Chapter 7: Forces Due to Fluids in Motion

Lecturer : Ts. Nazirul Mubin Zahari

FIGURE : The support structures of this flow monitoring station on a river must
withstand huge forces as it diverts the stream flow during a high level, fast moving
current event. (Source: Daniel Loretto/Fotolia)
 Force Equation
• Whenever the magnitude or direction of the
velocity of a body is changed, a force is required to
accomplish the change.
• Newton’s second law of motion is often used to
express this concept in mathematical form; the
most common form is
𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎 (6-1)
m = mass
a = acceleration; the time rate change of velocity
 Force Equation
• In fluid flow problems, a continuous flow is caused to undergo
the acceleration, and a different form of Newton’s equation is
desirable. Because acceleration is time rate of change of
velocity, Equation (6-1) can be written as
∆𝑣
𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎 = 𝑚 (6-2)
∆𝑡
• The term m/Δt can be interpreted as mass flow rate, that is,
the amount of mass in a given amount of time.
• Mass flow rate, M is related to the volume flow rate by the
relation
𝑀 = 𝜌𝑄 (6-3)

where ρ is the density of fluid.

𝐹 = 𝑚Τ∆𝑡 ∆𝑣 = 𝑀∆𝑣 = 𝜌𝑄∆𝑣 (6-4)

This is the general from of the force equation for use in fluid
flow problems because it involve the velocity and volume
flow rate.
 Impulse-Momentum Equation
• The force equation (6-4), is related to another principle
of fluid dynamic, the impulse-momentum equation.
• Impulse is defined as a force acting on a body for a
period of time, and it is indicated by
𝐼𝑚𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑠𝑒 = 𝐹(∆𝑡)
• This form, relying on the total change in time Δt, is
suitable for dealing with steady flow condition.
• When condition is vary, the instantaneous form of the
equation is used:
𝐼𝑚𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑠𝑒 = 𝐹(𝑑𝑡)
• where dt is the differential amount of change in time.
 Impulse-Momentum Equation
• Momentum is define as the product of the mass of a
body and its velocity. The change in momentum is:
𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑢𝑚 = 𝑚 ∆𝑣
• In an instantaneous sense,
𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑢𝑚 = 𝑚 𝑑𝑣
• Now equation (6-2) can be rearranged to the form
𝐹 ∆𝑡 = 𝑚 ∆𝑣
• Here we have shown the impulse-momentum equation
for steady flow condition. In an instantaneous sense,
𝐹 𝑑𝑡 = 𝑚 𝑑𝑣
 Problem-Solving Method Using
The Force Equation
• In Equation (6-4), force and velocity are both vector
quantities. The equation is valid only when all term
have the same direction.
• For this reason, different equations are written for
each direction of concern in a particular case.
• In general, if three perpendicular direction called x,
y, and z, a separate equation can be written for
each direction:
𝐹𝑥 = 𝜌𝑄∆𝑣𝑥 = 𝜌𝑄(𝑣2𝑥 − 𝑣1𝑥 ) (6-5)
𝐹𝑦 = 𝜌𝑄∆𝑣𝑦 = 𝜌𝑄(𝑣2𝑦 − 𝑣1𝑦 ) (6-6)
𝐹𝑧 = 𝜌𝑄∆𝑣𝑧 = 𝜌𝑄(𝑣2𝑧 − 𝑣1𝑧 ) (6-7)
 Problem-Solving Method Using
The Force Equation
• 𝐹𝑥, 𝐹𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐹𝑧 refer to the net external force that
acts on the fluid in x, y and z respectively.
• ∆𝑣𝑥 , ∆𝑣𝑦 , ∆𝑣𝑧 refer to the change of velocity in x, y
and z respectively
• 𝑣1 is the velocity as the fluid enter the device
• 𝑣2 is the velocity as the fluid leave the device
 3 COMMON PIPE TYPE PROBLEM
Types V1(in) V2 (out)
X axis only X axis Only

X axis Only Y axis Only

X & Y Axis X & Y Axis

 Example 7.1
A 25-mm-diameter jet of water having a
velocity of 6 m/s is deflected 90˚ by the curved
vane, as shown in Figure 6.2. The jet flow freely
in the atmosphere in a horizontal plane.
Calculate the x and y force exerted on the water
by the vane.
Solution: FIGURE 16.2 Water jet deflected by a curved vane.

FIGURE 6.3 Reaction forces

exerted by the vane on the
fluid
 Example 7.2
In a decorative fountain, 0.05
m3/s of water having a velocity of
8 m/s is being deflected by the
angle chute shown in Figure 6.4.
Determine the reactions on the
chute in the x and y direction
shown.
Also calculate the total resultant
force and the direction in which
it acts. FIGURE 6.4
water jet.
Decorative fountain deflecting a

Neglect elevation changes.

