FLUID MECHANICS AND PIPE HYDRAULICS

Description

Understanding the flow and forces of water, wind and other fluids is essential for civil and environmental engineers. It has applications in diverse domains such as bridge design, hydro-electric power, sub-sea engineering, waste water management, wind loading on buildings, hydraulic structures and many more. This module introduces the fundamental principles of static and dynamic fluid mechanics and their applications to solve typical engineering problems. The module covers the design and analysis of pipe networks in more detail. In these engineering problems, inter-connecting pipes, reservoirs and pumps are used to transport fluids, e.g. oil or water, at specified (steady) flow rates and pressures. These theoretical concepts are reinforced by practical applications in the laboratory. Here, the lab sessions investigate fundamental fluid properties and energy losses in pipe fixtures and fittings. Unsteady flows are also introduced through a demonstration of water hammer, which is the propagation of a high pressure wave through a pipe. In industrial pipe networks, water hammer can cause major problems including noise, vibration and even fractured pipes. Here, an understanding pipe flows is essential to make sure that the pipes in such systems which may include drinking water supplies are operating under the right conditions, especially given that the main purpose of these pipes is to protect human health and prevent environmental degradation. The first part of the module covers fluid mechanics, including the following topics: Hydrostatics (forces on surfaces, submerged bodies, gates etc.) Buoyancy (stability of submerged and floating bodies) Fluid kinematics (streamlines and continuity) Fluid dynamics (Bernoulli’s equation, flow through orifices and venturi meters) Momentum equation (impacting jets, forces on pipe bend) The second part of the module covers pipe hydraulics, including the following topics: Introduction to unsteady flows, pipe surge and water hammer Introduction to pipe flow, Reynold’s number and Darcy’s Equation Friction and Energy losses in pipes Basic and advanced pipe flow networks and reservoir problems. This module is within the core subject of Fluid Mechanics, and the threads of Design (especially pipe networks) and Health and Safety Risk Management (especially in the laboratory sessions). To introduce the fundamental principles and equations governing statics and dynamics in fluid mechanics. To introduce the key principles of the design and analysis of pipe networks for fluid transport. To learn how physical principles are used to create instruments that measure pressure and flow in dynamical systems. To combine theoretical knowledge and mathematical skills to solve engineering problems. To introduce practical experiments and how to conduct them safely in a fluid mechanics lab. Attributes Developed 001 Have a comprehensive and robust understanding of the key principles of fluid mechanics and their limitations when applying them to real flow problems. KT 002 Be able to deploy mathematical methods to solve problems involving fundamental fluid mechanics. KCT 003 Be able to deploy analytical and numerical methods for the analysis and design of sustainable pipe systems. KCPT 004 Know how to safely conduct and analyse practical experiments to investigate engineering behaviour and fluid properties. KPT 005 Prepare technical reports that are well organized and effectively communicate all key information using both written and digital processing skills. KT