Experiment No.

3:
To study characteristics of flow over
rectangular notch.

Objective:
1. To calculate values of discharge (Q) experimentally.
2. To calculate coefficient of discharge (Cd) for rectangular notch.
3. To plot graph between QEXP versus H3/2.
4. To plot graph between log QEXP versus log H.
5. To plot graph between QTH versus QEXP.

Apparatus description:
1. Hydraulic Bench
2. U-Notch / Rectangular Notch
3. Scale
4. Stop Watch

Theory:
Notch:
A notch is, usually made of a metallic plate and is used to measure the discharge of
liquids in open channels. They are also known as weirs.
Types of Notches:
There are many types of notches, depending upon their shapes. But the following are
important.
1. Rectangular notch:
It is rectangular or U shaped, also known as U-Notch.

2. Triangular notch:
It is triangular. It is specified by its angle.
3. Trapezoidal notch:
It is trapezoidal. It is specified by both width and angle.

4. Stepped notch:
It is made up in shape of steps. First step has smaller width and second step has
more width.

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Discharge over Rectangular Notch:

1. Theoretical Discharge:

H = Height of water above sill of notch

b = Width or length of the notch
Cd = Coefficient of discharge

Let us consider a horizontal strip of water of thickness dh at a depth of h from the water level as
shown in figure.
Area of the strip:

(1)
We know that the theoretical velocity of water through the strip,

(2)
Discharge through the strip:

The total discharge over the whole notch, may be found out by integrating the above equation
within the limits 0 and H.

Experimental Discharge:
The actual discharge which takes place during experiment is called as actual discharge
or experimental discharge.

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exp=
t
Q
Coefficient of discharge:
In any discharge measuring device, the discharge coefficient (also known as coefficient
of discharge) is the ratio of the actual discharge to the theoretical discharge.
It is represented by CD.

Qexp
CD=
QTH

Procedure:
1. Fix the rectangular Notch in main flow channel.
2. Find the width of the Notch b.
3. Measure the initial height of water in channel H1.
4. Open the flow control valve.
5. Switch on the Hydraulic bench.
6. First dump valve should remain open.
7. Let the flow to become stable.
8. Now find the new height of water in main flow channel H2.
9. Now close the dump valve.
10. Note the increase in volume of water in volumetric tank in specific time.
11. Now change the discharge by rotating flow control valve.
12. Now again note change in volume of water in volumetric tank.

Observations and Calculations:

Width of Notch, b = 5.6 cm

Theoreti
S cal Actual Coefficien
No. Head Over the Tim Volu Discharg Discharg t of
Notch e me e e discharge

H1 H2 H t V QTH QEXP Cd
cm cm Cm sec Dm3 m3/sec m3/sec
1 0.000467 0.0002857
9 11 2 7 2 48 1 0.6111797
2 0.000467 0.0003389 0.7251284
9 11 2 5.9 2 48 8 6

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 3 0.000467 0.0003846
9 11 2 5.2 2 48 2 0.8227419
4 0.000467 0.0003448 0.7376306
9 11 2 5.8 2 48 3 7
5 0.000467 0.8556515
9 11 2 5 2 48 0.0004 8
6 0.000467 0.0003636 0.7778650
9 11 2 5.5 2 48 4 7
7 0.000467 0.0004081 0.8731138
9 11 2 4.9 2 48 6 6
8 0.000467 0.0002985 0.6385459
9 11 2 6.7 2 48 1 5
9 0.000467 0.0003773 0.8072184
9 11 2 5.3 2 48 6 7
10 0.000467 0.0003508 0.7505715
9 11 2 5.7 2 48 8 6

Graph:

Precautions:
1. Keep the safe distance from the apparatus.
2. Dont close the flow control valve completely.
3. Let the flow become stable then take the reading of height.

References:
1. http://www.codecogs.com/library/engineering/fluid_mechanics/notches/rectangular-
notch.php
2. www.google.com.pk

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