Fluid mechanics and Thermal sciences

Last year in GATE-2011, Thermodynamics got 12 marks of questions but in GATE-2012 it has got only 6 marks of questions .In this two questions were moderate, one easy and one was difficult. All the questions were based on steady flow energy equation and its application with nozzle and steam turbine.While solving the exit area of the nozzle, the variation of density of air is taken into consideration. One easy question was on change in entropy of gas. This is direct application of second law of thermodynamics.

Last year in Gate-2011, Fluid mechanics and machinery got only 3 marks but in GATE-2012 it has got 6 marks. Two questions were moderate and one was difficult. The instantaneous velocity to be determined by finding the head in a tank very carefully. The remaining questions were moderate by using the formulae effectively.

Last year in Gate-2011, heat transfer has got 6 marks and in GATE-2012 also it has got 6 marks. The difficult question was to determine the LMTD of a heat exchanger by using effectiveness method. The remaining were based on principles of heat transfer.

In overall, the thermal engineering weighatage was come down compares to Previous GATE 2011 paper. At the same time the applied mechanics and design weighatage was improved a lot.

Appled Mechanics and Design

In this ,the theory of machines, strength of materials, vibrations and design questions were more complex compares to last year. In this part, lot of computatation is required. While solving these problems, the concepts to be applied very carefully. This the most difficult part in GATE-2012. While solving a problem on flywheel, the student should know the moment of inertia of a solid circular disc. The question on columns was easy. This is direct application of formulae involved in it. The formulae for a circumferential stress to be known by the student otherwise it is a nightmare.

The formula for crossed helical gears to be known, then this problem become simple. While solving the design of a shaft, the factor of safety to be applied very carefully.

And at the same time, the braking torque for a brake to be determined very carefully, otherwise it becomes wrong.

Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering.

In Manufacturing engineering, the weighatage is same compares to previous year. The degree of toughness is also the same but some questions are very difficult.These questions also need lot of computation.

The value of shear yield stress to be determined by using von mises theory of failure and in machining, the shear strain cannot be determined directly. The suitable formulae to be known and apply them to get the unknown answer.

The drilling time also to be determined very carefully by applying suitable formulae. This also needs lot of computational effort. Some problems need more time. The quickness is required.

In industrial engineering, the weighatage is same compares to previous year. The degree of toughness is also the same but all the questions are moderate.

The critical path to be determined by drawing the line diagram very carefully and the duration to be determined in an easy way.

The question on production planning and control is moderate and to be answered very carefully.This part does not require much time.