The Pontifical and Royal

University of Santo Tomas

The Catholic University of the Philippines
Faculty of Engineering________________________________________________
Department of Civil Engineering Lab 6, Ground Floor, Fr. Roque Ruaño Bldg., España
Boulevard, Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines 1500
CE 2215LL: Hydraulics Laboratory (632)406-1611 loc. 8516

EXPERIMENT NO. 4
INVESTIGATION OF FORCED VORTICES

INTRODUCTION:
A vortex is a spinning, often turbulent, flow of fluid. Any spiral motion with closed streamlines is vortex flow. The
motion of the fluid swirling rapidly around a center is called a vortex. The speed and rate of rotation of the fluid in a free
vortex are greatest at the center, and decrease progressively with distance from the center, whereas the speed of a forced
(rotational) vortex is zero at the center and increases proportional to the distance from the center. Both types of vortex
exhibit a pressure minimum at the center, though the pressure minimum in a free vortex is much lower.

OBJECTIVE:
This experiment aims;
 to determine the surface profile of force vortex and compare it with theoretical values.

PART 1. UST LABORATORY SET-UP

APPARATUS AND SUPPLIES:

Hydraulics bench
Cylinder
Paddle and Measuring Needle
F1-23

PROCEDURE:
1. Place the F1-23 on the top of the Hydraulics Bench, over the flow channel, with the valve facing towards the
volumetric tank. Adjust the feet until the bubble is central in the level.
2. Connect the hose with the y-divider and two quick-release fittings to the unit, so the flow is directed in the outlet
on the bench into the two 9mm inlets. Arrange the outlet hose so that the end is in the lowest art of the
volumetric tank and ensure that the outlet valve is fully open. Disconnect the quick-release connector from the
valve inlet.
3. Press the bung with central shaft into the orifice. In the base of the cylinder and locate the paddle on the top of
the shaft. Locate the bridge piece on the top of the cylinder, with the measuring needles inserted.
4. Switch on the Hydraulics bench and adjust the control valve until there is a reasonable flow into the cylinder. Lift
the end of the outlet tube until the hose fills with water. Hold the hose until the cylinder contains the required
level then put the hose back into the bottom of the volumetric tank. It is important that the hose is completely full
of water, so that a siphoning effect is induced. Close the control valve until the level is steady. If a greater outflow
is required, this can be achieved by pushing the end of the outlet hose through the drain hole and into the slump
tank.
5. Adjust the position of each of the measuring needles until they just contact the surface of the vortex. Remove the
bridge and record the length of the needles.
6. Measure the rotational speed of the vortex by counting the number of revolutions the paddle makes in a timed
period.
7. Repeat the test for a number of speeds

CE 2215L Hydraulics LaboratoryI Experiment No. 4: Investigation of Forced Vortices 1

DATA AND RESULTS:

Table 4.1 – Investigation of Forced Vortices

No. of
Time, t Radius, x Measured height, y Calculated height, Percent
TRIAL Rev. Rev/sec
(sec) m (m) y (m) Error, %
(n)

CE 2215L Hydraulics LaboratoryI Experiment No. 4: Investigation of Forced Vortices 2

PART 2. HOME EXPERIMENT

APPARATUS AND SUPPLIES

Containers
Markers
Ruler/Meter tape
Acetate sheets
Adhesive tape
Turntable device and accessories
Camera/Cellphone

PROCEDURE
CASE 1A

1. Get a beverage container with a cap (as shown).

2. Create a hole on the center of the cap.
3. Fill the container with water.
4. Close the cap and invert the container to allow free
flow of water.
5. Observe and record the behaviour of water as it
slowly drain out of the container
6. Observe and record the time to totally drain water
from the container
7. Repeat the process 3 times and make a summary

CASE 1B
1. Using the same container in case 1A, invert the container while using a finger to cover the
hole on the cap.
2. Gyrate the container and remove the finger from the hole. A vortex should form.
3. Take photos at the start, middle and until water is almost fully discharged.
4. Examine and record the shape of the vortices at different instances. Compare and assess.
5. Record the time to drain the water from the top to middle and middle to almost drained.
(You might add interval if you wish.)
6. Repeat the process 3 times for clockwise rotation and 3 times for counter clockwise
rotation, compare all the data.
7. Also investigate whether the rate of flow with free vortex is a function of the magnitude of
gyration

CE 2215L Hydraulics LaboratoryI Experiment No. 4: Investigation of Forced Vortices 3

CASE 2A
1. Get a large container with an open top.
2. Create a hole on the center of the bottom of the container.
3. Fill the container with water.
4. Allow free flow of water.
5. Observe and record the behaviour of water as it slowly
drains out of the container.
6. Indicate the depth where the vortex formed.
7. Repeat the process 3 times and summarize your
observation.

CASE 2B
1. Create a larger hole at the center of the bottom of the container
2. Repeat the procedure in Case 2A using the larger hole.
3. Redo Case 2B with 2 more larger sizes of holes.

CASE 3A
1. Prepare two containers with cover, 1-cylindrical and 1-rectangular prism
2. Place the cylinder on a revolving device concentrically.
3. Fill half the cylinder with water. Attach plastic acetate to the cylinder.
4. Rotate the cylinder until the water surface in the center move by 25 mm from its original position (y-axis
movement).
5. Draw the shape of the water surface on the acetate using a photo taken while the cylinder is rotating.
6. Provide a written description and magnitude of the revolution of the cylinder.
7. Repeat experiment 3 times.
8. Redo 2 to 7 until water level at the center is zero (water surface is touching the bottom of the container).
9. Redo 2 to 7 until water surface at the bottom of the container is 25 mm away from the center.

CASE 3B
1. Place the rectangular prism on a revolving device concentrically.
2. Fill half the rectangular prism with water. Attach plastic acetate to the container.
3. Rotate the rectangular prism until the water surface in the center move by 25mm from its original position.
4. Draw the shape of the water surface on the acetate using a photo taken while the container is rotating.
5. Provide a written description and magnitude of the revolution of the container.
6. Repeat experiment 3 times.
7. Redo 2 to 7 until water level at the center is zero (water surface is touching the bottom of the container).
8. Redo 2 to 7 until water surface at the bottom of the container is 25 mm away from the center.

CE 2215L Hydraulics LaboratoryI Experiment No. 4: Investigation of Forced Vortices 4

CE 2215L Hydraulics LaboratoryI Experiment No. 4: Investigation of Forced Vortices 5