Aims

A sound grasp of practical hydraulics has always been useful for those working in the water industry. However, our new realisation of the need to be very careful with energy costs has reinforced this need. All those entering the industry should be aware of the precepts of sound hydraulic design without neccesarily being highly skilled hydraulic engineers. However, many people are now entering the industry who do not have a traditional engineering training. Many of these individuals are unaware of, and even intimidated by the kinds of hydraulics that would find extremely useful. This course is an accessible and practical introduction to the area. It will introduce them to the founding concepts of hydraulics and show how they can be applied to problems in drainage, sewer design, water supply and the specification of pumps. A brief glance into more advanced aspects such as computational fluid dynamics will also be offered.

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; Manning's equation and transport of solids, the design of simple sewers and drainage networks and flow measurement. Pumps. Pump types, optimal selection and management. An introduction to contemporary tools in hydraulic, network optimisation, computational fluid dynamics

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The precepts will be imparted in the lectures and the physical reality illustrated in the laboratory. Problem solving ability and confidence will be built up in independant study and through follow up activities associated with the practicals.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The exam will examine competence with theory whilst the coursework will monitor attendance and grasp of relevant practical work