UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE

2018 NOV / DEC EXAMINATIONS

Faculty: ENGINEERING
Department: MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Paper Code and Title: ME304 – FLUID MECHANICS

Duration: 3 hrs
Examiner: Mr. E. Mungofa
Authorized Materials: Non-Programmable Calculator

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. This paper contains Six Questions in Section A, B and C all in 8 pages.
2. Answer FOUR questions, Answer at least ONE Question from each section.
3. Start each question on a new page
4. All questions carry 25 marks
5. State all assumptions made.

N/B: DO NOT TURN OVER THE QUESTION PAPER OR COMMENCE

WRITING UNTIL INSTRUCTED TO DO SO.

SECTION A: FLUID STATICS AND APPLICATIONS

Page 1 of 9
 QUESTION 1

a) Define the following terms with sketches were necessary as applied in fluid mechanics
(i) Knudsen Number [2 marks]
(ii) Bulk modulus, EV. [2 marks]

b) Derive the expression for change in pressure for each of the following cases given that the
𝟏 𝟏
general equation for a curved surface is ∆𝐏 = 𝛔 (𝐫 + 𝐫 ) where each term has usual meaning
𝟏 𝟐

(i) Liquid Jet and [2 marks]

(ii) Spherical liquid bubble [2 marks]

c) Starting with a 3-D frame of reference, use the first principle and basic laws of fluid mechanics
to show the following equations of fluid statics;
(i) Resultant force on a curved surface [4 marks]
(ii) The buoyancy force [4 marks]

d) Figure Q1 shows U-tube manometer used to measure the pressure difference beween two point A and
B in a liquid of density p 1. The U-tube contains a fluid of speific gravity 13.6, calculate the differences
in pressure if a=2.5m and b = 1.75m, h = 1.5m [4 marks]

𝜌1 = 1000 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3
A

B
a

h b

𝝆𝟐 = 𝟏𝟑. 𝟔𝝆𝟏

Figure Q1: U - tube Manometer

Page 2 of 9
 QUESTION 2

a) With the aid of sketches and equations draw on a Shear Stress Velocity gradient the following
fluids.

i) Newtonian fluid with viscosity, u2 > u1 [3 marks]

ii) Newtonian fluid with viscosity u1 [3 marks]

iii) Thinning fluids [3 marks]

b) Derive the expression for capillary rise or fall in a tube between two vertical parallel plates
containing a fluid clearly showing the frame of reference. The sketches should indicate where
there is either cohesion and or adhesion. [6 marks]

c) Show by means of a sketch diagram how the stability of a floating body depends upon the
position of the meta-centre and the centre of gravity. [4 marks]

d) With reference to figure Q2, determine the centreline velocity given that the ratio of viscosity
for bottom layer to top layer is 1: 3 and assuming a steady flow. [6 marks]

𝜇2 = 3𝜇1

𝑦
𝑉 =?

𝜇1 𝑥

Figure Q2: Fluid Layer sliding past each other

Page 3 of 9
 SECTION B: FLUID FLOW CONCEPTS AND APPLICATION

QUESTION 3

a) Describe with the aid of sketches where necessary the following concepts of in fluid flow
i) Mach number, Ma [2 marks]
ii) Hydraulic Jump and [2 marks]
iii) Turbulent Boundary Layer. [2 marks]
b) Compare and Contrast the following as used in fluid kinematics giving equations and
sketches in space coordinates were necessary.
(i) Eulerian and Lagrangian Approaches for fluid flow, [2 marks]
(ii) Developing flow and fully developed flow and [2 marks]
(iii) Streamlines and Streakline [2 marks]

c) Air flows between two parallel plates separated 120 mm. direct measurements taken during
the experiment gave the following velocities;

Distance from plate(mm) 0 12 23 34 46 58 64 73 82

Velocity (m/s) 0 25 29 33 31 27 21 16 0

Calculate the mean velocity distribution. [4 marks]

d) A particle moving with a velocity V defined by the velocity field given by V = 4xyi + 8tz 2 −
2yzk, at point P (3, -2, 2) at t =3. Find:
(i) the acceleration of the particle and [3 marks]
(ii) angular velocity about the z -axis. [2 marks]

e) Determine whether the following expressions satisfy the continuity equation

i) u = 10 xt, v = −10yt, ρ = constant
1
y 7
ii) u= U (δ) , v = 0, ρ = constant [4 marks]

