Fluid Mechanics

1. What is the Froude’s number for a channel having mean velocity 4.34 m/s and mean
hydraulic depth of 3m?
Explanation: Froude’s number (Fr) = V/ (gD2)
= 4.34/ (9.81) (32)
= 0.8m.

2. Calculate the mean hydraulic radius for a channel having 20m2 cross sectional area and
50m of wetted perimeter.
Explanation: Hydraulic Radius(R) = A/P
= 20/50
= 0.4m.

3. Calculate the mean hydraulic depth of a channel having top width of 7m and cross
sectional area of 35m2.
Explanation: Hydraulic depth (D) = A/T
= 35/7
= 5m.

4. Estimate the section factor for a channel section having cross sectional area of 40m 2 and
hydraulic depth of 6m.
Explanation: Section factor (Z) = A√D
= 40√6
= 97.9.

5. Calculate the Froude’s number for a channel having discharge of 261.03m3/s, cross
sectional area of 42m2 and the top width being 6m.
Explanation: Fr= V⁄√gD
V = Q/A
V = 261.03/42 = 6.215 m/s
D = A/T = 42/6 = 7m
Fr = 0.75 (Subcritical).

6. Calculate the aspect ratio having channel width of 6m and depth of 8m.
Explanation: Aspect ratio = Depth / width
= 8/6 = 1.33m.

7. Estimate the type of flow in a channel having cross sectional area of 50m2 and top of the
channel is 5m. The mean velocity of flow is 0.1m/s and the absolute viscosity of water is
0.625 N-s/m2.
Explanation: Reynolds number (Re)=1000VD/µ
Re = 1000(0.1) (D)/ 0.625
D = A/T = 50/5 = 10 m
Re = 1000(0.1) (10)/ 0.625
= 1600
Transition flow (500 – 2000).
8. The discharge and velocity of water in a rectangular channel are 75m^3/s and 5m/ s
respectively. The hydraulic depth being 3m calculate the hydraulic radius.
Explanation: Discharge (Q) = (A) (V)
75 = (A) (5)
A = 15m2
A = (B) (y)
B = 15/ 3 = 5m
R = A/ P = 15/ (5 + 2(3))
R = 1.36m.

9. Calculate the hydraulic diameter for a rectangular duct having 10m width and 6m depth.
Explanation: Hydraulic diameter = 2By / B + y
Hydraulic diameter = 2(10) (6) / 16
Hydraulic diameter = 7.5m.

10. The ratio of Hydraulic radius and Hydraulic depth is ½ and the top width of the channel
is 6m, calculate the hydraulic depth of the channel.
Explanation: Ratio = ½
Ratio = (A/P) / (A/T) = T/P; T = 6m
½ = 6/P
P = 12m = B + 2y
12 = 6 + 2y
y = 3m.

11. The section factor of a rectangular channel is 111.80m. The discharge and velocity of
water are 250 m3⁄s and 5 m⁄s respectively. Calculate the hydraulic depth of the channel.
Explanation: Section factor (Z) = A√D
Discharge (Q) = AV
A = 250/5 = 50m2
111.80 = 50√D
D = 5m.

12. The ratio between depth and width of a rectangular channel is ¼ and the area of the
rectangular section is 16m^2. Calculate the top width of the channel.
Explanation: Ratio = ¼
D/B = ¼
4D = B
Area (A) = 16m2
(B) (D) = 16 = 4D2; D = 4m
B = 2(4) = 8m.

13. A rectangular channel has depth y and top with B. Determine its section factor.
Explanation: Section factor (Z) = A√D
Z = (B) (y)√y
Z = By3⁄2.

14. Calculate the wetted area for a rectangular channel which is

16. A rectangular channel has a depth of 5m and width of 12m. Calculate the hydraulic depth
of the channel.
Explanation: Hydraulic Depth (D) = Area/Top width
= (5) (12)/ 12
= 5m.

17. The depth and widths of a rectangular channel are 4m and 5m respectively. Determine
the hydraulic radius of the channel.
Explanation: Hydraulic Radius (R) = A/P
= (4) (5)/(5 + 2(4))
= 1.54m.

18. Determine the section factor for the channel section having area 20m2.
Explanation: Section factor (Z) = A√D
= 20√4
= 40m.

19. The section factor and hydraulic depth for a rectangular channel are 40m and 4m
respectively. Determine the top width of the channel.
Explanation: Section factor (Z) = A√D
40 = A√4 ; A = 20m2
A = (Depth) (Width)
Width = 5m.

20. The hydraulic depth of a rectangular channel is 2m and its wetted area is 12m2. Estimate
its hydraulic radius.
Explanation: Hydraulic Depth (D) = A/ Top Width
2 = 12/ T
T = 6m
Hydraulic Radius (R) = A/P
P = T+ 2(D)
P = 6+ 2(2) = 10m
R = 12/ 10 = 1.2m.

21. Let the top width of a rectangular channel be B and the depth be y, determine the
hydraulic radius of the channel.
Explanation: Hydraulic Radius(R) = A/P
R = (B)(y)/ B + 2y.

22. What is the wetted area for a triangular channel having depth y and the side slope being
Z?
Explanation:
 The Area of the Triangle = (½) (base) (height)
Base = Zy+Zy = 2Zy
Area = (1/2) (2Zy) (y)
Area = Zy2.

23. Calculate the wetted perimeter of a triangular section having depth y and the side slope is
Z.
Explanation: Wetted perimeter = Length of the sides (excluding the base)

24. Calculate the wetted perimeter of a triangular section having a depth of 4m and the side
slope is1H:1V.
Explanation:Wetted Perimeter = 2y1+Z2−−−−−−√

= (2)(4) 1+(14)−−−−−−√

= 8.94m.

25. Estimate the wetted area of a triangular channel having a depth of 5m and the side slope
is 2H:1V.
Explanation: Wetted area = Zy2
= 2(52)
= 50m2.

26. What is the top width of a triangular channel having a depth y and side slope Z?
Explanation: Top width = (Zy+Zy)
= 2Zy.

27. Determine the hydraulic depth of a triangular channel having the side slope Z and depth
y.
Explanation:
28. Estimate the top width of a triangular channel having a side slope of 1H:2V and depth of
5m.
Explanation: Top Width = 2Zy
Top Width = (2)(1/2)(5)
Top Width = 5m.

29. What is the Hydraulic Radius of a triangular channel having a depth y and side slope Z?
Explanation:

30. . Calculate the section factor a triangular channel section having side slope 1H:4V and
depth of 8m.
Explanation: