Components of Hydraulics Laboratory

 Hydraulic

 Bench Hydraulic bench is a self contained water circulating unit used to perform experiments in Hydraulic laboratory. Various models describing principles of fluid mechanics and hydraulics are available for operation with the hydraulic bench. Among these are the models for orifice, Venturi meter, weir, and pipe flows. The hydraulic bench used in the hydraulics laboratory is developed by Tequipment Ltd.

The bench is composed of a single unit in which a small centrifugal pump draws water from a sump resting below the bench and delivers it to a bench supply valve. Below the bench top there is a weighing tank into which the discharge from an apparatus being tested on the bench may be directed through a short pipe terminating at flange just above the bench level. The weighing tank is supported at one end of a weigh beam, the other end of which carries a weight hanger sufficient to balance the dry weight of the tank, plus a small amount of water. The outlet valve in the base of the tank may be operated through a mechanism by the Cam Lever.

There is no permanent connection between the bench top and the supporting framework, so that the top may be removed easily at any time for inspection of the working parts below. Around the edge of the bench there is a raised lip so that water leaking from apparatus does not spill over the edge, but drains through a waste hole back to the sump. This is an important feature of the equipment, as it is rarely possible to perform a hydraulics experiment without some water splashing or leaking on to the bench. Apparatus under test is placed on the bench and connected by flexible pipe to a bench supply valve, which normally serves to regulate the rate of flow through the apparatus. Another flexible pipe is led from the exit of the apparatus to the flange above weighing tank, so that the discharge is returned through the open valve in the base of the weighing tank to the sump.

Tilting Flume The tilting flume used in the Hydraulics Laboratory is developed by Armfield. The flume is a self contained water circulating unit which draws its water supply from a sump tank by a centrifugal pump. The flow rate is controlled by a calibrated flow meter and gate valve positioned on the centrifugal pump. Water enters the flume inlet through a smooth contraction section. The level in the flume may be controlled by a weir located at the exit of the working section. Water returns from the discharge tank to the sump tank through a measuring channel fitted with plate and notch weirs, into a volumetric measuring chamber. A hook and point gauge enables the height of the fluid above the bed to be measured. The jacking arrangement is used for slope adjustment and operated by a hand wheel.