SYLLABUS

Course objective
To introduce fundamental principles of fluid mechanics and apply them to analyze and
solve practical civil engineering problems.
Fluid properties
Fluid properties – methods of analysis – system and control volume – pressure
measurement
Fluid statics
Forces on plane and curved surfaces – buoyancy, flotation and metacentric height.
Activity
Construct simple floating models to study buoyancy, metacentric height, and hydrostatic
forces.
Fluid flows
Flow classification, streamline concepts, stream function, flow nets: conservation laws
(mass, energy, momentum), continuity equation, Euler’s and Bernoulli’s equations and
applications to flow measurement and pipe bends. Laminar flow, Reynolds experiment,
Hagen-Poiseuille equation, Darcy–Weisbach equation, Moody diagram, pipe losses, and pipes
in series and parallel.
Activity
Review of Competitive Exam Questions on pipe flow, discharge/velocity calculations,
and pipe losses.
Dimensional analysis
Fundamental dimensions, dimensional homogeneity, Rayleigh’s method, Buckingham Pi
theorem, dimensionless parameters, similitude, model studies and applications.
Activity
Quiz on dimensional analysis.
Boundary layers
Boundary layer concepts, laminar and turbulent flow, momentum integral equation, drag,
lift, separation and control measures.
Turbines
Impact of jets, velocity triangles, rotodynamic machine theory, turbine classification,
working principles of Pelton, Francis and Kaplan turbines, work done, efficiencies, draft tube,
specific speed, performance curves and governing.
Activity
Prepare a poster on turbine working principles, performance and efficiency.
Pumps
Pump classification, centrifugal pumps, solar pumps – working principle, head and
efficiencies, velocity triangles, impeller work, performance curves; reciprocating pumps,
indicator diagram, air vessels, and rotary pumps.
Activity
Visit a pump installation or water treatment plant and prepare a report.
Weightage
Continuous Assessment: 40%, End Semester Examinations: 60%
Methodology for Continuous Assessment
Quiz – 10%, poster presentation – 15%: Report preparation from Site visit – 10%,
Assignment – 15%, Internal Examinations – 50