A New Approach to Estimate the Discharge Coefficient in Sharp-Crested Rectangular Side Orifices Using Gene Expression Programming

Abstract

Structures, such as side orifices are used for controlling the flow within a diversion channel or for directing the flow into one. In this study, an equation for estimating discharge coefficient is introduced using “gene expression programming” (GEP). In order to estimate the discharge coefficient, four dimensionless parameters including ratio of depth of flow in main channel to the width of rectangular orifice (Ym/L), Froude number (Fr), the ratio of sill height to the width of rectangular orifice (W/L) and the ratio of the width of the main channel to the width of the rectangular orifice (B/L) are used to present five different models. Therefore, the lacks of effect of each dimensionless parameter on the discharge coefficient predictions are reviewed. The results obtained from the carried out studies indicated that the best model presented in this study estimated the discharge coefficient fairly well with a relative error of 3% against experimental data.