GENERAL HYDRAULICS II

Abstract

General hydraulics holds a central place in the training of engineers and water science specialists, as it forms the foundation upon which many practical applications are built, ranging from the management of supply networks to the design of complex hydraulic structures. This course booklet, intended for third-year undergraduate students in hydraulics, has been designed with the ambition of providing a clear, structured, and pedagogically adapted tool to support their academic journey. The content first addresses the fundamental principle of momentum, which enables the understanding of interactions between fluids and solids, as well as the forces generated by fluid motion. This theoretical basis then leads to the study of flows through orifices and nozzles, essential practical cases for grasping discharge behavior and energy losses. The course also examines pressurized flows, highlighting the phenomena that develop in closed conduits under pressure, before concluding with the analysis of free-surface flows, where channels, rivers, and open-air structures come into play. The objective of this course is not merely to transmit theoretical knowledge, but also to foster analytical and critical thinking in students, by linking each concept to real-world challenges in the field of hydraulics. In this way, the booklet aims to serve as a bridge between scientific rigor and practical application, in order to best prepare future graduates to meet the technical challenges associated with the management and sustainable use of water resources.