An American National Standard

Designation: D 5242 – 92 (Reapproved 2001)

Standard Test Method for

Open-Channel Flow Measurement of Water with Thin-Plate
Weirs1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5242; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope 3.2.1 crest—the bottom of the overflow section or notch of

1.1 This test method covers measurement of the volumetric a rectangular weir.
flowrate of water and wastewater in channels with thin-plate 3.2.2 head—the height of a liquid above a specified point,
weirs. Information related to this test method can be found in for example, the weir crest.
Rantz (1)2 and Ackers (2). 3.2.3 hydraulic jump—an abrupt transition from supercriti-
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded cal flow to subcritical or tranquil flow.
as the standard. The SI units given in parentheses are for 3.2.4 nappe—the curved sheet or jet of water overfalling the
information only. weir.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the 3.2.5 notch—the overflow section of a triangular weir or of
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the a rectangular weir with side contractions.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 3.2.6 primary instrument—the device (in this case the weir)
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- that creates a hydrodynamic condition that can be sensed by the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. secondary instrument.
3.2.7 scow float—an in-stream float for depth sensing,
2. Referenced Documents usually mounted on a hinged cantilever.
2.1 ASTM Standards: 3.2.8 secondary instrument—in this case, a device that
D 1129 Terminology Relating to Water3 measures the depth of flow (referenced to the crest) at an
D 2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of appropriate location upstream of the weir plate. The secondary
Applicable Methods of Committee D-19 on Water3 instrument may also convert the measured depth to an indi-
D 3858 Practice for Open-Channel Flow Measurement of cated flowrate.
Water by Velocity-Area Methods3 3.2.9 stilling well—a small free-surface reservoir connected
2.2 ISO Standards: through a constricted channel to the approach channel up-
ISO 1438 Flow Measurement in Open Channels Using stream of the weir so that a depth (head) measurement can be
Weirs and Venturi Flumes—Part 1: Thin-Plate Weirs4 made under quiescent conditions.
ISO 555 Liquid Flow Measurement in Open Channels, 3.2.10 subcritical flow—open channel flow in which the
Delusion Methods for Measurement of Steady Flow- average velocity is less than the square root of the product of
Constant Rate Injection Method4 the average depth and the acceleration due to gravity; some-
times called tranquil flow.
3. Terminology 3.2.11 submergence—a condition where the water level on
3.1 Definitions: the downstream side of the weir is at the same or at a higher
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer elevation than the weir crest; depending on the percent of
to Terminology D 1129. submergence the flow over the weir and hence the head-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: discharge relation may be altered.
3.2.12 supercritical flow—open channel flow in which the
average velocity exceeds the square root of the product of the
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-19 on Water average depth and the acceleration due to gravity.
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.07 on Sediments, Geomor-
phology, and Open-Channel Flow.
3.2.13 tailwater—the water level immediately downstream
Current edition approved May 15, 1992. Published September 1992. of the weir.
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of
the text.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01.
4
Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 West 42nd Street,
NY, NY 10036.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 D 5242 – 92 (2001)
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Thin-plate weirs are overflow structures of specified
geometries for which the volumetric flowrate is a unique
function of a single measured depth (head) above the weir crest
or vertex, the other factors in the head-discharge relation
having been experimentally or analytically determined as
functions of the shape of the overflow section and approach
channel geometry.

5. Significance and Use

5.1 Thin-plate weirs are reliable and simple devices that
have the potential for highly accurate flow measurements. With
proper selection of the shape of the overflow section a wide
range of discharges can be covered; the recommendations in
this test method are based on experiments with flowrates from
about 0.008 ft 3/s (0.00023 m 3/s) to about 50 ft 3/s (1.4 m 3/s).
5.2 Thin-plate weirs are particularly suitable for use in
water and wastewater without significant amounts of solids and
in locations where a head loss is affordable.

6. Interferences
6.1 Because of the reduced velocities in the backwater
upstream of the weir, solids normally transported by the flow
will tend to deposit and ultimately affect the approach condi-
tions.
6.2 Weirs are applicable only to open channel flow and
become inoperative under pressurized-conduit conditions.

