MECHANICAL AND MAINTENANCE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

FOURAH BAY COLLEGE

UNIVERSITY OF SIERRA LEONE

Final Examination for the Degree of B. Eng.

FLUID MECHANICS- (MENG-215)

FIRST SEMESTER - JUNE 2022

Question 1

a) Atmospheric Pressure: The atmospheric pressure (P atm) may be defined as a normal

pressure exerted by atmospheric air on all surfaces with which it is in contact. It varies
with altitude and it is measured by a barometer. Atmospheric pressure is also called
barometric pressure [2]

Gauge Pressure: The difference between the absolute pressure and the local atmospheric
pressure. 𝑃𝐺𝑎𝑢𝑔𝑒 = 𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 − 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚
[2]
Vacuum Pressure: These are pressures below atmospheric pressure and are measured by
vacuum gages that indicate the difference between the atmospheric pressure and the
absolute pressure. 𝑃𝑣𝑎𝑐 = 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 − 𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠 [ 2 ]

ABSOLUTE PRESSURE: The actual pressure at a given position is called the absolute
pressure, and it is measured relative to absolute vacuum. [2]
b) Given data

Let ℎ1 be the height of the air

column, ℎ2 be the height of the
gasoline column and ℎ3 be the
height of water column

ℎ = 30 𝑐𝑚 = 0.3 𝑚 [2]

ℎ3 = 1.8 𝑐𝑚 = 0.018 𝑚

𝑠𝑝. 𝑔𝑟 = 0.68

𝜌𝑎𝑖𝑟 = 1.21 𝑘𝑔/𝑚 3.

∴ Height of gasoline in the tank= ℎ2 = (0.3 − 0.018 − ℎ1 ) = 0.282 − ℎ1 [ 2 ]

When the tank is full of gasoline, we get:

𝑃 = 𝜌𝑔ℎ = 0.68 × 1000 × 9.81 × 0.3 = 2001.24 𝑁/𝑚 2 [ 2 ]

Since the tank contain contains three fluid columns, we have

𝑃 = 𝑃𝐴𝐼𝑅 + 𝑃𝐺𝐴𝑆𝑂𝐿𝐼𝑁𝐸 + 𝑃𝑊𝐴𝑇𝐸𝑅

𝑃 = 𝜌𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑔ℎ1 + 𝜌𝑔𝑎𝑠𝑔ℎ2 + 𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑔ℎ3[ 2 ]

2001.24 = 9.81[1.21ℎ1 + 680(0.282 − ℎ1 ) + 1000(0.018)] [ 2 ]

204 = 1.21ℎ1 + 191.76 − 680ℎ1 + 18

204 = 209.76 − 606.79ℎ1

ℎ1 = 8.485 × 10−3 𝑚 = 0.848 𝑐𝑚 [ 2 ] Total=20 marks

Question 2

The following are the advantages of manometers.

i. They are relatively inexpensive, easy to fabricate and have good accuracy.
ii. They have high sensitivity (i.e., respond rapidly to pressure changes).
[3]
iii. Manometers require little maintenance and they do not get affected by vibrations.
iv. Manometers are suited to low pressure and low differential pressures measurement
v. Sensitivity can be changed by changing the quantity of manometric liquid

The following are the limitations of manometers.

i. Manometers cannot be used conveniently for large pressure differences although it is

possible to connect a number of manometers in series and to use mercury as the
manometric fluid to improve the range.
[3]
ii. Some liquids are unsuitable for use as manometric fluids because they do not form
well-defined menisci.

iii. Surface tension can also cause errors due to capillary rise.

iv. Manometers have slow response, which makes it unsuitable for measuring
fluctuating pressures
Consider the left hand limb of the manometer:

𝑃𝑥𝑥 = 𝑃𝐴 + 𝜌1 𝑔(ℎ1 + ℎ2 + ℎ) [2]

Consider the right hand limb of the manometer:

𝑃𝑥𝑥 = 𝑃𝐵 + 𝜌2 𝑔ℎ2 + 𝜌𝑚 𝑔ℎ [2]

Since pressures at the same horizontal level are equal, we have:

𝑃𝐴 + 𝜌1 𝑔(ℎ1 + ℎ2 + ℎ) = 𝑃𝐵 + 𝜌2 𝑔ℎ2 + 𝜌𝑚 𝑔ℎ [2]

𝑃𝐴 − 𝑃𝐵 = 𝜌2 𝑔ℎ2 + 𝜌𝑚𝑔ℎ − 𝜌1 𝑔(ℎ1 + ℎ2 + ℎ)

