ME2134E

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

EXAMINATION FOR

ME2134E FLUID MECHANICS I

(Semester I: 2009/2010)

Time Allowed: 2 Hours

________________________________________________________________________

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

1. This examination paper contains FOUR (4) questions and comprises NINE (9) printed
pages.

2. Answer ALL questions.

3. All questions carry equal marks.

4. This is a Closed Book examination with authorized materials. The candidate is

5. A Moody Chart is provided on page 9 of this paper.

Question 1

(a) For the pipe flow system shown in Figure 1, the diameters at sections 1 and 2 are 8
cm and 5 cm respectively. The velocity at section 1 is V1 = 5 m/s and the
corresponding manometer reading is h = 58 cm of mercury as indicated in Figure 1.
The pressure at the exit is atmospheric and can be taken as 101 kPa. Estimate the
total force resisted by the flange bolts. Take the densities of water and mercury as
water = 1000 kg/m3 and mercury = 13600 kg/m3 respectively.
(17 marks)

1
2

p2=pa=101 kPa
water

Mercury

Figure 1
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(b) The symmetric vee-shaped tube shown in Figure 2 contains water and air. The end B
is closed and the other end on the left is open to atmosphere as indicated in Figure 2.
Determine the pressure of the air in the closed section at point B.

You may use the following information: Atmospheric pressure pa = 101 kPa;
air = 1.2 kg/m3 ; water = 1000 kg/m3.

(8 marks)

1 atm
B

400
1.6m 400
1.85m
0.7m

Figure 2
 4 ME2134E

Question 2

(a) A gate AB as shown in Figure 3 is semicircular (radius = 3 m) when viewed from the
side and hinged at B. It is held in position as shown by a horizontal force P acting at
A. Determine this force P that is required for equilibrium. Take density of water to
be water = 1000 kg/m3. Referring to the side view of the gate as shown in Figure 3,
r 4
the second moment of area about the axix XX is I XX = and the location of CG
8
4r
of the semicircle from O is yCG = .
3
(19 marks)

5m Gate side
Water view
A P

3m r =3m
B
x O x

Figure 3
 5 ME2134E

(b) The U-tube shown in Figure 4 is open at end A and closed at end D. It is accelerated
to the right at uniform acceleration ax. Determine the value of ax that will cause the
pressure at point C to be atmospheric. The fluid in the tube can be taken as water
with water = 1000 kg/m3. State the assumption that you have made, if any.

(6 marks)

D
A

30cm 30cm
B C

30cm

Figure 4
 6 ME2134E

Question 3

(a) A Frisbee is shown in the Figure 5 below. The aerodynamic force F acting on a
Frisbee in flight is affected by the flow velocity U, the Frisbees rotation angular
velocity , fluid density and viscosity , the diameter and height of the Frisbee D
and H, respectively. Use the Buckingham Theorem method to derive all the
dimensionless terms involved. You are advised to use , U and D as repeating
variables.

U H Side view

U D Plan view

Figure 5 Frisbee.
(15 marks)

(b) A Frisbee has a diameter of 200 mm, travels in flight at 10 m/s and spins at an
angular velocity of 60 r.p.m. An experimental investigation is to be conducted in a
wind tunnel by using a wind tunnel model that is 300 mm in diameter. For complete
similarity what should be the experimental flow velocity and Reynolds number? At
what angular velocity (in r.p.m.) should the wind tunnel model spin?
You can assume that air has a density = 1.1691 kg/m3, and dynamic viscosity =
1.845 x 10-5 kg/ms.
(10 marks)
 7 ME2134E

Question 4

(a) A reservoir discharges water to the atmosphere via a pipe with two 90 degrees bends
(see Figure 6 below). Show that the relation between the difference in height
between the reservoir surface and the centre of the pipe exit z and the volume flow
rate of the discharge Q is:

z = rQ 2 .

Express r in the above equation in terms of the pipe friction factor f, pipe centerline
length L and diameter d, entrance loss coefficient KE, bend loss coefficient KB,
gravitational acceleration g and constant .

patm 67.5 m 70 m

2.5 m Rent = 30 mm

z = 5 m
R = 820 mm
2.5 m
R = 820 mm

d = 200 mm

Figure 6 Reservoir and discharge pipe.

(b) For the reservoir/pipe arrangement shown, calculate the numerical value of r, and
hence the mean velocity and volume flow rate at the pipe exit.
Note the following:
1. In terms of minor losses, only the losses at the entrance to the pipe and at the two
bends need to be taken into consideration.
2. The radii at the pipe entrance and the two bends and other relevant dimensions
are given in the a Figure 6 above.
3. Pipe inner wall is rough, and has an average roughness height of 1.2 mm.
4. When estimating the Darcy friction factor of the pipe, you may assume the flow
Reynolds number to be very large.
5. You may find the two graphs from White (2008) shown below useful.

(15 marks)
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