Fluid Mechanics Formulae

Module-1-Introduction
1. Density (ρ):
Density is defined as the mass per unit volume of the fluid.
Mass(m)
Mathematically, Density ρ =
Volume(V)
The SI unit of density is kg/m3.
2. Weight density or Specific weight (w):
Weight density is defined weight of the fluid over volume of fluid.

Weight (W) 𝑚𝑔
Mathematically, Weight Density w = = = ρg
Volume(V) 𝑉
The SI unit of weight density is N/m3.
Note: Weight W=mg and ρ=m/V
3. Specific gravity or Relative density (S):
For Liquids:
𝜌𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑
Mathematically, Specific Density 𝑆𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑 =
𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟
For Gases:
𝜌𝑔𝑎𝑠
Mathematically, Specific Density 𝑆𝑔𝑎𝑠 =
𝜌𝑎𝑖𝑟
It has no unit.
4. : Newton’s law of viscosity is:
du du
τ = μ. where τ is shear stress, μ is dynamic viscosity. is rate of shear strain
dy dy

5. Pressure Head:
P =ρgh where P is pressure, ρ is density,g is acceleration due to gravity,h is depth or height
6. i) Absolute pressure =Atmospheric pressure + Gauge pressure
ii) Vacuum pressure = Atmospheric pressure - Absolute pressure

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 Module-2-Fluid Kinematics
7.Velocity and Acceleration:
Let v= Resultant velocity at any point in a fluid flow. (u,v,w) are the velocity components in x,y
and z directions which are functions of space coordinates and time.
u=u(x,y,z,t) ; v=v(x,y,z,t) ;w=w(x,y,z,t).
Resultant velocity, v = ui + vj + wk = √u2 + v 2 + w 2
Let ax,ay,az are the total accelerations in the x,y,z directions respectively
du ∂u ∂x ∂u ∂y ∂u ∂z ∂u
ax = = + + +
dt ∂x ∂t ∂y ∂t ∂z ∂t ∂t
du ∂u ∂u ∂u ∂u
ax = = u +v +w +
dt ∂x ∂y ∂z ∂t
Similarly,
dv ∂v ∂v ∂v ∂v
ay = =u +v +w +
dt ∂x ∂y ∂z ∂t
dw ∂w ∂w ∂w ∂w
az = =u +v +w +
dt ∂x ∂y ∂z ∂t
Acceleration vector, a = ax i + ay j + az k

𝐎𝐫 |𝐚| = √𝐚𝟐𝐱 + 𝐚𝟐𝐲 + 𝐚𝟐𝐳

8. Continuity equation
For incompressible flow:Q=A1V1=A2V2=…
Volume flow rate, Q= A×V m3/s where A=cross sectional area and V= average velocity.
Q=A1V1=A2V2=…
For compressible fluids,
Rate of flow is expressed as mass of fluid flowing across a section per second.
Mass flow rate (m) =(ρAV) kg/s where ρ = density.
9. Shear Strain Rate:
1 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑢
Mathematically, Shear strain = 2 [𝜕𝑥 + 𝜕𝑦]
10. Velocity potential function (ϕ):
Mathematically the velocity potential for steady flow ϕ =f(x,y,z) is given by,
∂∅ ∂∅ ∂∅
u=− ,v = − ,w = −
∂x ∂y ∂z
Where u,v and w are the components of velocity in x,y and z directions respectively.
11. Stream Function (ψ):

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 Module-3- Fluid Dynamics
1.Equations of Motion:
Fluid dynamics is the study of fluid motion by considering the forces causing flow. This
3ehavior of fluid motion is analysed by the Newton’s second law of motion, which relates the
acceleration with the forces = ma, where F= Force acting on fluid element = mass of the fluid
and a = accerleration.The fluid is assumed to be incompressible and non-viscous.
Mathematically, Net force Fx = m.ax ----------------- (1)
Types of forces acting on fluid in motion:
i)Pressure force,Fp
ii) Gravity force,Fg
iii) Viscous force,Fv
iv) Turbulence force ,Ft
v) Compressibility force,Fc
In equation (1), the net force Fx = (Fp)x + (Fg)x + (Fv)x + (Ft)x + (Fc)x
i)If, compressibility force is negligible for a flow, the equation of motion is called
Reynolds’s equation of motion. Fx = (Fp)x + (Fg)x + (Fv)x + (Ft)x
ii) If, turbulence force is negligible for a flow, the equation of motion is called Navier-Stokes
equation of motion. Fx = (Fp)x + (Fg)x + (Fv)x + (Fc)x
iii) If, viscous force is negligible for a flow, the equation of motion is called Euler’s equation of
motion. Fx = (Fp)x + (Fg)x + (Ft)x + (Fc)x
2. (dp/ρ) + V.dv +g.dz =0 ----------- (6), this known as Euler’s equation of motion along a stream
line.
3. Statement of Bernoulli’s equation: In an ideal, steady and incompressible fluid flow, the sum
of pressure energy, kinetic energy and potential energy (or datum) energy is constant along a
stream line.
p V2
Mathematically + + z = Constant
ρg 2g
p
Where = Pressure head or pressure energy per unit weight of fluid
ρg
V2
= Kinectic head or kinectic energy per unit weight of fluid
2g
z = Potential head or potential energy per unit weight of fluid

