MODULE 1

INTRODUCTION TO FLUID MECHANICS

Lecturer: Joseph Angelo R. Sabio

Chapter Outline
1. Introduction
2. Classifications of Fluid Flow
3. Properties of Fluids
Objectives
1. Understand the basic concepts of fluid mechanics and
recognize the various types of fluid flow.
2. Discuss the basic properties of fluids and apply them in
calculating pressure, force, and flow.
3. Calculate capillary rises and drops due to surface tension.
1. Introduction 2 3

MECHANICS
Mechanics is the oldest physical science that deals
with both stationary and moving bodies under the
influence of forces.
1. Introduction 2 3

Mechanics

Body Fluid
Mechanics Mechanics

Statics Dynamics
Rigid Deformable

Statics Dynamics
1. Introduction 2 3

What is a Fluid?

• Anything that flows!

• A fluid deforms continuously under the influence of
shear stress, no matter how small.
• A substance in the liquid or gas phase is referred to
as a fluid.
1. Introduction 2 3

Fluid Mechanics

• Deals with the behavior of liquids and

gases at rest or in motion.
1. Introduction 2 3

Continuum

• Behavior is characterized by considering the average or

macroscopic value of the quantity of interest
• The average is evaluated over a small volume containing a
large number of molecules
• Volume is small compared with the physical dimensions of
the system of interest, but large compared with the average
distance between molecules
1. Introduction 2 3

History

One of the first engineering problems

humankind faced as cities were
developed was the supply of water for
domestic use and irrigation of crops.
1. Introduction 2 3

Applications of Fluid Mechanics

• Flood Control and Drainage Engineering

Flood Tunnels in Tokyo

1. Introduction 2 3

Applications of Fluid Mechanics

• Irrigation Engineering

Irrigation Canal in Mindoro

1. Introduction 2 3

Applications of Fluid Mechanics

• Water Supply Engineering

Public Water Supply System

1. Introduction 2 3

Applications of Fluid Mechanics

• Coastal Engineering

Sea Wall in Netherlands

1. Introduction 2 3

Applications of Fluid Mechanics

• River Engineering

River Restoration in Florida

1. Introduction 2 3

Applications of Fluid Mechanics

• Groundwater Flow Modeling

Groundwater Management Modeling

1 2. Classifications of Fluid Flow 3

Viscous and Inviscid Flow

Viscous Flow
• Flow in which frictional effects are significant.
• Flow near solid surfaces.

Inviscid Flow
• Viscous forces are very low and can be neglected.
• Occurs in areas far from solid surfaces.
1 2. Classifications of Fluid Flow 3

Pipe Flow and Open Channel Flow

Pipe Flow
• Flow in a pipe such that the perimeter of the pipe is fully in contact
with the fluid.
• Dominated by viscous effects.

Open Channel Flow

• When a portion of flow is exposed to the atmosphere.
• Examples are canals, ditches, and rivers.
1 2. Classifications of Fluid Flow 3

Compressible and Incompressible Flow

Compressible Flow
• Fluid varies in density as it flows.
• Compressibility is considered in gases.

Incompressible Flow
• When the change in density is insignificant, the fluid is considered
as incompressible.
• Liquids are often considered as incompressible.
1 2. Classifications of Fluid Flow 3

Laminar Flow and Turbulent Flow

Laminar Flow
• Characterized by smooth and orderly
flow.
• Occurs when the fluid flow has a low
Reynold’s Number, Re.

Turbulent Flow
• Chaotic flow.
• Occurs when the fluid flow has a
high Reynold’s Number, Re.
1 2. Classifications of Fluid Flow 3

Steady and Unsteady Flow

Steady Flow
• Fluid parameters such as velocity, density, pressure, and
acceleration at a point do not change with time.

Unsteady Flow
• Fluid parameters such as velocity, density, pressure, and
acceleration at a point varies with time.
1 2. Classifications of Fluid Flow 3

Uniform Flow and Non-Uniform Flow

Uniform Flow
• The velocity at a given instant of time is same in both magnitude
and direction at all points in the flow.

Non-uniform Flow
• The velocity changes from point to point in a flow at any given
instant of time
1 2 3. Properties of Fluids

Density (ρ)
• Mass (m) per unit Volume (V)

𝒎
𝝆=
𝑽
• In liquids, velocity changes from point to point in a flow at
any given instant of time.
• In gases, density is strongly influenced by both pressure and
temperature.
1 2 3. Properties of Fluids

Specific Weight (γ)

• Weight (W) per unit Volume (V)

𝑾 𝒎𝒈
𝜸= = = 𝝆𝒈
𝑽 𝑽
1 2 3. Properties of Fluids

Specific Gravity (SG)

• Ratio of the density of the fluid to the density of the
reference fluid at some specified temperature.

