Lab manual for

fluid mechanics
NAME:Ahmed Hassan
REG.NO:2013-CIV-332

[Document subtitle]

Job1
Layout of fluid mechanics lab
Fluid friction apparatus
Hydraulic bench
Cavitation demonstration unit
Wind tunnel
Basic hydrology system
Universal pump test rig
Adjustable bed flow channel
Forced vortex apparatus
Orifice and jet apparatus
Bernoullis apparatus
Impact of jet testing machine
Flow visualization apparatus

Layout of Fluid mechanics lab

Fluid friction apparatus:
Used to study pressure drop as a result of fluid friction in pipes of different sizes
and roughness

Hydraulic bench apparatus:

Used to find value of co-efficient of velocity, co-efficient of discharge, to study
the characteristics of flow over notches, to find head losses through pipes

Cavitation demonstration apparatus:

To observe basic principles of cavitation and its implications on hydraulic
machines and system, flow and pressure in venturi predict onset of cavitation.

Wind tunnel:
Used to verify computational fluid dynamic computer case

Basic hydrology system:

Experimental capabilities including run off from model catchments, drawn-down
curves for one well and two well systems, ground water flow and feature over
time sediment transport, bed load motion, scour and erosion

Universal pump test rig:

Control valve incorporated upstream of each pump (except axial pump) to
demonstrate the effect of suction loss on performance, electronic torque
measurement using state of the art sensor less vector drive, electronic
measurement of flow, pressure head and suction, optional volumetric flow
measurement for reciprocating pumps, optional data logging and educational
software.

Hydraulics bench:
Used to find value of co-efficient of velocity, co-efficient of discharge, to study
characteristics of flow over notches, to find head losses through pipes

Adjustable bed flow channel:

Relative changes in terms of Bernoullis equation for conversing flow, energy
losses in converging and diverging flow, specific energy relationships for
subcritical flow, critical depth and its influences on upstream water levels, flow
over a broad crested weir, flow under a sluice gate, hydraulic, jump studies,
specific energy relationships for super critical flow, surface waves near critical
depth, flow over weirs.

Forced vortex apparatus:

Profile of water surface can be measured as can the angular velocity of vortex.

Orifice and jet apparatus:

Used to measure the extent of reduction in flow contraction of stream and
energy loss.

Bernoullis apparatus:
Used for determining Bernoulli equation, flow of water through a convergent,
divergent clear acrylic passage of rectangular cross section is studied to
demonstrate Bernoullis equation

Impact of jet:
This apparatus is used to investigate the reaction the reaction of a jet of water
on three interchangeable vanes.

Flow visualization apparatus:

Flow visualization is an experimental means of examining the flow pattern
around a body or over its surface.

Job2
Determination of various hydro dynamic properties
(density, specific weight, specific gravity, viscosity and
kinematic viscosity) of fluid

Apparatus:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Tube type viscometer

Beaker
Flask
Stopwatch
Spirit level

Related theory:
Density:
It is the mass per unit volume

Specific weight:
It is the weight per unit volume

Specific gravity:
It is the ratio between density of any substance to the density of water

Viscosity:
It is the resistance between different layers of fluid friction

Kinematic viscosity:
It is the ratio between viscosity and density.
Derivations for different formulas
d
Volume= (*d^2/4) *h
Flow rate=q=volume/time
pl
D

Flask

Procedure:
Weight the empty flask and then place it beneath the tube type viscometer and
level the viscometer using the foot screws and the spirit level. Fill the viscometer
with the liquid with the bottom plugged. Fill it to the mark and then unplug the
stopper and simultaneously start the stopwatch. Measure till the beaker reading
reaches the 500 ml mark.

Sr
no

M of
empt
y
flask

Volum
e
collect
ed

time

M2
gm

Densi
ty

Sp
weigh
t=

Sp
gravi
ty

viscos
ity

Kinema
tic
viscosit
y

Job 3
To determine the metacentric height of a floating body
and to locate the position of center of buoyancy,
metacenter and center of gravity
Apparatus:
1. Ship model
2. Water tank

Related theory:
Buoyancy:
It is the tendency of fluid to lift the submerged body.

Force of buoyancy (Fb ):

It is the resultant upward force exerted by the liquid on the submerged body.

Center of gravity:
The point where the whole weight of the body appears to acts.

