UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE

2019 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

Faculty: ENGINEERING

Department: MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Paper Code and Title: ME304 – FLUID MECHANICS

Duration: 3 hrs

Examiner: Eng. E. Mungofa

Authorized Materials: Non Programmable Calculator

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. This paper contains Six Questions in Section A, B and C all in 7 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.
Page 1 of 7
 SECTION A: FLUID STATICS AND APPLICATIONS
QUESTION 1
a) Write short notes on the following
(i) No slip condition, [2 marks]
(ii) Non-Newtonian fluid and [2 marks]
(iii) Continuum Hypothesis [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
𝟏 𝟐
meaning

(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) State of force in a liquid at rest and [5 marks]
ii) Buoyancy force of a submerged curved surface. [5 marks]
iii) Determine the force P required to hold the triangular gate in closed position shown
in figure Q 1, clearly show the steps and assumptions. [5 marks]

Figure Q1: Resultant force on a submerged surface

Page 2 of 7
 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 and [5 marks]
(ii) Non-Newtonian fluids [5 marks]

b) A uniform wooden cylinder has a specific gravity of 0.8. Find the ratio of cylinder diameter,
D, to length of cylinder, L, so that it will just float upright in a state of neutral equilibrium in
water. [5 marks]
c) Show that the hydrostatic force on an inclined plane for surface S is equal to the hydrostatic
force of the same surface placed horizontal at the centroid. [5 marks]

d) With reference to Fig Q2, Determine the velocity, v, at the center given that the ratio of
viscosity for bottom layer to top layer is 1:2 and assuming a steady flow. [5 marks]

Solid plate moving horizontally all the time, determine the value of v(m/s)

U
𝜇2 = 2𝜇1

V=?
b
𝜇1 cb

` Figure Q2: Flow between parallel plates

Page 3 of 7
 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, [2 marks]
ii) Displacement thickness 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) Control Mass and control Volume. [2 marks]
iii) Path-line and Streak-line [2 marks]

c) The Given the following velocity field for an incompressible fluid:

V1 = k (x2 − 2)2 x3
V2 = −x1 .x2
V3 = k x1 x3

Determine k such that the equation of mass conservation is satisfied [3 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 [2 marks]

ii) angular velocity about the z -axis. [2 marks]

e) Construct elaborately labelled sketches of:

i) Specific energy versus flow depth at constant specific discharge, [3 marks]
ii) Specific discharge versus flow depth at constant specific energy [3 marks]

Page 4 of 7
 QUESTION 4
a) With aid of labelled sketches, write down the expression of wetted perimeter and
hydraulic radius for channels of the following geometries:
i) Rectangular channel and [2 marks]
ii) Circular channel. [2 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, [3 marks]
ii) Froude number, and [3 marks]
iii) Alternate depth. [3 marks]

c) The Fig. Q4 shows a restriction in a horizontal channel at a point B created by a smooth reduction in
the channel width. The width at section A is 3.7 m and the width at section B is 2.4 m. If the depth of
flow at section A is 2.5 m and the flow rate is 5m3 /s. Find

3.7 m 2.4 m

A B
i) The depth of flow at section B and [3 marks]
ii) the width at section B will choke the flow. [4 marks]

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, [3 marks]
ii) Force on a pipe nozzle, [3 marks]

Page 5 of 7
 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, [4 marks]
ii) Brake Horse power [4 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. [5 marks]

c) For the system shown in Figure Q5, water flows through the pump at a rate of 50 L/s. The allowable
NPSH (Net Positive Suction Head) 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
cavitation. Include all losses in the suction pipe. [6 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

iii) 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, [2 marks]
(ii) Power of fluid and [2 marks]
(iii) Head on turbine. [2 marks]

Page 6 of 7
 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) A radial-flow pump has the following dimensions;

𝛽1 = 36° 𝑟1 = 26 𝑚𝑚 𝑏1 = 11 𝑚𝑚
𝛽2 = 27° 𝑟2 = 70 𝑚𝑚 𝑏2 = 7 𝑚𝑚
For a rotational speed of 2000rpm, assuming ideal conditions, with ∝1 = 90°, determine
i) Discharge velocity [2 marks]
ii) Theoretical head [2 marks]
iii) Required power [2 marks]
iv) Pressure rise across the impeller and [2 marks]
Hence or otherwise
v) Plot the theoretical head-discharge curve [4 marks]

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, [2 marks]
(ii) 1 pump delivering water above centre line and [2 marks]

****************end of examination**************

Page 7 of 7