Mechanics of fluids

This unit develops your physical understanding of fluid statics and fluid flow and the interaction of fluid forces with solids.

Topics include hydrostatics, Reynolds transport theorem, continuity and momentum equations, control volume analysis, the Bernoulli equation, viscous pipe flow, pumps, dimensional analysis, boundary layers, flow measurement techniques and applications of fluid forces in flow - lift and drag.

Problem-based learning - The workshops will be complemented by practical sessions, focusing on a second problem set that is closely related to the worksheets. This is your opportunity to challenge yourself further, in a smaller group with more teaching staff available for assistance. The practicals will be assessed by submission of answers through a separate Moodle quiz. Each quiz will close the following week. For example, practical quiz 1 closes on Monday, Week 2.

Active learning - The workshops will focus on applying the theory from the recorded lectures to working through problems set out in printed worksheets and drawn from practical questions. The problems vary from ones that illustrate straightforward calculations to ones that require deeper insight, requiring you to determine the form of the problem and which equations are needed to solve it. This will be illustrated in the workshops and practical sessions by the teaching staff through individual or group guidance with the set problems. The workshops will be recorded to MULO. However, given the active nature of the teaching, we cannot guarantee that it will pick up all of the detail about what is said, presented or discussed. It is more effective to attend. The first workshop is in Week 1.

Enquiry-based learning - The laboratory classes will illustrate concepts from the course in a practical way. They also require you to apply the theory to solve problems or answer questions. The objectives of the laboratory experiments are to: - connect theory with practice. - develop an ability to solve problems. - interpret and present data. - work with others. - develop the capacity to ask the appropriate questions.

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.