Center of buoyancy:
It is the point at which the resultant force of the buoyancy acts.

Metacenter:
It is the point about which the body rotates. Or it is the point of intersection of
symmetrical axis of floating body and new line of action of force of buoyancy.

Metacentric height(C.M) :
It is the distance between the center of gravity point and metacenter of floating
body
C.M= (w1/w)*(x/tan (q))
W1 is the weight of the jockey

Metacentric radius:
Distance to meta center to point of buoyancy
B.M= i/V
Where i=second moment of inertia i= lb^3/12
V=volume of liquid displaced by body

v=*(r^2)*l/2

Requirements of stable floating body:

Meta center should be above point c
If Fb >b
Then the ship model might not sink but might rotate
If Fb <w

Then ship will sink

If Fb =w
Then ship model will float

Procedure:
First find the dimensions of the ship model and then fill the tank with water. Bring
the jockey ay 0-0 mark and then balance the plumb line. Move the jockey by
different values (n)and note down the value for the displacement angle.

Calculations
Meta centric radius= i/v
Position of center of buoyancy= 4*r/3*
Which is the centroid for semi circle

Position of metacenter w.r.t H2O surface

B.M-(4*r/3)
Position of C.G w.r.t H2O surface=C.M-M
Sr. no

Disp of
jockey
(in)

12

14

16

Angle of
rotation
Left
right
3
3
6
6
9
8
12
10
14
13
16
15

mean

C.M=W1*x/wta
n(q)

.2524

.2516

8.5

.2654

11

.2721

13.5

.2754

15.5

.2861

Mean metacenter=.26715
Position of metacenter w.r.t water surface=B.M-4*r/3
2.122-4*5/3
Position of C.G=C.M-position of m w.r.t water surface
C.M-(B.M-4*R/3)
.26175-0
.26175

Job 4
To determine the hydrostatic force on a symmetrical
plane and to locate the center of pressure
Apparatus:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Point gauge
Weights and pan
Levelling screws
Adjustable counter balance
Rectangular tank and toroidal quadrant of rectangular section

Related theory:
Hydrostatic force:
Resultant force of pressure exerted on any side of submerged plane by the liquid
at rest.

Center of pressure:
Point at which the resultant pressure act or hydrostatic force acts.

Hydrostatic law:
It states that the rate of increase of pressure in vertically downward direction is
equal to the specific weight of fluid at that point.
P=kgh
Where k=density

Procedure:
Firstly level the water tank and make sure it is horizontal then fill the tank with a
known mass of water. After that level the toroidal section with the counter
balance provided. After that measure the depth of water and then repeat the
procedure to get the average.

Case 1:
When the water level just touches the toroidal section
Hc=h/2
Hp=Hc+(Ic/A*Hc)
Hp=4*h/6
Hh=rHcA
Fh=r*(h/2)(h*b)=r*h^2*b/2 will give the theoretical value

Experimental force=
Fh=m*g*z/r-h+ Hp

CASE 1
Sr
no

Mass
in
pan(K
g)

Weigh
t in
pan

I=bh^3
/12

Hp
=2*h/
3

Fh
theoreti
cal

Fh
experime
ntal

.05

.491

.046

.0307

.791

.786

.07

.686

.054

.036

1.09

1.115

.09

.8829

.
0625
1

6.18*10
^-7
1.0*10
^-6
1.55*10
^-6

.0417

1.46

1.457

Hp
(m)

X
4R/3

CASE 2
SR
NO.

MAS
S
(Kg)

weig
ht

Hc
hd/2

A=b
d

Fv
(N)

Fh
theo

Fh
ex

Job 7
To study the co-efficient of discharge Cd of a V-notch
and to calibrate it.
Significance:
By determining the co-efficient of discharge we can calculate the value of actual
discharge.

Apparatus:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Hydraulic bench
Hook gauge
V-notch
Stopwatch

Related theory:
Notch:
It is a metallic plate with regular shaped cut used to measure the discharge in
open channel.

Types of notches:
Rectangular notch:
If the opening in the plate is rectangular then the notch is called rectangular
notch.
Triangular notch:
If the opening in the notch is triangular shaped then it is called triangular notch.
Trapezoidal notch:
In the same way, if the opening is trapezoidal then the notch is called trapezoidal
notch.
Stepped notch:
If the opening is like that of steps of stairs on both sides then it is called stepped
notch.
Co-efficient of discharge:
It is a multiplying factor, and when multiplied with theoretical discharge, gives
the actual discharge.
Velocity of approach:
The velocity with which the fluid approaches the crest of V-notch notch is called
velocity of approach.

