Ok FM-AA-CIA-15 Rev.

0 10-July-2020

Study Guide i n CE 315 – Fluid Mechanics

Module No. 2

STUDY GUIDE FOR MODULE NO. 2

PROPERTIES OF FLUIDS

MODULE OVERVIEW

Welcome to CE 315 – Fluid Mechanics!

This Study Guide will provide some preliminary information to help you get started. Please read
carefully to help prepare you to start off this course successfully.

This course deals with the study of fluid mechanics and establishes its relevance in civil
engineering. In this module, you will learn the different types of fluids, properties, and the
fundamental principles underlying the subject.

MODULE LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this module 2, you should be able to:

1. Identify the different types of fluids

2. Identify where fluid mechanics concepts are common with those of solid mechanics and indicate
some fundamental areas of difference 3. Identify the fundamental properties of fluids

2.1 Properties of Fluids

Distinction Between A Solid And A Fluid

The molecules of a solid are usually closer together than those of a fluid. The attractive
forces between the molecules of a solid are so large that a solid tends to retain its shape. This is not
the case for a fluid, where the attractive forces between the molecules are smaller. An ideal elastic
solid will deform under load and, once the load is removed, will return to its original state. Some
solids are plastic. These deform under the action of a sufficient load and deformation continues as
long as a load is applied, providing the material does not rupture. Deformation ceases when the
load is removed, but the plastic solid does not return to its original state. The intermolecular
cohesive forces in a fluid are not great enough to hold the various elements of the fluid together.
Hence a fluid will flow under the action of the slightest stress and flow will continue as long as the
stress is present.

Distinction Between A Gas And A Liquid

A fluid may be either a gas or a liquid. The molecules of a gas are much farther apart than
those of a liquid. Hence a gas is very compressible, and when all external pressure is removed, it
tends to expand indefinitely. A gas is therefore in equilibrium only when it is completely enclosed. A
liquid is relatively incompressible, and if all pressure, except that of its own vapor pressure, is
removed, the cohesion between molecules holds them together, so that the liquid does not expand
indefinitely. Therefore a liquid may have a free surface, i.e., a surface from which all pressure is
removed, except that of its own vapor.

A vapor is a gas whose temperature and pressure are such that it is very near the liquid phase.
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Study Guide i n CE 315 – Fluid Mechanics

Module No. 2
Thus steam is considered a vapor because its state is normally not far from that of water. A gas may
be defined as a highly superheated vapor; that is, its state is far removed from the liquid phase.
Thus air is considered a gas because its state is normally very far from that of liquid air.
The volume of a gas or vapor is greatly affected by changes in pressure or temperature or
both. It is usually necessary, therefore, to take account of changes in volume and temperature in
dealing with gases or vapors. Whenever significant temperature or phase changes are involved in
dealing with vapors and gases, the subject is largely dependent on heat phenomena
(thermodynamics).

Fluids are generally divided into two categories: ideal fluids and real fluids.
1. Ideal Fluids
2. Real Fluids

The properties outlines below are general properties of fluids which are of interest in engineering.
The symbol usually used to represent the property is specified together with some typical values in
SI units for common fluids. Values under specific conditions (temperature, pressure etc.) can be
readily found in my course book in Fluid Mechanics (pp.2-5).

 Mass density (), rho = It is defined as the ratio of mass of the fluid to the volume of the
fluid.
 = M / V , in kg/m3

Typical values: Water = 1000 kg/m3, Mercury = 13546 kg/m3, Air = 1.23 kg/m3,
Paraffin Oil = 800 kg/m3

For an ideal gas, its density can be found from the specific gas constant and ideal gas law.

 = P/(RT)
Where: P = absolute pressure of gas in Pa
R = gas constant in Joule / kg°K
R= 287 J/ kg°K
T = absolute temperature in °Kelvin
°K= °C + 273 , °R= °F + 460
 Unit Weight or Specific Weight (γ or sometimes ω) = It is the weight of a unit volume of a
fluid. Or it is the force exerted by gravity, g, upon a unit volume of the substance.
The relationship between g and ω can be determined by Newton’s 2 nd Law, since weight
per unit volume = mass per unit volume × g γ or ω = ρ g , in N/m3

Typical values: Water = 9810 N/m3, Mercury = 132943 N/m3, Air =12.07 N/m3, Paraffin
Oil =7851 N/m3

