The first half of Day 2 was focused on Hydraulics, or the application of fluid mechanics to engineer canals, dams, hydroelectric power plants and other water based structures. For our workshop on Hydraulics, we had to engineer a floating device that could allow us to measure the volumetric rate of change in an artificial stream. Because
Q = V x A, where Q is volumetric flow rate and A is the cross sectional area and V is velocity,
and A is a constant (for our experiment) Because we weren't provided with any instrument to directly measure velocity, we could use the equation V = s/t to figure out the velocity of the stream. Also provided for us was the distance the stream. Theoretically, all we have to do is to build a device and record the time it takes it takes to get from point A to point B in the stream. However, the problem lies in that at the bottom of the stream, there is no velocity there and velocity decrease as depth is changed from the top of the stream and the bottom of the stream. Since the velocity isn't constant, there is too much differentiation if measuring the velocity alone on the top. This is where our hydraulics engineering comes into action; we are to design a floatation device that allows us to measure the average velocity in the stream.
(This one is not my groups)
Day 2: Flotation Devices:
Our concept for our flotation device is really simple: We attached a weight from a string to the main buoy. We hoped that the piece of weight that is attached to the buoy would allow us to measure the velocity of the weight and the buoy and then average them together so that we could get an average velocity. Because the velocity at the bottom of the stream is zero, we can assure that our model theoretically could give us a reasonable estimate of the average velocity. However, when we tested our device and also the weight fluctuates quite frequently when it is placed in the water which would decrease the effectiveness of our flotation device. While ours failed to perform, some others were more successful. One of our competitors included a straw wall behind their flotation device so that the current would stabilize throughout the stream, therefore allowing them to achieve a greater accuracy in finding the average velocity of the stream. Our flotation device did not take into considerations of possible oscillations due to Bernoulli's principle. For that reason, we have failed to record and calculate an accurate Volumetric flow rate.
Overview:
This activity demonstrated the difference between theoretical scenarios and actual cases. in the field of Architecture and Engineering there are many factors involved in designing the best possible solution. This was on part of us trying to oversimplify hydraulics. However, this was a great opportunity for me to learn more on hydraulics and fluid dynamics. It was a very interesting yet frustrating experience for me because I felt that we could have done much more. Sometimes we think that he solution is simple, but often solutions are often deceptive.
Q = V x A, where Q is volumetric flow rate and A is the cross sectional area and V is velocity,
and A is a constant (for our experiment) Because we weren't provided with any instrument to directly measure velocity, we could use the equation V = s/t to figure out the velocity of the stream. Also provided for us was the distance the stream. Theoretically, all we have to do is to build a device and record the time it takes it takes to get from point A to point B in the stream. However, the problem lies in that at the bottom of the stream, there is no velocity there and velocity decrease as depth is changed from the top of the stream and the bottom of the stream. Since the velocity isn't constant, there is too much differentiation if measuring the velocity alone on the top. This is where our hydraulics engineering comes into action; we are to design a floatation device that allows us to measure the average velocity in the stream.
(This one is not my groups)Our concept for our flotation device is really simple: We attached a weight from a string to the main buoy. We hoped that the piece of weight that is attached to the buoy would allow us to measure the velocity of the weight and the buoy and then average them together so that we could get an average velocity. Because the velocity at the bottom of the stream is zero, we can assure that our model theoretically could give us a reasonable estimate of the average velocity. However, when we tested our device and also the weight fluctuates quite frequently when it is placed in the water which would decrease the effectiveness of our flotation device. While ours failed to perform, some others were more successful. One of our competitors included a straw wall behind their flotation device so that the current would stabilize throughout the stream, therefore allowing them to achieve a greater accuracy in finding the average velocity of the stream. Our flotation device did not take into considerations of possible oscillations due to Bernoulli's principle. For that reason, we have failed to record and calculate an accurate Volumetric flow rate.
Overview:
This activity demonstrated the difference between theoretical scenarios and actual cases. in the field of Architecture and Engineering there are many factors involved in designing the best possible solution. This was on part of us trying to oversimplify hydraulics. However, this was a great opportunity for me to learn more on hydraulics and fluid dynamics. It was a very interesting yet frustrating experience for me because I felt that we could have done much more. Sometimes we think that he solution is simple, but often solutions are often deceptive.
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