HARAMAYA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

HYDRAULICS GROUP ASSIGNMENT 1

Submission date: Fri,may 16

SECOND YEAR,2ND SEMESTER IN 2024/25 (SECTION 2)

GROUP MEMBERS ID NUMBER

1. JATANI HUKA ----------------------------------------- 1671/16
2. SAWI SIRJI --------------------------------------------- 2388/16
3. ABDULAZIZ KADER---------------------------------- 0450/16
4. ABDULAZIZ NIBRAS--------------------------------- 0447/16
5. BARISO AHMED--------------------------------------- 0796/16
6. ROBEL LAMESA-------------------------------------- 2325/16
7. ALVADO MADOK------------------------------------- 4304/16
8. RIHANA AWELL -------------------------------------- 2313/16
9. FEROMSA ADEM------------------------------------ 1300/16
10. REBIRA TILAHUN----------------------------------- 2280/16

SUBMISSION BY: MR. SEAD BURHAN

 PART-1:

1.

Studying fluid kinematics without considering forces is important because it helps engineers

understand how fluids move, which is fundamental for analyzing any flow problem. By focusing on

the motion (like velocity fields and streamlines), we can identify patterns such as vortices or

stagnation zones, regardless of the underlying causes. This is especially useful in designing

channels, nozzles, or understanding pollutant dispersion before solving dynamic equations.

2.

Velocity shows the speed and direction of fluid particles, while acceleration shows how this motion

changes over time. In engineering, knowing these helps us design efficient fluid systems (like

pumps and fans), detect problems like backflow, and ensure proper mixing in reactors. For

example, in firefighting systems, accurate velocity ensures water reaches all floors with enough

pressure.

3.

Lagrangian approach tracks individual particles (like following a leaf in a stream), suitable for

particle movement or pollutant tracking. Eulerian approach looks at fixed points in space and

observes how fluid flows past them (like watching river flow at a bridge). Lagrangian is used in

tracking oil spills, while Eulerian is better for simulations of city water supply.

4.

The Lagrangian approach faces challenges such as tracking millions of particles, handling

computationally intensive data, and applying boundary conditions (walls, interfaces) accurately. It

becomes impractical for large systems like rivers or atmospheric flows without simplifications.

5.
Engineers use 1D or 2D models for simplicity and speed. While 3D gives more accuracy, it's

costly and not always necessary. For example, modeling flow in a long straight pipe in 1D can

provide sufficient results for pressure drop and velocity profiles.

6.

A 1D model might not work in cities with complex intersections, varying pipe diameters, or lateral

flows (rain inflow). If flow varies significantly across the area, or if flooding affects building

foundations, a 2D model is needed. For vertical effects (like basement flooding), 3D models help.

7.

Dimensional analysis involves grouping physical parameters into non-dimensional numbers (like

Reynolds number). For a bridge pier, 2D models might ignore vertical vortices or non-uniform

flow patterns. If flow around the pier creates vertical eddies, only a 3D model will show true

forces acting on it.

Part II: Practical Questions

1. A city is planning to design a water distribution system through a network of pipes. The flow in
the pipes is assumed to be steady and incompressible. Explain:

a) Why the Eulerian approach is more suitable than the Lagrangian approach in this

design.

The Eulerian approach focuses on analyzing fluid properties (like velocity and pressure) at fixed

points in the pipe network, which is ideal for engineering systems like water distribution. It allows

continuous monitoring and analysis of flow through control volumes (pipe sections), making it

practical and efficient compared to tracking individual fluid particles as in the Lagrangian

approach.
b) How the continuity equation helps determine the diameter of each pipe branch in the

network.

The continuity equation for incompressible flow is:

A1V1 = A2V2

This shows that if flow rate (Q) is constant, a decrease in pipe diameter (A) requires an

increase in velocity (V), and vice versa. Engineers use this to calculate the required diameter at

each pipe branch to ensure uniform and sufficient water delivery throughout the network.

c) What complications would arise if the flow were compressible (e.g., for gas supply)?

If the flow is compressible, density varies with pressure and temperature, so the simple form

of the continuity equation doesn't apply. This makes the system more complex to design,

requiring advanced equations to account for density changes, shock waves, or

expansion/compression effects in gas supply networks.

2. In an industrial plant, a tracer dye is injected into a steady water flow through a transparent pipe
to observe flow behavior.

(a) Type of Flow Visualization Represented

Answer: The dye trail most likely represents a streakline.

Reason:
In this setup, the dye is injected continuously at a fixed point in the flow. A streakline is defined as
the locus of all fluid particles that have passed through a particular point in space. In steady flow,
streaklines, streamlines, and pathlines coincide. However, since the dye is released continuously
from a fixed source, it most accurately represents a streakline under both steady and unsteady
conditions.

