Module overview
Fluid mechanics is at the heart of many engineering challenges, from designing aircraft and wind turbines to improving automotive performance, energy systems and acoustical devices. In this module, you will develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to understand, analyse and predict how fluids behave in engineering applications.
You will explore the fundamental principles governing fluid flow, including the conservation of mass, momentum and energy, before applying these concepts to ideal and real flows, compressible flows and boundary layers. Along the way, you will build the analytical and problem-solving skills that underpin mechanical and acoustical engineering design.
Hands-on laboratory sessions and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) activities will give you experience of both experimental techniques and industry-relevant simulation tools, helping you connect theory with real engineering practice. By the end of the module, you will have the confidence to analyse fluid flow problems and apply your knowledge to a wide range of engineering systems and technologies.
Linked modules
Pre-requisite: FEEG1003
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Measure and analyse pressure and velocity of fluid flow through lab classes, and compare them with theoretical predictions
- Calculate forces (lift and drag) generated by fluid flow and discuss them in the context of performance and efficiency of fluid machinery
- Derive basic governing equations of fluid flow based on the conservation laws
- 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
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.
- 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.
- 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.
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Ideal potential (inviscid and incompressible) fluid flow
- Basics of compressible fluid flow and introduction to acoustics
- Viscous fluid flow
- Conservation laws for mass, momentum and energy in fluid flow
- Basic CFD (computational fluid dynamics)
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
Syllabus
1. Conservation Laws of Fluid Flow
- Deformation of fluid element
- Mass conservation
- Momentum conservation
- Energy conservation
2. Viscous Flow
- Introduction to viscous flows
- Laminar boundary layer
- Turbulent boundary layer
- Separated flows
- Introduction to Turbulence
- 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
Examples: Flow over thick aerofoils (Coursework)
4. Introduction to CFD (computational fluid dynamics)
- Background of CFD
- Accuracy, convergence, CFL, y+ etc.
- Turbulence ‘closure’ and the k-ω turbulence model
- Advection-Diffusion Equation: Finite difference and Finite Volume
- Pressure correction
5. Basics of Compressible flow and introduction to acoustics
- Isentropic flow relations
- Speed of sound
- Stagnation variables
- Examples problems (Pitot)
- Introduction to acoustics
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
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
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Independent Study | 62 |
| Teaching | 48 |
| Completion of assessment task | 40 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
PK Kundu, IM Cohen and DR Dowling (2016). Fluid Mechanics. https://www-sciencedirect-com.soton.idm.oclc.org/book/9780124059351/fluid-mechanics: Academic Press.
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Continuous Assessment | 30% |
| Final Assessment | 70% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Set Task | 100% |
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.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Set Task | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External