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Hydraulics and Fluid Mechanics Flashcards

7 cards from real ASCE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. Which dimensionless number is used to distinguish between laminar and turbulent flow in a pipe?

    Answer: Reynolds number

    The Reynolds number (Re = ρVD/μ) compares inertial to viscous forces and is the standard criterion for laminar vs. turbulent pipe flow, with Re < 2300 generally indicating laminar flow.

  2. The Bernoulli equation assumes which of the following conditions?

    Answer: Inviscid, incompressible, steady flow along a streamline

    Bernoulli's equation is derived assuming steady, inviscid (frictionless), and incompressible flow along a single streamline, making it applicable to ideal fluid scenarios.

  3. The hydraulic grade line (HGL) represents the sum of which two energy heads?

    Answer: Pressure head and elevation head

    The HGL equals pressure head (p/γ) plus elevation head (z), indicating the height to which water would rise in a piezometer tube at any point in the system.

  4. Which formula is most commonly used to calculate head loss due to friction in a full pipe under pressure?

    Answer: Darcy-Weisbach equation

    The Darcy-Weisbach equation (hf = f·L/D·V²/2g) is the most theoretically rigorous and widely accepted formula for calculating frictional head loss in pressurized pipe flow.

  5. In open channel flow, critical flow occurs when the Froude number equals:

    Answer: 1.0

    Critical flow is defined by a Froude number of exactly 1.0, where the flow velocity equals the wave celerity, representing the boundary between subcritical (Fr 1) flow.

  6. The continuity equation for steady, incompressible flow through a pipe states that:

    Answer: The product of cross-sectional area and velocity is constant

    Conservation of mass for incompressible flow requires Q = A₁V₁ = A₂V₂, meaning the volumetric flow rate (area × velocity) is constant at every cross-section.

  7. A pump adds energy to a fluid system. Which of the following correctly represents the pump head (hp) in the energy equation?

    Answer: hp is added between the upstream and downstream energy terms

    The modified Bernoulli equation with a pump reads: H₁ + hp = H₂ + hL, where hp is added to the upstream energy to account for the mechanical energy input between the two sections.