About this previous year paper
This document contains the complete B.Tech (Semester IV) Theory Examination 2024–25 question paper for Hydraulic Engineering and Machines (BCE403). The paper spans two printed pages, carries 70 marks, and evaluates a student's understanding of open-channel flow, hydraulic structures, pumps, turbines, fluid machinery, surges, cavitation, draft tubes, and specific energy concepts.
Section A – Short Conceptual Questions (14 Marks)
Section A includes seven 2-mark questions, designed to test basic hydraulic and fluid machinery concepts:
Meaning and application of energy dissipaters (Page 1)
Short note on Parshall flume, a flow-measuring device
Different types of flow in channels
Types of hydraulic surges
The most efficient channel section and its significance
Chezy’s equation—parameters & usage for uniform flow
Three important discharge measurement devices
These questions test fundamental clarity in open-channel hydraulics and flow measurement.
Section B – Analytical & Descriptive Questions (21 Marks)
Students must attempt any three of the five questions. This section covers key hydraulic equations, turbine comparison, channel design, and draft tube theory:
Explanation & comparison of Chezy’s and Manning’s uniform flow equations
Efficiency and application comparison: Francis vs Kaplan turbines
Numerical design of a trapezoidal channel carrying 20 m³/s at given slope using Manning’s equation (Page 1)
Neat sketches of draft tube shapes (straight, elbow, conical), and their working theory
Meaning of NPSH and its relation to cavitation in pumps
These questions check conceptual understanding plus numerical proficiency.
Section C – Long Numerical & Conceptual Questions (35 Marks)
Section C consists of five main questions, with one part to be attempted from each.
Q3 – Pelton Turbine / Critical Flow
Working and diagram of a Pelton turbine
OR numerical problem on producing critical flow by raising floor level in a rectangular channel
Q4 – Pumps / Channel Flow Critical Conditions
Comparison between centrifugal and reciprocating pumps
OR numerical problem involving uniform flow → critical depth, hump height & contraction width
Q5 – Jet Impact / GVF Profile
Impulse-momentum principle and its application to jet impact
OR estimation of GVF profile length for a natural channel under raised water surface
Q6 – Water Waves / Specific Energy Theory
Difference between deep and shallow water waves
OR proof that maximum discharge occurs at critical flow for given specific energy
Q7 – Pelton Wheel Design / Critical Flow Condition
Design of a Pelton wheel turbine using given power, head, speed & efficiency data (Page 2)
OR theoretical proof of maximum discharge at critical flow
This section assesses deep understanding of hydraulic machinery, open-channel flow analysis, and critical-flow theory.
Summary
The Hydraulic Engineering & Machines (BCE403) exam paper comprehensively evaluates:
Open-channel flow concepts
Uniform & critical flow
Chezy’s & Manning’s equations
Surges, energy dissipaters & channel efficiency
Flow measurement devices (Parshall flume, venturi, orifices)
Pelton, Francis & Kaplan turbines
Centrifugal & reciprocating pumps
Cavitation & NPSH
Draft tube types & theory
GVF analysis and specific energy concepts
Jet impact mechanics
Pelton wheel design calculations
This paper is a complete academic resource for civil engineering students studying fluid mechanics, hydraulic machinery, and open-channel flow systems.