ME2135/ME2135E

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

ME2135/ME2135E FLUID MECHANICS II

(Semester II : AY2012/2013)
Time Allowed : 2 Hours

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES:
1.

This examination paper contains FOUR (4) questions and comprises FOUR (4)
printed pages.

2.

Answer ALL FOUR (4) questions.

3.

All questions carry equal marks.

4.

This is a CLOSED-BOOK EXAMINATION with authorized materials: Students

are allowed to bring TWO (2) A4 size sheets of notes / formulae written on both
sides.

5.

Programmable calculators are NOT allowed for this examination.

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ME2135/ME2135E

QUESTION 1
A centrifugal pump of 0.37 m diameter, is pumping water (of density = 998 kg/m3) at 2160
rpm and produces the following performance data (where the symbols used have their usual
meaning):
Q (m3/s)

0.0

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

H (m)

105

104

102

100

95

85

67

P (kW)

100

115

135

171

202

228

249

Determine (a) the best efficiency point (BEP) and (b) the maximum possible discharge
estimated from the tabulated performance data. (c) If we want to use this same pump family
to deliver 26.5 m3/min of kerosene (of density = 804 kg/m3) at BEP and an input power of
400 kW, what pump speed (in rpm) and impeller size are needed and what head will be
developed ?
(25 marks)

QUESTION 2(a)
The circulation about a tornado is 8500 m2/s and the pressure at radius r = 40 m from its
centre is 2200 Pa less than the far field pressure (see Figure 1). Assuming inviscid flow at
sea level where the air density = 1.225 kg/ m3, estimate (i) the sink strength of the tornado,
(ii) the angle at which the streamlines cross the circle at r = 40 m as shown in Figure 1, and
(iii) the pressure at radius r = 20 m from its centre.
(15 marks)

Figure 1

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ME2135/ME2135E

QUESTION 2 (b)
A source and a sink of equal strength m = 25 m2/s, are near a wall as shown in Figure 2. Find
the resultant velocity induced by this pair at point A on the wall.
(10 marks)

Figure 2

QUESTION 3
Oil of density and viscosity , drains steadily down the side of a vertical plate of infinite
extent as shown in Figure 3 below. After a development region near the top of the plate, the
oil film will become independent of z and of constant thickness . The oil flow can be
assumed incompressible, laminar, parallel to the plate, fully developed with zero pressure
gradient in the flow direction and the atmosphere offers no shear resistance to the surface of
the oil film. By using the co-ordinate system shown in the figure, and by applying the
following equations:

DV
1
f P 2 V and .V 0
Dt

where f is the body force vector per unit mass and other symbols have their usual meaning,
derive the expression of the velocity profile in the oil film and sketch it. Then derive the
expression of the flow rate per unit width, and the expression which relates the oil viscosity
and the velocity profile gradient (dw/dx) at the wall.
(25 marks)

Figure 3

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ME2135/ME2135E

QUESTION 4 (a)
A slider bearing is lubricated with a liquid of viscosity 1.0 Pa.s. The relative motion of the
surface is 1.0 m/s. The length of the bearing is 5.0 mm, the outlet gap is 0.025 mm and the
tilting angle of 2. Estimate the load-bearing capacity (per unit width) of the bearing.
For a step bearing with the same length, outlet and inlet gaps as those of the slider bearing,
estimate its load-bearing capacity (per unit width) for the same condition, if the step is at its
half length.
(12 marks)
QUESTION 4 (b)
A flat plate of sides a and b, is towed through a fluid so that the boundary layer is entirely
laminar. If Ua is the free-stream velocity if side a is in the flow direction and Ub is the
corresponding free-stream velocity if b is in the flow direction, express the ratio of freestream velocities Ua /Ub in terms of a and b so that the drag force remains constant regardless
of whether a or b is in the flow direction. Then express the ratio Ua /Ub if the boundary layer
is entirely fully turbulent.
(6 marks)
QUESTION 4 (c)
An element for sensing local skin friction (wall shear stress) is placed in a flat plate 1 m from
its leading edge. The element simply consists of a small plate of 1 cm by 1 cm, mounted flush
with the plate wall as shown in Figure 4, and the shear force is measured on the plate. The
fluid flowing by the flat plate is air with a free-stream velocity of 25 m/s, a density of 1.2
kg/m3 and a kinematic viscosity of 1.5 x 10 5m2/s. If the transition from laminar to turbulent
boundary layer takes place at Rex,tr = 5 x 105, what will be the magnitude of the force due to
skin friction acting on the element ?
(7 marks)

Figure 4

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