7. Apparatus
7.1 A weir measuring system consists of the weir plate and
its immediate channel (the primary) and a depth (head)
measuring device (the secondary). The secondary device can
range from a simple scale for manual readings to an instrument
that continuously senses the depth, converts it to a flowrate,
and displays or transmits a readout or record of the instanta-
neous flowrate or totalized flow, or both.
7.2 Thin-Plate Weir:
7.2.1 Shapes—The thin-plate weir provides a precisely
shaped overflow section symmetrically located in a (usually) FIG. 1 Rectangular Weir
rectangular approach section, as in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Although
information is available in the literature (3) on a variety of
overflow-section or notch shapes (for example, rectangular,
triangular, trapezoidal, circular) only the rectangular and trian-
gular shapes are considered to have a data base sufficient for
promulgation as a standard method.
7.2.2 Weir Plate:
7.2.2.1 The plate thickness in the direction of flow must be
from 0.03 in 0.08 in. (about 1 to 2 mm); the lower limit is
prescribed to minimize potential damage, and the upper limit is
required to help avoid nappe clinging. See 7.2.5.4 and 7.2.6.3
for plates thicker than 0.08 in. (2 mm). The plate must be
fabricated of smooth metal or other material of equivalent
smoothness and sturdiness. Upstream corners of the overflow FIG. 2 Crest-Length Adjustment, DL
section must be sharp and burr-free, and the edges must be flat,
smooth, and perpendicular to the weir face.
7.2.2.2 The plane of the weir plate must be vertical and located at the lateral midpoint of the approach channel. If the
perpendicular to the channel walls. The overflow section must metal plate containing the overfall section does not form the
be laterally symmetrical and its bisector must be vertical and entire weir, it must be mounted on the remainder of the

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 D 5242 – 92 (2001)
bulkhead so that the upstream face of the weir is flush and respectively, and Ce is a discharge coefficient. The effective
smooth. (This requirement may be relaxed if the metal plate is head, He, is related to the measured head, H, by:
large enough in itself to form full contractions. See 7.2.3.) The He 5 H 1 dH
weir structure must be firmly mounted in the channel so that
there is no leakage around it. where dH is an experimentally determined adjustment for
the effects of viscosity and surface tension valid for water at
7.2.2.3 Additional plate requirements specific to rectangular
ordinary temperatures (about 4 to 30°C); its value is constant at
and triangular weirs are given in 7.2.5.4 and 7.2.6.3.
0.003 ft (0.001 m). The effective crest length, Le, is related to
7.2.3 Weir Contractions—When the sidewalls and bottom
the measured length, L, by:
of the approach channel are far enough from the edges of the
notch for the contraction of the nappe to be unaffected by those Le 5 L 1 dL
boundaries, the weir is termed “fully contracted”. With lesser where the adjustment, dL, is a function of the crest length-
distances to the bottom or sidewalls, or both, the weir is to-channel width ratio, L/B. Experimentally determined values
“partially contracted”. Contraction requirements specific to of dL for water at ordinary temperatures are given in Fig. 3.
rectangular and triangular weirs are given in 7.2.5.3, 7.2.5.6, The discharge coefficient, Ce, is given in Fig. 4 as a function
7.2.6.2, and 7.2.6.5. of L/B and the head-to-crest height ratio, H/P.
7.2.4 Head Measurement Location—The head on the weir, 7.2.5.6 Limits of Application—The discharge relations
H, is measured as a depth above the elevation of the crest or given in 7.2.5.5 are applicable for these conditions:
vertex of the notch. This measurement should be made at a H/P # 2
distance upstream of the weir equal to 4Hmax to 5Hmax, where H$ 0.1 ft (0.03 m)
L$ 0.5 ft (0.15 m)
Hmax is the maximum head on the weir. In some cases a stilling P$ 0.3 ft (0.1 m)
well may be desirable or necessary. See 7.5.
7.2.5 Rectangular Weirs: Although in principle Eq 1 could be applied to very large
7.2.5.1 The rectangular overflow section can have either full weirs, the experiments on which it is based included crest
or partial contractions (7.2.3) or the side contractions may be lengths up to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and heads up to about 2 ft (0.6
suppressed (7.2.5.2). m); it is recommended that these values not be significantly
7.2.5.2 Suppressed Weirs—When there are no side contrac- exceeded.
tions and the weir crest extends across the channel, the weir is 7.2.5.7 Aeration Requirements—In order to avoid nappe
termed “full width” or “suppressed”. In this case the approach clinging and maintain proper aeration of the nappe, the
channel must be rectangular (see also 7.3.4) and the channel tailwater level should always be at least 0.2 ft (0.06 m) below
walls must extend at least 0.3H downstream of the weir plate. the crest. In addition, in the case of suppressed weirs, aeration
must be provided externally; this can be done with sidewall
7.2.5.3 Contracted Rectangular Weirs—The conditions for
vents, for example. The user must measure the pressure in the
full contraction are as follows:
air pocket to establish that it is sufficiently close to atmospheric
H/P # 0.5
H/L # 0.5 for the flow to be unaffected (see 11.7.2).
0.25 ft (0.08 m) # H # 2.0 ft (0.6 m) 7.2.6 Triangular Weirs:
L $ 1.0 ft (0.3 m)
P $ 1.0 ft (0.3 m)
7.2.6.1 Shape—The overflow section of a triangular weir is
( B − L )/2 $2H an isosceles triangle oriented with the vertex downward.
Experimental results are available for notch angles, u, of 20 to
where H is the measured head, P is the crest height above the
bottom of the channel, L is the crest length, and B is the
channel width. The partial contraction conditions covered by
this test method are given in 7.2.5.6.
7.2.5.4 Weir Plate—The requirements of this section are in
addition to those of 7.2.2. If the plate is thicker than 0.08 in. (2
mm) the downstream excess at the edges of the overflow
section must be beveled at an angle of at least 45° as shown in
Fig. 1. If there are side contractions, all of the edge require-
ments of this test method pertain to the sides as well as the
crest. The sides must be exactly perpendicular to the crest; and
the crest must be level, preferably to within a transverse slope
of 0.001.
7.2.5.5 Discharge Relations—The flowrate, Q, over a rect-
angular weir that conforms to all requirements of 7.2 as well as
the approach conditions in 7.3 is determined from the
Kindsvater-Carter equation (4):
Q 5 ~2/3!~2g! 1 / 2CeLe ~He! 3 / 2 (1)
where g is the acceleration due to gravity in compatible
units, He and Le are the effective head and effective crest length FIG. 3 Discharge Coefficient, Ce, for Rectangular Weirs

