Principles of Hydraulic Engineering Systems

## Principles of Hydraulic Engineering Systems Hydraulic engineering systems are designed to convey, store, or regulate water. All hydraulic systems require the application of the fundamental principles of fluid mechanics; however, many of them also require an understanding of hydrology, soil mechanics, structural analysis, engineering economics, geography, information systems, and environmental engineering in order for planning, design, construction, and operation to be carried out properly. Unlike some branches of engineering, every hydraulic project faces a unique set of physical conditions to which it must be adapted. There are no standard solutions or simple answers in handbooks; hydraulic engineering relies on fundamental knowledge that must be applied in each project to meet that project's specific conditions. The shape and dimensions of hydraulic systems may vary from a small flow meter on the order of centimeters to a length of several hundred kilometers. In general, hydraulic structures are relatively massive compared with the products of other engineering disciplines. For this reason, the design of large hydraulic systems is site-specific, and it is not always possible to select the most desirable location or materials for a given system. Typically, a hydraulic system is designed to suit local conditions, including topography, geology, ecology, social concerns, and the availability of indigenous materials.