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4.Bernoulli’s equation for real fluid:
The real fluids are viscous (viscosity) and offers resistance to flow. Hence there are always some
losses in fluid flows, these losses are to be considered. Thus the Bernoulli’s equation for real
fluids between points 1 and 2 is given as
p1 v12 p2 v22
+ + z1 = + + z2 + hL
ρg 2g ρg 2g
Where hL is loss of energy between points 1 and 2.

5.Navier-Stokes equation:
The net force from newtons 2nd law is Fx = (Fp)x + (Fg)x + (Fv)x + (Ft)x + (Fc)x
If, turbulence force is negligible for a flow, the equation of motion is called Navier-Stokes
equation of motion.
Net force Fx = (Fp)x + (Fg)x + (Fv)x + (Fc)x is known as Navier-Stokes equation of motion.
Where Fp = Pressure force
Fg = Gravity force
Fv = Viscous force
Ft = Turbulence force
Fc = Compressibility force
6.Venturimeter is a device for measuring the flow rate of a fluid flowing via a pipe. The parts of
venturimeter are i) A short converging part (inlet,d1) ii) Throat(d2) iii) Diverging part
(outlet,d2). It works on the principle of Bernoulli’s equation.
The equation (4) is known as theoretical discharge (Qtheo), but actual discharge (Qact,,eqn.(5)) will
be less than theoretical discharge.
a1 √2gh a1 a2 √2gh
𝑄𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜 = a2 = − − − −(4)
√a21 − a22 √a21 − a22
a1 a2 √2gh
Qact = Cd X − − − −(5)
√a21 − a22
Where Cd =Co-efficient of venturimeter and its value is less than 1.
Different values of h:
Case i) If differential manometer contains liquid heavier than the liquid flowing via pipe.

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 Sh
h=x [ − 1]
So
Where Sh =Specific gravity of the heavier liquid, So =Specific gravity of liquid flowing via
pipe,x =Difference of the heavier liquid columns in U-tube.
Case ii) If differential manometer contains liquid lighter than the liquid flowing via pipe.
Sl
h = x [1 − ]
So
Where Sl =Specific gravity of the lighter liquid, So =Specific gravity of liquid flowing via pipe,x
=Difference of the lighter liquid columns in U-tube.
Case iii) For inclined venture meter, If differential manometer contains liquid heavier than the
liquid flowing via pipe.
p1 p2 Sh
h = ( + z1 ) − ( + z2 ) = x [ − 1]
ρg ρg So
Where Sh =Specific gravity of the heavier liquid, So =Specific gravity of liquid flowing via
pipe,x =Difference of the heavier liquid columns in U-tube.
Case iv) For inclined venture meter, If differential manometer contains liquid lighter than the
liquid flowing via pipe.
p1 p2 Sl
h = ( + z1 ) − ( + z2 ) = x [1 − ]
ρg ρg So
Where Sl =Specific gravity of the lighter liquid, So =Specific gravity of liquid flowing via pipe,x
=Difference of the lighter liquid columns in U-tube.
7.Reynolds number (Re): It is the relationship between the inertia to viscous forces. It is a
dimension less number.
ρVD
Reynolds number(R e ) for flow through pipes = where ρ = density, V
μ
= velocity of flow, D = diameter of pipe, μ = dynamic viscisity
The Reynolds number tells, whether the flow is laminar or turbulent.
i)If Re < 2000-viscous / laminar flow
ii)If Re is 2000 to 4000 transient flow
iii)If Re >4000-Turbulent flow
4. f L V 2 4fL V 2
8. hf = . = − − − (6), this is Darcy − Weisbach equation.
2g d 2gd
f L V2
Sometimes eqn. (6) is written as hf = where f is friction factor
2gd

