Parshall Flume Settling
One requirement for a Parshall flume to accurately measure flow is that the converging floor be set level from front-to-back and from side-to-side. However, because of the material weight, the unreinforced nature of natural channels, long-term consolidation of the foundation soils, and general installation errors, a flume may be installed off-level or may experience settlement over time. When this happens, the standard flow equations will no longer accuracy indicate the true flow rate of the flume.
Investigations by Colorado State University have resulted in the development of a generalized correction for settling which is applicable to both free and submerged flow conditions.
The true or measured discharge (Qm) may be determined by:
Where (with level measurements taken on the LEFT side of the flume looking downstream):
Parshall Settling Defined
A negative lateral (crest) slope is when the RIGHT side of the flume, looking downstream, is lower than the flume-floor centerline. A positive lateral slope is where the LEFT side is lower than the flume-floor centerline.
A negative longitudinal slope is where the flume entrance is LOWER than the exit of the flume. A positive longitudinal slope is where the flume entrance is HIGHER than the exit of the flume.
Correction for Parshall Flume Free-Flow Conditions
Correction for Parshall Flume Submerged Flow Conditions
Where:
For submergence of less than 90%, the flow in a off-level Parshall flume can be corrected to within +/- 3% of the true discharge. For submergence of 90% or greater, the flow can only be corrected to within 5% of the true discharge.
These corrections were determined to be applicable for:
- Parshall flumes 1”, 2”, 3”, 12”, and 24” in size (although researches state their belief that the procedure should be applicable to larger flume sizes)
- Lateral slopes of -11.6% to 11.6%
- Longitudinal slopes of -10.5% to 10.5%
Sources: Correction for Settlement of Parshall Flume, Settlement and Submergence Adjustments for Parshall Flume
