TECHNICAL PAPERS
Mar 1, 1994

Recalibration of Parshall Flumes at Low Discharges

Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 120, Issue 2

Abstract

An inspection of the original study that developed the rating equations for Parshall flumes indicates that the calibration tests were not conducted for discharges as low as is currently recommended for the flumes' use. A numerical model was developed to predict the effect of fluid viscosity on the depth‐discharge relation. An experimental investigation for several flume sizes indicates that the original rating equations and data overpredict the discharge at flow rates that are less than about 15% of the maximum rated discharge for the flume. The discrepancy can be as much as 25% for the range of flows for which the flume is recommended to be used. The numerical model successfully matches the experimental data for the flume sizes studied. Alternative rating equations are developed for use at low discharges.

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References

1.
Abt, S. R., Thompson, K., and Staker, K. (1989). “Discharge correction for longitudinal settlement of Parshall flumes.” Trans., ASAE, 32(5), 1541–1544.
2.
Abt, S. R., and Staker, K. (1990). “Rating correction for lateral settlement of Parshall flumes.” J. Irrig. and Drain. Engrg., ASCE, 116(6), 797–803.
3.
Chow, V. T. (1959). Open channel hydraulics. McGraw‐Hill Book Co., New York, N.Y.
4.
Davis, R. W., and Deutsch, S. (1980). “A numerical‐experimental study of Parshall flumes.” J. Hydr. Res., 18(2), 135–151.
5.
Keller, R. J. (1984). “Cut‐throat flume characteristics.” J. Hydr. Engrg., ASCE, 110(9), 1248–1263.
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Kruse, E. G. (1992). “Discussion of ‘Rating correction for lateral settlement of Parshall flumes.’” J. Irrig. and Drain. Engrg., ASCE, 118(2), 337–339.
7.
Olson, R. E., and S. J. Wright. (1990). Essentials of engineering fluid mechanics, 5th Ed., Harper and Row, New York, N.Y.
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Parshall, R. L. (1926). “The improved Venturi flume.” Trans., ASCE, Vol. 89, 841–851.
9.
Parshall, R. L. (1936). “The Parshall measuring flume.” Bull. 423, Colorado Experiment Station, Fort Collins, Colo.
10.
Wright, S. J., and Taheri, B. (1990). “Limitations to standard Parshall flume calibrations.” Proc., Nat. Conf. on Hydr. Engrg., San Diego, Calif., 915–920.
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Wright, S. J., and Taheri, B. (1991). “Correction to Parshall flume calibrations at low discharges.” J. Irrig. and Drain. Engrg., ASCE, 117(5), 800–804.

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 120Issue 2March 1994
Pages: 348 - 362

History

Received: Aug 19, 1992
Published online: Mar 1, 1994
Published in print: Mar 1994

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Authors

Affiliations

Steven J. Wright, Member, ASCE
Prof. of Civ. and Envir. Engrg., 113 Engrg. 1A, Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109‐2125
Blake P. Tullis
Ph.D. Student, Civ. and Envir. Engrg. Dept., Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Tamara M. Long
Student, Civ. Engrg. Dept., Northern Arizona Univ., Flagstaff, AZ 86001

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