6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL
Undergraduate - Unit
Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.
Faculty
Organisational Unit
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Chief examiner(s)
Coordinator(s)
Dr Prabhakar Ranganathan
(Clayton)
Dr Tan Ming Kwang
(Malaysia)
Unit guides
Synopsis
The foundations of continuum analysis of fluids will be presented. Using control volume analysis the fundamental conservation laws for mass, momentum and energy are developed leading to the derivation of the Navier-Stokes equations. Techniques employed to solving these equations for specific problems are explored. Methods of exact and approximate solutions of these equations, and the use of conceptual and analytical tools such as flow similitude, vorticity, circulation, stream function and velocity potential are described. The concept of boundary layers and its use in the calculation of drag and lift forces is elucidated. The origins and physical consequences of the phenomenon of fluid turbulence are discussed, along with their implications for computation of turbulent flows. The analysis of compressible flows and its applications are discussed. The unit introduces the concepts underpinning the broad areas of fluid acoustics, computational fluid dynamics, environmental fluid mechanics and wind energy.
Outcomes
At the successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Analyse and characterise fluid motion
- Analyse mass, momentum and energy transfer through fluid regions of any shape or size
- Construct equations governing the behaviour of fluid particles from the fundamental principles of mass, momentum and energy conservation
- Assess fluid applications and select appropriate techniques to solve the equations governing fluid behaviour for the design or analysis of those applications.
- Draw on learning in the unit to articulate the transferable skill acquired in expressing physical ideas symbolically and using mathematical logic to gain useful insight.
Assessment
Continuous assessment: 60%
Final Examination (3 hours): 40%
Students are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous assessment component and at least 45% in the final examination component and an overall mark of 50% to achieve a pass grade in the unit. Students failing to achieve this requirement will be given a maximum of 45% in the unit.
Workload requirements
6 hours of contact time per week (3 hours lectures and 3 hours practice sessions) and 6 hours of private study per week
See also Unit timetable information