 Specific Gravity (G) = is a dimensionless ratio of a fluid’s density to some standard

reference density. For liquids and solids, the reference density is water at 4°C (39.2°F). For
solids and liquids this standard mass density is the maximum mass density for water (which
occurs at 4°C) atmospheric pressure. G = ρ / ρs

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Study Guide i n CE 315 – Fluid Mechanics

Module No. 2

Typical values: Water = 1, Mercury = 13.6, Paraffin Oil =0.8

 Viscosity (µ), Mu = It is the property of a fluid which determines the amount of its resistance
to shearing forces. A perfect fluid would have no viscosity. Fluid with a high viscosity such as
syrup, deforms more slowly than fluid with a low viscosity such as water.

µ = τ / (du/dy) , in kg/ms
= (Force/Area) / (Velocity/Distance)
= (Force x Time) / Area = Mass / (Length x Area)

τ = µ du/dy , where τ is the shear stress, and du/dy is the velocity gradient or
rate of shear strain

Typical values: Water =1.14 × 10-3 kg/ms, Air =1.78 × 10-5 kg/ms,
Mercury =1.552 kg/ms, Paraffin Oil =1.9 kg/ms
(Although note that µ is often expressed in Poise, P, where 10 P = 1 kg/ms)

 Kinematic Viscosity (ν), Nu = is defined as the ratio of dynamic viscosity to mass density. ν
= µ / ρ , in m2/s

Typical values: Water =1.14 × 10-6 m2/s, Air =1.46 × 10-5 m2/s,
Mercury =1.145 × 10-4 m2/s, Paraffin Oil =2.375 × 10-3 m2/s
(Although note that ν is often expressed in Stokes, St, where 104 St = 1 m2/s)

 Specific Volume (Vs) = It is the volume occupied by a unit mass of fluid.

Vs =1 / ρ , in m3/kg

 Surface Tension (), sigma = The membrane of “skin” that seems to form on the free
surface of a fluid is due to the intermolecular cohesive forces, and is known as surface
tension. Surface tension is the reason that intersects are able to sit on water and a needle is
able to float on it.
 = Pd / 4 , in N/m
Where: P = gage pressure in Pa
d = diameter of the droplet in m

Read also pp. 1-10 from the Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics revised edition book by Gillesania, DIT
for the properties of fluids.

LEARNING ACTIVITY 2-1

 As you go through this module, for your practice write additional 5 sample problems from the book of
Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics (Gillesania, 2003) on pp. 11-23 with solution in your notebook.

Answer also the following questions:

PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY

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Study Guide i n CE 315 – Fluid Mechanics

Module No. 2
1. What are the two aspects of fluid mechanics which make it different to solid mechanics?
2. Give four characteristics of ideal fluids and real fluids.

Your answer in this activity serves as Learning Activity Number 2 (LAN 2) and will be in checked on
your notebook.

Answer problem set No.1 and this will be submitted on an announced date.

REFERENCE/S

Gillesania, Diego Inocencio T.

Fluid mechanics and hydraulics
c2003, Leyte

King, H. W., Wisler, C. O., and Woodburn, J. G.

Hydraulics
Fifth Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc

LEARNING POINTS

Format of Assignment/Requirements: Sample template will be given

I. COVER PAGE:
a. Pangasinan State University
b. Urdaneta Campus
c. College of Engineering and Architecture
d. Civil Engineering Department
e. __ Sem AY 20__ - 20__

f. Subject Code and Subject Title

g. Assignment Title
h. Assignment Number/Plate Number/Activity Number

i. Submitted by: LAST NAME, GIVEN NAME, M.I.

YR. & SEC.

j. Submitted to: ENGR. LEIZEL M. LOCQUIAO

II. CONTENTS:
a. Learning Activity 2

III. REFERENCES (if any)

Assignments, problem sets, and any other requirements should be submitted thru soft copy in pdf
format with digital signature. Soft copy should be sent via MS TEAMS or private message on
messenger. Files should be named as “FLUIDMECH-3A-LAN1-LocquiaoLM” for learning activity 1 and
“FLUIDMECH-3A-Q1-LocquiaoLM” for Quiz 1.

Prepared By:

LEIZEL M. LOCQUIAO, CE
Faculty, Civil Engineering Department
PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY