The word hydraulics comes from the Greek word ὑδϱαυλικός (hydraulikos). This word comes from the root words su (ὕδωϱ) and pipe (αὐλός).
Hydraulics is an engineering branch that studies the mechanical properties of fluids. It is about the useful discipline of fluid power. Fluid mechanics provides the theoretical foundations for the engineering use of fluid properties for hydraulics. In short, hydraulics consists of the engineering approach of fluid mechanics and its application to daily life.
Hydraulic History
The earliest hydraulic scientists are Ctesibius and Heron of Alexandria. These ancient engineers more hydraulics religious rituals, ceremonies and so on. They were interested in their practical uses in matters. The founder of modern hydraulics is Benedetto Castelli, a student of Galileo Galilei.
Hydraulic System Application Areas
Industrial Hydraulics The applications of hydraulic science in industry are called power hydraulics or industrial hydraulics. This part of the field of interest of mechanical engineering is used in almost every branch of the industry where power and force are needed. The systems prepared to produce linear, circular and angular motion with hydraulic energy are called hydraulic systems.
Systems in which compressed air is used as a fluid are called pneumatic systems. Hydraulics are preferred where large forces are required and power is at the forefront, pneumatic is preferred where small forces are sufficient, whereas speed is at the forefront.
In hydraulic circuits, water is not preferred, except in very rare cases, because it is corrosive. Petroleum derived oils (hydraulic fluids) are used as fluid in power hydraulics. The most important feature expected from these oils is that they are incompressible and protect the system elements from corrosion.
Water Hydraulics Water hydraulics are the area of interest of civil engineers, and the sub-branches of civil engineering, hydraulics and water resources engineering, are subjects such as water structures, transportation and treatment of water. Areas such as dams, water channels, water treatment plants, ports, coastal structures, drinking water, sewage works, groundwater, pumping and irrigation operations, river erosion, drainage works are the main areas of interest in hydraulic engineering.