Fluid Mechanics

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

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

• Turbomachinery fluid mechanics.
• Conservation laws for mass, momentum and energy.
• The importance of common dimensionless groups.
• A basic understanding of compressible fluid flow.
• An awareness of turbulent flow.
• Laminar and turbulent boundary layers.
• Elementary potential flow theory.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Solve simple potential flow problems.
• Qualitatively appreciate the complexity of turbulence and the need for computational models for turbulent flow
• Apply CFD methods to calculate simple flows.
• Use dimensionless groups to predict the type of flow physics likely to be present.
• Solve simple turbomachinery flow problems
• Solve simple one-dimensional flow problems by making appropriate assumptions and by applying sensible boundary conditions.
• Solve simple problems in one-dimensional isentropic and non-isentropic flow.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Solve problems systematically
• Researching and reporting assignments

Conservation Equations [8 lectures]

• Revision: streamlines/streak lines/path lines, Bernoulli’s equation, the control volume, mass conservation, momentum conservation.
• Deformation, vorticity and rate of strain.
• Derivation of the conservation equations (mass, momentum and energy) for a Newtonian fluid using a control volume basis.
• Simple applications of the conservation equations (Poiseuille, Couette flow etc.)
• Dimensional analysis revisited (Reynolds, Euler, Prantl, Froude, Mach numbers).

Introduction to viscous flow [2 lectures]

• Aerofoil flow regimes. Types of boundary layers. Integral properties of boundary layers(displacement thickness, momentum thickness and shape factor). Momentum integral equation for a flat plate. Power law approximations for turbulent boundary layers. Drag on a flat-plate for laminar and turbulent flow.

Introduction to turbulence and CFD [2 lectures]

• Length and time scale range, the need for turbulence models.
• Mean and fluctuating quantities.
• Averaged conservation equations, Reynolds number.
• Mean and fluctuating kinetic energy.
• The concept of eddy viscosity.
• Best practice guidelines for CFD analysis.

Potential flow [4 lectures]

• Laplace’s equation, uniform stream, source/sink, line vortex, uniform flow with source, Rankine oval, flow around circular cylinder/doublet, circulation, method of images, lifting flow over circular cylinder and Kutta-Joukowski theorem, Kutta condition.

Turbomachinery [2 lectures]

• Introduction, elementary pump theory, centrifugal/axial-flow pumps, turbines, wind turbines.

One dimensional compressible flow [4 lectures]

• Simplify the governing equations to obtain equations for a 1-D compressible Newtonian fluid.
• The role of pressure and pressure wave speed in a compressible fluid. The Mach number revisited.
• One-dimensional compressible, sub- and super-sonic isentropic flow in convergent-divergent ducts, choked flow.
• One-dimensional compressible, sub- and super-sonic non-isentropic flow, normal shocks.

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include:

• Lectures
• A tutorial session
• Laboratory classes

Learning activities include:

• Worked examples will be completed within the tutorials in an interactive fashion.
• Problem sheets will be issued and may be freely discussed in the tutorial sessions.
• A lab report and other assignments will be set, marked and returned with comments.
• Private study.

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.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External