Manual de Laboratorio de Hidrología e Hidráulica y diseño de un canal de flujo, para la Carrera de Ingeniería Civil de la Universidad Politécnica Salesiana, Campus Sur

Abstract

The teaching–learning process in Hydraulics and Hydrology requires an effective integration between theoretical principles and experimental practice. At the Hydraulics Laboratory of the Universidad Politécnica Salesiana, Quito Campus, the need for an updated technical manual was identified to systematize the use of available equipment and standardize experimental procedures, since the absence of clear guidelines affects the interpretation of hydraulic phenomena and the reliability of results. Additionally, although the laboratory has existing infrastructure, an opportunity was identified to design an open-channel flow system with improved hydraulic and educational criteria, considering its potential integration with an existing vortex-type energy dissipation structure. A descriptive and experimental methodology was applied, including a bibliographic and regulatory review of fundamental hydraulic principles and the execution of laboratory and field experiments related to open-channel and pipe flow, discharge measurement, energy losses, and infiltration processes. Equipment such as Venturi meters, rotameters, orifice plates, a Pelton turbine, a head loss board, infiltration rings, and discharge measurement methods using a current meter, a FlowTracker2 ultrasonic probe, and salt tracers were employed. The results showed consistency between experimental data and theoretical models, confirming that the designed channel meets appropriate hydraulic conditions and that the laboratory manual strengthens practical training for Civil Engineering students.