ME EN 312
Fluid Mechanics
Mechanical Engineering
Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering
Course Description
Physics and modeling of fluid flow; fluid statics, dimensional analysis, momentum, internal and external viscous flow, and fluid machinery.
When Taught
Fall, Winter, Summer
Grade Rule
Grade Rule 8: A, B, C, D, E, I (Standard grade rule)
Min
3
Fixed
3
Fixed
3
Fixed
1
Title
Pressure in Fluids
Learning Outcome
2. Understand the variation in pressure, and determine pressure at a point in a static gas or liquid. Be able to compute hydrostatic forces on fully and partially submerged surfaces, and be able to determine the location of the center of pressure.
Title
Fluid Properties
Learning Outcome
1. Understand viscosity as a fluid property and be able to compute shear stress involving Newtonian fluids. Understand the different types of fluids and the phenomena of surface tension and cavitation.
Title
Flowing Fluids
Learning Outcome
3. Understand field variables and be able to evaluate the local, convective, and total acceleration in flowing fluids. Recognize Lagrangian and Eulerian frames of reference. Understand pressure distributions normal to, and parallel to, streamlines in flowing fluids. Be able to appropriately apply Bernoulli's principle to fluid dynamic situations and recognize the limitations of this principle.
Title
Conservation of Mass
Learning Outcome
4. Be able to derive the integral form of the conservation of mass principle from the Reynolds Transport Theorem and appropriately apply it to steady and unsteady flow situations with uniform or two-dimensional velocity distributions. Recognize and be able to utilize the differential form of conservation of mass.
Title
Global Force/Momentum Balances
Learning Outcome
5. Be able to derive the integral form of the linear momentum principle from the Reynolds Transport Theorem and apply global force/momentum balances for stationary and constant velocity frames of reference with uniform or two-dimensional velocity distributions. Recognize the Navier-Stokes equations and solve them for simplified viscous flows.
Title
Dimensional Analysis
Learning Outcome
6. Be able to determine appropriate dimensionless variables for a given dynamical situation. Understand the usefulness in presenting experimental data using dimensional analysis. Predict prototype analysis based on similitude and understand the pitfalls of modeling.
Title
Mechanical Energy Equation
Learning Outcome
7. Understand the mechanical energy equation and be able to apply it to laminar and turbulent flow with minor and major losses through pipe networks.
Title
Real World Problem Solving
Learning Outcome
9. Be able to utilize the principles of fluid dynamics to analyze and solve real world flow phenomena. Be able to use structured techniques (e.g. The 5 Ps of problem definition) to develop an engineering problem statement based on real-world applications of fluid mechanics and apply structured problem solving techniques (e.g. SAFER) to solve fluids engineering problems. Be able to methodically explore the possible solution space (e.g. using ConVerSAnT) for fluids problems.
Title
Velocity Distributions, Form Drag and Flow Separation
Learning Outcome
8. Understand and predict velocity distributions and boundary layer growth for flat plate boundary layers with laminar or turbulent flow. Understand flow separation, be able to predict skin friction and pressure drag for laminar and turbulent flows, and describe methods of drag reduction. Be able to determine Lift and explain how it is generated.
Title
Investigate Phenomena and Communicate Results
Learning Outcome
10. Be able to investigate elementary fluid dynamical phenomena experimentally, present experimental results graphically in terms of appropriate dimensionless variables, and effectively communicate results.
