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Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics (MCEN30018)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Semester 1
Dr Rob Gordon
Email: robert.gordon@unimelb.edu.au
robert.gordon@unimelb.edu.au, jimmyp@unimelb.edu.au
Semester 2
Dr Jimmy Philip
Email: jimmyp@unimelb.edu.au
Semester 2
Semester 1
Dr Rob Gordon
Email: robert.gordon@unimelb.edu.au
robert.gordon@unimelb.edu.au, jimmyp@unimelb.edu.au
Semester 2
Dr Jimmy Philip
Email: jimmyp@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
AIMS
This course is an introduction to basic principles of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics. These two subjects are introduced together in a single course, reflecting the large degree of cross-over in applications and basic first principles between the two subjects.
Fluid mechanics is a very important core subject, influencing a diverse range of engineering systems (aircraft, ships, road vehicle design, air conditioning, energy conversion, wind turbines, hydroelectric schemes to name but a few) and also impacts on many biological (blood flow, bird flight etc) and even meteorological studies. As engineers, we are typically concerned with predicting the force required to move a body through a fluid, or the power required to pump fluid through a system. However, before we can achieve this goal, we must start from fundamental principles governing fluid flow.
Thermodynamics could be defined as the science of energy. This subject can be broadly interpreted to include all aspects of energy and energy transformations. Like fluid mechanics, this is a hugely important subject in engineering, underpinning many key engineering systems including power generation, engines, gas turbines, refrigeration, heating etc. This unit again starts from first principles to introduce the basic concepts of thermodynamics, paving the way for later more advanced units
This course aims to develop a fundamental understanding of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics, based on first principles and physical arguments. Real world engineering examples will be used to illustrate and develop an intuitive understanding of these subjects.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Topics include:
Fluid Mechanics - fluid statics, static forces on submerged structures, stability of floating bodies; solid body motion; fluid dynamics; streamlines; pathlines and streaklines; conservation of mass, momentum and energy; Euler's equation and Bernoulli's equation; control volume analysis; dimensional analysis; incompressible flow in pipes and ducts; boundary layers; flow around immersed bodies; and drag and lift.
Thermodynamics - heat and work, ideal non-flow and flow processes; laws of thermodynamics; Carnot's principle; Clausius inequality; direct and reversed heat engines; thermal efficiencies; properties of pure substances; change of phase; representation of properties; steam and air tables; and vapour equation of state, ideal gases.
Intended learning outcomes
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs)
Having completed this unit the student is expected to -
- Have developed an intuitive fundamental understanding of thermo-fluid systems
- Be able to determine the thermodynamic and physical properties of numerous substances
- Apply the first and second laws of thermodynamics to several engineering devices
- Apply control volume analysis to numerous fluid mechanical systems
- Appreciate the elegance of dimensional analysis
- Be able to analyse simple, incompressible and inviscid fluid flows, such as pipe and pump flow systems
- Appreciate basic tenets of external flows, including lift, drag & separated flows.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject, students should have developed the following generic skills:
• Ability to apply knowledge of science and engineering fundamentals
• Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation, and solution
• Ability to utilise a systems approach to complex problems and to design and operational performance
• Ability to function effectively as an individual and in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, as a team leader or manager as well as an effective team member.
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Both of:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ENGR20004 | Engineering Mechanics |
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
MAST20029 | Engineering Mathematics |
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
OR all of:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ENGR20004 | Engineering Mechanics |
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
MAST20009 | Vector Calculus |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
MAST20030 | Differential Equations | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MAST20030 may be taken concurrently.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
Students cannot enrol and gain credit for this subject and -
- ENGR30001 Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics
- MCEN30015 Thermofluids
Recommended background knowledge
PHYC10003 Physics 1 and PHYC10004 Physics 2
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Assessment
Additional details
- Two Laboratory reports not exceeding 1500 words (equal weight) (20%), approximately 10 hours work each. Associated with Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1, 3 and 7
- Two assignments during semester, each not exceeding 1500 words and requiring approximately 10 hours of work (10% each). Associated with ILOs 4-6
- One 50 minute written test in week 6 or 7 (10%). Associated with ILOs 1-7
- One 3 hour examination at the end of semester (50%). Associated with ILOs 1-7
Hurdle Requirement - students must pass the exam component to pass the subject
Note: Some laboratory reports and assignments will be completed in teams of two.
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Joseph Klewicki Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 36 hours of lectures and 20 hours of tutorials and laboratories Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 February 2018 to 27 May 2018 Last self-enrol date 9 March 2018 Census date 31 March 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 4 May 2018 Assessment period ends 22 June 2018 Semester 1 contact information
Semester 1
Dr Rob Gordon
Email: robert.gordon@unimelb.edu.aurobert.gordon@unimelb.edu.au, jimmyp@unimelb.edu.au
Semester 2
Dr Jimmy Philip
Email: jimmyp@unimelb.edu.au - Semester 2
Principal coordinator Jimmy Philip Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 36 hours of lectures and 20 hours of tutorials and laboratories Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 23 July 2018 to 21 October 2018 Last self-enrol date 3 August 2018 Census date 31 August 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 21 September 2018 Assessment period ends 16 November 2018 Semester 2 contact information
Semester 1
Dr Rob Gordon
Email: robert.gordon@unimelb.edu.aurobert.gordon@unimelb.edu.au, jimmyp@unimelb.edu.au
Semester 2
Dr Jimmy Philip
Email: jimmyp@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
None
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Bachelor of Design Elective Subjects Major Mechanical Systems Specialisation (formal) Mechanical Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI and B-ENG. Major Mechanical Systems Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Specialisation (formal) Mechanical with Business Specialisation (formal) Mechatronics - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 27 April 2024