 Example 7.2 (cont.)
Solution:
Fig. 6.5

FIGURE 6.5 Force diagram for

the fluid deflected by the vane
 Example 7.2 (cont.)
Solution:
 Example 7.2 (cont.)
Solution:

Fig. 6.5
 Forces on Bends in Pipelines

• Figure 6.6 shows a typical 90˚

elbow in a pipe carrying a steady
volume flow rate Q.
• To ensure proper installation, it is
important to know how much
force is required to hold it in
equilibrium.
• The following problem
demonstrates an approach to do FIGURE 6.6 Pipe elbow

this type of situation.

 Example 7.3
Calculate the force that must be exerted on
the pipe shown in Figure 6.6 to hold it in
equilibrium. The elbow is in horizontal plane
and is connected to two 4-in Schedule 40
pipes carrying 3000 L/min of water at 15˚C.
The inlet pressure is 550 kPa.

FIGURE 6.6 Pipe elbow

 Example 7.3 (cont.)
Solution:

(6-8)

FIGURE 6.7 Force diagram on the fluid in elbow

 Example 7.3 (cont.)
Solution:
 Example 7.3 (cont.)
Solution:

(6-8)
 Example 7.3 (cont.)
Solution:
Additional Equation of Adding a
pressure Force from
Pressure

Remember :

Force from pressure should

be IN PIPE except Nozzle
case.
 Example 7.4
Linseed oil with a specific gravity of 0.93 enters the
reducing bend shown in Figure 6.8 with a velocity of 3
m/s and a pressure of 275 kPa. The bend is in a horizontal
plane. Calculate the x and y force required to hold the
bend in place. Neglect energy losses in the bend.

FIGURE 6.8 Reducing bend.

 Example 7.4 (cont.)
Solution:

FIGURE 6.9 Force diagram on the fluid in reducing bend

 Example 7.4 (cont.)
Solution:

6.9

(6-9)
(6-9)

6.9

(6-10)

(6-10)
 Example 7.4 (cont.)
Solution:
 Example 7.4 (cont.)
Solution:
 Example 7.4 (cont.)
Solution:

(6-9) (6-10)

(6-9)

(6-10),
 Force on Moving Objects
• The vane of turbine and other rotating machinery
are familiar example of moving objects that are
acted on by high-velocity fluids.
• A jet of fluid with a velocity greater than that of the
blades of the turbine exerts a force on the blades,
causing them to accelerate or to generate useful
mechanical energy.
• When dealing with forces on moving bodies, the
relative motion of the fluid with respect to body
must be considered.
 Example 7.5
Figure 6.10 (a) shows a jet of water with a velocity v1
striking a vane that is moving with a velocity v0.
Determine the force exerted by the vane on the water if
v1 = 20 m/s and v0 = 8 m/s. the jet is 50 mm in diameter.

FIGURE 6.10 Flow deflected by a moving vane

 Example 7.5 (cont.)
Solution:

6.10(b),

(6-11)

(6-12)

(6-13)
 Example 7.5 (cont.)
Solution:

(6-14)

(6-13) (6-14)
 Exercise 7.1
Calculate the force required to hold a flat plate in equilibrium perpendicular to the flow
of water at 25 m/s issuing from a 75-mm diameter nozzle.
(ANSWER : Rx= 2.76 kN)

Exercise 7.2
Compute the horizontal and vertical forces exerted on the vane shown in figure below
due to flow of water at 50°C. The velocity is constant at 15m/s.
(ANSWER : Rx=873kN, Ry = 1512)
 Exercise 7.3

Figure on the right shows a free stream of water

at 82°C being deflected by a stationary vane
through a 130° angle. The entering stream has a
velocity of 6.7 m/s. The cross-sectional area of
the stream is constant at 0.0019 m2 throughout
the system. Compute the forces in the horizontal
and vertical directions exerted on the water by
vane.

(ANSWER: RX = 136N; RY = 63N)

 Exercise 7.4
Calculate the force exerted on a stationary curved vane that reflect a 25.4 mm diameter
stream of water through a 90° angle. The volume flow rate is 0.0095 m³/s.
(ANSWER: RX RY = 177± 1 N)

Exercise 7.5
A vehicle is to be propelled by a jet of water impinging on a vane as shown in the figure
below. The jet has a velocity of 30 m/s and issues from a nozzle with a diameter of 200
mm. Calculate the force on the vehicle if it is stationary
ANSWER : Force on car x direction = 55.6kN → , Force on car Y direction = 7.32kN