American University of Madaba

AUM

Faculty of Engineering.
Department of Civil Engineering.
Fall Semester 2016-2017.

Fluid mechanics & Hydraulics Lab

Report # 4
(Impact of a Jet)

Names
Tamara al-Tawal

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URN: (University Registration

Number)
1310360

American University of Madaba

AUM

Faculty of Engineering.
Department of Civil Engineering.
Fall Semester 2016-2017.

Submitted on: Day.Month.Year (7th of Nov 2016)

Introduction
Impact of jet is one of the most important concepts that are used in modern life that is making
use of the fluid dynamics and applying it in our daily routine. As water turbines are widely used
to generate power and energy.
During this experiment we will test the force exerted on three different geometric shapes which
are Flat, Hemispherical and also Conical. Each of these shapes have a specific angle with which
the water will deflect from when hitting, as they are in order 90, 180 and 45. Moreover, during
the test the experimental force which will be found which is explained how in the procedure
section, but the theoretical force is calculated using a specific equation for each of the shapes.
Which are :
Flat force = density *flow* velocity1
Hemispherical force = 2*density *flow*velocity1
Conical= 0.2929*density*flow*velocity1
The density in all of these equations is the density of the water being 1000kg/m3, also the flow
in mentioned in them is the flow measured by the Rota-meter in m3/hr however it is converted to
2
2
basic metric units. Finally the velocity1 is V 1 =V o 25 s
Where is the fixed vertical distance between the nozzle and all three shapes measured in meters
and being 0.02m.
But for the experimental force we only multiply the mass required to keep the device in balance
by the gravitational acceleration 9.81m/s2 to find it out.
Keeping in mind that this test was done under atmospheric pressure.

Objectives
This test aims to measure the forces developed by two nozzles of the same shape but different
cross-sectional areas, upon various impact objects having different geometric shapes.

Materials and Apparatus

For the Impact by a Jet test we used the following tools:
1. Two nozzles one with a 5mm diameter and the other with 8mm diameter.
2. Plexiglas diameter cylindrical tank.
3. A set of stainless steel weights.
4. Impact objects:
Flat shape having a 30mm diameter, with a 90o angle.
Hemispherical shape with a 30mm diameter, with a 180o angle.
A conical shaped object with a 30mm diameter and a 45oangle.

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American University of Madaba

AUM

Faculty of Engineering.
Department of Civil Engineering.
Fall Semester 2016-2017.

Procedure

The steps followed for this laboratory test are as follows :

1. Unscrew the fixing screws of the cylinder tank.
2. Attach the impact object to be studied to the support.
3. Connect the desired diameter for the nozzle jet.
4. Attach the cover and re-entre the screws back in.
5. Make sure to perfectly level the equipment.
6. Set the pointer that is next to the weight stem to the red level, meaning that it is
balanced.
7. Open up the valve and allow water to flow through the nozzle to hit the object in
question. Make sure the set the flow to the wanted amount, we tried 3 different flows of
0.9, 0.8 and 0.5m3/h.
8. Add the weights to the stem of the cylindrical tank so as to obtain the balanced
condition again, and record the mass needed for this.
9. Repeat the above stems for each of the three objects, and then repeat the test for the
nozzle with the other diameter.

Results and Calculations

The following tables show the values obtained and calculated for each of the three shapes, once
with the 5mm diameter and also with the 8mm diameter.
Knowing that the density of the water is 1000kg/m3
For the 5mm diameter
Flat
Flow, Q
m3/h

Mass in
g

0.9
0.8
0.5

450
320
130

Hemispherical
Flow, Q
Mass in
3
m /h
g
0.9
0.8
0.5

570
520
300

Conical
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Speed Vo
m/s
12.74
11.32
7.075

Speed Vo
m/s
12.73
11.32
7.075

Speed
V1
m/s

Force
Force
Error
theoretical experiment
N
al
N
12.72
3.18
4.41
38.8%
11.30
2.51
3.14
25.0%
7.048
0.98
1.28
30.3%

Speed
V1
m/s

Force
Force
Error
theoretical experiment
N
al
N
12.72
6.36
5.59
12.1%
11.30
5.02
5.10
1.6%
7.05
1.96
2.94
50.3%

American University of Madaba

Flow, Q
m3/h

AUM

Faculty of Engineering.
Department of Civil Engineering.