𝑃𝐴 − 𝑃𝐵 = 𝑔[ℎ2 (𝜌2 − 𝜌1 ) − 𝜌1 ℎ1 + ℎ(𝜌𝑚 − 𝜌1 )] [ 2 ]

Let h be the difference of mercury level in the U-tube

𝜌1 = 0.9 × 1000 = 900 𝑘𝑔𝑚 −3

𝜌2 = 1.45 × 1000 = 1450 𝑘𝑔𝑚 −3 [2]

𝜌𝑚 = 13.6 × 1000 = 13600 𝑘𝑔𝑚 −3

𝑃𝐴 − 𝑃𝐵 = 𝑔[ℎ2 (𝜌2 − 𝜌1 ) − 𝜌1 ℎ1 + ℎ(𝜌𝑚 − 𝜌1 )]

(1.75 − 1) × 105 = 9.81[1.5(1.45 − 0.9) − (0.9 × 2.5) + ℎ(13.6 − 0.9)] × 103 [2]

0.75 × 102 = 9.81(0.825 − 2.25 + 12.7ℎ)

7.645 = −1.425 + 12.7ℎ

12.7ℎ = 9.07

ℎ = 0.714 𝑚 [2]
Question 3

[2]

𝐶𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑒 = 1.2 × 1.9 = 1.08 𝑚 2 [ 1 ]

𝑦1 = 0.45 sin 50° = 0.3447 m [ 1 ]

̅̅̅

𝐹𝑅1 = 𝜔𝐴𝑦
̅̅̅1 = 1025 × 9.81 × 1.08 × 0.3447 = 3743.3 𝑁 [1]

1 1
𝐼𝑥𝑥 = 𝐵𝐷 3 = × 1.2 × 0.93 = 0.0729 𝑚 4
12 12

𝐼𝑥𝑥 sin2 𝜙
ℎ𝑐𝑝1 = 𝑦1 [ 1 ]
+ ̅̅̅
𝐴𝑦̅̅̅1

0.0729 × sin2 (50°)

= + 0.3447 = 0.3843 m [1]
1.08 × 0.3447

Therefore the distaance from the point of application of the hydrostatic force to the
hinge at B is given by;

ℎ𝑐𝑝1 0.3843
|𝐵𝐶| = = = 0.502 𝑚 [1]
sin 50° sin 50°

Consider anaysis for the fresh water side of the gate

𝑦2 = (h + 0.45 sin 50°) = (h + 0.3447 )m

̅̅̅ [1]

̅̅̅1 = 1000 × 9.81 × 1.08 × (h + 0.3447 ) = 10594.8(h + 0.3447 )𝑁

𝐹𝑅2 = 𝜔𝐴𝑦 [1]
 𝐼𝑥𝑥 sin2 𝜙
𝑦2 =
ℎ𝑐𝑝2 − ̅̅̅ [1]
𝐴𝑦̅̅̅2

0.0729 × sin2 (50°)

=
1.08 × (h + 0.3447 )

0.0396
=
(h + 0.3447 ) [1]

ℎ𝑐𝑝2 − ̅̅̅
𝑦2
= sin 50° [ 1 ]
|𝐷𝐺|

𝑦2
ℎ𝑐𝑝2 − ̅̅̅
|𝐷𝐺| =
sin 50°
0.0396
(ℎ + 0.3447 ) 0.0517
|𝐷𝐺| =
sin 50°
=
(h + 0.3447 ) [1]

Therefore the distance from the point of application of the hydrostatic force to the
hinge at B is given by;

|𝐵𝐷 | = |𝐷𝐺 | + |𝐺𝐵 | [ 1 ]

0.0517
|𝐵𝐷 | = + 0.45 [1]
(h + 0.3447 )

Taking moment about the hinge at B

𝐹𝑅2 × |𝐵𝐷 | − 𝐹𝑅1 × |𝐵𝐶 | = 𝑊 × 0.45 cos 50° [ 1 ]

0.0517
10594.8(h + 0.3447 ) [ + 0.45] − 3743.3 (0.502) = 500(9.81)(0.289) [1]
(h + 0.3447 )

10594.8[0.0517 + 0.45(h + 0.3447 )] = 3297.93

0.0517 + 0.45(h + 0.3447 ) = 0.3113

0.45(h + 0.3447 ) = 0.2596

h + 0.3447 = 0.5769

h = 0.23 [2]
Question 4

[1]

