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Numerical experiments in fluid mechanics with a tank and draining pipe
Author(s) -
Brauner Neima,
Shacham Mordechai
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
computer applications in engineering education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.478
H-Index - 29
eISSN - 1099-0542
pISSN - 1061-3773
DOI - 10.1002/cae.6180020305
Subject(s) - fluid mechanics , mechanics , viscosity , computer simulation , computer science , physics , thermodynamics
This article emphasizes the use of interactive simulation packages as an integral part of the problem solution in both engineering education and practice. A homework problem in fluid mechanics is presented. Using numerical simulation of a tank and draining pipe arrangement, the students were required to find the effect of the viscosity of the fluid, draining pipe length, and initial fluid level in the tank on the initial draining velocity and the time required for complete draining of the tank. The results obtained were surprising and unexpected, encouraging the students to investigate further the model equations in order to find an explanation for the unexpected system behavior.