Hydraulics Simulations

A collection of interactive 3D visualizations and simulations to help you master concepts in hydraulics.

Properties of Fluids - Theory & Concepts

Fundamental properties of fluids including density, specific weight, specific gravity, viscosity, surface tension, and compressibility.

Fluid Properties Explorer

Fluid Type

Tube Diameter ($d$)2.0 mm

Plate Velocity ($U$)0.50 m/s

Capillary Rise (Surface Tension)

Observe how tube diameter and fluid type affect rise.

14.8 mm

Calculated Rise ($h$)

Shear Stress (Dynamic Viscosity)

Drag a plate over a 5mm gap of fluid.

MOVING PLATE

0.100 Pa

Shear Stress ($\tau$)

Specific Weight ($\gamma$)

9810 N/m³

Surface Tension ($\sigma$)

0.0728 N/m

Dynamic Viscosity ($\mu$)

0.001 Pa·s

Hydrostatics: Pressure & Manometry - Theory & Concepts

Fluid pressure concepts, Pascal's Law, pressure variation with depth, and manometers.

U-Tube Manometer Simulator

Manometer Fluid

Height Difference ($h$): 0.20 m

Differential Pressure

0.00 kPa

$P = \gamma h = \rho g h$

Adjust the height difference to see the corresponding pressure. In a real scenario, the pressure difference causes the height change.

Hydrostatics: Forces on Surfaces - Theory & Concepts

Calculating hydrostatic forces on plane and curved submerged surfaces, including magnitude and location (Center of Pressure).

Hydrostatic Force on a Rectangular Plane

Depth to Top Edge ($h_1$): 2.0 m

Incline Angle ($\theta$): 90°

Gate Height ($h$): 3.0 m

Gate Width ($b$): 2.0 m

Total Force (F):0.0 kN

Centroid Depth (h̄):0.00 m

Centroid Distance (ȳ):0.00 m

Center of Pressure (y_p):0.00 m

Notice that the Center of Pressure (y_p, red dot) is always slightly deeper than the Centroid (ȳ, blue dot). This eccentricity decreases as the depth increases.

Hydrostatics: Buoyancy & Stability - Theory & Concepts

Archimedes' principle, buoyant force calculations, and stability criteria for floating and submerged bodies.

Buoyancy & Stability Simulator

Fluid Density ($\rho_f$): 1000 kg/m$^3$

Object Density ($\rho_o$): 600 kg/m$^3$

Weight ($W$):0.00 kN

Buoyant Force ($F_B$):0.00 kN

Status:FLOATING

Submerged:0.0%

Fluid Surface

Object

SG=0.60

F_B

Relative Equilibrium of Liquids - Theory & Concepts

Analysis of fluids subjected to uniform linear acceleration and rotation, where fluid particles remain at rest relative to the container.

Relative Equilibrium Simulator

Horizontal Accel ($a_x$):0.0 m/s²

Vertical Accel ($a_y$):0.0 m/s²

-9.81 m/s² represents free-fall (weightlessness).

Fluid Dynamics: Energy & Momentum - Theory & Concepts

Dynamics of fluid flow including Bernoulli's equation, energy lines, the impulse-momentum principle, and practical applications.

Bernoulli's Principle (Venturi Meter)

Inlet Diameter ($D_1$): 200 mm

Throat Diameter ($D_2$): 100 mm

Inlet Velocity ($V_1$): 2 m/s

Inlet (1)

150.0 kPa

2.00 m/s

Throat (2)

0.0 kPa

0.00 m/s

As the area decreases at the throat, velocity must increase (Continuity). This increase in kinetic energy causes a drop in pressure potential energy (Bernoulli). If pressure drops below vapor pressure, cavitation occurs.

Flow in Pipes: Fundamentals & Losses - Theory & Concepts

Laminar and turbulent flow, Reynolds number, friction factor, and calculation of head loss in pipes.

Reynolds Number Visualizer

Velocity (V): 0.50 m/s

Pipe Diameter (D): 0.100 m

Fluid Kinematic Viscosity (v): 1.00e-6 m²/s

Calculated Reynolds Number (Re)

50,000

Flow Regime: Turbulent

Particle visualization of flow lines. Note: visual speed is scaled.

Flow in Pipes: Systems & Networks - Theory & Concepts

Analysis of complex pipe systems including series, parallel, branching pipes, and networks.

Pipe Systems Calculator

Series ConfigurationParallel Configuration

Total Inflow (Q): 100 L/s

Pipe 1

Diameter (mm)

Length (m)

Friction factor (f)

Pipe 2

Diameter (mm)

Length (m)

Friction factor (f)

Results

Pipe 1 Flow (Q1)0.0 L/s

Pipe 2 Flow (Q2)0.0 L/s

Head Loss Pipe 10.00 m

Head Loss Pipe 20.00 m

TOTAL SYSTEM HEAD LOSS0.00 m

In Parallel, total discharge splits (Q = Q1 + Q2). The flow divides such that the head loss across each branch is identical: h1 = h2.

Flow Measurement - Theory & Concepts

Devices and methods for measuring flow rate, including orifices, venturi meters, and weirs.

Venturi Meter Simulation

Inlet Diameter (D1)0.20 m

Throat Diameter (D2)0.10 m

Head Difference (h)0.50 m

Discharge Coefficient (C_d)0.98

Results

Inlet Area (A1):0.0314 m²

Throat Area (A2):0.0079 m²

Discharge (Q):24.9 L/s (0.0249 m³/s)

Open Channel Flow: Uniform Flow - Theory & Concepts

Flow in open channels, geometric elements, Chezy and Manning formulas, and most efficient hydraulic sections.

Open Channel Flow (Manning's Equation)

Discharge (Q)10.0 m³/s

Channel Slope (S)0.0010

Manning's n0.015

Bottom Width (b)2.0 m

Normal Depth (y_n) = 0.000 m

Q = \frac{1}{n} A R^{2/3} S^{1/2}

Adjust the parameters to see how they affect the normal depth required to convey the given discharge.

Open Channel Flow: Non-Uniform Flow - Theory & Concepts

Specific energy, critical depth, hydraulic jumps, and gradually varied flow profiles.

Specific Energy Curve ($E$ vs $y$)

Discharge ($Q$): 10 m$^3$/s

Channel Width ($b$): 4 m

Unit Discharge ($q=Q/b$):2.50 m$^2$/s

Critical Depth ($y_c$):0.860 m

Min Specific Energy ($E_min$):1.291 m

Hover over graph to inspect

The Specific Energy curve shows two possible depths for a given energy $E > E_min$: a subcritical depth (slow, deep) and a supercritical depth (fast, shallow). $y_c$ represents the transition point.

Hydraulic Machinery - Theory & Concepts

Principles of pumps and turbines, power calculations, characteristic curves, and cavitation.

Pump Characteristic Curves

System Static Head (H_static)20.0 m

Base elevation difference the pump must overcome.

System Resistance (r)0.050

Represents friction losses in pipes and fittings.

Operating Point

Discharge (Q_op):18.5 L/s

Head (H_op):37.1 m

Efficiency (η):84.5%

Brake Power (P_b):7981.4 kW

Dimensional Analysis & Similitude - Theory & Concepts

Principles of dimensional analysis, Buckingham Pi theorem, and hydraulic models.

Dimensional Analysis Quiz

Match the correct SI units for each variable to balance the equation.

Select Equation

Target Dimensions

P = \rho \cdot g \cdot h

Expected Result:

Pa \ (kg/(m\cdot s^2))

Assign Units

\rho

Density

g

Gravity

h

Height