𝝆𝒍𝒊𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒅
𝑺𝑮 𝒍𝒊𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒅 =
𝝆𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒕 𝟒°𝑪
𝝆𝒈𝒂𝒔
𝑺𝑮 𝒈𝒂𝒔 =
𝝆𝒂𝒊𝒓
1 2 3. Properties of Fluids

Specific Volume (v)

• Volume (V) per unit mass (m)

𝑽 𝟏
𝒗= =
𝒎 𝝆
1 2 3. Properties of Fluids

Sample Problem 1
Given:
The weight of a substance is 𝑊 = 64.75𝑘𝑁
64.75kN. If its volume is half of 𝑉 = 0.5𝑚3
a cubic meter, calculate the
density of the substance in Required: 𝜌
kg/m3.
*Solve the density
Solution: 𝜌=
𝑚
*Solve the mass of the substance 𝑉
𝑊 = 𝑚𝑔 6602.4268𝑘𝑔
64750N = 𝑚(9.807𝑚/𝑠 2 ) 𝜌=
0.5𝑚3
𝒎 = 𝟔𝟔𝟎𝟐. 𝟒𝟐𝟔𝟖𝒌𝒈
𝝆 = 𝟏𝟑𝟐𝟎𝟒. 𝟖𝟓𝟑𝟕𝒌𝒈/𝒎𝟑
1 2 3. Properties of Fluids

Sample Problem 2
Given:
The specific volume of a liquid 𝑣 = 1.25𝑐𝑚3 /𝑔
is 1.25cm3/g. Solve the specific 𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑡 4°𝐶 = 1𝑔/𝑐𝑚3
gravity of the liquid with
respect to the density of water Required: 𝑆𝐺
at 4 degrees Celsius (1g/cm3).
*Solve SG
Solution: 𝑆𝐺 =
𝜌
*Solve the density of the liquid 𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑡 4°𝐶
1
𝑣= 0.8
𝜌 𝑆𝐺 =
3 1 1
1.25𝑐𝑚 /𝑔 =
𝜌
𝝆 = 𝟎. 𝟖𝒈/𝒄𝒎𝟑 𝑺𝑮 = 𝟎. 𝟖
1 2 3. Properties of Fluids

Sample Problem 3 Given:

𝑚 = 100𝑔 = 0.1𝑘𝑔
20𝑘𝑁
The specific weight of a fluid is 𝛾 = 3 = 20000𝑁/𝑚3
𝑚
20kN/m3. Calculate the volume
of a 100g sample in cubic Required: 𝑉
centimeters.
Solution: *Solve V
*Solve the density of the liquid 𝜌=
𝑚
𝛾 = 𝜌𝑔 𝑉
3 0.1𝑘𝑔
20000𝑁 = 𝜌(9.807𝑚/𝑠 2 ) 2039.3596𝑘𝑔/𝑚 =
𝑉
𝝆 = 𝟐𝟎𝟑𝟗. 𝟑𝟓𝟗𝟔𝒌𝒈/𝒎𝟑 𝑉 = 0.00004904𝑚3
(100𝑐𝑚) 3
𝑉 = 0.00004904𝑚3 ×
(1𝑚)3
𝑽 = 𝟒𝟗. 𝟎𝟒𝒄𝒎𝟑
1 2 3. Properties of Fluids

Viscosity (μ)
• Relates shearing stress and fluid motion.
• Highly dependent on temperature.
• Only mildly dependent on pressure and the effect of pressure
is usually neglected
• Measured in Poise, P.

1𝑑𝑦𝑛 ∙ 𝑠
1𝑃 =
𝑐𝑚2
1𝑁 = 100000𝑑𝑦𝑛
1 2 3. Properties of Fluids

Viscosity (μ)
• It is also defined as
the ratio between
the shearing stress
(τ) and rate of
shearing strain or
velocity gradient
(du/dy).
𝝉
𝝁=
𝒅𝒖
𝒅𝒚
1 2 3. Properties of Fluids

Viscosity (μ)
Deformation of fluid placed Free body diagram of the
between two plates upper plate
1 2 3. Properties of Fluids

Viscosity (μ)
• Steeper slope means
that the fluid is more
viscous.
1 2 3. Properties of Fluids

Viscosity (μ)
• Generally, viscosity of
liquids decreases as
temperature increases.
• Gases behave
oppositely.
1 2 3. Properties of Fluids

Sample Problem 4
Two 100cm by 100cm parallel plates are 1cm apart. Varnish
(0.20P) is introduced between the plates. What is the force
required to draw the upper plate at 10m/s.
1 2 3. Properties of Fluids

Sample Problem 4 Solution:

