HWM-21806 Introduction to Hydraulics

Course

Credits 6.00

Teaching methodContact hours
Lectures36
Practical extensively supervised26
Course coordinator(s)drs. PJJF Torfs
Lecturer(s)prof. dr. ir. R Uijlenhoet
drs. PJJF Torfs
drs. MP Boersema
Examiner(s)drs. PJJF Torfs

Language of instruction:

Dutch

Assumed knowledge on:

LAD-10806 Soil and Water I and AEW-21306 Soil and Water II

Contents:

This course is designed for students who need a basic knowledge about hydraulics as an introduction to application oriented courses such as the design of irrigation systems and hydraulic structures. By concentrating on a detailed explanation of the laws of conservation of mass, momentum and energy, the course aims at providing the student a clear understanding of steady water flow through conduits, canals and soils. The course uses a text book which is compatible with this set-up. In this text book, proofs, derivations, theory and worked examples are given in full but using simple mathematical notation and an ample amount of clarifying text. The following topics are covered: hydrostatics, measurement of pressure, flow and discharge, flow through pipelines, uniform and non-uniform open channel flow and steady flow around hydraulic structures. The course provides basic knowledge of hydraulics and hydrometry for application in the fields of irrigation, drainage, erosion, water conservation and flood protection.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
- apply the laws of conservation of mass, energy and momentum to hydraulic problems;
- calculate hydrostatic and -dynamic pressures and resultant forces on structures;
- calculate water level and flow velocity in uniform open channel flow, when cross sectional area, slope of the channel and roughness are known or can be measured;
- calculate surface level profiles for gradually varying non-uniform flow (back water curve, draw down curve), with the aim to know the consequences of measures in currents and streams;
- measure the discharge in small open channels by using discharge measurement techniques including the velocity area method, the slope area method, the dilution method;
- apply discharge formulas for discharge measurement structures;
- calculate energy losses in closed pipe systems by applying friction coefficients and loss coefficients from literature.

Activities:

- lectures;
- extensive practicals to practice hydraulic phenomena in the hydraulics laboratory.
Examples are: flow over a weir, hydraulic jump, discharge measurement in open channels, visualizing energy loss, backwater and draw down curves.

Examination:

The subject Hydraulics and Hydrometry includes 6 credits, from which 60% is reserved for the theoretical part of hydraulics, 20% for the theoretical part of hydrometry and 20% for the practical part. The final mark will be determined according to this ratio.
Both for the two theoretical parts and the practical part a minimum mark of 5,0 is required. After participating an examination or practical work, always the last obtained mark per part will count.

Literature:

Understanding Hydraulics by L. Hamill ( 2001, 2nd ed.), MacMillan Press LTD. Hydrometry by W. Boiten and laboratory practical guide Hydraulics/Hydrometry.

ProgrammePhaseSpecializationPeriod
Compulsory for: BILInternational Land and Water ManagementBSc5AF