0.9
0.8
0.5

150
110
40

Mass in
g

Fall Semester 2016-2017.

Speed Vo
m/s
12.74
11.32
7.07

Speed
V1
m/s

Force
Force
Error
theoretical experiment
N
al
N
12.72
0.93
1.47
58.0%
11.30
0.74
1.08
46.7%
7.05
0.29
0.39
36.9%

For the 8mm diameter

Flat
Flow, Q
m3/h

Mass in
g

0.9
0.8
0.5

130
100
30

Hemispherical
Flow, Q
Mass in
m3/h
g
0.9
0.8
0.5

280
210
100

Conical
Flow, Q
m3/h

Mass in
g

0.9
0.8
0.5

50
30
10

Speed Vo
m/s
4.97
4.42
2.76
Speed Vo
m/s
4.97
4.42
2.76
Speed Vo
m/s
4.97
4.42
2.76

Speed
V1
m/s

Force
Force
Error
theoretical experiment
N
al
N
4.93
1.23
1.28
3.4%
4.38
0.97
0.98
0.88%
2.69
0.37
0.29
21.25%

Speed
V1
m/s

Force
Force
Error
theoretical experiment
N
al
N
4.93
2.47
2.74
11.35%
4.38
1.94
2.06
5.92%
2.69
0.75
0.98
31.24%

Speed
V1
m/s

Force
Force
Error
theoretical experiment
N
al
N
4.93
0.36
0.49
35.78%
4.38
0.28
0.29
3.33%
2.69
0.11
0.098
0.38%

A sample calculation for all of the results shown in the tables before, we will address the first
trial of the 5mm nozzle for the flat shape:
1. Convert the flow of the Rota-meter from m3/hr to /s by dividing by 3600. So 0.9m3/hr
=0.00025m3/s. The flow value would change for each trial
2. Then find the weight of the mass required to balance the device. since we had to use
450g then the experimental force is 450*9.81/1000 = 4.41N. The mass value will change
for each shape, trial and diameter.
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American University of Madaba

Faculty of Engineering.
Department of Civil Engineering.

AUM

Fall Semester 2016-2017.

3. Find the cross sectional area of the nozzle which is

A= r 2 , with once a 5mm

diameter and then a 8mm diameter for this sample the area used is 0.0000196m2.
4. Then find the initial speed Vo which is the flow / cross sectional area Vo= 12.76m/s.
5. Then find V1 using the equation mentioned in the introduction.
Find the theoretical force value using the special equation for each of the shaper. Flat force =
density *flow* velocity1
Hemispherical force = 2*density *flow*velocity1
Conical= 0.2929*density*flow*velocity1
6. Find the error percentage. (theor- expe/theor)*100

Figures and Graphs

The following graphs represent the relationships between V1 and the errors for each of the
shapes at both nozzle cross-sections.
For the 5mm diameter:

Flat V1 vs error
50.00%
40.00%
Flat V1 vs error

30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6

Hemi V1 vs error
60.00%
40.00%

Hemi V1 vs error

20.00%
0.00%
14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6

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American University of Madaba

Faculty of Engineering.
Department of Civil Engineering.

AUM

Fall Semester 2016-2017.

Conical V1 vs error
80.00%
Conical V1 vs
error

60.00%
40.00%
20.00%
0.00%
14 13 12 11 10 9

For the 8mm diameter:

Flat V1 vs error
30.00%
Flat V1 vs error

20.00%
10.00%

5.5

4.5

3.5

0.00%
2.5

Hemi V1 vs error
40.00%
30.00%

Hemi V1 vs error

20.00%
10.00%
5.5

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4.5

3.5

0.00%
2.5

American University of Madaba

Faculty of Engineering.
Department of Civil Engineering.

