Module information on this degree can be found below, separated by year of study.

The module information below applies for the current academic year. The academic year runs from August to July; the 'current year' switches over at the end of July.

Students select optional courses subject to rules specified in the Mechanical Engineering Student Handbook,  for example at most three Design and Business courses. Please note that numbers are limited on some optional courses and selection criteria will apply.

Fluid Mechanics 3A

Module aims

An advanced fluid mechanics module, general and fundamental in nature and spanning subsonic, transonic and supersonic flows. Topics include derivation of conservation equations for incompressible and compressible flows, methods for solving them in simplified cases, turbulence, energy and work and normal and oblique shocks. This is a level 6 version of the enhanced level 7 Fluid Mechanics module and students cannot take both for credit towards their final degree.

ECTS units:    5 
 

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module students should be able to: 

1. Describe the physical features of a flow in terms of the rate of strain, rotation and vorticity

2. Describe the physical features of turbulence, and the basis for models of it

3. Derive the fundamental differential conservation equation of mass

4. Manipulate the tensor forms of the conservation equations of mass, momentum energy and energy

5. Simplify the fundamental differential conservation equations with appropriate assumptions and find, where appropriate, an exact solution

6. Identify the dimensionless groups that determine the behaviour of fluid flow from the fundamental differential conservation equations

7. Describe the fundamental features of fluid flow from an analysis of numerical solutions

Module syllabus

Review of elemental approach to incompressible flow: external flows, boundary layers
Compressible form of the governing equations: continuity, Navier-Stokes, energy equations, simple analytic solutions (Couette, Poiseulle, Stokes, creeping flow), similarity solutions
Order of magnitude analysis: scaling, dimensionless groups and their use in analysing and simplifying the equations of fluid motion.
Turbulence: length and time scales of turbulence; effects, properties and transport of turbulence in flows; modelling the effects of turbulence
Compressible flow: Speed of sound; Mach number; Euler Equation; Normal and Obliques Shock waves; Flow in a duct of varying area; Convergent-Divergent nozzles.

Pre-requisites

ME1-hFMX, ME2-hFMX

Teaching methods

Students will be introduced to the main topics through lectures, supported by technology (PowerPoint, Panapto and Blackboard). Short activities (using interactive pedagogies) will occasionally be introduced in the classroom setting to reinforce learning, for example through mentimeter and the like. You will be provided with problem solving sheets and should complete these as part of your independent study. Tutorials sessions will provide an opportunity for interaction with teaching staff where you can discuss specific problems. 

Assessments

Assessment details        
      Pass mark   
Grading method Numeric   40%
         
         
Assessments        
Assessment type Assessment description Weighting Pass mark Must pass?
Examination 3 Hour exam 100% 40% Y

Reading list

Supplementary reading

Module leaders

Professor Aimee Morgans