(b) Dye Pattern Change Under Unsteady Flow

Answer: If the flow becomes unsteady due to a valve adjustment, the dye pattern will start to
distort and become irregular.

Explanation:
In unsteady flow, the velocity field varies with time. Fluid particles entering the flow at different
times may follow different paths. As a result:
- The streakline (dye trail) will become wavy or chaotic.
- The dye will no longer form a smooth, coherent line.
- The pattern will reflect changes in flow direction and velocity, potentially forming swirls or
eddies, indicating time-dependent behavior.
(c) Practical Use of Visualization to Detect Turbulence Onset

Answer: A practical way to use dye visualization for detecting turbulence onset is to monitor the
coherence and mixing of the dye pattern.

Method:
- In laminar flow, the dye forms a smooth, continuous line.
- As turbulence begins, the dye line breaks into random, erratic patterns, and mixing intensifies.
- By observing when the dye transitions from a sharp line to a dispersed cloud, operators can
visually detect the onset of turbulence.

Implementation Tip:
Use high-speed cameras or laser illumination to enhance visibility and allow slow-motion
playback for precise analysis.

3. A safety engineer must design a ventilation system for a chemical storage room. Air must be
continuously circulated to prevent vapor buildup.

(a) Ideal Flow Type for Ventilation

Answer: The ideal flow for this purpose is steady and uniform flow.

Explanation:
- Steady Flow: In steady flow, the velocity at any point does not change with time. This ensures
consistent air circulation, preventing vapor buildup.
- Uniform Flow: Uniform velocity across the room ensures equal ventilation in all areas,
minimizing dead zones.
This type of flow provides predictable and effective vapor removal, enhancing safety.

(b) Using the Continuity Equation to Calculate Fan Capacity

Answer: The continuity equation is used to ensure mass conservation of air in the system.

continuity Equation:

Q =A×V
Where:
Q = Volumetric flow rate (m³/s)
A = Cross-sectional area of the duct or vent (m²)
V = Air velocity (m/s)
Application Steps:
1. Determine the room volume and desired air changes per hour (ACH).
2. Convert ACH to flow rate using: Q = (ACH × Room Volume) / 3600
3. Select a fan (or fans) that can deliver this calculated flow rate.

(c) Stagnation Zones: Causes and Detection

Answer: Poor design can cause stagnation zones, where air velocity is nearly zero, allowing
vapor accumulation.

Causes:
- Insufficient or poorly placed vents/fans
- Obstructions blocking airflow
- Improper duct design or low fan power

Detection Using Kinematic Principles:

- Velocity Mapping: Use anemometers or smoke to find low-velocity areas.
- Tracer Visualization: Identify dead zones with tracer gas or smoke.
- Velocity Field Divergence (∇·V): Incompressible flow should have zero divergence; imbalance
implies stagnation.
- Streamline Analysis: Closed or erratic streamlines indicate poor flow distribution.

Solution:
Revise duct and fan layout, and add diffusers to ensure complete and balanced air circulation.

4. An accidental chemical spill occurs in a river. Environmental engineers must predict how the
pollutant will spread.
(a) Suitable Approach: Lagrangian vs. Eulerian
Answer: The Eulerian approach is generally more useful for tracking
pollutant spread in a river.

Explanation:
- Eulerian Approach: Observes fluid properties (e.g., concentration, velocity) at fixed spatial
points over time. Ideal for large-scale river monitoring using sensors or simulations.
- Lagrangian Approach: Tracks individual particles, which becomes computationally heavy for
large domains.
- Why Eulerian? It enables pollutant concentration modeling at specific locations, is well-suited to
simulation methods like the advection-diffusion equation, and integrates well with real-time data.

(b) Role of Acceleration and Velocity Fields

Answer: Velocity and acceleration fields describe how water flows, which
governs pollutant movement.

Explanation:
- Velocity Field (V): Dictates advection—the main transport mechanism for pollutants in rivers.
- Acceleration Field (a = DV/Dt): Helps analyze time-dependent flow effects and spreading
behavior.
- These are key inputs for CFD and analytical models like the advection-diffusion equation, and
help predict how pollutants disperse under varying flow conditions.

(c) Additional Real-World Factors to Consider

Answer: Accurate pollutant spread prediction requires factors beyond
kinematics.
Environmental and Physical Factors:
- River Geometry (depth, width, slope)
- Obstacles (rocks, vegetation)
- Sediment interactions (adsorption or settling)

Chemical and Biological Factors:

- Pollutant properties (solubility, density, reactivity)
- Natural degradation (biological, chemical)

External Influences:
- Rainfall and runoff (dilution or increase in transport)
- Temperature (affects mixing and reactions)
- Wind (influences surface behavior in shallow rivers)