Fluid Mechanics

Define fluid, fluid mechanics, from statics to dynamics, and highlight civil engineering applications like water pipelines, dams, and water supply systems. Explain SI, French, and British units and conversions.

Explore density and specific weight in fluids. Apply rho = m/v and gamma = W/v, noting water at 4 C is 1000 kg/m^3 and heating lowers density and specific weight; oil example yields rho around 852 kg/m^3.

Learn how specific gravity and relative density compare a liquid to water using SG = gamma liquid / gamma water and rho liquid / rho water.

Explore how a U-tube manometer uses liquids of known specific gravity to relate pressure differences to height, applying Pascal's law to compute absolute gas pressure.

Use a differential manometer to measure pressure drop across a flow section by applying Pascal's law; derive p1 minus p2 equals (rho2 minus rho1) g h with a water-mercury example.

Explore differential and inverted u-tube manometers to measure pressure differences between vessels, derive delta p = h(gamma m − gamma w), and apply this to example calculations.

Determine the hydrostatic force and action-line depth for a submerged semicircular plane surface, using diameter eight feet, area 25.1 ft², and y' dash 8.77 ft, yielding Yp about 8.9 ft.

Compute center of pressure for a submerged elliptical plate, using y_dash, y_p, and moment of inertia, to determine the opening force required at the hinge via equilibrium.

Explore fluid kinematics, distinguishing open channel flow from closed channel flow (pipe) flow, driven by gravity or pressure gradient. Learn steady, unsteady, uniform, nonuniform, and laminar, turbulent, and transitional flows.

Derive Bernoulli equation from energy conservation for incompressible, no-viscosity flow, balancing kinetic energy, pressure head, and elevation head between two sections. Note friction losses and the total energy line TEL.