Fluid Mechanics II Lab Sheet

UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN

Faculty

Course

Year/
:
Semester
Session :

Engineering and Science

Bachelor of Engineering (Hons)
ME/CL/CI Engineering

Unit Code

UEME3112

Unit Title

Fluid Mechanics II

Lecturer

: En. Wan Mohd Faizal

201505

Experiment 3: FREE AND FORCED VORTEX

Objectives:
1. To compare the theoretical and experimental values of the piezometric head and total
head against the square of radius for forced vortex.
2. To discuss the effect of different angular velocities of the paddle on the surface profiles
of the forced vortices.
3. To investigate discuss the effect of different orifice diameters on the surface profiles of
the free vortices.
4. To describe the physical difference(s) between free and forced vortex.
Introduction:
A vortex represents a flow in which the streamlines are concentric circles as is shown in
Figure 1. Two vortices are studied, i.e., free (irrotational) vortex, and forced (rotational) vortex
(Figure 2).

Figure 1. The streamline pattern for a vortex.

Fluid Mechanics II Lab Sheet

Figure 2. Motion of fluid element from A to B: (a) for free vortex; (b) for forced vortex.
The Bernoullis equation states that the head will be constant along the streamline when the
incompressible and inviscid fluid is in the steady motion. However, there is no any indication of
how total head H varies from one stream to another. Besides, the H also changes from streamline
to streamline across the section because the velocity rises from zero at the wall to maximum at the
center.
There is close relation between variation of H across the streamlines of the fluid in steady
motion and the rotation of the flow. Irrotationality is referred when H is constant from streamline
to another, there is no rotation in the fluid. On the other hand, rotational is referred when the H
varies across the streamline and possesses rotation.
Vortex flow is the flow that circulates about a fixed center and the streamline pattern
consists simply of a set of concentric circles.
The variation of radius r of piezometric head h and total head H can be determined by
using the following equations:
u2 u u
dh d p
dH u du u
=
+ z =
= and
=
+
dr dr g
dr
g rd r
gr g r
(I) Forced Vortex
For the forced vortex, u = r , indicating the whole body of fluid rotates at angular
u
du
dh u u
velocity . Therefore, = and
= . From equation
= , we know that
dr g r
r
dr

dh 2
=
r . Integrate it and we can get
dr
g
h=

2r 2

+ h0
2g
where h0 is a constant of integration. Assuming that h is chosen as the reference line, such that
h0 = 0 , then the equation will be h =

2r 2
2g

Fluid Mechanics II Lab Sheet

2
dH r
dH u du u
=
( + ) = 2 r .
=
+ , we know that
dr
g rd r
dr
g
g
Integrate it and we can get
2r 2
H=
+ H0
g
where H 0 is a constant of integration. Assuming the same reference line for piezometric head h ,

Another equation

2r 2

.
g
The pressure along the water surface is treated to be zero gauge pressure. The height of the
surface and the total head H raises from the surface level at the center can be obtained from
2r 2
2r 2
equations h =
and H =
. Therefore, the excess height of H above the surface will be
2g
g

then the equation will be H =

H h=

2r 2
2g

u2
.
2g

(II) Free Vortex

For the free vortex, u =

C
u C
du
r
. Therefore, = 2 and
= 2 . Substitute into equation
r
r r
dr
r

dH u du u
=
+ , we get
dr
g rd r
dH u C C
= 2 + 2 = 0
dr
g r
r
By integrating, we know H = H 0 , where H 0 is a constant. H 0 is the water surface level at infinity

since u 0 as r . Assuming that H 0 is the reference line for both h and H . From equation

h=

u2
C
, substitute the value u = , and we can get
2g
r
h=

C2
2gr 2

Materials and Apparatus:

The apparatus consists of a clear plastic cylindrical vessel to enable the visualization and to
measure the characteristics of free and forced vortex. The free vortex is generated by water being
discharge through an orifice with various diameters, while the forced vortex is activated by jets of
water. The apparatus shall be used in conjunction with the basic hydraulic bench.

