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Fluid Mechanics (ENGR30002)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 1
Dr Daniel Heath
Email: daniel.heath@unimelb.edu.au
Semester 2
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 - Dual-Delivery Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery |
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Fees | Look up fees |
AIMS
This subject is integral to the understanding of fluid physics from a theoretical and real-world application basis. This is examined in the discussion of pipe flow, pumps, mixing tanks, momentum balances and related concepts. Pipe flow material includes fluid statics, manometry, the derivation of the continuity equation, mechanical energy balances, friction losses in a straight pipe, Newton’s law of viscosity, pipe roughness, valves and fittings, simple pipe network problems, principles of open channel flow, compressible flow, pressure waves, isothermal and adiabatic flow equations in a pipe, and choked flow. Pump material includes centrifugal pumps, derivation of theoretical head, head losses leading to the actual pump head curve, calculating system head, determining the operating point of a pumping system, throttling for flow control, cavitation and net positive suction head (NPSH), introduction to positive displacement pumps, affinity laws and pump scale-up. Mixing tank material includes stirred tanks, radial, axial and tangential flow, agitator types, vortex elimination, the standard tank configuration, power number and power curve, dynamic and geometric similarity in scale-up. Momentum balance material includes examination of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids, Multi-dimensional fluid flow-momentum flux, development of multi-dimensional equations of continuity and for momentum transfer, Navier-Stokes equations, application to tube flow, Couette flow and Stokes flow. We will visit computational fluid dynamics and real-world applications for fluid mechanics concepts.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject the student is expected to:
- Apply the fundamental conservation laws of fluid mechanics to solve relevant engineering problems that address global needs
- Solve mechanical energy balances in pipe flow, scale-up pumps and mixers
- Apply the Navier-Stokes equations to determine velocity profiles in axisymmetric and planar flows
- Predict the flow depth in various open-channel flow scenarios
- Calculate forces on submerged objects
- Apply the key dimensionless parameters in fluid mechanics in relevant contexts.
Generic skills
- Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution
- Capacity for independent thought
- Ability to plan work and to use time effectively.
Last updated: 20 March 2025