FAKULTI TEKNOLOGI KEJURUTERAAN

UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA

FLUID MECHANICS

BMMH 2313 SEMESTER 1 SESI 2018 / 2019

LAB 5: REYNOLDS NUMBER

NAME OF GROUP 1.
MEMBERS&
MATRIX NUMBER 2.

3.

4.

COURSE

DATE

NAME OF INSTRUCTOR 1.

2.

EXAMINER’S COMMENT VERIFICATION STAMP

TOTAL MARKS: / 100

 JTKM/ BETH 2313/ 4(5)

1.0 OBJECTIVES

1. To investigate the dependence of flow pattern on Reynolds number.

2. To investigate the nature of the flow in a pipe by observing the behavior of a
filament of dye injected into the fluid.
3. To demonstrate the change, or ‘transition’, between laminar and turbulent
flow by varying the flow rate.

2.0 SYNOPSIS& THEORY

Consider the case of a fluid moving along a fixed surface such as the wall of a pipe. A shear
stress given by:

The nature of flow depends on the ratio of inertia to viscous forces. Inertia force of the fluid
particles is the force that tends to carry each fluid particle to move at its own accelerated
direction. While viscous force due to the surrounding fluid will tend to make the individual fluid
particle conform to the motion of the rest of the stream.
For flow in a circular pipe,

Where d is the diameter of the pipe.

Similarly the viscous forces are given by shear stress multiplied by area so, using Equation (1),
we may write:

Dividing the inertia force by the viscous force we obtain a non-dimensional variable, namely
Reynolds number, Re:

The term μρis called the kinematic viscosity, νand it is often convenient to write Equation (4) as:

;
Q=V/t
u=Q/A

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 Figure 1Variation of Head Loss with Velocity for Flow along a Pipe

Figure 1 shows the variation in head loss with velocity for a smooth pipe. On increasing
thevelocity, transition occurs between points A and B, and for decreasing flow it occursbetween
points C and D. Generally point D is the best defined and it is normally acceptedthat this transition
from turbulent back to laminar flow occurs at a Reynolds number between2000 and 2300. The
Reynolds numbers at points A, B and C depend on the entry conditionsand roughness of the pipe.
Typically, point A may represent a Reynolds number between2000 and 2500 but if the entry is
carefully controlled and the pipe very smooth, laminarflow may continue up to much higher values.

3.0 EQUIPMENT & TOOLS

i. Reynolds Number and Transitional Flow Demonstration Apparatus

4.0 PROCEDURE
 1. Fill up the constant head bank with water to the level of overflow pipe.
2. Fill the dye injector with the dye.
3. For laminar flow, adjust the discharge control valve in such a way the dye will flowdown in
a straight line. Make sure the water level at par with the overflow pipe.
4. Once the laminar flow occurred, start to time for collection of 200 mL water from the drain
pipe.
5. Repeat procedure 3 for transition and turbulent flow with the timing for 200 mL ofwater
from the drain pipe.
6. Record water temperature at any time during the experiment.
7. Repeat the whole experiment by reversing condition starting with turbulent flow,transition
followed by laminar flow.

5.0 RESULTS

Table 1 Increasing velocity

Table 2 Decreasing velocity

6.0 DISCUSSION
 1. Write down your observation in term of valve opening and flow condition.

2. What is the relationship between velocity and flow condition? Justify your answer in term
of viscous force.

3. What is happening to the flow condition in procedure 7?

3. Describe in detail on how the Reynolds number affects the flow?

7.0 QUESTION(FOR FORMALREPORTONLY)

Identify and explain the factors that determine whether the flow will be laminar or turbulent.

8.0 CONCLUSION
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JTKM/ BETH 2313/ 4(5)

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