MECH326/MECH627 Engineering Fluid Mechanics Overview

Study Notes

Dr. Henry Ng is the lecturer for the MECH326/ MECH627 Engineering Fluid Mechanics module.
He can be contacted at [email protected].

MECH326 students have a three-hour exam in January, worth 80% of the final grade.
A Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) class test, worth 20%, is held in Week 8.
MECH627 students have a three-hour exam in January, worth 80% of the final grade.
Two assignments, each worth 10%, are due in Weeks 6 and 12.

There are two problem sheets, with 3 or 4 questions each, totaling 20% of the final grade.
Assignments aim to encourage consistent study and revision, and provide self-assessment opportunities.
Submissions must be individual, even when working in groups, through CANVAS.
Deadlines are strict, and extensions are not granted.
If necessary, a Mitigating Circumstances form can be submitted to the Student Experience team.
Worked solutions are available approximately one week after the submission deadline.

The module covers key concepts in fluid mechanics relevant to engineering applications.
These include hydrodynamic similarity, pipe flow, Navier-Stokes equations, boundary layer theory, potential flow, and compressible flow.

White, F.M., Fluid Mechanics, McGraw-Hill, 6th edition, 2008
Fox, R.W., and McDonald, A.T., Introduction to Fluid Mechanics, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 4th edition, 1994
White, F.M., Viscous Fluid Flow, McGraw-Hill, 3rd edition, 2006
Anderson, J.D., Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, McGraw-Hill, 2nd edition, 1991
Anderson, J.D., Modern Compressible Flow – With Historical Perspective, McGraw-Hill, 3rd edition, 2004
Massey, B.S., Mechanics of Fluids, Van Nostrand Reinhold, 6th edition, 1989
Douglas, J.F. and Matthews, R.D., Solving Problems in: Fluid Mechanics.Volume 1, Longman, 3rd edition, 1996
Streeter, V.L., Wylie, E.B., and Bedford, K.W., Fluid Mechanics, McGraw-Hill, 9th edition, 1998
Granger, R.A., Fluid Mechanics, Dover Publications, Inc., 1995
Munson, B.R., Young, D.F., and Okiishi, T.H., Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2nd edition, 1994

The module aims to provide a fundamental understanding of fluid mechanics principles for engineering applications.
This knowledge is important both for preliminary design and detailed flow/design analysis.

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is often employed in research and industry for detailed analysis.
CFD relies on complex mathematical models that simulate fluid flow.
Numerical techniques are needed to solve these models.
Understanding underlying fluid dynamics principles is essential for effective CFD usage.

The module covers both 'exact' and approximate analytical solutions to a range of fluid dynamics problems.
The knowledge gained in this module serves as a foundation for CFD simulations.

The role of viscosity in fluid behavior is analyzed.
Students will learn about the viscosity of gases and liquids, including its temperature dependence.
The concept of no-slip boundary conditions on solid objects is discussed.

The module explores the concept of similarity in fluid flows.
Non-dimensionalization and similarity parameters, such as Reynolds number and Mach number, are introduced.
Sub-scale testing techniques, like wind tunnels, water tunnels, and flow rigs, are discussed.
The importance of similarity in sub-scale testing is emphasized.
This principle allows for a priori prediction of full-scale behavior from smaller-scale experiments.