How Much Do You Know About Hydraulics?

So, you think you know a lot about water and wastewater hydraulics. Let’s see how you do in the little test below. There are no passing grades or prizes, just the satisfaction of getting a few of these correct. They’re not easy.

The correct answers are at the bottom (but don’t peek).

Quiz time!

1. What is the name of the equations for unsteady, non-uniform one-dimensional flow in open channels.
2. What is the name of the curve that converts fixture units into peak flow rate for use in building plumbing?
3. What does PVC stand for?
4. Name the four pump characteristic curves.
5. What dimensionless number describes the relative importance of inertial vs. viscous forces?[I told you these weren’t easy]
6. Name an equation/diagram that converts roughness and Reynolds number into Darcy-Weisbach friction factor.
7. What was the name of the first pipe network model that Haestad Methods/Bentley Systems developed, and what’s Bentley’s current top-of-the-line pipe network model?
8. What is the equation for converting rainfall intensity into runoff for small areas?
9. What happens when the actual pressure drops below the vapor pressure of water?
10. What does “idf” stand for in rainfall-runoff modeling?

Answers

How many did you get right? 

1. What is the name of the equations for unsteady, non-uniform one-dimensional flow in open channels.
   St. Venant equations
2. What is the name of the curve that converts fixture units into peak flow rate for use in building plumbing?
   Hunter’s Curve
3. What does PVC stand for?
   Polyvinyl chloride
4. Name the four pump characteristic curves.
   Head, power, efficiency and net positive suction head (required)
5. What dimensionless number describes the relative importance of inertial vs. viscous forces?
   Reynolds number
6. Name an equation/diagram that converts roughness and Reynolds number into Darcy-Weisbach friction factor.
   Moody diagram, Colebrook-White equation, Swamee-Jain equation, and others
7. What was the name of the first pipe network model that Haestad Methods/Bentley Systems developed, and what’s Bentley’s current top-of-the-line pipe network model?
   Cybernet/WaterGEMS
8. What is the equation for converting rainfall intensity into runoff for small areas?
   Rational Method
9. What happens when the actual pressure drops below the vapor pressure of water?
   Cavitation/vaporization
10. What does “idf” stand for in rainfall-runoff modeling?
    Intensity, duration, frequency

If you want to contact me (Tom), you can email tom.walski@bentley.com.