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9.Minor losses:
1. Loss of head due to sudden enlargement:

(V1 − V2 )2
Mathematically , he =
2g
2. Loss of head due to sudden contraction:
V22
Mathematically , hC = 0.5
2g

3. Loss of head at entrance of pipe:

V2
Mathematically , hi = 0.5
2g
4. Loss of head at exit of pipe:
V2
Mathematically , ho =
2g
5. Loss of head due to bend in pipe:
kV 2
Mathematically , hb = where k is co − efficient of bend
2g
The value of k depends on i)Angle of bend ii)Radius of curvature of bend iii)Diameter of pipe
6. Loss of head in various pipe fittings:
kV 2
Mathematically, h = where k is co − efficient of pipe fitting
2g

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5.Flow through pipes in series or Flow through compound pipes:

The pipes connected end to end (in series) to form a pipe line. The pipes are of different lengths
and different diameters.
 In pipes in series the discharge will be same in all pipes,Q=Q1=Q2=Q3
 The head loss H= (hf1+Minor losses) + (hf2+Minor losses) +…
 The effective length(Le) to effective diameter (de) is
Le L1 L2
= + +⋯
d5e d15 d52
The total loss of head is given by,
0.5V12 4f1 L1 V12 0.5V22 4f2 L2 V22 0.5V32 4f3 L3 V32
H= + + + + +
2g 2gd1 2g 2gd2 2g 2gd3
6.Flow through pipes in parallel:

When a main pipeline divides in to two or more parallel pipes, which may again join together
downstream and continue as main line, the pipes are said to be in parallel.
 In pipes in parallel the discharge will be same in all pipes Q=Q1+Q2+…
 The head loss hf1=hf2 =…
 The effective diameter (de) to effective length(Le) is,

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 1 1 1
d5e 2 d15 2 d52 2
( ) =( ) +( ) +⋯
fe Le f1 L1 f2 L2
Loss of head hf1=hf2,
4f1 L1 V12 4f2 L2 V22
=
2gd1 2gd2
7.Equivalent pipe:
It is single uniform pipe formed from a set of pipes connected in parallel.
 In equivalent pipe the discharge will be Q=Q1+Q2+…
 The head loss hf = hf1= hf2 =…
8.Dupuits equation for equivalent pipe:
L1 L2 L3 L
5 + 5 + 5 = d5
d1 d2 d3
L L1 L2 L3
= + + where d is equivalent diameter of pipe
d5 d15 d52 d53
Module-4- Flow Over Bodies and Dimensional Analysis

2.The thickness of the laminar boundary layer is given by:

5x
δ=
√R ex
Where δ = Thickness of boundary layer,
Rex = Reynolds number at a distance x from the leading edge,
Ux
R ex =
ν
U = Free stream velocity of flowing fluid,ν= Kinematic viscosity of flowing fluid.
3.The thickness of the turbulent boundary layer is given by:
0.377x
δ=
(R ex )1/5
Where δ = Thickness of boundary layer,
Rex = Reynolds number at a distance x from the leading edge,
Ux
R ex =
ν
U = Free stream velocity of flowing fluid,ν = Kinematic viscosity of flowing fluid.

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4.Displacement thickness (δ*)

It is defined as the distance by which the boundary should be displaced to compensate for the
decrease in flow rate on account of boundary layer formation. It is denoted by δ*.
δ
u
Mathematically , δ∗ = ∫ (1 − ) dy
U
0
5.Momentum thickness (θ):

It is defined as the distance by which the boundary should be displaced to compensate for the
decrease in momentum of the flowing fluid on account of boundary layer formation. It is denoted
by θ.
δ
u u
Mathematically , θ = ∫ (1 − ) dy
U U
0
6.Energy thickness (δ**):
It is defined as the distance by which the boundary should be displaced to compensate for the
decrease in kinetic energy of the flowing fluid on account of boundary layer formation. It is
denoted by δ**.
δ
u u2
Mathematically , δ∗∗ = ∫ (1 − 2 ) dy
U U
0

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7.Shape Factor (H): It is defined as the ratio of the displacement thickness to the momentum
thickness.
δ∗
Mathematically , H = ( )
θ
8.Equations for drag force (FD) and lift force (FL):
ρU 2
FD = CD A is the equation for drag force
2
ρU 2
FL = CL A is the equation for lift force
2
Where CD = Co-efficient of drag, CL = Co-efficient of lift, A= Projected area of the body
perpendicular to the direction of flow,ρ = Density of fluid.U = Free stream velocity

