cross-posted from: https://discuss.tchncs.de/post/479621

Hi all! I defended my Ph.D. thesis back in 2019 and I also served as the creator and moderator for the subreddit r/FluidMechanics for a long time. I think with that I have gathered enough experience and courage to answer some of your queries. Some broad topics that I can answer questions on are:

  • computation fluid mechanics
  • scientific programming and HPC
  • nonlinear shallow water equations
  • statistical description of turbulence: spectra, energy budget etc.
  • experimental methods: PIV
  • stratified turbulence
  • academia
  • navigating your career pre- and post-Ph.D.

Ask away!

  • Welder
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    11 year ago

    Not sure if this is in your realm or not, but I’m working on a diversion tunnel for a dam and we’re installing orifice pieces of varying internal diameter to slow the flow rate of the water. The orifices are being installed in order from smallest diameter to largest which seems counterintuitive to me. I would think you would go in descending diameter size to slowly restrict the flow in steps. Could you shed any light on why this would be engineered this way?

    • @[email protected]OP
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      41 year ago

      Every orifice adds some drag into the flow, decreasing the flow rate. However if you would go for a descending size of orifices you would introduce a Venturi effect, increasing the velocity for a given flow rate. Think what happens when you squeeze the end of a gardening water hose; or what happens when you blow air out of your mouth.

      • Welder
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        11 year ago

        Ahhhhh that would make sense, thanks for the answer!