CE403

Hydraulics Laboratory

Experiment 8
Flow over Spillway


A. Introduction

Spillways of the type shown in Figure 1 are widely used to provide overflow
from reservoirs. Water flows over the crest, which is of rounded form, and
which may be carefully shaped to minimize the danger of cavitation. It then
flows down the spillway face, which may have uniform slope as in Figure 1, or
may be profiled. At the base it is usually necessary to dissipate the energy of
the flow, particularly when the spillway is of considerable height. This may be
achieved by using a ski-jump to throw the flow into a jet with a fairly low
trajectory. The jet lands in a stilling pool, which may be protected against
erosion. Alternatively, energy dissipaters in the form of toothed blocks may be
built on to an apron at he base of the spillway. Both forms of construction are
available on the apparatus provided, as well as a plain horizontal apron without
energy dissipaters.

Figure 1: Typical Spillways

B. Equipment

Spillway, ski jump, toothed blocks, plain horizontal apron, depth gauge, internal
callipers, stopwatch.

C. Procedure

1. Set the channel slope to horizontal.
2. Set the spillway carefully in a position such that crest of the weir will be at a
station approximately 2 m from upstream of the channel
3. Set the discharge at a constant flow of approximately 1.5 lt/s, with the outlet
of the channel unrestricted.
4. Before starting the experiment observe the general characteristics of the
water surface profile for each downstream arrangement (ski jump, toothed
blocks, plain horizontal apron) and photograph the behavior of the flow.
5. Keep the horizontal apron and set the discharge to a convenient maximum

By Dr. smail HALTA April 7, 15

CE403 Hydraulics Laboratory

flow possible.
6. Measure and record the discharge by using gravimetric tank.
7. Measure and record the upstream depth y at 20 cm from the crest of the
spillway.
8. Reduce the discharge and repeat the steps 6-7 for seven more times for
different discharges.

D. Theory

The head, h of the upstream water level above the crest versus discharge, Q,
relationship for the spillway may be established using the following equation.

2 3
Q = C B 2gh 2 Equation 1
3
The discharge coefficient C takes into account of contraction and approach
velocity.

Note that in 5 meter flume the channel width is B = 75 mm and the height of the
spillway a = 75 mm.

E. Results

Calculate the discharge coefficient C for each discharge tested using Equation 1.
Tabulate your results as in the following Example Table.

Table 1: Flow variables and discharge coefficient C for the tested discharges
Static+Head+ Upstream+ Total+Head+
Discharge,+ Upstream+
above+Weir,+h+ Velocity,+V+ above+Weir,+H+ C+(Eq.+8) h/a
Q+(lt/s) Depth,+y+(mm)
(mm) (m/s) (mm)
2.01 130 55 0.206 57 0.86 0.73
1.82 127 52 0.191 54 0.85 0.69
1.69 124.5 50 0.181 51 0.85 0.66
1.34 118 43 0.151 44 0.83 0.57
1.12 113.5 39 0.132 39 0.82 0.51
0.90 108.5 34 0.111 34 0.81 0.45
0.71 104 29 0.091 29 0.80 0.39
0.43 96 21 0.060 21 0.78 0.28

Plot the graph of Discharge Q (lt/s) vs. Static Head above Weir h (mm) as in the
Example Figure 2.

By Dr. smail HALTA April 7, 15

CE403 Hydraulics Laboratory

60"

50"

h"(mm)" 40"

30"

20"

10"

0"
0.00" 0.50" 1.00" 1.50" 2.00" 2.50"

Discharge"Q"(lt/s)"

Figure 2: Discharge Q (lt/s) vs. Head above Spillway (mm) for the spillway

Plot the graph of Discharge Coefficient C vs. h/a as in the Example Figure 3.

0.90"

y"="0.1758x"+"0.7306"

0.80"
C"

0.70"
0.0" 0.2" 0.4" 0.6" 0.8" 1.0"

h/a"

Figure 3: Head to Spillway Height Ratio vs. Discharge Coefficient C for the
spillway

By Dr. smail HALTA April 7, 15

CE403 Hydraulics Laboratory

F. Discussion

Spillway has a well-rounded crest and downstream face for optimum flow. If the
crest of the spillway was sharp how would the C coefficient to change?

How the approach velocity does change with increasing h/a ratio. How the
discharge correction coefficient does change with increasing h/a ratio. Why?

By Dr. smail HALTA April 7, 15