Assignment 1

Fluid Mechanics, ECE 3144

September 2020
FOEBE, Chemical Engineering
SEGi University

Individual Submission (5%)

Name : ________________________________

Student ID : ________________________________

Date : ________________________________

Question Mark Breakdown

Q1

Q2

Q3

Prepared by Dr Lim Mee Wei Sept 2020

Assignment 1 ECE 3144: Fluid Mechanics

Question 1 [20 marks]

Figure A1-1 shows the relationship between shearing stress with the rate of shearing strain for
Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids.

a) Define Newtonian fluid and non-Newtonian fluids (4 marks)

b) The most common non-Newtonian fluid could be categorized as shear thinning and shear
thickening fluid. Briefly describe the main difference between these non-Newtonian fluids and
provide two examples of fluid from each category. (6 marks)

c) Is Bingham plastic categorized as a Newtonian or non-Newtonian fluid? Support your answer

with justifications. (5 marks)

d) For common fluids such as water, oil, gasoline and air, the shearing stress, 𝜏 and rate of shearing
𝑑𝑢
strain, 𝑑𝑦 can be related through the following relationship, whereby 𝜇 is known as the absolute
viscosity.

𝑑𝑢
𝜏=𝜇
𝑑𝑦

With reference to Figure A1-2, discuss (in your own words) if the equation above is applicable
for Non-Newtonian fluids. (5 marks)

Figure A1-1

Prepared by Dr Lim Mee Wei Sept 2020

Assignment 1 ECE 3144: Fluid Mechanics

Question 2 [20 marks]

A U-tube manometer is connected to a closed tank containing air and water as shown in Figure A1-2.
At the closed end of the manometer, the air pressure is 110.3 kPa (abs).

a) Provide THREE (3) examples of common types of manometers. Discuss the advantages and
disadvantages of each of the manometers listed in a form of a table. (9 marks)

Type of manometer Advantages Disadvantages

b) Determine the reading on the pressure gage in Figure A1-2 for a differential reading of 1.X m
on the manometer. Express the answer in kPa (gage). Assume standard atmospheric pressure,
and neglect the weight of the air column in the manometer. (6 marks)

c) Other than manometers, a mechanical and electronic pressure measuring device could also be
used to measure pressure: Bourdon pressure gauge (Figure A1-3). In your opinion, is the
Bourdon pressure gauge suitable to replace the U-tube manometer in this application? Support
your answer with justifications. (5 marks)

Note 1: X is defined as the last digit of your student ID number. For example:
 If your student ID is SUKD 123456789, the differential reading is 1.9 m.
 If your student ID is SUKD 123453780, the differential reading is 1.0 m.

Prepared by Dr Lim Mee Wei Sept 2020

Assignment 1 ECE 3144: Fluid Mechanics

Air pressure = 110.3 kPa (abs)

1.2 m

0.6 m

Gage fluid
(𝛾 = 14.1 kN/m3)

Figure A1-2

Figure A1-3

Prepared by Dr Lim Mee Wei Sept 2020

Assignment 1 ECE 3144: Fluid Mechanics

Question 3 (20 marks) – Past Year Question

Water is flowing in a pipe with diameter, D = 10 cm, as shown in Figure A1-4. A manometer which is
filled with an unknown fluid (SG = 1.45) is used to measure the pressure differences. Assume that the
viscous effects are negligible.

a) The mass flow rate of the water flowing through is (X ÷ 2) kg/s. Assuming that vA = 0 due to
its positioning at the bended elbow, find the pressure difference, ∆𝑃 between point A and B (PA
– PB) (10 marks)

b) Determine the inclination angle, 𝜃 of the manometer. (10 marks)

Note 1: X is defined as the last non-zero digit of your student ID number. For example:
 If your student ID is SUKD 123456789, the mass flow rate of water is 9 ÷ 2 = 4.5 kg/s.
 If your student ID is SUKD 123453780, take the second last number. Therefore the mass flow
rate of water is 8 ÷ 2 = 4 kg/s.

Figure A2-3 A
Water B
X kg/s

Figure A1-4

Prepared by Dr Lim Mee Wei Sept 2020