Fluid Mechanics III

Go to this course in the University Course Planner.

Description

Fluid flows are important in many scientific and technological problems including atmospheric and oceanic circulation, energy production by chemical or nuclear combustion in engines and stars, energy utilisation in vehicles, buildings and industrial processes, and biological processes such as the flow of blood. Considerable progress has been made in the mathematical modelling of fluid flows and this has greatly improved our understanding of these problems, but there is still much to discover. This course introduces students to the mathematical description of fluid flows and the solution of some important flow problems.

Objective

To introduce students to the basic concepts of fluid mechanics. At the end of this subject, students should be able to solve problems of non-viscous fluid flow around a simple body; determine the pressure at locations on the body; apply hydrodynamic principles to many other areas of fluid mechanics, e.g. aerodynamics, ship hydrodynamics, tidal flows, groundwater flow.

Content

Topics covered are: the mathematical description of fluid flow in terms of Lagrangian and Eulerian coordinates; the derivation of the Euler, Navier-Stokes and Bernoulli equations from the fundamental physical principles of mass and momentum conservation; use of the stream function, velocity potential and complex potential are introduced to find solutions of the governing equations for inviscid, irrotational flow past bodies and the forces acting on those bodies; solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations for simple viscous flows.

Jim Denier Lecturer for this course

Delivery

36 hours of lectures and tutorials.

Assessment

Ongoing assessment 30%, exam 70%.

Graduate attributes

• Applying mathematical knowledge (1)
• Interpreting data and drawing conclusions (2)
• Formulating mathematical problems (3)
• Problem solving skills (4)
• Flexibility in working environment (5)
• Team participation and leadership (7)

Linkage past

Prerequisite is MATHS 1007A/B Mathematics 1 or equivalent. Students are assumed to have knowledge of both APP MTH 2007 Differential Equations II or APP MTH 2000 Differential Equations and Fourier Series and APP MTH 2002 Vector Analysis and Complex Analysis or APP MTH 2006 Methods in Applied Maths. A knowledge of APP MTH 2003 Modelling with DE's II is a definite advantage.

Linkage present

This subject forms part of a Fluid Mechanics stream. Such a stream would be suitable for a student contemplating a career in aerodynamics, meteorology, ship design, tidal or groundwater modelling, and environmental fluid mechanics.

Linkage future

Level IV subjects following this include Computational Fluid Dynamics and Aerodynamics.

Restrictions

None.

Recommended text

None.