Experimental Study of Discharge Coefficient of Trapezoidal Labyrinth Side-Weirs

Side weir is used as a regulator structure to control discharge and water level in rivers and channels. A labyrinth side weir is a kind of weirs which does not have a direct and smooth edge in the plan view. When the opening length is limited, these side weirs can divert more water out of the channel by increasing the effective length. To evaluate performance of the side weir and estimate the rate of flow passing through it, the discharge coefficient should be determined. In this research, hydraulic behavior of a labyrinth side weir with a trapezoidal plan in the single-cycle has been studied experimentally. Upstream Froude number of the side weir was modified in each test andthe effects of opening length, height and side angels on the discharge coefficient were investigated. The results of the tests were analyzed to find out the effect of defined dimensionless parameters such as length, height and angle on the discharge coefficient in subcritical flow. The results obtained showed that in comparison with the normal side weirs the discharge coefficient of the trapezoidal labyrinth side weir increased about 15-30 percent. Also, the discharge coefficient decreased with increasing the Froude number and side angles and increased with increasing the opening length and height of the weir. In the range of experiments, the angle of 30 degrees gives the highest discharge coefficient that is approximately 1.5 times the other angles.