Let 𝑣 be the volume and ρ be the density of the metallic body. 𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑣1 = 0 3.5𝑣 be the
volume of the body submerged into mercury, 𝑣2 = 0.65𝑣 be the volume submerged into
water, 𝜌𝐻𝑔 = 13600 𝑘𝑔/𝑚 3 and 𝜌𝑤 = 1000 𝑘𝑔/𝑚 3 [1]

𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑖𝑒𝑐𝑒 = 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝐻𝑔 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑑 + 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝐻2 𝑂 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑑 [1]

𝜌𝑔𝑣 = 𝜌𝐻𝑔 𝑔𝑣1 + 𝜌𝑤 𝑔𝑣2 [1]

𝜌𝑣 = 𝜌𝐻𝑔 𝑣1 + 𝜌𝑤 𝑣2

𝜌 × 𝑣 = 13600 × 0.35𝑣 + 1000 × 0.65𝑣

𝜌 = 5410 𝑘𝑔/𝑚 3 [2 ]

a)

[2 ]
Let 𝑑 is the depth or height of the pontoon and 𝑏 is its width or breadth and ℎ is the depth
of immersion. Total volume of water displaced is given by,

𝑊 2750
𝑣= = = 275 𝑚 3 [1]
𝜌𝑔 10

Depth to centre of buoyancy:

ℎ 𝑑 − 𝑦 𝑑 − 0.6
𝑂𝐵 = = = [1]
2 2 2

Distance to centre of gravity from bottom:

𝑑
𝑂𝐺 = + 0.25 [1]
2

𝑑 𝑑 − 0.6
𝐵𝐺 = 𝑂𝐺 − 𝑂𝐵 = ( + 0.25) − ( ) = 0.55 [1]
2 2

1 3
𝐼 12 × 20𝑏 𝑏3
𝐵𝑀 = = = [2]
𝑉 275 165

𝐺𝑀 = 𝐵𝑀 − 𝐵𝐺 [1]

𝑏3
1= − 0.55
165
3
𝑏 = √1.55 × 165 = 6.35 𝑚 [2]

𝑣 = 𝑙𝑏ℎ = 20 × 6.35 × (𝑑 − 0.6) [1]

275 = 127(𝑑 − 0.6)

2.165 = 𝑑 − 0.6

𝑑 = 2.165 + 0.6 = 2.765 𝑚 [2]

Question 5

[3]

Considering one-metre horizontal width of the dam

Horizontal component of water force:

𝐹𝐻 = 𝑇ℎ𝑟𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑜𝑛 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐴𝐶 𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ = 𝜌𝑔𝐴𝑦̅

1
= 9810 × (1 × 27) × × 27 = 3.576 × 106 𝑁 [2]
2

2
𝑦̅ = × 27 𝑚 = 18 𝑚 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝐵𝐶 [2]
3

Vertical component:

𝐹𝑉 = 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝐴𝐵𝐶

Note that the equation of a parabola is given by

18𝑦 = 𝑥 2
 27
1
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝐴𝐵𝐶 = ∫ 𝑥𝑑𝑦 = √18 ∫ 𝑦 2 𝑑𝑦 [2]
0

2 [1]
= √18 × × 273/2 = 396.8 𝑚 2
3

∴ 𝐹𝑉 = 9810 × 396.8 × 1 = 3.893 × 106 𝑁 [1]

The vertical force acts through centroid of ABC. Taking moments of area about AC:

1 27 2 27
396.8𝑥̅ = ∫ 𝑥 𝑑𝑦 = 9 ∫ 𝑦𝑑𝑦 [2]
2 0 0

1
= × 9 × 272 = 3280.5
2

3280.5
∴ 𝑥̅ = = 8.27 𝑚 [1]
396.8

Resultant force:

𝑅 = √𝐹𝑣2 + 𝐹𝐻2 = √((3.5762 + 3.8932 ) × 106 = 5.29 × 106 𝑁 [1]

If 𝜃 is the angle of inclination of 𝑅 to the horizontal

𝐹𝑉 3.576 × 106
tan 𝜃 = =
𝐹𝐻 3.893 × 106

𝜃 = tan−1 (0.9185) = 42.57° [1]

The resultant intersects free surface at at point D.

|𝐶𝐷 | = 𝑦̅ tan 𝜃 − 𝑥̅ [2]

= 18 tan 𝜃 − 8.27

= 18 𝑡𝑎𝑛 42.57 − 8.27 = 8.27 𝑚 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝐶 [2]

Question 6

[2]

The stability of a floating body is determined by the relative position of the centre of
gravity G and the metacentre M of the body

1. The body remains in stable equilibrium when G lies below M.

[2]
2. The body remains in unstable equilibrium when G lies above M.

