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ME20022: Fluid dynamics

[Page last updated: 04 August 2021]

Academic Year: 2021/2
Owning Department/School: Department of Mechanical Engineering
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: CW 15%, EX 85%
Assessment Detail:
  • Coursework (CW 15%)
  • Exam (EX 85%)
Supplementary Assessment:
ME20022 Re-Assessment Examination (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Description: Aims:
To develop the student's ability to apply the principles of fluid dynamics to problems of engineering importance at high and low speeds.

Learning Outcomes:
After taking this unit the student should be able to:
* Understand the flow over a two-dimensional aerofoil and how lift and drag are generated.
* Calculate the skin friction and drag caused by boundary-layer flow over external surfaces. Understand the importance of the Reynolds number.
* Calculate the pressure losses in duct/pipe networks, and understand the fundamental fluid mechanics which causes friction.
* Understand the effects of compressibility on fluid flow and solve engineering problems dealing with high-speed aerodynamics.

Skills:
Problem solving; numeracy; working independently.

Content:
VISCOUS FLOWS: Introduction to effects of fluid viscosity, laminar and turbulent pipe flows, Reynolds experiment, effects of roughness, minor losses, boundary layers in zero pressure gradients, transition, effect of pressure gradient, including flow separation. COMPRESSIBLE FLOW: Mach number and speed of sound. Shock waves. Area-change. Flow through a converging-diverging nozzle. Application to rockets and aerospace engineering. BOUNDARY LAYERS: Introduction, skin-friction and pressure drag, high-lift devices for aerofoils, drag on spheres and sports balls. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: History of fluid dynamics and flight in the 20th and 21st century. AEROFOIL LABORATORY: measure lift coefficient versus angle of attack for a NACA 2415 aerofoil with and without a leading edge slat. Examine aerodynamic stall and Reynolds number effects.

Programme availability:

ME20022 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Mechanical Engineering
  • UEME-AFB26 : BEng(Hons) Aerospace Engineering (Year 2)
  • UEME-AKB26 : BEng(Hons) Aerospace Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • UEME-AFB48 : BEng(Hons) Integrated Design Engineering (Year 2)
  • UEME-AKB48 : BEng(Hons) Integrated Design Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • UEME-AFB16 : BEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering (Year 2)
  • UEME-AKB16 : BEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • UEME-AFB38 : BEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing and Management (Year 2)
  • UEME-AKB38 : BEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing and Management with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • UEME-AFB47 : BEng(Hons) Mechanical with Automotive Engineering (Year 2)
  • UEME-AKB47 : BEng(Hons) Mechanical with Automotive Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • UEME-AFM04 : MEng(Hons) Aerospace Engineering (Year 2)
  • UEME-AKM04 : MEng(Hons) Aerospace Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • UEME-AFM48 : MEng(Hons) Integrated Design Engineering (Year 2)
  • UEME-AKM48 : MEng(Hons) Integrated Design Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • UEME-AFM16 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering (Year 2)
  • UEME-AKM16 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • UEME-AFM38 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing and Management (Year 2)
  • UEME-AKM38 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing and Management with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • UEME-AFM47 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical with Automotive Engineering (Year 2)
  • UEME-AKM47 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical with Automotive Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 2)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2021/22 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2022/23 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2021/22.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.