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 D 5242 – 92 (2001)
where dHt is an adjustment for the combined effects of
viscosity and surface tension for water at ordinary temperatures
(4 to 30°C) and is given as a function of notch angle in Fig. 5.
The discharge coefficient is given in Fig. 6 as a function of the
notch angle for fully contracted weirs only. For partially
contracted weirs the data base is considered adequate for 90°
notches only and these discharge coefficients are shown in Fig.
7.
7.2.6.5 Limits of Application—For 90° notches only, the
discharge relations given in 7.2.6.4 are valid for these partially
contracted conditions:
H/P # 1.2
H/B # 0.4
P$ 0.3 ft (0.1 m)
B$ 2 ft (0.6 m)
0.15 ft (0.05 m) # H # 2 ft (0.6 m)

For other angles between 20 and 100° the discharge relations

are valid only for full contractions (see 7.2.6.2).
7.2.6.6 Aeration Requirements—In order to avoid nappe
clinging and maintain proper aeration of the nappe, the
tailwater level should always be at least 0.2 ft (0.05 m) below
the vertex of the triangular notch.
7.3 Approach Channel:
7.3.1 Weirs can be sensitive to the quality of the approach
flow. Therefore this flow should be tranquil and uniformly
distributed across the channel in order to closely approximate
the conditions of the experiments from which the discharge
relations were developed. For this purpose, uniform velocity
distribution can be defined as that associated with fully
developed flow in a long, straight, moderately smooth channel.
Unfortunately there are no universally accepted quantitative
guidelines for implementing these recommendations. One
FIG. 4 Triangular Weirs standard (5) recommends a straight approach length of ten
channel widths when the weir length is greater than half the
channel width. However, the presence of upstream channel
100°. However, the most commonly used weirs are 90° (tan bends or sudden enlargements would clearly lengthen this
u/2 = 1), 53.13° (tan u/2 = 0.5) and 28.07° (tan u/2 = 0.25). See approach requirement. Therefore the adequacy of the approach
Fig. 2. flow generally must be demonstrated on a case-by-case basis
7.2.6.2 Contractions—The conditions for full contraction of using velocity traverses, experience with similar situations, or
triangular weirs are as follows: analytical approximations.
H/P # 0.4
7.3.2 In some cases baffles can be used to improve the
H/B # 0.2 velocity distribution; they must be placed more than 10H
P$ 1.5 ft (0.45 m) upstream of the head measurement location.
B$ 3.0 ft (0.9 m)
0.15 ft (0.05 m) # H # 1.25 ft (0.38 m)
7.3.3 If the flow in the channel is supercritical, the installa-
tion should be designed so that the hydraulic jump is formed at
The conditions for partial contraction covered by this test
method are listed in 7.2.6.5.
7.2.6.3 Weir Plate—If the plate is thicker than 0.08 in. (2
mm) the downstream excess at the notch must be beveled at an
angle of at least 60° (Fig. 2). This requirement is in addition to
those of 7.2.2.
7.2.6.4 Discharge Relations—The flowrate over a triangular
weir that conforms to all requirements of 7.2.3 as well as the
approach conditions in 7.3 is determined from the following:
Q 5 ~8/15!~2g! 1 / 2Cet tan ~u/2!~Het! 5 / 2 (2)
where Cet and Het are the discharge coefficient and effective
head respectively. Het is given by:
Het 5 H 1 dHt FIG. 5 Head Correction, DHt, for Triangular Weirs

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 D 5242 – 92 (2001)
TABLE 1 Submergence Corrections
Qs/Q Qs/Q
Submergence Ratio, S
Rectangular A 90° Notch B
0 1.000 1.000
0.1 1.007 0.999
0.2 0.978 0.993
0.3 0.939 0.981
0.4 0.895 0.960
0.5 0.842 0.928
0.6 0.778 0.882
0.7 0.698 0.816
FIG. 6 Discharge Coefficient, Cet, for Triangular Weirs, Fully 0.8 0.589 0.721
Contracted Only 0.9 0.435 0.569
A
From Table 13 of Ref (6).
B
From Qs/Q = (1 − S 2.5) 0.385, on p. 28 of Ref (6).

7.5 Stilling Well and Connector:

7.5.1 Stilling wells are recommended for accurate head
measurements; they are required when wire-supported cylin-
drical floats are used or when the water surface in the channel
is wavy or ruffled.
