Introduction

Hydraulics, a branch of science concerned with the practical applications of

fluids, primarily liquids, in motion. It is related to fluid mechanics which in large part
provides its theoretical foundation. Hydraulics deals with such matters as the flow of
liquids in pipes, rivers, and channels and their confinement by dams and tanks. The
scope of hydraulics extends to such mechanical devices as fans and gas turbines and to
pneumatic control systems.

Similar to pneumatic systems function. Both systems use fluids but, unlike
pneumatics, hydraulics use liquids rather than gasses. Hydraulics systems are capable
of greater pressures: up to 10000 pounds per square inch (psi) vs. about 100 psi in
pneumatics systems.

The term 'Hydraulics' is related to the application of the Fluid Mechanics (the
study of fluid behaviour (liquids, gases, blood, and plasmas) at rest and in motion). Hydraulic
engineering is the science of water in motion, and the interactions between the flowing
fluid and the surrounding environment. Hydraulic engineers are concerned with
application of the basic principles of fluid mechanics to open channel flows and real
fluid flow hydrodynamics.

This branch also caters the needs in drainage system in both urban and rural
places. Drainage systems are essential infrastructure for any community. If water and
sanitation companies do not have effective management practices this vital
infrastructure not only provides a diminished level of service, but also requires that
enormous expenditure be made to prevent a serious impact on human society.

System designers need this information to calculate other variables. The physical
and hydraulic behaviour of wastewater is similar to that of clean water, and there is
generally no difference in the design or analysis of systems involving these two liquids.
Both are considered to be incompressible liquids because their volume does not change
significantly with changing pressure.

Brief History

Liquids in motion or under pressure did useful work for man for many centuries
before French scientist-philosopher Blaise Pascal and Swiss physicist Daniel
Bernoulli formulated the laws on which modern hydraulic-power technology is
based. Pascal’s law, formulated in during 1650.
 Pascal's law states that when there is an increase in pressure at any point in a
confined fluid, there is an equal increase at every other point in the container.

Bernoulli’s law, formulated about a century later, states that energy in a fluid is
due to elevation, motion, and pressure, and if there are no losses due to friction and no
work done, the sum of the energies remains constant. Thus, velocity energy, deriving
from motion, can be partly converted to pressure energy by enlarging the cross
section of a pipe, which slows down the flow but increases the area against which the
fluid is pressing.

Until the 19th century it was not possible to develop velocities and pressures
much greater than those provided by nature, but the invention of pumps brought a vast
potential for application of the discoveries of Pascal and Bernoulli. In 1882 the city of
London built a hydraulic system that delivered pressurized water through street mains
to drive machinery in factories.

Hydraulic performance

Once the rainwater enters the pervious surface it may flow out of the
construction through the base to groundwater or, if the construction is lined, the waters
will be intercepted by a drainage network and discharged from the sub-base to a
suitable receiving drainage system. The porous surface and its sub-structure responds
to rainfall much slower than the impermeable surface and continues to discharge for
much longer, hours and even days after rainfall stops

Hydraulic Design of Highway Drainage Structures

The primary objective in design of drainage structure is to reduce the excess

energy generated due to the flow of water. The presence of excess water on the
roadway affects the material properties of drainage structure.

The two main criteria for designing the road drainage system for them to be effective
throughout its design life is given as below.

• It should facilitate the minimum disturbance of the hydraulic drainage pattern.

• The drainage system should be designed to prevent the excessive collection of water,
which may cause downstream erosion.
The hydrology and hydraulic principles are considered while designing drainage
structures. The hydrology principles are based on the presence of water in the
environment (precipitation, stream flow, soil moisture, etc.). The hydraulics principle
deals with the engineering properties of the fluid in motion.

As the velocity of the water increases exponentially, the destructive power of water also
will increases simultaneously. Therefore, the volume of stagnated water should not be
too much. The excessive amount of water may cause the wear on surface of the ditches
or on the exposed running surface. The inadequate design of the drainage system leads
to erosion of the road surface. It weakens the sub grade and it will ultimately lead to
mass failure of the road system.

4 Types of Residential Drainage Systems

There are four main types of residential drainage systems: surface, subsurface,
slope, downspout and gutters.

Surface Drainage System

For surface drainage to be successful, ditches must be dug in a parallel pattern.

The ditches are shallow and will act as canals for run-off water. The ditches will lead the
water into the main drain or away from the home to avoid water pooling or flooding.
Surface drains are an absolute must if the area is flat since water pooling could
potentially cause problems in an area that has a lot of precipitation. This can be done
around buildings, walkways or driveways to keep water flowing away from the
structure.

Subsurface Drainage System

The general idea behind subsurface drains is that they are placed beneath the top
layer of soil. This removes excess water from soil at the root level that has become water
logged. If roots sit in water too long, they will begin to deteriorate and eventually the
plant or tree will perish from too much water. The process to install subsurface drains
requires digging deep ditches and installing pipes underground. A large collector drain
must also be installed so the water can be collected from the pipes. In most areas, a
sump pump will also be required in order to push the water through the pipes. These
can cause disruptions in the soil and the natural aeration of the soil as well as plant
respiration. This is also known as the French drain.
Downspout and Gutter System

The downspout is connected to the gutter system on a building or home and

carries water away from the roof down to the ground. The shape of the downspout
pipes can be round or rectangular and are comprised of copper, aluminum or steel. The
purpose of the downspout is to catch the water from the gutters and divert it to the
ground. Most downspouts will empty out on a slope so the water will not pool at the
base of the downspout.

Slope Drainage System

Slope drains allow water to generally take its natural course away from the
structure and with the aid of pipes moving down a slope. A pipe is installed and then
anchored into a small incline where the water will follow gravity through the pipe and
away from the structure. The pipe can be metal plastic, steel or concrete and will be
covered with a sturdy grate to keep people and animals from falling into it.

Surface Drainage Subsurface Drainage

Downspout and Gutter system Slope Drainage System

Fluid Mechanics and Engineering Structures

Canals Rivers

Reservoir and Dams Water Treatment Plants

Hydraulic engineering links catchment hydrology and rainfall runoff to fluid

mechanics of water runoff. In a catchment, a hydraulic structure must be analysed as
part of the surrounding catchment and the hydrology plays an important role.
Structural and hydraulic constraints interact, and the design of a hydraulic structure is a
complex exercise altogether.