CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO HYDROLICS AND HYDROLOGY

1.1 Know Hydraulics and Hydrology

1.1.1 Term of hydraulics and hydrology
1.1.2 Systems of units used in hydraulics
1.1.3 Distinguish hydraulics, hydrology and fluid mechanics.
1.1.3.1 Hydraulics parameters and equations
1.1.4 Fundamental dimensions of hydraulic variables
Upon completion of this course, student should be able to:

CLO1 apply appropriately the constituents of pumps and open channel flow concept applied
in hydraulics problem. (PLO 1, LD 1, C3)

1.1 Know Hydraulics and Hydrology

Hydrology is the quantitative study of the hydrologic cycle -- the distribution and circulation of water
linking the earth's atmosphere, land and oceans.

Surface runoff is measured as the difference between precipitation and abstractions, such as
infiltration (which replenishes groundwater flow), surface storage and evaporation.

Applications include the management of the urban water supply, the design of urban storm-sewer
systems, and flood forecasting.
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Hydraulic engineering consists of the application of fluid mechanics to water flowing in an isolated
environment (pipe, pump) or in an open channel (river, lake, ocean).

Civil engineers are primarily concerned with open channel flow, which is governed by the interdependent
interaction between the water and the channel.

Applications include the design of hydraulic structures, such as:

 sewage conduits,
 dams and breakwaters,
 the management of waterways,
o such as erosion protection and flood protection, and
 environmental management,
o such as prediction of the mixing and transport of pollutants in surface water.

Hydroelectric-power development, water supply, irrigation and navigation are some familiar
applications of water resources engineering involving the utilization of water for beneficial purposes.

More recently, concern for preserving our natural environment and meeting the needs of
developing countries has increased the importance of water resources engineering.

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1.1.1 Define the terms of hydraulics and hydrology

Water is Earth’s most critical fluid in environmental processes and human life.
When discussing storm water management it is important to make the distinction between
hydrology and hydraulics.

Some aspects of hydrology involve hydraulics but, in general, the two are very different.

As you can see, though hydrologic and hydraulic processes are interdependent, they are
distinctly different.

1.1.1 Define the terms of hydraulics and hydrology

Water is Earth’s most critical fluid in environmental processes and human life. When
discussing stormwater management it is important to make the distinction between hydrology
and hydraulics. Some aspects of hydrology involve hydraulics but, in general, the two are
very different. As you can see, though hydrologic and hydraulic processes are
interdependent, they are distinctly different.

What is hydraulics

Hydraulics is a topic in applied science and engineering dealing with the mechanical
properties of liquids or fluids. The term hydraulics is defined as the study of the mechanical
behaviour of water in physical systems (Henry M. Morris and James M. Wiggert). In
engineering terms, hydraulics is the analysis of how surface, and/or subsurface flows move
from one point to the next.
Hydraulic topics range through some part of science and most of engineering modules, and
cover concepts such as: -
 pipe flow,

 dam design,

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 fluidics and fluid control circuitry,

 pumps,

 turbines,

 hydropower,
o In fluid power, hydraulics are used for the generation, control, and
transmission of power by the use of pressurized liquids.
 computational fluid dynamics,
 flow measurement,
 River channel behaviour and erosion.

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Free surface hydraulics is the branch of hydraulics dealing with free surface flow, such as
occurring in rivers, canals, lakes, estuaries and seas. Its sub-field open channel flow studies
the flow in open channels. Hydraulic analysis is used to evaluate flow in rivers, streams,
storm drain networks, water aqueducts, water lines, sewers, etc. Hydraulic analyses are
performed to determine the depth of flow, flow velocity, and forces from flowing water on a
surface or at hydraulic structures. These studies are necessary components in the hydraulic
design and analysis of structures.

What is hydrology

Hydrology is the scientific study of the movement, distribution, and quality of water on Earth
and other planets, including the hydrologic cycle, water resources and environmental
watershed sustainability. Hydrology is defined as the circulation of water and its constituents
through the hydrologic cycle, or the quantification of flows that are ultimately produced by
precipitation. It deals with precipitation (rain, snow, sleet, hail, etc.), evaporation,
infiltration, groundwater flow, surface runoff, streamflow, and the transport of substances
dissolved or suspended in flowing water (David R. Maidment). In the field of stormwater
engineering, hydrology typically refers to the rate of precipitation, quantity of water, rate of
surface runoff, and timing of its arrival at a point of interest.

A practitioner of hydrology is a hydrologist, working within the fields of earth or

environmental science, physical geography, geology or civil and environmental engineering.

Hydrology subdivides into surface water hydrology, groundwater hydrology

(hydrogeology), and marine hydrology. Domains of hydrology include hydrometeorology,
surface hydrology, hydrogeology, drainage-basin management and water quality, where
water plays the central role.

Oceanography and meteorology are not included because water is only one of many
important aspects within those fields. Hydrological research can inform environmental
engineering, policy and planning.

Hydrologic analyses are performed to quantify the volumetric flow rate of water draining
from a watershed (i.e., drainage area) over time. The amount of water that flows from a
watershed depends on the characteristics of the watershed (e.g., size, land cover, antecedent
moisture, and steepness) and the presence of water (e.g., the intensity and duration of a
precipitation event, rate of snowmelt, or regulation from a dam).

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Hydraulic analysis can model stormwater flows.

Reference:
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/publications/fulltext/Hydraulics/hhtraining/section02.pdf

DCC6213 | HYDRAULIC AND HYDROLOGY