7.5.2 The lateral area of the stilling well is governed in part
by the requirements of the secondary instrument. For example,
the clearance between a float and the stilling-well wall should
FIG. 7 Discharge Coefficient, Cet, for Partially Contracted 90°
be at least 0.1 ft (3 cm) and should be increased to 0.25 ft (7.6
Triangular Weirs cm) if the well is made of concrete or other rough material, the
float diameter itself being determined in part by permissible
least 30H upstream and the velocity distribution should be float lag error (see 11.6.1). Other types of sensors may also
checked for uniformity. impose size requirements on the stilling well, and the maxi-
7.3.4 Channel Shape—A rectangular approach channel is mum area may be limited by response lag. The height of the
preferred in the immediate vicinity of the weir. However, a stilling well must be sufficient to accommodate the anticipated
different shape is acceptable provided the conditions for full head range.
contraction are met and the cross-sectional area of the channel 7.5.3 The stilling well and connector pipe must be leak-
is at least as large as the smallest rectangular section that would proof. Provision should be made for cleaning and flushing the
have provided full contraction. Rectangular channels are re- well and pipe to remove any accumulated solids. It may be
quired for suppressed rectangular weirs. desirable to add a small purge flow of clean water to help keep
7.4 Submerged Weirs—This section provides limited infor- the well, connector, and sensor parts clean. This flow should be
mation on the performance of submerged weirs. However, it is low enough for any depth increase in the stilling well to be
strongly recommended that weir installations be designed for imperceptible.
free flow because the experimental data base for submerged NOTE 1—Although thin-plate weirs are not likely to be used in flows
conditions is not adequate to provide the accuracy appropriate with obviously heavy solids loads, there might still be gradual solids
for a standard test method. Further, submerged conditions accumulation in applications such as treated or partially treated wastewa-
require that an additional head (relative to the crest or vertex) ter.
be measured downstream of the weir so that the submergence 7.5.4 The opening in the channel sidewall connecting to the
(ratio of downstream head to upstream head) can be deter- stilling well either directly or through a pipe must be at least
mined; this measurement must be made in a manner that is 0.2 ft (0.06 m) below the minimum water level and have a
unaffected by the disturbances downstream of the overflow. perpendicular, flush and burr-free junction with the wall. The
Estimates of the submerged-to-free flowrate ratio, Qs/Q, where wall should be smooth (at least equivalent to a smooth
Q is the free flowrate computed from the upstream head, can be concrete) within a radius of at least ten hole diameters around
obtained from Table 1 for rectangular weirs and 90° triangular the center of the hole. The hole or pipe must be small enough
weirs (the only triangular notches for which experiments are to effectively dampen surface disturbances yet not so small that
available). Table 1 indicates that the submergence effect on it introduces a lag in the response to varying flowrates or is
triangular weirs is substantially less than that on rectangular difficult to keep open. For relatively steady flows in clean
weirs. water, diameters of about 1⁄2 in. (1.3 cm) may suffice. In the
7.4.1 It is emphasized that Table 1 is based on limited case of rapidly varying flows, the connector sizes needed to
experiments. For rectangular weirs the accuracy is probably no restrict the stilling-well lag to a desired amount can be
better than 5 % for submergence ratios up to about 0.50 and determined from hydraulic principles.
small values of H/P. The accuracy for 90° triangular weirs 7.6 Secondary Instrumentation:
cannot be quantified but it is expected to be superior to that for 7.6.1 A minimal secondary system for continuous monitor-
rectangular weirs. ing would contain a depth (head) sensing device and an

