Many of the mounting and end connection configurations that Openchannelflow has developed for our Parshall flumes can also be used for our Cutthroat flumes.
Like our accessories, though, the mounting and end connections below are intended for Rectangular Cutthroat flumes and may not be available for Trapezoidal ones. Contact Openchannelflow for Trapezoidal flume availability.
Cutthroat Flume Mounting
Concrete Channels
Most Cutthroat flumes are encapsulated in concrete. Here the flume is set in an oversized, roughed in channel and then grouted into place. To help secure the flume during installation and make sure that it does not float out of place, wire is run through the anchor clips on the outside of the flume back to rebar before the grout pour begins.
In both concrete and earthen channel installations, the inside of the Cutthroat flume must be cribbed and weighted so that the flume does not shift out of place or the sidewalls / floor distort. Once the installation has been completed, the cribbing is removed.
Earthen Channels
When used to measure watershed or irrigation flows, Cutthroat flumes are usually installed in earthen channels. An oversized area is excavated, typically bedded on a compactable base, and then backfilled. To help secure the flume in place, earth anchors or threaded rod is typically run through the anchor clips on the outside of the flume.
Flow bypass can be a concern upstream of the flume and both here and downstream (where scour is a concern) geotextiles may be used.
In both concrete and earthen channel installations, the inside of the Cutthroat flume must be cribbed and weighted so that the flume does not shift out of place or the sidewalls / floor distort. Once the installation has been completed, the cribbing is removed.
Integrated Enclosures
Above grade industrial flows may require that a small monitoring flume be secured. For those applications, Openchannelflow offers factory integration of a select 18 and 36-inch length Cutthroat flumes into one of our Redstone Fiberglass Equipment Enclosures.
The result is a secure, integrated solution that allows for the accurate measurement of flows while maintaining data integrity.
Flow Metering Manholes
For applications where below grade flow monitoring is required, Openchannelflow offers Cutthroat flumes integrated into our fiberglass Packaged Metering Manholes.
Cutthroat Flume End Connections
End Adapters
End connections for Cutthroat flumes revolve around the end adapter. A Cutthroat flume end adapter is a specially shaped rectangular structure that attach to the end of the flume. The end adapter allows the flow to be transitioned into / out of the flume in a controlled manner.
End adapters can be provides with pipe stubs, flanges, or caulking collars to connect to piping. Additionally, end adapters can be left with the ends open if necessary.
End adapters are also convenient locations to mount other accessories that otherwise would not fit in the Cutthroat flume itself.
Staged Manhole Transitions
Taking our standard Cutthroat end adapter, a curved is molded into the piece so that the flume can now be directly connected to a manhole wall – eliminating the need to either form a transition or have a pipe connection to the flume. Staged transitions are available for select sizes of Cutthroat flumes and manhole diameters. Contact Openchannelflow for additional details.
Wing Wall Transitions
Wing walls are radius (or flat) plates that are attached to the flume to direct flow into or out of the flume from the larger channel that it is installed in.
Wing walls can be factory attached or shipped loosed for field installation as required.
As with Parshall flumes radius inlet wing walls should be used. Research has shown that flat 45º inlet wing walls can adversely affect flow in the converging section of the flume.
