Objectives

Introduce the basic concepts of fluid mechanics including fluid properties, hydrostatics and fluids in motion.

Cover the applications of these concepts so that at the end of this module the students are able to calculate pressure distributions in static fluids, forces on immersed surfaces and pressure losses for steady incompressible flows in piping systems. The course also introduces the instrumentation used to measure pressure, flow velocity and flow rates. The students will have a good knowledge of these instruments to be able to select the appropriate one for a given application and know its advantages and limitations. 

In order to impart problem-solving skills, a large number of applied problems is treated in class and as homework.

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                                       Content

Introduction

• Definitions: Fluid, fluid mechanics
• Fluid properties:  Density, Specific volume, Specific weight, Pressure, Temperature & Viscosity.
• Dimensions and units

Fluid Statics

• Pressure variation in a static fluid
• Pressure measurements: liquid manometers (simple, U-tube, inclined), barometer, Bourdon manometer, Piezoelectric pressure sensors, Strain gauge Transducer.
• Hydrostatic Forces on immersed surfaces

Fluid Flow

• Introduction, flow categories
• Continuity equation
• Bernouilli’s equation and applications
• Flow meters: Venturi, orifice, positive displacement, turbine, vortex, ultrasonic, paddlewheel …
• Flow velocity measurement: Pitot tube, anemometers
• Modified Bernouilli’s equation
• Head losses: major and minor losses