Fluid Mechanic Lab Report
Fluid Mechanics
Laboratory 2
Report
Robby Joseph
14103508
1.0 Introduction
This experiment was undertaken for the study of flow in pipes and the factors that affect it in both laminar and turbulent regimes. The transitional regime between laminar and turbulent flow will also be studied. The experiment was done using a pipe with a known diameter, and water was pumped in from a tank. Throughout the process, measurements of the quantity of water and time were taken as well as the hydraulic gradient. With these different parameters, the flow rate, Reynolds number and friction factor were able to be calculated for each test for water and mercury. The main purpose of the process was to analyse and identify the regions of laminar flow, and turbulent flow, as well as the transitional region in between. These values enable the calculation of the friction factor of the pipes for specific flow rates.
2.0 Background
The viscosity (µ) in the pipe flow of a fluid produces friction (shear stress) between lumps of fluid as they pass each other. This causes the fluid to cling to the boundary in the flow field.
Reynolds number (Re) is the ratio of fluid momentum to viscous forces.
Re=ρVDμ
This ratio allows the flow of a fluid to be distinguished; this flow can either be laminar, turbulent or transitional.
Laminar flow only occurs when the flow of a fluid is smooth and steady; a small Reynolds number defines a flow as laminar (less than 2300).
Turbulent flow is the opposite of laminar flow; here the flow is unsteady and has random fluctuations. A large Reynolds number defines a flow as turbulent (greater than 4000). For turbulent flow the viscous affects are negligible and turbulent flow is therefore known as inviscid.
Transitional flow is a mixture of the two flows, as it is neither completely steady nor unsteady, and sits in between the change from laminar to transitional with a Reynolds number in between (greater than 2300 but less than 4000)
Laboratory 2
Report
Robby Joseph
14103508
1.0 Introduction
This experiment was undertaken for the study of flow in pipes and the factors that affect it in both laminar and turbulent regimes. The transitional regime between laminar and turbulent flow will also be studied. The experiment was done using a pipe with a known diameter, and water was pumped in from a tank. Throughout the process, measurements of the quantity of water and time were taken as well as the hydraulic gradient. With these different parameters, the flow rate, Reynolds number and friction factor were able to be calculated for each test for water and mercury. The main purpose of the process was to analyse and identify the regions of laminar flow, and turbulent flow, as well as the transitional region in between. These values enable the calculation of the friction factor of the pipes for specific flow rates.
2.0 Background
The viscosity (µ) in the pipe flow of a fluid produces friction (shear stress) between lumps of fluid as they pass each other. This causes the fluid to cling to the boundary in the flow field.
Reynolds number (Re) is the ratio of fluid momentum to viscous forces.
Re=ρVDμ
This ratio allows the flow of a fluid to be distinguished; this flow can either be laminar, turbulent or transitional.
Laminar flow only occurs when the flow of a fluid is smooth and steady; a small Reynolds number defines a flow as laminar (less than 2300).
Turbulent flow is the opposite of laminar flow; here the flow is unsteady and has random fluctuations. A large Reynolds number defines a flow as turbulent (greater than 4000). For turbulent flow the viscous affects are negligible and turbulent flow is therefore known as inviscid.
Transitional flow is a mixture of the two flows, as it is neither completely steady nor unsteady, and sits in between the change from laminar to transitional with a Reynolds number in between (greater than 2300 but less than 4000)