A First Course in Fluid Mechanics for Engineers[RareAbyss]

A good knowledge of Fluid mechanics is essential for Chemical, Mechanical and Civil engineers. As a result it is taught at a very early stage in degree courses on those disciplines.

A First Course in Fluid Mechanics covers the basics of the engineering fluid mechanics without delving into deeper more mathematical concepts.

Building from most basic concepts such as physical properties of fluids, it covers the topics in fluid statics and dynamics. Hydrostatic pressure, buoyancy and forces on immersed bodies are discussed under fluid statics.

Under fluid dynamics, Bernoulli’s principle is introduced. Furthermore, the nature of fluid flows is discussed in engineering context. Laminar and turbulent flows in pipes are explained in detail.

Finally hydraulic design is discussed paying attention to pump capacity calculations.

This textbook is levelled at first year undergraduate students.

Content

A Word ....
Physics of Fluids
Introduction
Nature of fluids
Fluid as a continuum
Properties of fluids
Fluid Mechanics
References
Fluid Statics
Introduction
Pressure
Pressure at a point
Pressure variation in a static fluid
Pressure and head
Use of hydraulic pressure
Buoyancy
Force on immersed plates
References
Dimensional analysis
Introduction
Dimensional homogeneity
Buckingham’ Pi theorem
Uses of dimensional analysis
Basics of Fluid Flow
Introduction
Velocity field
Control volume and system representation
Continuity of flow
Types of flow
Bernoulli equation
Physical meaning of the Bernoulli equation
Applications of Bernoulli equation
Linear Momentum
References
Laminar and Turbulent Flow
Introduction
Laminar Flow
Turbulent flows
References
Viscous Flow in Pipes
Introduction
Laminar flow in a circular pipe
Turbulent flow in a pipe
Bernoulli Equation revisited
Losses in pipes
Other head losses in pipes
References
Pumping of liquids
Introduction
Pump classification
Centrifugal pumps
Bernoulli’s equation and system head
System curve
Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH)
Flow Control
Some remarks on practical issues
References

About the Author

Buddhi Hewakandamby is a Chemical Engineer who has been working on problems related to fluid dynamics for more than 15 years.

He has earned a doctorate in Chemical Engineering in 2002 for his work on thin film flows and has held research positions related to CFD and microfluidics.

He has written several book chapters and peer reviewed journal articles on experimental and computational fluid mechanics and has shared the Moulton Medal awarded by IChemE in 2010 with several of his colleagues.

He is currently a lecturer in Chemical Engineering at the University of Nottingham, UK.