Numerical Methods for
Engineers
Analysis of Experimental Data
(Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering)
No NAME ID
1 BESUFIKAD AYALEW 1497/16
2 HAYLEAB MENGIST 2357/16
3 ABDINASIR MOHAMED 0933/16
4 ABDIRASHID SAID 0932/16
Introduction
Fluid flow through pipes is a fundamental phenomenon in mechanical
and civil engineering, with applications in water supply networks, oil and
gas pipelines, irrigation systems, and industrial process equipment.
Understanding how flow rate varies with physical parameters of a pipe
is essential for designing efficient, safe, and cost-effective fluid transport
systems.
Among the most influential parameters governing pipe flow are the
pipe diameter and the slope (or hydraulic gradient), which directly
affect velocity, pressure losses, and overall system performance.
This study focuses on establishing a power-law relationship between
fluid flow rate (Q), pipe diameter (D), and slope (S) using experimental
data.
Regression analysis is employed to estimate the coefficients of the
model by minimizing errors between measured and predicted flow
values. In addition, the Gauss–Seidel iterative method is applied
to solve the resulting system of equations efficiently, demonstrating
the usefulness of numerical techniques in engineering analysis.
Problem statment
Accurate prediction of fluid flow through pipes is essential in
various engineering systems, yet the relationship between flow
rate, pipe diameter, and slope is often complex and nonlinear.
Traditional analytical methods may not provide precise
coefficient values for the empirical power-law model relating
these variables.
The problem addressed in this study is to use experimental
data to determine the specific coefficients of the power-law
relationship between flow rate (Q), pipe diameter (D), and slope
(S). Regression analysis and the Gauss-Seidel method will be
employed to estimate and refine these coefficients, providing a
reliable mathematical model for predicting fluid flow in pipes.
Over View of Fluid Mechanics
Core Concepts
Fluids: Substances (liquids, gases, plasmas) that deform
continuously under applied shear stress (e.g., water, air).
Fluid Statics: Study of fluids at rest, like pressure in a
submerged object (Archimedes' principle).
Fluid Dynamics: Study of fluids in motion, incorporating
concepts like flow rate, viscosity, and turbulence.
Key Properties: Density, pressure, viscosity
(resistance to flow), surface tension, and
compressibility.
Applications of Fluid Flow Analysis
Aerospace & Automotive: Designing wings for lift, reducing
drag on cars, optimizing jet engines, and analyzing rocket
propulsion.
Civil Engineering: Designing dams, bridges, pipelines, and
studying water flow in rivers and flood control.
Mechanical Engineering: Optimizing pumps, turbines,
compressors, heat exchangers, and internal combustion
engines.
Chemical Engineering: Modeling chemical reactors,
designing pipelines, and optimizing separation processes like
distillation.
Types of Fluid Flow
Fluid flow is the movement of fluids (liquids and gases).
Laminar Flow: Laminar flow is characterized by smooth,
parallel layers of fluid moving at different velocities.
• The fluid particles move in straight lines, and there is no
mixing between adjacent layers.
• Laminar flow occurs at low velocities and high viscosities.
• It is often observed in slow-moving fluids such as honey or
oil.
Turbulent Flow: Turbulent flow is characterized by chaotic,
irregular fluid motion.
• The fluid particles move in random directions, and there is
significant mixing between adjacent layers.
• Turbulent flow occurs at high velocities and low viscosities
Steady Flow: Steady flow is characterized by constant fluid
properties (velocity, pressure, density) at a given point over time.
• The flow conditions do not change with time.
• Steady flow can be either laminar or turbulent.
Unsteady Flow: Unsteady flow is characterized by changing fluid
properties (velocity, pressure, density) at a given point over time.
• The flow conditions vary with time.
• Unsteady flow can be either laminar or turbulent.
Other fluid flows
• Compressible Flow
• Incompressible Flow
• Viscous Flow
• Inviscid Flow
Mathematical Modeling
Mathematical Modelling is the process of using mathematical
concepts, equations, and data to create representations of
real-world phenomena.
These models help us describe, understand, predict, and control
various systems, from the physical and biological to the social and
economic. They serve as a bridge between theoretical knowledge and
practical applications.
Experimental and dimensional-analysis studies in fluid mechanics
commonly show that discharge (flow rate) depends on geometric
and hydraulic parameters via a power-law relationship.
% =====================================================
% Power-Law Regression using Gauss-Seidel Method
% Q = k * D^a * S^b
% =====================================================
clear; clc; close all;
%% EXPERIMENTAL DATA
D = [0.10; 0.15; 0.20; 0.25; 0.30];
(m)
S = [0.002; 0.003; 0.004; 0.005; 0.006];
Q = [0.012; 0.028; 0.055; 0.092; 0.140];
(m^3/s)