00490 - Hydraulics

Learning outcomes

After passing the final exam, the student gains knowledge of basics of fluid mechanics and hydraulics. Specifically, the student is able to evaluate hydrostatic and dynamic thrust on surfaces and to describe fluid flow in pipelines and open channels. This will lay the basis to analyze and design urban water systems.

Course contents

Requirements/Prior knowledge

A prior knowledge and understanding of basics of physics and math is required to attend with profit this course. Fluent spoken and written Italian is a necessary prerequisite: all lectures and tutorials, and all study material will be in Italian.

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.
• Elements of flow in porous media.

Readings/Bibliography

Teaching material is provided on the platform "Insegnamenti online". This material covers the whole content of the course and it is updated every year.

In addition, students may refer to the following books:

Yunus A. Cengel e John M. Cimbala, “Meccanica dei fluidi”, Mc-Graw-Hill.

D. Citrini e G. Noseda, “Idraulica”, CEA Milano.

Teaching methods

Class hours consist of regular lectures. Case studies are examined during the lectures and exercises are proposed to students.

Assessment methods

Achievements will be assessed by the means of a final exam. This is based on an analytical assessment of the expected learning outcomes described above.

In order to properly assess such achievement, the examination is composed by a written session, which consist of a test, duration 1 hour, composed of 2 questions, including both theoretical aspects and exercises; each question scores max 16 points.

Higher grades will be awarded to students who demonstrate an organic understanding of the subject, a high ability for critical application, and a clear and concise presentation of the contents. To obtain a passing grade, students are required to at least demonstrate a knowledge of the key concepts of the subject, some ability for critical application, and a comprehensible use of technical language. In particular, key concepts regard the evaluation of the hydrostatic thrust on plane surfaces and the proper representation of pipe flow and free surface flow in simple scenarios. A failing grade will be awarded if the student shows knowledge gaps in key-concepts of the subject, inappropriate use of language, and/or logic failures in the analysis of the subject.

Teaching tools

PC, projector.

Office hours

See the website of Valentina Ciriello