Nappe:
It is a thin sheet of fluid that flows over the crest of the weir.

Derivation of Th discharge through V- notch

dA = 2*x*dh
dA=2*tan(k/2)*(H-h)*dh

where tan(k/2)=x/(H-h) hence

x=(H-h)*tan(k/2)

dQth=dA*Vth=dA*(2*g*h)1/2
dQth=2*tan(k/2)*(H-h)*(2*g*h)1/2 dh
Qth= 2*tan(k/2)*(2*g)1/2*(H*(h1/2) h3/2
Qth=(8/15)*tan(k/2)*(2*g)1/2*H5/2 then (8/15)*tan(k/2)*(2*g)1/2 = M
So Qth= M*H5/2
Now the actual discharge
Qact= Cd*(8/15)*tan(k/2)*(2*g)1/2* H5/2

Procedure:
Firstly fix the V-notch in the hydraulic bench then the point gauge reading is set
to zero. Water of constant discharge is introduced in the system. Point gauge is
then set at uniform flow to measure H (head of water). Note the time for a
particular volume and then take the reading and calculate the discharge.
No. of obs

H
(m)

Time
(s)

1
2
3
4
5

.031
.036
.0126
.0224
.028

18
13
12.23
31.70
19.73

K=90 , volume=5 liter ,

Qact=Vol/tim
e
m3/sec 10-4
2.78
3.84
4.09
1.58
2.53

Qth=M*H5/2
M3/sec 10-4

Cc=Qact / Qth

3.97
5.8
4.21
1.77
3.10

.69
.66
.97
.89
.82

M=(8/15)*tan(45)(2*g) 1/2 = 2.36

q act vs q th
7
6
5

f(x) = 1.27x + 0.01

R = 0.76

4
q th 3

Linear ()

2
1
0
1

1.5

2.5

3.5

4.5

q act

Comments:
There are some anomalies such as the last point but the experiments provide a
satisfactory result.

Job 8
To find the co-efficient of discharge of a horizontal
venturimeter and calibrate it.
Objective:
It is used to measure the flow rate using the differential manometer.

Apparatus:
1. Horizontal venturimeter provided with fluid friction apparatus
2. Differential manometer
3. Stop watch

Related theory:
Manometer:
It is an instrument used for measuring the pressure acting on a column.
Differential manometer:
It is a type of manometer, which measures the pressure with respect to the
difference of pressure between two points in a pipe.
Venturimeter:
It is used to measure the discharge in a pipe.

Pipeline of venturimeter:
It is the Bernoullis theorem which is used in almost all the flow measuring
devices. It states that for steady flowing fluid the total head remains constant.

Formula for the Bernoullis theorem

Q=[(2*g*H)1/2*(A1*A2)]/(A12-A22)1/2
Hence Q=M*(H)1/2

Bernoullis equation of differential manometer:

H=(Sm-1)y

where Sm=13.6

So H=12.6*y

Actual discharge:
Qact= vol/time

Theoretical discharge:
It is the value of discharge which is made by calculations.
Qth=M*(H)1/2

Procedure:
Firstly operate the hydraulic bench. We then use the venturimeter to measure
the pressure at various diameters and then the pressure head can be calculated
using the differential manometer. Note the time for the discharge of known
amount of fluid and from here the actual discharge can be calculated.

Sr no.

1
2
3
4

H1
Mm
164
148
115
10.9

H2
mm
38
56
92
98

Vol=5 liter
D1=24mm
D2=14mm

hence

Area1= 4.524*10-4 m2
Area2=1.539*10-4 m2
So M=7.25*10-4 m5/2/sec

y=H1H2
mm
126
92
23
11

H=12.6
*y
1587.6
1159.2
289.8
138.6

Qth=M(H)
1/2

10-4
9.135
7.805
3.9
2.699

T
Sec
12
13
26
39

Qact=vol
/t
10-4
8.33
7.69
3.85
2.56

Cd=Qact/
Qth
.911
.985
.986
.949

f(x) =
R = 0

Chart Title
12
10
8

q th

Linear ()

4
2
0
0

6
q ac

10

12