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 D 5242 – 92 (2001)
indicator or recorder from which the user could determine rates with enough repetitions to establish the head-discharge
flowrates from the head-discharge relations. Optionally, the relation. Use a scale or point gage to measure heads during
secondary system could convert the measured head to an these tests. Calibrate the secondary separately from the primary
indicated or recorded flowrate, or both, and totalized flow, and so that future performance checks need only involve the
further could transmit the information electrically or pneumati- secondary, provided that conditions related to the primary
cally to a central location. remain unchanged.
7.6.2 Continuous head measurements can be made with
several types of sensors including, but not restricted to, the 10. Procedure
following: 10.1 After initial calibration according to 9.2 or 9.3, com-
7.6.2.1 Floats, for example, cylindrical or scow types, pare the secondary measurement daily with a reference mea-
7.6.2.2 Pressure Sensors, for example, bubble tubes, dia- surement until a suitable frequency of monitoring can be
phragm gages, and established from the accumulated data.
7.6.2.3 Electrical Sensors, for example, resistance, capaci- 10.2 Make routine equipment checks frequently at first, in
tance, oscillating probes. some cases daily, until a more suitable frequency can be
derived from the performance history. These include, but are
8. Sampling not limited to, purge flows, solids accumulation in the approach
8.1 Sampling as defined in Terminology D 1129 is not channel and stilling well, algal growth, weed and reed growth
applicable in this test method. in the channel, secondary-sensor condition, crest level, etc.
Particular attention must be given to the weir surface and
9. Calibration overflow-edge conditions, which are sensitive to erosion and
9.1 In-place calibration of the entire weir system is neces- damage. Perform maintenance on the secondary instrumenta-
sary for highest accuracy if any nonstandard features exist. tion as recommended in the manufacturers’ literature.
Calibration of the secondary instrument alone will suffice
provided the weir itself meets all the fabrication, installation 11. Precision and Bias
and approach requirements of 7.2 and 7.3 and provided further 11.1 Determination of precision and bias for this test
that the basic error associated with such a standard weir (see method is not possible, both at the multiple and single operator
11.4) is acceptable for the specific measurement purpose. level, due to the high degree of instability of open-channel
Volumetric or weighting measurement techniques are consid- flow. Both temporal and spatial variability of the boundary and
ered superior to properly designed and operated sharp-crested flow conditions do not allow for a consent standard to be used
weirs. for representative sampling. A minimum bias, measured under
9.2 Calibrating the Secondary System: ideal conditions, is directly related to the bias of the equipment
9.2.1 Make independent reference head measurements with used and is listed in the following sections. A maximum
a scale or preferably a point gage to check the secondary precision and bias cannot be estimated due to the variability of
instrument. These measurements are most accurately made in the sources of potential errors listed in this section and the
the stilling well or in an auxiliary well if needed. The zero of temporal and spatial variability of open-channel flow. Any
the scale or point gage must be carefully referenced to the crest estimate of these errors could be very misleading to the user.
or vertex elevation. 11.2 In accordance with 1.6 of Practice D 2777, an exemp-
9.2.2 Compare the reference head (see 9.2.1) with the head tion to the precision and bias statement required by Practice
indicated by the secondary instrument. If the secondary readout D 2777 was recommended by the results advisor and concurred
is in terms of flowrate, compare the indicated flowrate with the with by the Technical Operations Section of the Executive
flowrate computed from the reference head and Eq 1 or Eq 2. Subcommittee on June 15, 1990.
Repetition of this process over a range of heads will indicate 11.3 The error of a weir flowrate measurement results from
whether zero or span adjustment is required. Repetition of a combination of individual errors, including errors in the basic
individual points will provide information on the precision of head-discharge relation, errors in head measurement, errors in
the system. weir coefficient due to weir imperfections and approach con-
9.3 Calibrating the Complete System: ditions, and errors from other sources, some of which are cited
9.3.1 Methods for in-place weir calibration include in the following.
velocity-area traverse (see Test Method D 3858), tracer dilu- 11.4 Accuracy of Head-Discharge Relations—For weirs
tion (see ISO 555), tracer velocity (7), volumetric or gravimet- that are in good condition and meet all the requirements of this
ric, and comparison with reference flowrate meter. test method, the following uncertainties apply to the discharge
9.3.2 There is no single calibration method that is applicable coefficients and length and head adjustments in Eq 1 and Eq 2.
to all field situations, and in many cases only the first two 11.4.1 Rectangular Weirs:
methods of 9.3.1 can even be considered. For example, suitable 11.4.1.1 Ce(full contractions), 61 %,
basins and connecting conduits for direct volumetric calibra- 11.4.1.2 Ce(partial contractions), 62 %,
tion of large flows are seldom available; and a reference 11.4.1.3 dL,6 0.001 ft (0.0003 m), and
flowmeter, for example, venturi or orifice meter, for which 11.4.1.4 dH,6 0.001 ft (0.0003 m).
published standards can be used only where there is adequate 11.4.2 Triangular Weirs:
approach length for the standard to be applicable. Whatever 11.4.2.1 Cet(full contractions), 61 %,
method is used, conduct the calibration tests at enough flow- 11.4.2.2 Cet(partial contractions, 90°), 62 %, and

