MODULE DESCRIPTOR
MECH1001 - Mechanics of Fluids
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MECH1001
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MECHANICS OF FLUIDS
1
0.5/7.5
September
March
Dr. Diaz (100%) Module Coordinator
Prerequisites
No previous experience of fluid mechanics is required.
Mathematics at A level to include ordinary differential equations linear and non linear, integration,
differentiation. Additionally, furt her maths are required (double integration and partial differentiation, for
example) but this is explained as part of the module and these techniques are applied in very specific
cases.
Students considering registering for this course must have attained passes in A -levels or the equivalent
that meet the minimum requirements for admission onto the undergraduate programmes in Mechanical
Engineering.
Course Aims
This course has the goal to provide a fundamental understanding of fluid mechanics. Starting from the
definition of a fluid, theory will be build up in order to describe, characterise, analyse and understand the
behaviour of fluids (gases, liquids) in motion or static. Mechanics of fluids is a fundamental subject and
one that finds many industrial and technological applications: from ship design to pi pe modelling to
meteorological events and tornadoes.
Method of Instruction
Method of Instruction
Lecture presentations, tutorial classes and (two) laboratory classes.
Assessment
The course has the following assessment components:
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Written Examination (3 hours, 75%)
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2 Laboratories (12.5% each) one for discharge coefficient and one for Reynolds number.
To pass this course, students must:
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Obtain an overall pass mark of 40% for all sections combined
The examination rubric is:
Answer FIVE questions (from eight offered). All questions carry equal weight.
Resources:
Fox R. W., McDonald A T., Pritchard P. J. “Introduction to Fluid Mechanics.” Wiley & Sons, 6 th edition
(2004). ISBN 0-471-20231-2.
Additional Information
None
Content
Chapter 1: Introduction to Fluid Mechanics
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Definitions (fluids, continuum, etc.). Dimensions and unit systems.
Chapter 2: Fluid Properties
Mass, weight and density. Temperature. Viscosity. Pressure
Chapter 3: Fluid Statics
Distribution of pressure in a fluid at rest. Fundament al equilibrium condition applied to (i) liquids, (ii) gases.
Manometry. Forces on immersed surfaces in liquids. Archimedes’ principle.
Pressure distribution in accelerated fluids; translation, rotation.
Chapter 4: Conservation Equations in Integral Form
Classification of flows. Definitions (streamlines, pathlines, etc.)
Conservation of mass
Conservation of momentum applied to a control volume
Examples: applications to blades, vanes, cascades, contractions, nozzles, jets, flat plate boundary layer.
Chapter 5: Incompressible Inviscid Flow
Bernoulli’s equation. Static, dynamic and stagnation pressure.
Pitot tube, stagnation point, static pressure hole. Pitot-static tube, free stream dynamic pressure.
Dimensionless pressure coefficient.
Flow measurement or metering. Orifices, venturis, ducts, nozzles. Empirical discharge coefficients.
Steady flow energy equation. Relation to Bernoulli. Head loss due to friction. Power input to a pump.
Chapter 6: Dimensional Analysis and Similitude
Similarity and modelling.
Model testing.
Chapter 7: Internal Incompressible Viscous Flow
Effect of viscosity. Shear stress and velocity gradient. Wall shear stress.
Reynolds’ experiments in pipes, laminar motion, transition, turbulent motion.
Dynamic similarity. Reynolds number.
Analysis of pipe flow: Hagen-Poiseuille theory for laminar flows.
Friction factor. Darcy’s equation for head loss.
Empirical results for turbulent flow. Velocity profiles. 1/7 th power law. Friction factor correlations. Head
loss coefficients for valves bends, etc. Applications in pipe networks and in draining/filling problems.
Quasi-steady flow.
Chapter 8: External Incompressible Viscous Flow
Dimensionless force coefficients. Drag coefficient. Lift coefficient. Bluff and slender bodies.
Nature of real flows at high Reynolds number.
Boundary layers. Phenomenon of separation. Favourable and adverse pressure gradients.
Contribution to total profile drag. Form drag, skin friction.
General Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding:
Essential scientific principles of fundamental fluid mechanics, which includes: a
basic knowledge and understanding of fluid statics and Bernoulli's equation, the conservation principles
for open systems and basic knowledge and understanding of the principles of dimensional analysis and
physical similarity.
Skills and attributes
(i) Intellectual
Apply basic scientific principles of fluid mechanics to solve simple engineering problems involving
modelling and analysis of basic engineering systems involving:
simple flow systems, using appropriate conservation principles, and applying the principles of dimensional
analysis and physical similarity to engineering model testing.
(ii) Practical
Use pressure, temperature and flow measurement in dedicated test equipment and wind tunnels; analyse
experimental results and draw conclusions, given specific guidance to the appropriate background
material; estimate uncertainty of simple fluid mechanics and thermodynamics measurements.
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(iii) Transferable:
Apply a range of techniques to analyse available evidence and solve simple engineering problems
pertaining in fluid flow systems.
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