Minimizing the hydraulic side effects of weirs construction by using labyrinth weirs

It is no doubt that weirs are one of the most important hydraulic structures that play a vital role in irrigation project. So, it is necessary to minimize the hydraulic side effects of weirs. Throughout this paper, experiments were conducted to investigate the suitable dimensions and shape of weir's crest to increase head loss, decrease upstream bank level upstream weir and get the most economic structure. Various crest angles of labyrinth weir were tested under different flow conditions. Also back water curve upstream weir was studied according to different weir crest angles. A case of linear weir crest was also included in the test program. The experimental results indicated that labyrinth weirs have lower operating heads and longer crest length compared with a linear weir having the same lateral space and the same discharge. Results showed that the crest weir angle of 60° is the best angle of weir crest. It reduces water level above crested level and the relative jump depth by 18% and 20%, respectively. In addition, it increase the average values of the dissipated energy and the discharge coefficient by 15% and 14%, respectively. It also gave maximum reduction in backwater curve profile by about 17%. Furthermore, the model was verified using CFD numerical model. The numerical results agreed with the experimental results.