Fluid Mechanics II Lab Sheet

A = Needle
B = Discharge port
C = Discharge control valve
D = Discharge KC nipple
E = Inlet control valve
F = Inlet KC nipple
G = Plug and orifice port (center of the base plate)
H = Water inlet port
I = Diameter arm
J = Bridge
K = Water tank

Procedure:
(I) Forced Vortex
1. Connect a hose to the discharge KC nipple (D) and the outlet hose of the hydraulic bench to
the inlet KC nipple (F).
2. Fully open both of the discharge and inlet control valve (C, E) and place the blanking plug
into the middle screw thread at the plug and orifice port (G).
3. Close the discharge control valve (C). Loosen all the set screws at the bridge (J). Allow all
the needles (A) to touch the bottom of the water tank. Measure the distance between the top
of the needle to the top surface of the bridge. Record this reading and state it as h0. Set the
top surface of the bridge as datum line.
4. Allow the water to be filled into the water tank (K) up to a certain height. Open the
discharge control valve (C). Try to regulate the discharge and inlet control valve (C, E) to
ensure the desired water height is maintained.
5. Using a stop watch, count the total number of revolution of the rotating paddle within a
time frame. Record the paddle total number of revolution and the time taken to complete
the revolution.
6. Adjust the needle one by one until its tip just touched the water surface of the vortex.
Tighten the set screw. The radius of each needle is pre-set (i.e., r = 30, 60 and 90 mm).

Fluid Mechanics II Lab Sheet

Then, measure and record the distance between the top of the needle to the top surface of
the bridge. Connect the pitot tube to the U-tube manometer.
7. Place the pitot tube to the pre-set needle radius location (i.e 30 mm), immerse the pitot tube
at a depth of say 5 mm below the water surface. (Reminder: The pitot tube head must face
directly to the oncoming flow).
8. From the U-tube manometer, record the water level differences. Repeat for the remaining
pre-set radius. Repeat with another side of needle. Plot the graphs of H vs r2, h vs r2 and h
vs r.
9. Repeat the whole experiment using different angular velocity of the paddle by
changing the flow rate of the water inlet.

(II) Free Vortex

1. Connect a hose to the discharge KC nipple (D) and the outlet hose of the hydraulic bench to
the inlet KC nipple (F). Fully open both of the discharge and inlet control valve (C, E).
2. Place the end plug into the middle screw thread at the plug and orifice port (G). Measure the
diameter of the end plug.
3. Close the discharge control valve (C). (Reminder: Do not open this valve when running this
experiment). Allow the water to be filled into the water tank (K) up to a certain height.
4. Try to regulate the inlet control valve (E) to ensure the desired water height is maintained.
5. Once steady state occurred, loosen the set screw of the two measuring guide at the diameter
arm (I). Adjust both of the measuring guides to the largest diameter of the vortex. Measure
and record this diameter.
6. Adjust the height of the arm until the two measuring guide just touch the surface of the
water. Measure the distance of the top part of the diameter arm rod to the top surface of the
bridge. Record this reading and name it as h0. Set this distance as the datum line.
7. Loosen the set screw of the two measuring guides, set the guide to another desired diameter
and tighten it. Record the diameter reading. Adjust the height of the arm until the two
measuring guide just touch the surface of the water. Measure the distance of the top part of
the diameter arm rod to the top surface of the bridge. Record this reading.
8. Repeat for different diameters and using different type of orifice diameter.
9. Plot the graphs of h vs r for all the cases.
Results and discussions
(I) Forced Vortex
1. Discuss the effect of different angular velocities of the paddle on the surface profiles of the
forced vortices.Compare and discuss the theoretical values with the experimental values
from the two graphs.
(II) Free Vortex
1. Discuss the effect of different orifice diameters on the surface profiles of the free vortices.
(III) Difference between Free and Forced Vortex
1. Describe the physical difference(s) between free and forced vortex from the experimental
data.

Fluid Mechanics II Lab Sheet

(IV) What would be your expectations on the results of this experiment?

Laboratory Report
1. This is an INDIVIDUAL report. DO NOT COPY, or you will not obtain any mark.
However, you will share the data with your group members.
2. Attach the ORIGINAL spreadsheets and plots containing the experimental data with your
report.
3. Provide a sample calculation. Coordinate with your group members to avoid presenting the
same sample calculation.
4. Your report should include: Objective, Introduction, Apparatus, Procedures, Results and
Discussion, and Conclusions and Recommendations.