Mar 28, 2024  
2016-2017 Undergraduate Academic Catalog 
    
2016-2017 Undergraduate Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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AE 213 - Introduction to Fluid Mechanics

4 lecture hours 0 lab hours 4 credits
Course Description
This course covers the basic principles of fluid mechanics necessary for the design of building plumbing and fire protection systems, and for the design of air duct systems in building HVAC systems. Specific topics covered include: (1) introduction to basic fluid properties such as specific weight and viscosity, and an introduction to the concept and measurement of pressure, (2) the continuity equation for incompressible, steady flows, (3) the steady flow energy equation for incompressible, adiabatic fluid flow, and its simplified form the Bernoulli equation, (4) computation methods for frictional and minor losses in closed channel flow, (5) Manning’s equation for open channel flow, (6) introduction to flow measuring devices, (7) basic principles of pumps, fans, compressors, and blowers, and (8) an introduction to plumbing and fire protection system design through the use of various, applicable case studies throughout the course, but especially during the last week of the course. (prereq: AE 2121 )
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  • Calculate the pressure at any depth below the surface of a fluid (or fluids)
  • Calculate the magnitude and the point of application of hydrostatic forces acting on submerged plane surfaces
  • Apply the equations of static equilibrium to objects floating in a fluid (i.e. buoyancy problems)
  • Analyze inviscid flow systems using Bernoulli’s equation
  • Calculate frictional energy losses in pipe using the Darcy-Weisbach and Hazen-Williams equations
  • Analyze piping systems including pumps/turbines, pipe friction and minor losses using the General Energy equation
  • Determine the flow rate, head, and power requirements of centrifugal pumps at different operating point using (1) the affinity laws, and (2) manufacturer’s pump curves
  • Analyze open channel flow problems using Manning’s equations
  • Calculate the magnitude of forces acting on plane surfaces arising from fluid motion using Newton’s Law of Viscosity

Prerequisites by Topic
  • Thermodynamics (one quarter or one semester)
  • College physics (one quarter or one semester)
  • Calculus I

Course Topics
  • Basic fluid properties/pressure (8 classes)
  • Continuity equation (2 classes)
  • Steady flow energy equation for incompressible fluids (4 classes)
  • Bernoulli equation (2 classes)
  • Reynolds number and computing frictional and minor losses (8 classes)
  • Manning’s equation/open channel flows (2 classes)
  • Flowmeters (1 class)
  • Pumps (4 classes)
  • Design case studies/design problems (7 classes)
  • Midterm quizzes, tests, etc. (2 classes)

Laboratory Topics
  • Three hours of lab demonstrations per quarter

Coordinator
Bass Abushakra



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