UNIT 4

FLUID MECHANICS
Fluid
A fluid is a substance which deforms continually under an applied external shearing force.
It is a phase of matter which include liquids, gases and plasmas.
It has no definite shape of its own, but conforms to shape of the containing vessel.
In like manner utilization, ‘ Fluid ‘is often used as a synonym for “ liquid “, with no
implication that gas could also be present.

Definition of fluid
It may be defined as follows:
A fluid is a substance which is capable of flowing but they don’t have definite shape of its own.
or
A fluid is a substance which cause it to undergo a deformation continuously when subjected to
external shearing force.
Behavior of Fluids
The analysis of fluids behavior is based on:
i. Fundamental laws of mechanics
ii. Conservation of mass momentum energy and
iv. Laws of thermodynamics
Classification of Fluid
The fluids can be classified as follows:
1. Ideal Fluid
2. Real Fluid
3. Newtonian Fluid
4. Non -Newtonian Fluid
5. Ideal Plastic Fluid
1. Ideal Fluid
The liquids which are incompressible and is having no thickness is known as a perfect liquid.
A perfect liquid is just a nonexistent liquid as every one of the liquids which exist, have some
thickness.
2. Real Fluid
The fluids, which possesses viscosity is known as real fluid.
Every one of the liquids, in genuine practice, are genuine liquids.
3. Newtonian Fluids
A real fluids in which the shear stress is directly proportional to the rate of shear strain ( or
velocity gradient ) known as a Newtonian Fluids.
4. Non – Newtonian Fluids
A real fluids in which the shear stress is not proportional to the rate of shear strain ( or velocity
gradient ) known as a Non – Newtonian Fluids.
There are mainly two types of Non – Newtonian Fluids
1. Time independent
a. Pseudo Plastic
b. Dilatent fluid
c. Ideal Bingham
2. Time dependent
a. Thixotropic
b. Rheopectic
1. Time independent
a. Pseudo Plastic
Pseudo plastic is the higher velocity gradients where the shearing force increases less than
proportionally, i.e n < 1 as shown in graph.
The phenomena of under the influence of movement, the liquid seems to become thinner.
Subsequently, it is known as ” Shear diminishing “.
For example: Blood, milk etc.
b. Dilatent fluid
In Dilatent, the viscosity of fluids will grow with the rate of shear strain. Here n > 1 and B = 0.
It is additionally term as ” shear thickening “. For example: Butter solution, sugar solution,
rice starch solution etc.
c. Ideal Bingham
It has some underlying quality past which miss happening begins.
For example : Tooth paste, creams, sewage sludge etc.
2. Time dependent
a. Thixotropic
In Thixotropic, fluids which take a finite time to attain equilibrium viscosity when
introduced to a steep change shear rate ( n< 1 & B ≠ 0 ).
They are reversible changes from fluid to solid – like elastic gel.
Example ; Paints, Printing inks, Gel etc.
b. Rheopectic
μ increases with time for which shearing forces are applied.
Here n > 1 & B ≠ 0. Examples – Gypsum paste and Bentonite solution etc.

5. Ideal Plastic Fluids

The fluids in which shear stress is more than the yield value and shear stress is proportional to
the rate of shear strain ( or velocity gradient ) is known as ideal plastic fluids.
The material properties of a fluid, which may vary, sometimes sensitively with
temperature, pressure and composition, determine its mechanical behaviour.

Properties of fluids
1. Density
2. Specific weight
3. Specific gravity or Relative Density
4. Specific volume
5. Compressibility
6. Viscosity
7. Surface tension
8. Vapor pressure
 1. Density / mass density/ specific mass
The mass per unity volume is known as density.
It is usually denoted by rho ( Ρ ). It’s units are kg/m³, i.e.,
ρ=m/V
2. Specific weight
It is defined as the weight per unity volume.
It is usually denoted by w.
3. Specific gravity or Relative Density
Specific gravity ( Relative Density ) is the ratio of specific weight of liquid to specific
weight of a standard fluids.
It is dimensionless and has no units. It is represented by S.
4. Specific volume
It is defined as volume per unity mass of liquid.
It is denoted by ν.
ν = V / m or 1 / ρ
Difference between Fluid
and Liquid