*Solve the Force, P
Given: 𝜏
𝜇 = 𝑑𝑢
𝜇 = 0.20𝑃 = 0.20𝑑𝑦𝑛 ∙ 𝑠/𝑐𝑚2 𝑑𝑦
𝑑𝑢 = 10𝑐𝑚/𝑠
𝑑𝑦 = 1𝑐𝑚 𝐹
𝐴
𝐴 = 10000𝑐𝑚2 𝜇= 𝑑𝑢
𝑑𝑦

Required: 𝑃 𝐹
𝑑𝑦𝑛∙𝑠 10000𝑐𝑚2
0.20 = 10𝑐𝑚/𝑠
𝑐𝑚2
1𝑐𝑚

𝐹 = 20000𝑑𝑦𝑛

𝑭 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝑵
1 2 3. Properties of Fluids

Kinematic Viscosity (v)

• Ratio of dynamic viscosity to fluid density

𝝁
𝒗=
𝝆
• Expressed in Stokes (St), ft2/s
• 1St = 1cm2/s
1 2 3. Properties of Fluids

Bulk Modulus of Elasticity, Ev

• A measure of how easily a fluid can be compressed.

𝒅𝒑
𝑬𝒗 = −
𝒅𝑽
𝑽
Where:
𝑑𝑝 is the differential change in pressure
𝑑𝑉
is the differential change in volume
𝑉
1 2 3. Properties of Fluids

Ideal Gas Law

• Relates absolute pressure, absolute temperature, and the
density of the material.

𝑷 = 𝝆𝑹𝑻
Where:
𝑃 is the absolute pressure
𝑇 is the absolute temperature
𝜌 is the density of the gas
𝑅 is the ideal gas constant (N.m/kg.K, ft.lb/slug.R)
1 2 3. Properties of Fluids

Evaporation, Vapor Pressure, Boiling

Evaporation - occurs when the molecules at the surface of a
liquid placed in a container open to atmosphere have sufficient
momentum to overcome the intermolecular cohesive forces and
escape to the atmosphere

Vapor pressure – the pressure exerted by the vapor on the liquid

surface when a liquid is in a closed container with a vacuum
above the surface of the liquid

Boiling – formation of vapor bubbles within a fluid mass;

initiated when the absolute pressure in the fluid reaches the
vapor pressure
1 2 3. Properties of Fluids

Surface Tension, σ
• The intensity of the molecular attraction per unit length along
any line in the surface.
1 2 3. Properties of Fluids

Surface Tension, σ
• Occurs at the interface between a liquid and a gas, or
between two immiscible liquids

• Forces develop in the liquid surface which cause the surface

to behave as if it were a “skin” or “membrane” stretched
over the fluid mass
1 2 3. Properties of Fluids

Sample Problem 5
Determine the excess pressure inside a 0.5in diameter soap
bubble floating in air. The surface tension of the soap solution is
0.0035lb/ft.
 1 2 3. Properties of Fluids
Solution:
Sample Problem 5 *Sum forces along the horizontal

Given: +→ σ 𝐹𝑥 = 0
𝐷 = 0.5𝑖𝑛 𝜋𝐷2
𝜎(𝜋𝐷) − 𝑃( ) = 0
𝜎 = 0.0035𝑙𝑏/𝑓𝑡 = 0.0002917𝑙𝑏/𝑖𝑛 4

𝜋(0.5)2
0.0002917(𝜋)(0.5) − 𝑃( ) =0
4

𝑃 = 0.002333𝑙𝑏/𝑖𝑛2

𝑷 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟐𝟑𝟑𝟑𝒑𝒔𝒊

Required: 𝑃
1 2 3. Properties of Fluids

Capillary Action in Small Tubes

• Capillary action in small tubes, which involves a liquid-gas-
solid interface is caused by surface tension
1 2 3. Properties of Fluids

Capillary Action in Small Tubes

• Capillary action in small tubes, which involves a liquid-gas-
solid interface is caused by surface tension

𝟐𝝈𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽
𝒉=
𝜸𝑹
1 2 3. Properties of Fluids

Sample Problem 6
A 0.6mm diameter glass tube is inserted into water at 20
degrees Celsius (σ = 0.073N/m). Determine the capillary rise of
water in the tube if the contact angle is 0 degrees. The specific
weight of water is 9810N/m3.

Given: Solution:
2𝜎𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
𝜎 = 0.073𝑁/𝑚 ℎ=
𝛾𝑅
𝑅 = 0.0003𝑚 2(0.073𝑁/𝑚)𝑐𝑜𝑠0
𝛾 = 9810𝑁/𝑚3 ℎ= 𝑁
9810( 3 )(0.0003𝑚)
𝑚
𝜃 = 0°
𝒉 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟒𝟗𝟔𝒎
Required: ℎ
END