The article presents the experimental results of the calibration of the typical check structure with sluice gates installed in a trapezoidal irrigation channel. Hydraulic experiments on sluice gate discharge capacity were performed on a model made in a 1:2 scale. It has been explained how the method of measuring the downstream water depth below the sluice gate in the check structures installed in a trapezoidal irrigation channels affects the measured depth values. On the basis of hydraulic measurements, regression relationships were developed for the discharge coefficients for submerged outflow through the sluice gate in two types of sluice gates installed in irrigation channels. The formulas allow to calculate the volumetric flow rate below the submerged sluice gate after determining the water depth upstream and below the sluice gate and the gate opening height. The differences in volumetric flow rates calculated from regression relationships and measured values do not exceed 10%, which confirms their practical suitability for calculating the discharge through a sluice gate mounted in a trapezoidal channel. The values of the discharge coefficients determined in the channels with rectangular cross-sections are not useful for the discharge coefficients of sluice gates check structures installed in trapezoidal channels. Nomograms and relationships for discharge coefficients of the analysed sluice gate were developed.

The paper attempts to assess the possibility of using typical check structures equipped with sluice gates to measure the volumetric flow rate in the irrigation channels. The submerged flow through the sluice gate was considered. Experimental tests on a model of typical check structure in 1:2 scale were carried out. The conducted analyzes confirmed the possibility of using discharge equation for submerged flow through the sluice gate to estimate the water flow rate in the irrigation channels. In order to obtain accurate values of flow rate, the downstream tailwater depth should be measured at the appropriate distance from the sluice gate. For different values of gate-opening height, the downstream water depth measurement locations allowing for a correct flow estimation were indicated. This approach might be useful in calibration of other designs of sluice gates for flow measurements.

This paper presents the results of a laboratory study on the discharge capacity of sharp-crested weirs fitted with a horizontal edge in pipes during open-channel flow conditions and clean water used to measure the outflow. Such sharp-crested weirs are mounted in pipes and are used to control the inflow to separators. The stream profile does not correspond to the profile given by Bazin for sharp crested weirs in channels. A desired location of the water level measurement point for flow rate calculations was provided. Discharge curves were identified for three sharp-crested weirs of 0.0465, 0.0634 and 0.0771 m in height, installed in the pipe of 0.1534 m in diameter and inclinations of 0.5 and 1.0%. The discharge curves for weir flow with free nappe does not show a significant effect of the pipe slope on the weir discharge capacity. The non-dimensional formulas for the discharge capacity of the sharp-crested weir were found as general polynomial regressions. The results indicate that the calibrated sharp-crested weir with a horizontal edge placed in a pipe can be used to control the flow. Due to the scale effect, relationships obtained from the calibration cannot be generalised to other pipe diameters and weirs heights than those analysed.

This pilot study investigated the amounts of plastic litter captured by water structures. It is based on hydraulic experiments using flume models of the sluice gate and trash racks. Plastic elements of different shapes and sizes were introduced to the flume upstream of the water device. The study measured the number of plastic elements captured by the device. The outcomes of the study suggest that for each device, it should be possible to determine the size of elements beyond which they can capture plastic elements in substantial quantities. The findings should be helpful in designing future experiments on the capture of plastic elements by water structures