; (3)
1 y1 y o
2

therefore,

Q
CD
2 g y o y1 (4)
y1b
1 y1 y o
2

where (see Figure 4):

Q= Volume flowrate [m3/s]

CD=Coefficient of discharge [Dimensionless]
b= Breadth of weir [m]
yg= Height of weir opening above bed [m]
y0=Upstream depth of flow [m]
g=Gravitational constant [9.81m/s2].
Also,

2
V0 Q2
H 0 y0 y0 (5)
2 g y0b
2
2g

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2
V1 Q2
H 1 y1 y1 (6)
2 g y1b
2
2g

V12
HL KL (7)
2g

H o H1 H L (8)

where:

H0= Total head upstream of weir[m]

H1= Total head downstream of weir[m]
HL = Head loss due to Sluice Gate [m]
KL = Loss coefficient [dimensionless] = 0.5
y1= Downstream depth of flow [m]
V0=Mean velocity upstream of weir [m/s]
V1=Mean velocity downstream of weir [m/s].

Procedure

1. Check that the flow control valve is completely CLOSED (clockwise).

2. Make sure that the drain from the volumetric tank to the sump tank is opened
(lift black handle to lift ball out of drain hole and rest on OPEN ledge).

3. Ensure the flume is level.

4. Measure and record the actual breadth (width), b, of the undershot (sluice gate)
weir.

5. Apply a thin coat of bicycle lubricant to the rubber gasket material of the sluice
gate on the side of the gasket that will be pressed against the sides of the
channel. See Figure 5 for how the sluice gate will be installed; the rubber
gasket should be bent upstream.

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Figure 5. The rubber gasket of the weir should be bent upstream with a thin coat of bicycle
lubricant between the channel sides and the gasket.

6. Position the sluice gate assembly in the channel as shown in Figure 5,

overlapping the measurement marker on the outside of the channel. Place the
sharp edge of the sluice gate upstream. Be sure to tighten the set screws at
the top of the assembly to fasten the sluice gate to the sides of the channel.

7. The weir should not bend/slip with the force of the upstream water, but if it
does, apply plasticine (white putty) along the edges of the assembly on the
downstream side.

8. Position two hook and point level gauges on the channel sides, one upstream of
the weir and one downstream of the weir.

9. The datum for all measurements will be the bed of the flume. Carefully adjust
the level gauges to coincide with the bed of the flume and record the datum
readings. You may also wish to zero the level gauge at this height.

10.Adjust the knob on top of the weir to position the sharp edge to the weir 20 mm
above the bed of the flume.

11.Turn the pump switch ON.

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12.Gradually open the flow control valve and admit water until y 0=150 mm
according to the measurement tape on the side of the flume.

a. With y0 at this height, measure Q using the volumetric method as

implemented for the rectangular weir.

b. Also, measure y1 using the downstream level gauge.

Note: You may wish to measure the flow rate and y 1 multiple times to aid in
analyzing uncertainty.

13.Raise the weir in increments of 5 mm maintaining y 0 at the height of 150 mm by

varying the flow of water. At each level of the weir record the values of Q and
y1.

14.Repeat the procedure with a constant flow Q allowing y 0 to vary. Record the
values of y0 and y1 for different values of y0. Note: You may wish to measure
the flow rate and y1 multiple times to aid in analyzing uncertainty.

15.After the experiment, turn the pump switch OFF, close the flow control valve,
and unplug the pump of the hydraulic bench.

Questions
1. Plot graphs of Q against yg for constant y0 and y0 against yg for constant Q to
show the characteristics of flow beneath the weir.

2. Plot graphs of Cd against Q for constant y0 and Cd against yg for constant Q to

show the changes in Cd of flow beneath the weir.

3. Comment on the effects of y0 and Q on the discharge coefficient Cd for flow

underneath the gate. Which factor has the greatest effect?

4. Comment on any discrepancies between actual and expected results.

5. Compare the values obtained for H1, H0, and HL and comment on any
differences.

6. Use Excels linear regression tool to find the uncertainty in C d.

7. If the flow rate is not known, CD can be approximated as CC = y1/yg. How does
CC compare to CD in predicting the actual fluid flow, Equation 3?

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Table 1: Additional Information on the Flume

Length of working 2.5 m

section:

Width of working 76mm

section:

Depth of working 250mm

section:

Maximum positive bed 1 in 25

slope:

Maximum negative bed 1 in 100

slope:

Flow range: 50125

liters/min

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