CHAPTER 5

CONCEPTS OF MOMENTUM
IN FLUID FLOW

CO3 :
Acquire and apply knowledge on hydrodynamic
concepts and its application to fluid flow problems.

PO2:
Ability to identify, formulate, research literature and
analyse complex civil engineering problems in
reaching substantiated conclusions using principles
of mathematics, sciences and engineering
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knowledge. ECW 211 – BASIC FLUID MECHANICS
 At the end of this chapter, students should:

1.
Be able to solve engineering problems using the
basic concept of momentum in fluid flow.

2.
Be able to solve jet impact problem using
momentum equation.

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 CHAPTER 5
CONCEPTS OF MOMENTUM
IN FLUID FLOW

5.1 5.2
Principle of momentum Application of the
conservation and the momentum equation in
Momentum equation fluid flow

5.3
5.4
Forces on stationary
Forces on pipe bends
flat and curved objects.
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 5.1
Principle of momentum conservation

All moving fluids capable of developing forces

that can be of importance to the engineer.

A force is required to accomplish the change

whenever a fluid stream is deflected from its
initial direction or if its velocity is changed.

The analysis of motion using the Newton’s

Second Law – Momentum Equation.

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 5.1
The Momentum equation
 Newton’s second law states that force is equal
to mass multiplied by acceleration, i.e.

F = m x a ( kg.m/s2 = N)

Momentum is defined as the product of the

mass of a body and its velocity.

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 where F is net external force acting on the fluid.
F comprises of forces:
i. F1 is force exerted in the given direction on
the fluid by any solid body.
ii. F2 is force exerted in given direction on the
fluid by gravity.
iii. F3 is force exerted in the given direction on
the fluid by other fluid.

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 Force;

Resultant force;

Direction of R;

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 5.2
Application of the momentum equation in fluid flow

•Whenever a jet of liquid strikes on a fixed

plate, it experiences some forces.

•The force is equal to the rate of change of

momentum of jet.

•If the plate is not fixed, then the plate starts

moving in the direction of the jet, because of
the force.
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 5.3
Forces on stationary flat and curved objects.

4 TYPES OF FORCES ON JET IMPACT

(i) (ii)
NORMALLY ON A CURVED OBJECT
FIXED PLATE

(iii) (iv)
INCLINED FIXED HINGED
SURFACE SURFACE
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Prepared by CPD ECW 211 – BASIC FLUID MECHANICS
Prepared by CPD ECW 211 – BASIC FLUID MECHANICS
Prepared by CPD ECW 211 – BASIC FLUID MECHANICS
Prepared by CPD ECW 211 – BASIC FLUID MECHANICS
Prepared by CPD ECW 211 – BASIC FLUID MECHANICS
 =ρQ2 −V2x Cosθ− V1x +ρQ3 V3x Cosθ− V1x

=ρQ2 V2𝑦 Sinθ− V1𝑦 +ρQ3 −V3𝑦 Sinθ− V1𝑦

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Prepared by CPD ECW 211 – BASIC FLUID MECHANICS
Prepared by CPD ECW 211 – BASIC FLUID MECHANICS
 5.4 Forces on pipe
bends in horizontal Y
plane

Calculate the force that must be exerted on the pipe

shown in figure above to hold it in equilibrium. The
elbow is in a horizontal plane and is connected to two
10cm Schedule 40 pipes carrying 3000 L/min of
water. The inlet pressure is 550 kPa.