Hydraulics?
By M.S. Ghidaoui, Spring 2007
An appreciation for the broad nature of hydraulic engineering can be gained from
reading the scope of the leading journals in the field. For example, the scope of
Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE),
covers ``Topics ranging from flows in closed to free surface flows (canals, rivers,
lakes, estuaries) to environmental fluid dynamics.” In addition, the journal of
Hydraulic Research, International Association of Hydraulic Research (IAHR), sees its
scope as covering ``…the areas of theoretical, experimental and computational
hydraulics and fluid mechanics in various field of application (river, coasts,
environment, structures, industrial flows).”
Liggett (2002, pg. 17) writes ``Hydraulic engineering is the application of fluid
mechanics to the liquid earth. Although some applications involve man-made systems
(pie networks, for example), many deal with the complexities of nature. Those latter
applications include river engineering; sediment transport; groudwater movement;
lake, ocean, amd reservoir dynamics; and the alteration of natural flows by man,
including pollution. Hydraulic engineering is clearly a field for those who love nature
and who are comfortable in applying the laws of fluid mechanics for the betterment of
mankind while preserving nature.”
Roberson et al. (1998, pg. 2) define hydraulic engineering as ``…the application of
fluid mechanics and other science and engineering disciplines in the design of
structures, and the development of projects and systems involving water resources”.
Morris and Wiggert (172, pg.1) state ``The term hydraulics (from Greek hydor,
`water’) is the study of the mechanical behavior of water in physical systems and
processes. They add ``Water is still by far the most important of all fluids in earth
processes and human life. The design of structures and other systems and processes
for its conservation and use as the field of hydraulic engineering or applied
hydraulics.”
Abbott el a. (2001) see hydraulic engineering as ``the study of flows of water, more
recently extended to include the transport of matter in all its forms with these flows...”
Consider the world of water, human and their environment. Here, `environment’ is
taken to mean everything in the world that is non-water and non-human (e.g., flora,
fauna, structures, roads etc.). Hydraulic engineering is the study of the flow of water
and all that it transports with the purpose of ensuring the present and future well being
for the human race while minimizing adverse effects on the world of water and the
`environment’. Sadly, it is reported that about 70% of hydraulic engineering projects
of the last few decades are a failure in the sense that they destroyed the natural
balance of water and caused major and, in some cases, irreversible adverse effects on
the world of water, the `environment’ and ultimately the well being of the human
race which these projects were supposed to improve! These failures are largely due to
the lack of understanding of the consequence of many hydraulic projects by
engineers, lawmakers and the public. Numerous hydraulic engineering works are now
devoted to finding ways to restore the natural balance of water and the state of the
`environment’. The artificial flood release of Glen Canyon in 1996 with the aim of
restoring nature and the ecology is only one example of restoration projects. In Hong
Kong, wave agitation in Victoria Harbour, produced by growing marine traffic and intensified
by reclamation, port expansion and wave reflection at seawalls, has become a crucial factor
affecting the current harbour operation and future development. The wave agitation and intensely
confused sea-state causes damage to port facilities, degradation of harbour infrastructures, and
excessive disturbance to moored and moving vessels. The Hong Kong government is now
investing heavily in studies aimed at investigating the waves in the inner harbour and at
proposing engineering solutions for reducing the wave climate to an acceptable level and
determine the effects of future reclamation on wave climate in the Victoria Harbour.
Currently, most hydraulic engineers in Hong Kong are involved in tasks such urban
drainage and flooding; water supply; water (rain) related slope stability problems;
water quality modeling in Hong Kong waters; waste disposal strategies; coastal
structures; port operation; impact of reclamation on the marine and traffic
environment in the harbor; red tides; to name a few only. Other hydraulic engineers
are applying their trades in wind engineering and air pollution.
As Hong Kong awakes to the importance of water as a resource and environment as a
whole, the future of local Hydraulic Engineers is full of possibilities and challenges.
Being as such; ``It is still a great profession” (Liggett 2002, pg. 18).
References:
1. Abbott, M.B.; Babovic, V.M.; and Cunge, J.A. (2001) ``Towards the hydraulics of
the hydroinfomatics era.” Journal of Hydraulic Research, IAHR, Vol. 39, No.4;
339-349..
2. Liggett, J.A. (2002). ``What is hydraulic engineering?” Journal of Hydraulic
Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 128, No.1.; 10-19.
3. Roberson, J.A.;
Cassidy, J.J.; and Chaudhry, M.H. (1998). Hydraulic
Engineering. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, USA.
4. Morris, H.M., and Wiggert, J.M. (1972). Applied Hydraulic Engineering. John
Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, USA.