The resultant force on the body, FR = √FD2 + FL2

9.Equation for lift force (FL) on an airfoil:
Circulation, Γ = πCUsinα
Where Γ = Circulation ,C = Chord length,U = Uniform flow velocity, L = Airfoil span, α
=Angle of attack.
FL = πρU 2 CLsinα − − − −(1)
ρU2
Lift force is also given by, FL = CL A − − − −(2)
2
Where A = Projected area = CL for airfoil,CL = Coefficient of lift.

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10. Dimensions of physical quantities:
Sl No. Physical quantity Symbol Units in SI system Dimensions
Fundamental
1. Length L m L
2. Mass M kg M
3. Time T S T
Geometric
4. Area A m2 L2
5. Volume V m3 L3
Kinematic
6. Velocity V m/s LT-1
7. Angular velocity ω rad/s T-1
8. Acceleration a m/s2 LT-2
9. Angular acceleration α rad/s2 T-2
10. Gravitational acceleration g m/s2 LT-2
11. Discharge Q m3/s L3 T-1
12. Kinematic viscosity ν m2/s L2 T-1
Dynamic
13. Force F N MLT-2
14. Weight W N MLT-2
15. Mass density or Density ρ Kg/ m3 MT-3
16. Weight density or Specific density w N/ m3 M L-2T-2
17. Specific volume v m3/kg L3M-1
18. Pressure P N/m2(Pa) M L-1T-2
19. Stress σ N/m2(Pa) M L-1T-2
20. Dynamic Viscosity μ N-s/ m2 M L-1T-1
21. Bulk Modulus K N/m2 M L-1T-2
22. Torque(Moment) T or M N-m M L2T-2
23. Surface Tension σ N/m MT-2
24. Momentum(Impulse) I Kg-m/s M LT-1
25. Power P N-m/s or Watts M L2T-3

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 Module-5- Compressible Flows
dp
1. C = √dρ -------- (7)
The equation (7) is known as velocity of sound wave, it is the square root of the ratio of the
change in pressure to the change in density of a fluid due to disturbance.
Where C = Velocity pressure wave or sound wave
dp and dρ = Change of Pressure and density of the fluid in pipe after compression.
dp K
2. C = √ dρ = √ ρ ,this is the equation of velocity of sound wave in terms of bulk modulus and
density.
Where C = Velocity pressure wave or sound wave
p and k = Pressure and Bulk modulus.

4.Mach Number:
It is defined as the ratio of Velocity of fluid or body moving in fluid / Velocity of sound in the
fluid.It is denoted by M.
V
Mathematically,M =
C
Where V = Velocity of fluid or body moving in fluid,C = Velocity of sound in the fluid.
The compressible flow regimes are classified as below:
M < 0.3 (incompressible flow)
M < 1 (subsonic flow)
0.8 < M <1.2 (transonic flow)
M > 1 (supersonic flow)
M > 5 and above (hypersonic flow)
M = Mach number
5.Mach Angle:
It is defined as the half of the angle (β) of the Mach cone.
C 1 1
Mathematically,sin β = = = where V=Velocity of project
V 𝑉/𝐶 M
6.Stagnation Pressure (ps): It is the pressure measured at the stagnation point where the velocity
becomes zero.
k
k−1 ( )
k−1
Mathematically, ps = p1 [1 + M12 ] Where ps =Stagnation pressure, k =Constant, p1
2
=Pressure at point 1, M =Mach number.

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7.Stagnation Density (ρs): It is the density measured at the stagnation point where the velocity
becomes zero.
1
k−1 ( )
k−1
Mathematically, ρs = ρ1 [1 + M12 ] Where ρs =Stagnation density, k =Constant, ρ1
2
=density at point 1, M =Mach number.
8.Stagnation Temperature (Ts): It is the temperature measured at the stagnation point where the
velocity becomes zero.
k−1
Mathematically, Ts = T1 [1 + ( ) M12 ] Where Ts =Stagnation temperature,k =Constant, T1
2
=Temperature at point 1, M =Mach number.
9. Isentropic flow with area change:
dA dV 2
= [M − 1] − − − (7)
A V
The eqn.(7) gives relationship between change of area with change of velocity for different Mach
numbers.

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