A weir is a small dam built across a body of water, such as a river. We use them to help control the flow of water. Weirs can help raise the water level so that boats can pass through, and they can also reduce the flow of water to prevent flooding. So, it is vital that you have a strong concrete weir wall in order to effectively control the flow. There are several different types of weirs in use so it is crucial to know how each controls the flow of water. Here are the different types of weirs and why concrete weir walls are so important.
Types of Weirs
These are the most common types of weirs out there:
- V notch weir – This type of weir features a concrete weir wall with a V shaped notch in the middle. The wall itself is higher than the water level and creates a barrier that forces the water to flow through the notch. Other variations include rectangular and trapezoidal notch weirs.
- Broad crested weir – This is one of the most common types of weir you can find. Broad crested weirs use flat reinforced concrete and cover the width of the water source. The water then flows over the crest creating a more manageable flow on the other side. Other variations include sharp and narrow crested weirs.
- Compound weir – These types of weirs combine two or more designs into one structure. For example, a compound weir may be broad crested for most of its length, but include a small open section that allows river traffic to flow through. Another example would be to combine a v notch weir with a rectangular for different flow rates.
Benefits of Concrete Weir Walls
There are a number of ways in which concrete weirs are beneficial:
- Weirs help to measure and control the flow of water in rivers and other water sources. This can help prevent flooding, stabilise water levels, and improve the quality of aquatic life in the water.
- Concrete is one of the most durable and resilient materials for weirs. It is also one of the most environmentally safe and low maintenance materials around.
- Weirs are adjustable according to how much water flow you need to control. You can even combine a number of designs to further control flow or access to the river.
- The initial cost of building a concrete weir is low compared to other types of water control systems such as barrages.
Here at JKH Ltd, we design and construct several different designs for concrete weir walls and end walls suitable for any water source. We can work with you to design any type of concrete wall for your project. To find out more about our range of weir walls and other concrete products, please browse our website or speak with our friendly team via phone. For high quality concrete wall solutions for any project, contact JKH Ltd today.