Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

A sound understanding of practical hydraulics, i.e., the physics of water, has always been useful for those working in the water industry. Therefore, all who enter the industry should be aware of the physical precepts of water. For example, environmental design is often underpinned by physical factors rather than biological or chemical phenomena. However, many people who now enter the water industry who do not have a traditional engineering training. Many of such individuals are unaware of, and even intimidated by, hydraulic principles that are extremely useful. This course is designed to be an accessible and practical introduction to this area. It will introduce the founding concepts of hydraulics and show how they can be applied to problems in drainage, sewers, pipelines, water supply systems, and the specification of pumps. A key element is learning how one integrates hydraulic, biological, and chemical principles into environmental engineering design.

Outline Of Syllabus

Conceptual basics: Statics, the conservation of mass and energy (Bernoulli's equation), ideal and non-ideal flow Reynolds number. Pipe Flow: Empirical and theoretical equations, simple pipes, branched networks, circular networks, flow measurement. Open channel flow: Uniform flow and Manning's equation, non-uniform flow, the design of drainage networks, and flow measurement. Pumps: Pump types, optimal selection and management. Network analysis: An introduction to hydraulic network optimization will be provided, using EPANET for water distribution systems. Integrated design: Designing a water supply pipeline in a mountainous rural environment and then recommendation the most suitable water source based on biological and chemical factors for the remote community.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

1)The governing precepts of hydraulics, an awareness of how hydraulics underpins most other topics within environmental engineering and science. (M1,M3)
2)To understand relationships between hydraulics in environmental systems and energy use. (M2, M6)
3)To increase awareness of emerging issues in hydraulics and environmental systems. (M4, M7, M13)
4)To think holistically about environmental design, including physics, biology and chemistry (M13, M6)

Intended Skill Outcomes

1)To be capable of performing simple calculations related to hydraulic flow, pressure and energy as they pertain to transmission in water and waste systems. (M1, M2, M3)
2)To be able to design simple pipelines and open channel systems and select suitable pumps. (M3, M4, M5)
3)Practical use of EPANET to determine flows and energy loss in a water distribution system. (M12)
4)To design a simple pipeline and assess possible water sources for a community. (M13, M5)

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Basic principles will be provided in the lectures and physical practices provided in laboratory and field activities. Problem solving ability and confidence will be built up in the tutorials and through independent study, which will be followed up with face-to-face tutorials, workshop activity, and practicals. Practical activity includes work with EPANET software in the computer cluster and field work on the Ouseburn River. The exam and design report will be used to revise, reinforce and apply learned materials from the lectures.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The exam assesses the student’s ability to perform hydraulic calculations in practical problems and qualitative knowledge related to professional elements of the class. The report assesses the ability to write a report, perform hydraulic calculations that consider biological and chemical factors, and design a catchment monitoring system.

General Notes

N/A