AUM

Fall Semester 2016-2017.

40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%

5.5

4.5

3.5

0.00%
2.5

Looking at the six tables we find a pattern present in almost the two figures related to the same
shape at the two different nozzle diameters. As for the flat and the hemispherical at both areas,
the error is lowest at the second trail with the 0.8m3/hr flow. Where as the conical shape
experiences a rather linear relationship with the error decreasing as the value of the velocity
decreases.

Discussion
To better understand this experiment and the behavior of fluids under impact of a jet conditions
the values obtained from conducting this test along with the values calculated, which are shown
in the tables in the previous section should be looked at more carefully. Hence noticing:
When considering each diameter alone and looking at the three shapes tested. We notice
let's say for the 5mm diameter that the Hemispherical shape needed the highest values
of force in all three flow conditions than the other two shapes. The same goes for the
8mm diameter nozzle. For example the hemispherical shape for the 5mm diameter for
flows of 0.9, 0.8 and 0.5 m3/hr required 5.59N, 5.10N and 2.94N of force to keep the
device balanced. Whereas the flat shape for the same conditions and in order needed
4.41N, 3.14N and 1.28N also the same goes for the conical shape and in order for the
flows it needed 1.47N, 1.08N and 0.39N of experimental force. This is due to the fact
that the hemispherical object has the smallest surface area in contact with the water
coming from the jet, this was more external force is needed to keep the object in place
and the device balanced. Whereas the two other shapes have larger surface areas than
that of the hemispherical giving them this advantage less force was required to keep the
balanced condition.
Secondly, if we only look at each of the three shapes on its own but compared its values
with the 5 and the 8mm diameter , we notice that the smaller the nozzle's crosssectional area the more force it needed (an inversely proportional relationship).
Considering the flat shaped impact object at a flow rate of 0.9 m3/hr, for a 5mm nozzle
the experimental force to balance the device was 4.41N whereas for the 8mm diameter
it was 1.28N. And the same situation goes for all of the other shapes at the same
conditions compared. And this could be due to the inverse relationship between the
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American University of Madaba

AUM

Faculty of Engineering.
Department of Civil Engineering.

Fall Semester 2016-2017.

initial velocity and the cross-sectional area as we know Vo=Q/A, meaning the larger the
diameter the larger the area then the lower the velocity so that it is why with the 8mm
nozzle the reaction force needed to keep the object in place was lower than that of the
5mm nozzle.
Moreover, some error percentages between the experimental and theoretical forces were
calculated. These uncertainties are present due to a number of things such as, the
parallax error which has to do with the sight angle as if the person responsible for
zeroing the device kept looking at it from different heights or perspectives then the
device may not have been zeroed at all times. Meaning that we have started the
experiment with an initial value that should have been deducted for preciseness.
Another error could be the height S between the nozzle and the impact object as we
have measured it to be 20mm, of course this value does have a percentage of error due
to the tool that was used to measure it. Not only this but also the difference in geometry
between the three shapes could cause a variation in the this height either in increase or
decrease which would affect the value of V1, thus affecting the value of the theoretical
force.

Conclusion
To sum up, we have met the objectives of this lab session, as we have studied the behavior of
the water jet coming out of different nozzle diameters with different velocities at different flows
and each time hitting a new impact object. We have studied the variations of the forces required
to balance each of these conditions both experimentally and theoretically as well as listed the
possible uncertainties that may have caused these error percentages. So we can conclude that the
test was successful even though errors where there. So as a recommendation for further studies
insure that the apparatus is functioning correctly and that the observer's eye is at a 90o angle
when zeroing the device.

References
The fluid lab manual
https://www.scribd.com/doc/51634941/Impact-Of-A-Jet-Lab-Report
https://prezi.com/caiawr_76zq2/impact-of-jet/

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American University of Madaba

AUM

Faculty of Engineering.
Department of Civil Engineering.

9 | www.aum.edu.jo

Fall Semester 2016-2017.