Fluid Mechanics

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Compressible fluid flow
• Viscous fluid flow
• Conservation laws for mass, momentum and energy in fluid flow
• Basic CFD (computational fluid dynamics)
• Ideal potential (inviscid and incompressible) fluid flow

Full CEng Programme Level Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Select and apply appropriate materials, equipment, engineering technologies and processes, recognising their limitations in lab course work and final examination.
• Apply a comprehensive knowledge of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles to the solution of complex fluid mechanics problems. Much of the knowledge will be at the forefront of the fluid mechanics field of study and informed by a critical awareness of new developments and the wider context of engineering. These are assessed by final examination and two practical laboratory coursework.
• Select and apply appropriate computational and analytical techniques to model complex fluid mechanics problems, discussing the limitations of the techniques employed in final examination and their lab reports.
• Formulate and analyse fluid mechanics complex problems to reach substantiated conclusions. This will involve evaluating measured data and/or problems set in final examination using first principles of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles, and using engineering judgment to work with information that may be uncertain or incomplete, discussing the limitations of the techniques employed.
• Measure and analyse pressure and velocity of fluid flow through practical laboratory, and compare them with theoretical predictions to investigate complex problems.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Solve engineering problems systematically
• Use mathematical and computational models for engineering analysis

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Solve simple one-dimensional or two-dimensional fluid flow problems by making appropriate assumptions and by applying sensible boundary conditions
• Apply CFD methods to calculate simple cases of fluid flow
• Measure and analyse pressure and velocity of fluid flow through lab classes, and compare them with theoretical predictions
• Derive basic governing equations of fluid flow based on the conservation laws
• Calculate forces (lift and drag) generated by fluid flow and discuss them in the context of performance and efficiency of fluid machinery

1. Conservation Laws of Fluid Flow

• Mass conservation
• Momentum conservation
• Energy conservation

2. Viscous Flow

• Introduction to viscous flows
• Laminar boundary layer
• Turbulent boundary layer
• Separated flows
• Example problems

3. Ideal Potential Flow

• Introduction to inviscid, incompressible and irrotational flows
• Flow elements and superposition
• Thin aerofoil theory and lift-force generation
• Example problems

4. Compressible Flow

• Isentropic flow relations
• Normal shock waves
• One-dimensional nozzle flow
• Introduction to acoustics
• Introduction to propulsion
• Example problems

5. Introduction to CFD (computational fluid dynamics)

Teaching methods include:

• Lectures
• Tutorial sessions
• Laboratory classes

Learning activities include:

• Summative assessments marked and returned with feedback
• Worked examples within the tutorials in an interactive fashion
• Self-assessed problem sheets made available on Blackboard
• Revision with past exam papers and solutions made available on Blackboard

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.