The purpose of the hydraulics module is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and applications of fluid mechanics in hydraulic engineering. The module aims to equip students with the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to analyse, design, and optimise hydraulic systems, while fostering a sense of environmental responsibility and ethical considerations in hydraulic engineering practices. Through a series of lectures, seminars and tutorials focused on problem-solving exercises, the module seeks to prepare students for real-world challenges in the field of hydraulic engineering and instill a lifelong learning attitude to stay updated with advancements in the field.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this module, students will be able to:
1. Describe the fundamental principles of hydraulics, including fluid properties, pressure, flow, and energy principles.
2. Analyse fluid flow in pipes, channels, and open channels using various techniques such as Bernoulli’s equation, continuity and energy equations.
3. Explain the behaviour of fluids in different flow regimes (e.g. laminar or turbulent), identify and compute the corresponding Reynolds numbers.
4. Design and analyse simple hydraulic systems, including pumps and pipelines, while considering efficiency, flow rate, and pressure requirements.
5. Perform calculations for head loss and pressure drop in pipelines and channels, considering various factors such as friction losses, fittings, and elevation changes.
6. Understand the principles of fluid measurement techniques and devices like the Venturi meter.
7. Analyse and design open-channel flow systems, while considering different flow conditions, the channel’s design parameter and hydraulic structures.
8. Demonstrate knowledge of the working principles and applications of hydraulic machines like turbines and pumps.
9. Apply computational methods for the analysis of real-world hydraulic problems, recognize and discuss the environmental impacts of hydraulic engineering projects and explore sustainable solutions.
10. Apply knowledge of best practice standards, safety regulations and ethical considerations related to hydraulic engineering.
Course Content
The fundamentals of fluid mechanics are briefly revisited first and then the basic principles of hydrostatics and hydrodynamics are introduced. The flow of incompressible fluid in closed pipes is discussed in more depth, followed by pipeline syndesmology, tanks, hydraulic machines, and networks including all the aforementioned. Lectures then focus in open channel flow, where the different flow regimes, the influence of the channel design and of hydraulic structures, the optimization of a channels shape and complex channel shapes are all discussed.
Number of ECTS
5
Level of Course
1st Cycle (Bachelor’s Degree)
Lectures/Week
2 (1.5 hours per lecture)
Prerequisites
Not Applicable
Co-requisites
Not Applicable
Teaching Methodology
Lectures and tutorials (3 hours per week plus 1.5 hours per week of tutorials)
Assessment
Midterm (35%) and final (60%) exam, and class contribution (5%).
Bibliography
1. Fluid Mechanics, Aggelos Th. Papaioannou. 2002. 2nd edition, vol Il. Korali publications (in Greek).
2. Applied Hydraulics, Α. I. Stamou. 2016, 3rd edition, Papasotiriou publications (in Greek).
3. Open channel hydraulics. Akan, A.Osman. 2006. Amsterdam. Boston. Elsevier/Butterworth-Heinemann.
4. Closed and open channel hydraulics. Alexandros Dimitrokopoulos. 1st edit.1996. Patra: University of Patra. Civil Eng. Depart.. 2nd edit. 2018. GOTSIS publications.
