Mechanical systems for hydraulic and transport infrastructures

Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher: ALESSANDRO CAMMARATA

Expected Learning Outcomes

Teaching is divided into two parts. In the first part, the basic concepts of mechanics applied to machinery are provided; the second part describes hydraulic machines.

The practical exercises have a dual purpose:

To allow students to apply the acquired theoretical knowledge to practical examples, which will also form part of the examination questions.
To acquire knowledge regarding the use of multidisciplinary software such as Matlab/Simulink and the implementation of case studies. Students will be required to replicate a case study tailored to their specific study track, to be submitted as an exam project along with the relevant project report.

The skills acquired align with objectives 4, 8, and 9 of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

DUBLIN DESCRIPTORS:

1. Knowledge and understanding

Students will build on the knowledge acquired during their first-cycle degree, developing a solid theoretical and methodological understanding geared toward advanced professional updating and the formulation of original ideas in design techniques, with a specific focus on sustainability within the water and transport sectors.

2. Applying knowledge and understanding

Students will be able to retrieve, manage, and apply computational codes to solve complex problems. They will develop the ability to propose, analyze, and compare alternative technical solutions within industrial and interdisciplinary contexts.

3. Making judgements

Students will possess sound independent judgment, enabling them to critically evaluate projects in the sector and integrate ethical and environmental considerations into their choices.

4. Communication skills

Students will demonstrate strong communication skills, effectively collaborating in teams and conveying the results of their work—via reports or technical notes—to both specialists and technicians, as well as to non-specialist audiences.

5. Learning skills

Finally, students will develop learning skills that allow them to pursue self-directed, continuous learning and swiftly adapt to technological advancements in the water and transport sectors.

Course Structure

Frontal lessons with projector and blackboard.

Lectures: 21 hours

Exercises: 39 hours

Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.

Required Prerequisites

Knowledge of:

Physics 1 (forces and torques, Newton's principles, statics, friction, dynamics and equations of motion, free body diagrams) (Foundational)(Essential),
Calculus 1 and 2 (series of functions, partial derivatives, ordinary differential equations) (Foundational)(Important),
Linear algebra (operations on vectors and matrices) (Foundational)(Essential),
Hydraulics and Bernoulli's theorem (Foundational)(Essential)

Attendance of Lessons

Attendance not mandatory

Detailed Course Content

1. GENERALITY ON MECHANISMS Machines and mechanisms, kinematic pairs, degrees of freedom of the kinematic pairs, degrees of freedom of planar mechanisms. 2. EFFICIENCY. Definition of mechanism efficiency, in series and parallel efficiency, inverse motion. 3. FRICTION AND WEAR. Coefficient of friction and work, notes on the theory of sliding friction, rolling friction, friction circle. Examples: revolute pair, inclined plane. 4. GEAR WHEELS. Friction gears, conjugate profiles, primitive and fundamental circles, the definition of a circle's involute. Spur gears and relative dimensioning. 5. Gearboxes. Ordinary gearboxes, planetary gears and Willis’ formula, automotive differential. Examples and exercises on gearboxes. 6. FLEXIBLES. Lifting devices, elastic and inelastic stiffness, pivot friction, lifting hoists.

HYDRAULIC MACHINES

1. RECALLS ON FLUIDS AND THEIR PROPERTIES. Dynamic and kinematic viscosity, Reynolds number, Mass conservation, Bernoulli equation, distributed and concentrated pressure losses. 2. TURBOMACHINES. General characteristics, velocity triangles, fundamental turbomachine or Euler equation and internal work, organic, hydraulic and volumetric efficiency, fluid dynamics similarity and dimensionless coefficients, Balje diagram. 3. TURBOPUMPS. Characteristic curves, centrifugal pumps, mixed-flow and axial pumps, dimensioning of a turbo pump. Examples. 4. VOLUMETRIC PUMPS. Classification, Piston pumps, displacement, capacity and volumetric efficiency, power and efficiency. 5. MATCHING OF PUMP AND SYSTEM. Operation point of a plant, cavitation, NPSH and Thoma parameter, pump choice and rotation speed. 6. ACTION HYDRAULIC TURBINES. Pelton turbine, speed triangles, internal work, efficiency and losses, specific speed and diameter and design. 7. REACTION HYDRAULIC TURBINES. Francis turbine, axial flow and Kaplan turbine, reaction rate, speed triangles, internal work, efficiency and loss, sizing, regulation, diffuser. Examples.

Textbook Information

1. Massimo Callegari, Pietro Fanghella, Francesco Pellicano, “Meccanica applicata alle macchine”, UTET Università

2. G. Cornetti, "Macchine Idrauliche", Edizioni il Capitello Torino.

Insights:

3. Funaioli E., Maggiore A., Meneghetti U., “Lezioni di Meccanica Applicata alle Macchine – Vol. 1”, Pàtron Editore.
4. Jacazio G., Piombo B., “Meccanica Applicata alle Macchine – Vol.2”, Levrotto & Bella Torino.

course lecture notes

Course Planning

	Subjects	Text References
1	Algebra lineare di base (operazioni su vettori e matrici)
2	Analisi matematica (serie di funzioni, derivate parziali, limiti, integrali; equazioni differenziali ordinarie)
3	Fisica 1 (equazioni del moto, diagrammi corpo libero)	Principi di Fisica R.A. Serway, J. W. Jewett Jr; Herbert Goldstein: Classical Mechanics, 2nd ed, 1980
4	Attrito	FUNAIOLI-MAGGIORE-MENEGHETTI - MECCANICA APPLICATA ALLE MACCHINE - VOL.1 e 2

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

The exam includes:

development of a Matlab/Simulink project, with the associated project report, aligned with the student's study plan, and an oral examination consisting of theoretical questions and brief exercises covering both sections of the course.

Learning assessment may also be carried out online, should the conditions require it.

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current legislation, interested students may request a personal interview to arrange any potential compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on the educational objectives and their specific needs. Students may also contact the CInAP faculty liaison (Center for Active and Participatory Integration — Services for Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders - SLD) of their Department (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

- Flexibles

- Friction

- efficiency of a system

- dynamics of the roller

- motor-load matching

- design of a turbomachine

- ideal and real cycle of a volumetric pump

- efficiency of a turbopump

- efficiency of a turbine

Degree Course in

Water and Transportation Civil Engineering