3. The body remains in neutral equilibrium when G coincides with M.

Given data

𝐷 = 1 .4 𝑚

𝑑 = 1𝑚

𝑊1 = 4400 𝑁
[2]
𝜔 = 104 𝑁/𝑚 3

𝑊2 = 440 𝑁

Let 𝑣 be the volume of water displaced, ℎ𝐺 be the height of centre of gravity 𝐺2 above the
base and ℎ be the depth of immersion.
 𝑊 = 𝑊1 + 𝑊2 = 4400 + 440 = 4840 𝑁 [1]

𝑊 4840 𝑁
𝑣= = 4 3
= 0.484 𝑚 3 [1]
𝜔 10 𝑁/𝑚

Weight of the arrangement = Weight of water displaced by the buoy in water

𝑊 = 𝜌𝑔 × 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑑 [1]

𝜋 2
𝑊 = 𝜔× 𝐷 ℎ [1]
4
𝜋
4840 = 104 × × 1. 42 × ℎ
4

4840
ℎ= 𝜋 = 0.3144 𝑚 [1]
104 × × 1. 42
4

ℎ 0.3144
𝑂𝐵 = = = 0.1572 𝑚 [1]
2 2
𝜋 4 𝜋
𝐼 64 𝐷 × 1.44
𝐵𝑀 = = = 64 = 0.3896 𝑚 [1]
𝑉 𝑣 0.484

𝑂𝑀 = 𝑂𝐵 + 𝐵𝑀 = 0.1572 + 0.3896 = 0.5468 𝑚 [1]

𝑑 1
𝑂𝐺1 = = = 0.5 𝑚 [0.5]
2 2

𝑂𝐺2 = ℎ𝐺 [0.5]

The position of the combined centre of gravity G above the base point O can be determined
by taking the moments about point O and we get the expression as follows

𝑊 × 𝑂𝐺 = 𝑊1 × 𝑂𝐺1 + 𝑊2 × 𝑂𝐺2 [1]

𝑊1 × 𝑂𝐺1 + 𝑊2 × 𝑂𝐺2 (4400 × 0.5) + 440ℎ𝐺

𝑂𝐺 = = = 0.4545 + 0.091ℎ𝐺 [1]
𝑊 4840

For stable equilibrium, M should lie above G, i.e., 𝑂𝑀 > 𝑂𝐺 and we get:

0.5468 > 0.4545 + 0.091ℎ𝐺 [1]

0.091ℎ𝐺 < 0.5468 − 0.4545

 0.091ℎ𝐺 < 0.0923

ℎ𝐺 < 1.0143 [1]

Thus, the height of centre of gravity of the load above the buoy should not be more than

= 1.0143 − 1 = 0.0143 𝑚 [1]

Question 7

[1]

Let the difference in height between the oil and water interfaces be 𝑍. When the 𝑃1 = 𝑃2

Consider pressure at the point AA in both legs of the manometer.

For the left hand limb:

𝑃𝐴𝐴 = 𝑝1 + 𝜌𝑜 𝑔𝐻0 [1]

For the right hand limb:

 𝑃𝐵𝐵 = 𝑝2 + 𝜌𝑤 𝑔(𝐻0 − 𝐻1 ) [1]

For pressure equality at the same horizontal height

𝜌𝑜 𝑔𝐻0 = 𝜌𝑤 𝑔(𝐻0 − 𝐻1 ) [1]

𝜌𝑜 𝐻0 = 𝜌𝑤 (𝐻0 − 𝐻1 )

𝜌𝑤 𝐻1 = 𝜌𝑤 𝐻0 − 𝜌𝑜 𝐻0

𝜌𝑜
𝐻1 = 𝐻0 − 𝐻
𝜌𝑤 0

𝜌𝑜
𝐻1 = 𝐻0 (1 − ) [1]
𝜌𝑤

Assuming the interface of the liquids move upward through a distance ℎ. The pressure at
point BB will always be equal since the below the point BB the manometer is filled with
water throughout.

