99630 - Hydraulics

Learning outcomes

The course aims to offer the basic knowledge of fluid mechanics and hydraulics. Specifically, the student will be able to evaluate the hydrostatic and dynamic force on surfaces; to verify and design simples networks of pipelines and open channels. Such learning outcomes will be the basis for the analysis and design of water management systems, hydraulic networks, urban water systems, river flood protection.

Course contents

• Introduction. Fluid properties and behavior.
• Hydrostatic. Fluid pressure and its variation. Hydrostatic thrust on plane and curved surfaces. Buoyancy and stability.
• Elements of kinematics.
• Fluid dynamic. Dynamic thrust on surfaces.
• Ideal fluids. Bernoulli’s theorem. Applications.
• Pipe flow. Laminar and turbulent flow. Hydraulic losses. Pumping systems.
• Free surface flow. Uniform flow. Steady state profiles. Dissipative phenomena. Presence of perturbations induced by thresholds, gates, bridge piers.

Readings/Bibliography

Fluid mechanics Fundamentals and Applications 
Yunus A. Çengel, John M. Cimbala
Mc Graw Hill

or

Hydraulics in Civil and Environmental Engineering
Andrew Chadwick , John Morfett , Martin Borthwick
Taylor & Francis

Teaching methods

Class hours consist of regular lectures.

Exercises are proposed to students.

Throughout the course, students will be introduced to experiments in hydrostatics and free-surface flow.

Assessment methods

Assessment of learning is carried out through a written examination. The written examination, lasting three hours and taken without the aid of notes or textbooks, typically consists of three exercises on the most significant topics of the course, which are addressed during the classroom practice sessions, and a number of theoretical questions. The final grade will take into account the solutions to the exercises, the answers to the theoretical questions, and the students’ participation in the lectures.

Office hours

See the website of Renata Archetti

See the website of Tonino Liserra