Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus

FIRST SEMESTER 2019-2020

ME F212 Fluid Mechanics
Comprehensive Examination (Closed Book)
DATE: 07/12/2019 Time: 02:00 P.M. - 05:00 P.M. Maximum Marks: 90
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Instructions:
 Write all steps while answering the problems.
 All the parts of a question must be answered together at a single place.
 Support your answers with appropriate sketches or free-body diagrams.
 Predefine all the symbols used.

1. A conical pointed shaft turns in a conical bearing as shown in figure. The gap between shaft and bearing
is filled with heavy oil having the viscosity of SAE 30 at 30oC (μ = 0.2 N.s/m2). Obtain an algebraic
expression for the total viscous shear torque that acts on the surface of the conical shaft in terms of μ, ω,
θ, a, and H. Calculate the viscous torque using the dimensions shown. [8]

2. A steady incompressible horizontal axisymmetric jet of air with 13 mm diameter strikes a stationary
vertical disk of 203 mm diameter. The jet speed is 69 m/s at the nozzle exit. A manometer is connected
to the center of the disk. Calculate (a) the deflection, h, if the manometer liquid has SG = 1.75 and (b)
the force exerted by the jet on the disk. Take ρair = 1.23 kg/m3. [10]

3. Ethanol at 20C (  789 kg/m3 and  0.0012 kg/ms) flows at 0.00789 m3/s through a horizontal
cast-iron pipe with L 12 m,  = 0.26 mm, and d 5 cm. Neglecting entrance effects, estimate (i) the
wall shear stress,  w (ii) the pressure gradient, dp / dx (iii) the head loss and (iv) the pumping power
requirement to overcome the pressure drop. [10]

4. The pressure drop, p, along a straight pipe of diameter D has been experimentally studied, and it is
observed that for laminar flow of a given fluid and pipe, the pressure drop varies directly with the
distance, l, between pressure taps. Assume that p is a function of D and l, the velocity, V, and the fluid

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 viscosity, . Use dimensional analysis to deduce how the pressure drop varies with pipe diameter. Use
D, V, and  as repeating variables. [10]

5. The parabolic gate shown below is 2 m wide and pivoted at O; c = 0.25 m-1, D = 2 m, and H = 3 m.
Determine (a) the magnitude and line of action of the vertical force on the gate due to the water, (b) the
magnitude and line of action of the horizontal force on the gate due to the water, and (c) the horizontal
force applied at A required to maintain the gate in equilibrium. [12]

6. A cylinder of radius 180 mm is rotated in counterclockwise direction with a constant angular velocity of
125 rev/min and by applying the torque T. If the wind is blowing at a constant speed of 20 m/s,
determine the lift per unit length on the cylinder, location of the stagnation points, the maximum
pressure and the minimum pressure on the cylinder. The pressure within the uniform flow is 500 Pa.
Take ρair = 1.2 kg/m3. Mention if any assumption is involved. [12]

7. A small cart that carries a single turning vane rolls on a level track. The cart mass is M = 10.5 kg and its
initial speed is Uo = 12.5 m/s. At t = 0, the vane is struck by an opposing jet of water, as shown. Neglect
any external forces due to air or rolling resistance. Determine the time and distance needed for the liquid
jet to bring the cart to rest. Mention all the assumptions involved. [14]

8. Consider a viscous, incompressible fluid between two long concentric cylinders with radii R1 and R2.
There is no axial motion or end effect, uz   / z  0 . The inner and outer cylinders rotate at constant
angular velocities 1 and 2 . There is circular symmetry in the flow field,  /   0. Show that the
motion can only be purely circumferential. Also obtain the expressions for velocity distribution and
pressure gradient in the annular space. The gravitational effects are negligible. [14]

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