Fundamentals of Hydraulics and Water Distribution Network Management

Expected learning outcomes

The course aims to provide students with the fundamental knowledge required to address civil engineering problems involving fluids at rest and/or in motion. In particular, the course covers the design and verification of reservoirs, pressurised pipelines and pipe networks, as well as natural and artificial open channels. Water distribution network regulation will also be addressed.

This will enable students to approach issues related to water resources management and hydraulic systems, hydraulic risk mitigation, and the generation of electricity from renewable energy sources.

The knowledge acquired will be applicable to the design and management of materials and systems aimed at improving quality of life, in accordance with Goals 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.

Knowledge and understanding

Students will acquire knowledge of fluid properties and an understanding of the principles of hydrostatics, the fundamental equations governing the dynamics of ideal fluids, and the laws governing the motion of real fluids, together with their respective fields of applicability. They will also understand the operation of hydraulic machinery and the physics of open-channel flows. In addition, students will acquire the fundamentals of dimensional analysis and understand the principles underlying the operation and regulation of pressurised pipe networks.

Applying knowledge and understanding

Through practical exercises, students will learn how to determine pressure distributions and hydrostatic forces and how to apply the fundamental equations governing the dynamics of ideal and real fluids. They will also be able to address simple design and verification problems involving systems with pumps and turbines. For open-channel flows, students will be able to determine critical depth and normal depth and to plot and interpret steady-flow water-surface profiles. They will also be able to apply dimensional analysis to hydraulic problems and address simple problems involving the verification, design and regulation of water distribution networks.

Making judgements

Students will be able to identify the appropriate computational schemes and equations for the hydraulic problem under consideration and to justify the assumptions adopted. They will critically assess the results obtained, verifying the consistency of pressures, discharges and hydraulic heads with the physical and operating conditions of the hydraulic system considered. They will be able to distinguish between conditions in which the ideal-fluid assumption is appropriate and those in which head losses must be taken into account. In the analysis of open-channel flows, students will be able to identify the flow regime and determine the boundary conditions required to plot water-surface profiles. In the analysis of pressurised pipe networks, they will be able to assess the consistency of flow-rate and pressure distributions and justify regulation choices.

Communication skills

Students will be able to describe hydraulic phenomena and explain calculation procedures using appropriate technical terminology. The graphical and written responses required in the written examinations will enable students to develop and demonstrate their ability to clearly represent hydraulic systems, pipe networks and water-surface profiles, explicitly state the assumptions adopted and the calculation steps, and interpret the results obtained. The final oral examination will also allow students to demonstrate their ability to explain theoretical concepts and justify the proposed solutions.

Learning skills

Students will develop an independent approach to learning, based on the critical use of textbooks and teaching materials, the integration of theory and applications, and the review of errors. These skills will provide the basis for further study and for the continuing development of professional competences.

Mathematical Analysis I and Physics I.

Attendance is strongly recommended. Participation in lectures and practical sessions supports progressive learning, discussion of problem-solving procedures, and verification of understanding.

• Introduction to the course
• Fluids and their properties
• Fluid statics
• Fluid kinematics
• Fundamental equations of hydraulics
• Bernoulli’s theorem
• Equations governing the motion of real fluids
• Dimensional analysis
• Pressurised flows
• Practical problems involving long pipelines and systems with pumps and turbines
• Verification, design and regulation of pressurised water distribution networks
• Open-channel flows: uniform flow, critical flow conditions and steady flow
• Plotting and interpretation of steady-flow water-surface profiles

Assessment methods

Learning outcomes are assessed through a written examination and a final oral examination. Two optional mid-term written tests are also offered, each covering approximately half of the course syllabus. Students who pass both tests, with a mark of at least 18/30 in each, may proceed directly to the final oral examination.

The assessments are designed to verify students’ understanding of the underlying principles and their ability to apply them to the proposed problems. The clarity of graphical representations and oral presentation contributes to the assessment of communication skills. The ability to establish connections among different topics and to apply the methods learned to problems involving data different from those used in class provides evidence of students’ capacity for independent learning.

Registration for an examination session must be completed through the University online portal. Examination sessions are scheduled in accordance with the University Teaching Regulations: two examination dates for each of the three examination periods, one examination date during each of the two teaching breaks, and two examination dates reserved for students who are beyond the normal duration of their degree programme and/or belong to the categories specified in Article 30 of the University Teaching Regulations.

During the periods allowed by the academic calendar, in addition to the regular weekly office hours, students may contact the lecturer by e-mail to arrange additional meetings for clarification.

Mid-term tests

The two tests follow the progression of the course and are normally held during the teaching period. Each test covers approximately half of the syllabus; the exact distribution of topics is communicated to students according to the actual progress of the lectures. Their indicative structure is as follows:

• First test: fluid properties and fluid statics, pressure distribution and hydrostatic forces on plane and curved surfaces, kinematics, fundamental equations of fluid dynamics, and Bernoulli’s theorem.
• Second test: motion of real fluids, dimensional analysis, pressurised flows, systems with pumps and turbines, verification, design and regulation of water distribution networks, open-channel flows, and steady-flow water-surface profiles.

All questions are open-ended. Each test consists of 10 questions, each worth a maximum of 3 points, and is graded on a 30-point scale. In order to proceed directly to the final oral examination, students must obtain at least 18/30 in each of the two tests; therefore, an overall average of 18/30 is not sufficient.

The grades obtained in the mid-term tests remain valid throughout the relevant academic year.

Students who pass both mid-term tests take the final oral examination during one of the official examination sessions, for which they must register in order to complete the examination and have the final grade officially recorded.

Final written examination

As an alternative to the mid-term tests, students may sit a single written examination. The examination assesses the same knowledge and skills and covers all the topics listed above for the mid-term tests.

The result is communicated within one week. A mark of 18/30 or above allows students to proceed to the final oral examination.

The final oral examination is compulsory and provides an opportunity to explore the course topics in greater depth, including applications to pressurised flows, systems involving hydraulic machinery, the verification, design and regulation of water distribution networks, and open-channel flows. It assesses students’ command of the subject matter, their ability to establish connections among topics, their reasoning skills, and their appropriate use of technical terminology. The final grade takes into account the results of both the written component and the oral examination.

Assessment criteria for written examinations

Each written test consists of 10 questions requiring numerical and graphical responses. Each answer is awarded up to 3 points: 3 points for a correct solution; 2 points for a solution containing minor calculation errors; 1 point for a solution containing moderately significant theoretical errors; and 0 points for an incorrect answer. The total score is expressed on a 30-point scale.

Criteria for the final grade

The following ranges describe the level of achievement associated with each grade. For written examinations, the scoring system described above applies. In the final oral examination, clarity of presentation, independent reasoning, and the ability to establish connections among topics are also taken into account.

• Determine the pressure distribution in a fluid at rest and represent the corresponding pressure diagram.
• Calculate the resultant hydrostatic force acting on a plane or curved surface.
• Apply Bernoulli’s theorem, clearly stating the assumptions and the meaning of each term.
• Apply dimensional analysis to a hydraulic problem and identify the relevant dimensionless quantities.
• Determine the dynamic force exerted by a flow.
• Plot and interpret the hydraulic grade line and the energy grade line.
• Evaluate head losses along a pipeline.
• Calculate the power required by a pump or generated by a turbine.
• Analyse and design a pressurised pipe network.
• Determine the critical depth and normal depth in an open channel.
• Identify the flow regime in an open channel.
• Plot and interpret steady-flow water-surface profiles, clearly specifying the relevant boundary conditions.