Page 4 of 9
 QUESTION 4

a) A long flat – plate of 4 m wide x 6 m long (figure Q3), shows a lamina and turbulent boundary
layer relations. Assume ambient conditions of 24 C; Estimate the thickness of the boundary
layer formed if the free stream velocity is 2.5 m/s. [4 marks]

b) A triangular channel with the ratio of the horizontal to vertical change of the wall on each side
equal to 1.1 have water flowing at a discharge of 6 m3/s. For the following flow depth of 3.3
m, Determine;
i) Specific energy, [2 marks]
ii) Froude number, and [2 marks]
iii) Alternate depth. [3 marks]

c) For the channel shown in figure Q4(c), derive the expression for the critical depth and velocity
at the centreline in terms of symbols as presented; [4 marks]

Figure Q 4 (c): Non-rectangular channel

d) Write down the expression for the resultant force for the following cases applicable to the
“momentum equation”.

(i) Force due to flow around a pipe bend, [2 marks]

(ii) Force on a pipe nozzle, [2 marks]

Page 5 of 9
e) For the system shown in Figure Q4 (e) below pumping 600 litres /s of liquid (s. g= 0.85, ν =10-
5
m2/s), Determine the power required to pump the liquid if the pump is operating at an
efficiency η = 0.75. [6 marks]

Pertinent data are given in the Fig.Q4 (e);

Line 1: L=10m; D=0.2m; k=0.05mm; K1= 0.5; Kv=2

Line 2: L=500m; D=0.25m; k=0.05mm; KE=0.25; K2=1

200 kPa

B EL 20m
KE
K2
A EL 10 m Line 2
MMM
P Kv
K1 KE

Line 1

Figure Q4 (e): Pump-piping system

Page 6 of 9
 SECTION C: FLUID MACHINERY AND APPLICATIONS

QUESTION 5

a) Define the following terms with the aid of well labelled sketches where necessary as applied
in Turbo-machinery
(i) Total Dynamic head, TDH, [3 marks]
(ii) Brake Horse power and [3 marks]
(iii) Diagram power. [3 marks]

b) Explain with the aid of neat labelled sketch diagram how the operating flow-rate and head
are determined in a pump-piping system. [4 marks]

c) For the system shown in Figure Q5, water flows through the pump at a rate of 50 L/s. The
allowable NPSH provided by the manufacturer at that flow is 3 m. Determine the maximum
height z above the water surface at which the pump can be located to operate without
cavitating. Include all losses in the suction pipe. [12 marks]

7𝑚

𝐷𝑝𝑖𝑝𝑒 = 10 𝑐𝑚, 𝑓 = 0.015

∆𝑧 𝐾𝑒𝑙𝑏𝑜𝑤 = 4

4𝑚

𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 (20 ℃)

𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 = 101𝑘𝑃𝑎

𝐾𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 = 0.8

Figure Q5: Flow through a pump-piping system

Page 7 of 9
d) A reaction turbine whose runner radii are r1 =300mm, r2 = 150mm, operates under the following
conditions; Q = 2.3 m3/s, w = 25rad/s, α1 = 26o, α2 = 83o, V1 = 9.3 m/s, V2 = 4.5m/s. for an efficiency
of 93 %, find;
(i) Torque applied,
(ii) Power of fluid and
(iii) Head on turbine

QUESTION 6
a) For a pump with flow rate Q, head H, diameter D, rotational speed ω, and pumping a fluid of
density . Derive the dimensionless expression for;
(i) Power coefficient, [3 marks]
(ii) Flow rate coefficient and [3 marks]
(iii) Head coefficient. [3 marks]

b) Figure Q6 shows the dimensionless pump performance curves for a radial-flow pump of
diameter 330 mm. determine the power required when delivering 2.4m3/s of water at a head
of 6 m. [12 marks]

0.3500 0.900
Efficiency
0.800
0.3000
0.700
Ch, Cw x 100, Cnpsh x 10

0.2500 Cw x 100
0.600
Cnpsh x 10
Efficiency
0.2000 0.500

0.1500 0.400

0.300
0.1000 Ch
0.200
0.0500
0.100

0.0000 0.000
0.0000 0.0050 0.0100 0.0150 0.0200 0.0250
Flowrate Coefficient, Cq

Figure Q6: Performance curve of a radial flow pump

c) Show by means of sketches (H vs Q) the static lift in each of the following situations for
centrifugal pumps.
(i) 2 pumps delivering water below centre line and; [2 marks]

Page 8 of 9
(ii) 1 pump delivering water above centre line. [2 marks]

****************end of main exam**************

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