For pressure equality at the point AA and knowing that 𝑃1 = 𝑃2 , we get

𝑃1 + 𝜌𝑤 𝑔𝑦 = 𝑃2 + 𝜌𝑜 𝑔𝐻0 [1]
𝜌𝑜
𝑦= 𝐻 [1]
𝜌𝑤 0

Volume displaced in enlarged section = volume displaced in the limb [1]

𝐴𝑍 = 𝑎ℎ

𝑎
𝑍= ℎ [1]
𝐴

Consider the left hand limb:

𝑃𝐵𝐵 = 𝑃1 + 𝜌𝑜 𝑔(𝐻0 + 𝑍 − ℎ) [1]

Consider the right hand limb:

𝑃𝐵𝐵 = 𝑃2 + 𝜌𝑤 𝑔(𝑦 − 𝑍 − ℎ) [1]

Equating equations and we have

𝑃2 + 𝜌𝑤 𝑔(𝑦 − 𝑍 − ℎ) = 𝑃1 + 𝜌𝑜 𝑔(𝐻0 + 𝑍 − ℎ) [1]

𝑃2 − 𝑃1 = 𝜌𝑜 𝑔(𝐻0 + 𝑍 − ℎ) − 𝜌𝑤 𝑔(𝑦 − 𝑍 − ℎ)

𝑃2 − 𝑃1 = 𝜌𝑜 𝑔𝐻0 + 𝜌𝑜 𝑔𝑍 − 𝜌𝑜 𝑔ℎ − 𝜌𝑤 𝑔𝑦 + 𝜌𝑤 𝑔𝑍 + 𝜌𝑤 𝑔ℎ

𝜌𝑜
𝑃2 − 𝑃1 = 𝜌𝑜 𝑔𝐻0 + 𝜌𝑜 𝑔𝑍 − 𝜌𝑜 𝑔ℎ − 𝜌𝑤 𝑔 ( 𝐻0 ) + 𝜌𝑤 𝑔𝑍 + 𝜌𝑤 𝑔ℎ
𝜌𝑤

𝑃2 − 𝑃1 = 𝜌𝑜 𝑔𝐻0 + 𝜌𝑜 𝑔𝑍 − 𝜌𝑜 𝑔ℎ − 𝜌𝑜 𝑔𝐻0 + 𝜌𝑤 𝑔𝑍 + 𝜌𝑤 𝑔ℎ

𝑃2 − 𝑃1 = 𝜌𝑜 𝑔𝑍 − 𝜌𝑜 𝑔ℎ + 𝜌𝑤 𝑔𝑍 + 𝜌𝑤 𝑔ℎ

𝑃2 − 𝑃1 = 𝜌𝑤 𝑔(ℎ + 𝑍 ) − 𝜌𝑜 𝑔(ℎ − 𝑍 )

𝑎 𝑎
𝑃2 − 𝑃1 = 𝜌𝑤 𝑔 (ℎ + ℎ) − 𝜌𝑜 𝑔 (ℎ − ℎ)
𝐴 𝐴
𝑎 𝑎
𝑃2 − 𝑃1 = 𝜌𝑤 𝑔ℎ (1 + ) − 𝜌𝑜 𝑔ℎ (1 − )
𝐴 𝐴

𝑃2 − 𝑃1
ℎ= 𝑎 𝑎
𝜌𝑤 𝑔 (1 + ) − 𝜌𝑜 𝑔 (1 − ) [1]
𝐴 𝐴

200
100 × 10−3 = 𝑎 𝑎 [1]
1000 × 9.81 (1 + ) − 800 × 9.81 (1 − )
𝐴 𝐴

200
0.1 = 𝑎 𝑎
9810 (1 + ) − 7848 (1 − )
𝐴 𝐴
𝑎 𝑎
981 (1 + ) − 784.8 (1 − ) = 200
𝐴 𝐴
𝑎
196.2 + 1765.8 = 200
𝐴
𝑎
1765.8 = 3.8
𝐴
𝑎 [1]
= 2.15 × 10−3
𝐴
 𝜋
× (5 × 10−3 )2
4 = 2.15 × 10−3
𝜋 2
×𝐷
4

(5 × 10−3 )2
𝐷2 = = 0.01162
2.15 × 10−3

𝐷 = 0.1078 𝑚 = 107.8 𝑚𝑚

When 𝑎 = 𝐴

𝑃2 − 𝑃1
ℎ= [1]
𝑎 𝑎
𝜌𝑤 𝑔 (1 + ) − 𝜌𝑜 𝑔 (1 − )
𝑎 𝑎

𝑃2 − 𝑃1
ℎ=
2𝜌𝑤 𝑔 − 2𝜌𝑜 𝑔

𝑃2 − 𝑃1
ℎ= [1]
2𝑔 (𝜌𝑤 − 𝜌𝑜 )

200
ℎ= = 0.0509𝑚
2 × 9.81(1000 − 800)

ℎ = 50.9𝑚 [1]