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 D 5242 – 92 (2001)
11.4.2.3 dHt,6 0.001 ft (0.0003 m). to be less sensitive than partially contracted or suppressed
11.5 Errors Due to Weir Condition: weirs to such velocity gradients.
11.5.1 Weir Plate Condition—Rounded upstream corners in 11.7.2 Aeration—Lack of sufficient aeration tends to force
the notch and roughened surfaces on the upstream face of the the nappe downward and to increase the discharge coefficient.
weir plate, whether caused by wear, corrosion, or algal growth, Limited empirical information is available for suppressed weirs
tend to increase the discharge coefficient. These effects become (3) that relates the error in flowrate to the ratio of the
relatively more important as the head decreases. Errors as large underpressure in the air pocket (in terms of height of water
as 2 % for a rounding radius of 0.04 in. (1 mm) have been below atmospheric) to the head on the weir. As an example, an
reported (8). In general these rounding and roughness effects underpressure ratio of 0.04 causes a flow-rate error of about
cannot be quantified and careful monitoring and maintenance 1 %, with the relationship (for purposes of approximation)
of plate condition are necessary. being roughly linear.
11.5.2 Weir Crest Level—The error caused by a small 11.8 Estimating the Total Measurement Error:
transverse slope of the crest of a rectangular weir can be 11.8.1 One method of estimating the total percentage error
minimized if the zero of the head measurement is referenced to of a flow measurement uses the square root of the sum of the
the mid-point of the crest. Percentage errors associated with squares of the individual error contributions. For example, for
non-level crests increase with decreasing head and with in- the standard weirs of Section 7 this becomes
creasing crest length. 1
et 5 [~e1! 2 1 ~e2! 2 1 n 2 ~e3! 2# 2 (3)
11.6 Secondary System Errors:
11.6.1 Some potential error sources are associated with where:
specific types of secondary instruments. Examples include, but et = estimated total percentage error of
are not limited to, the following: acoustic devices may incor- a flow measurement,
rectly sense surfaces covered with dense foam; bubbler-tube e1 = estimated percentage error in the
tips placed in flowing water may be subject to errors due to discharge coefficient, Ce or Cet,
dynamic pressures, unless properly shaped; grease coatings e2(rectangular weirs) = estimated percentage error in the
may affect some types of wire probes; and float systems are crest length, obtained by combin-
subject to lag error if a measurable change in water level is ing (square root of the sum of the
needed to overcome the internal movement friction of the squares) the estimated error of
mechanism. crest length measurement with the
11.6.1.1 Except for the last example, such errors cannot be 0.001 ft (0.0003 m) error in the
quantified and only cautionary statements can be made. Each length adjustment term,
situation must be individually evaluated based on experience, e2(triangular weirs) = estimated percentage error in tan
manufacturers’ information, and the technical literature. In the u/2,
case of float systems the potential lag error can be estimated n = exponent of the head in the dis-
from a measurement of the force needed to overcome friction charge equation, 1.5 and 2.5 for
and application of physical principles. In general the larger the rectangular and triangular weirs re-
float the more sensitivity to stage changes. spectively, and
e3 = estimated percentage error in the
11.6.2 Regardless of the type of secondary device em-
effective head, obtained by com-
ployed, any error in referencing its zero to the weir crest or
bining (square root of the sum of
vertex will introduce an error in head that is constant in
the squares) estimates of all indi-
magnitude and therefore relatively more important at low
vidual contributions to the head
flows. See also 11.5.2.
measurement error with the 0.001
NOTE 2—Triangular weirs are particularly sensitive to errors in head ft (0.0003 m) error in the head
measurement because of the large exponent of head in the discharge adjustment term
equation. 11.8.2 Equations similar to Eq 3 can be developed to
11.6.3 Humidity effects on recorder chart paper can intro- include head-discharge relations obtained from in-place cali-
duce errors of about 1 %. brations or to accommodate other error sources. Additional
11.7 Other Error Sources: details on estimating total error can be found in Refs (3) and (5)
11.7.1 Approach Conditions—The errors introduced by dis- and in ISO 1438.
torted velocity profiles in the approach flow cannot be quanti-
fied, and measuring stations at which the upstream channels do 12. Keywords
not meet the conditions of 7.3 will generally require in-place 12.1 flow measurement; open-channel flow; water dis-
calibration to ensure accuracy. Fully contracted weirs are likely charge; weirs

