📘 Fluid Engineering Notes
1. Basics of Fluid Mechanics
Fluid: Substance that deforms continuously under shear stress (liquids & gases).
Properties of fluids:
o Density (ρ) = mass/volume
o Viscosity (μ) = resistance to flow
o Pressure (P) = force/area
o Temperature & Compressibility
o Specific gravity = ratio of density to water density
2. Fluid Statics
Pascal’s Law: Pressure applied to a confined fluid is transmitted equally in all directions.
Hydrostatic Pressure:
P=ρghP = ρ g hP=ρgh
Manometry: Devices for measuring pressure (U-tube, differential, inclined).
Buoyancy & Archimedes’ Principle: Upthrust = weight of fluid displaced.
3. Fluid Kinematics
Types of Flow:
o Steady vs. Unsteady
o Uniform vs. Non-uniform
o Laminar (Re < 2000) vs. Turbulent (Re > 4000)
Streamlines & Pathlines: Flow visualization.
Continuity Equation:
A1V1=A2V2A_1 V_1 = A_2 V_2A1V1=A2V2 (for incompressible fluids).
4. Fluid Dynamics
Bernoulli’s Equation (ideal fluid, steady, incompressible, no friction):
Pρg+V22g+z=constant\frac{P}{ρg} + \frac{V^2}{2g} + z = \text{constant}ρgP+2gV2
+z=constant
Applications: Venturimeter, Orifice meter, Pitot tube.
Momentum Equation: Force exerted by fluid = rate of change of momentum.
5. Flow through Pipes
Reynolds Number:
Re=ρVDμRe = \frac{ρVD}{μ}Re=μρVD
Head Loss (Darcy–Weisbach equation):
hf=fLV22gDh_f = \frac{f L V^2}{2 g D}hf=2gDfLV2
Major Losses: friction in pipes.
Minor Losses: bends, fittings, sudden expansion/contraction.
6. Boundary Layer Theory
Boundary Layer: Thin region near surface where viscous effects dominate.
Thickness Types: Displacement, Momentum, Energy.
Separation of Flow: Leads to drag & energy loss.
7. Dimensional Analysis
Buckingham π Theorem: Used for model testing.
Dimensionless Numbers:
o Reynolds Number (Re) – inertia/viscous
o Froude Number (Fr) – inertia/gravity
o Mach Number (M) – inertia/compressibility
o Weber Number (We) – inertia/surface tension
8. Turbomachines
Classification:
o Pumps (centrifugal, reciprocating)
o Turbines (Pelton, Francis, Kaplan)
Specific Speed: Determines type of turbine/pump.
Hydraulic Efficiency: Ratio of output power to input power.
9. Compressible Flow
Mach Number (M):
Subsonic (M < 1), Sonic (M = 1), Supersonic (M > 1).
Shock Waves: Sudden pressure & velocity changes.
Isothermal & Adiabatic Flow equations.
10. Applications in Engineering
Hydraulic Machines: Fluid power applications in turbines, pumps.
Civil: Water distribution, sewage design.
Mechanical: Engines, cooling systems.
Aerospace: Lift, drag, compressible aerodynamics.
