Hydraulic head

Hydraulic head

Diagram illustrating hydraulic head

Hydraulic head is a specific measurement of liquid pressure above a vertical datum. It is usually measured as a liquid column height, expressed in units of length, typically in meters or feet. The hydraulic head is a key concept in hydrology, hydraulics, and geotechnical engineering.

Components of Hydraulic Head[edit | edit source]

Hydraulic head is composed of two main components:

Elevation head: The height of the point above a reference level, often the mean sea level.
Pressure head: The height of a column of fluid that would exert the same pressure as the fluid at the point of measurement.

The total hydraulic head (H) can be expressed as:

H = Z + ψ

where:

Z = Elevation head
ψ = Pressure head

Applications[edit | edit source]

Hydraulic head is used in various fields such as:

Groundwater studies to determine the direction of groundwater flow.
Civil engineering for designing dams, levees, and other hydraulic structures.
Environmental engineering to assess the movement of contaminants in subsurface environments.

Measurement[edit | edit source]

Hydraulic head is typically measured using piezometers or observation wells. These instruments provide a direct measurement of the pressure head, which can then be combined with the elevation head to determine the total hydraulic head.

Bernoulli's Equation[edit | edit source]

In the context of fluid dynamics, hydraulic head is a component of Bernoulli's equation, which relates the speed, pressure, and height of a fluid in steady flow. The equation is given by:

P/ρg + v²/2g + z = constant

where:

P = Pressure
ρ = Density of the fluid
g = Acceleration due to gravity
v = Velocity of the fluid
z = Elevation head

Hydraulic Gradient[edit | edit source]

The hydraulic gradient is the slope of the hydraulic head in the direction of the greatest rate of decrease. It is a vector quantity and is crucial in determining the flow direction and rate in porous media.

References[edit | edit source]

External Links[edit | edit source]

This hydrology article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it.

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.