7
 D 5242 – 92 (2001)
REFERENCES

(1) Rantz, S. E., “Measurement and Computation of Streamflow, Vol (5) British Standards Institution, BSI 3680, “Methods of Measurement of
I—Measurement of Stage and Discharge,” U.S. Geological Survey Liquid Flow in Open Channels, Part 4: Weirs and Flumes—4A:
Water Supply Paper 2175, 1982. Thin-Plate Weirs and Venturi Flumes.”
(2) Ackers, P. et al., Weirs and Flumes for Flow Measurement, John Wiley (6) U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Water Measurement Manual, Second
and Sons, 1978. edition, revised reprint, U.S. Govt. Printing Office, 1984.
(3) Bos, M. G., ed., Discharge Measurement Structures, Int. Inst. for Land
Reclamation and Improvement, Wageningen, Netherlands, Publ. 20. (7) American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Fluid Meters—Their
(Also Delft Hydraulics Lab. Publ. 161). Theory and Application, Sixth edition, 1971.
(4) Kindsvater, C. E., and Carter, R. W.,“ Discharge Characteristics of (8) Thomas, C. W., “Errors in Measurement of Irrigation Water,” Jour.
Rectangular Thin-Plate Weirs”, Jour. Hydraulics Div., Proc. Amer. Soc. Irrig. & Drain. Div., Proc. Amer. Soc. Civ. Eng., Vol 83, Proc. Paper
Civ. Eng., Vol 83, No. HY6, December 1957. 1362, September 1957.

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