22. Fluid Mechanics
This chapter covers the fundamentals of flow in noncircular conduits and multiple path pipe flows, detailing key concepts such as the use of hydraulic diameters and roughness in water flow. The historical context is provided through significant experiments from the 1930s that laid the foundation for modern fluid mechanics, including the relationship between friction factors, Reynolds numbers, and wall shear stress. The chapter also explores how to quantify energy losses in varying conduit shapes and flow conditions.
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What we have learnt
- Flow characteristics differ significantly between laminar and turbulent flows, particularly in noncircular conduits.
- The concept of hydraulic diameter is essential for analyzing flow in noncircular pipes.
- Empirical relationships established through historical experiments are crucial for modern fluid mechanics applications.
Key Concepts
- -- Hydraulic Diameter
- The hydraulic diameter is defined as the ratio of the area of flow to the wetted perimeter, which is crucial for analyzing fluid flow within noncircular conduits.
- -- Reynolds Number
- The Reynolds number is a dimensionless quantity used to predict flow patterns in different fluid flow situations. It indicates whether the flow will be laminar or turbulent.
- -- Wall Shear Stress
- Wall shear stress is the tangential stress acting on the wall of a conduit due to the fluid's viscosity and relative motion.
- -- Moody Chart
- The Moody chart is a graphical representation of the friction factor for flow in pipes as a function of Reynolds number and relative roughness.
- -- Energy Gradient Line
- An energy gradient line is used to represent the total energy head available to a fluid flow in a conduit, helping to identify energy losses due to friction and other factors.
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