Mar 29, 2024  
2017-2018 Undergraduate Academic Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Undergraduate Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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ME 411 - Advanced Topics in Fluid Mechanics

3 lecture hours 0 lab hours 3 credits
Course Description
This course focuses on differential relations for treating fluid flow problems. The theory developed will allow students to pursue advanced practice in fluid dynamics (e.g. computational fluid dynamics). In addition to differential relations and potential flow theory, this course covers dimensional analysis/similitude, and external flow. The Navier-Stokes equations are applied to fluid mechanics problems both analytically and numerically. (prereq: ME 317 )
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  • Determine various kinematic elements of flow given the velocity field
  • Explain the conditions necessary for a velocity field to satisfy the continuity equation
  • Apply the concepts of stream function and velocity potential
  • Characterize simple potential flow fields
  • Analyze certain types of flows using Navier-Stokes equations
  • Use numerical analysis to solve potential flow problems
  • Apply the Pi theorem to determine the number of dimensionless groups governing fluid flow phenomena
  • Develop a set of dimensionless variables for a given flow situation
  • Recognize and use common dimensionless groups
  • Discuss the use of dimensionless variables in the design and analysis of experiments
  • Apply the concepts of modeling and similitude to develop prediction equations
  • Identify and explain various characteristics of the flow in pipes
  • Discuss the main properties of laminar and turbulent pipe flow and appreciate their differences
  • Calculate losses in straight portions of pipes as well as those in pipe system components
  • Predict the flowrate in a pipe by use of common flowmeters
  • Identify and discuss the features of external flow
  • Explain the fundamental characteristics of a boundary layer, including laminar, transitional, and turbulent regimes
  • Calculate boundary layer parameters for flow past a flat plate
  • Explain the physical process of boundary layer separation
  • Calculate the drag force for various objects
  • Quantify the uncertainty of results of fluid flow experiments

Prerequisites by Topic
  • Introductory fluid mechanics
  • Vector calculus
  • Differential equations
  • Partial derivatives

Course Topics
  • Differential analysis of fluid flow
  • Fluid element kinematics
  • Differential forms of conservation of mass, momentum and energy equations
  • Euler’s equations of motion
  • Bernoilli equation
  • Irrotational flow
  • The velocity potential
  • Potential flow
  • Stress-deformation relationships for viscous flow
  • The Navier-Stokes equations
  • Numerical methods for differential analysis of fluid flow
  • Dimensional analysis, similitude, and modeling
  • Pi theorem
  • Determination of Pi therms
  • Common dimensionless groups in fluid mechanics
  • Correlation of experimental data
  • Modeling and similitude
  • Theory of models
  • Scale models
  • Viscous flow in pipes
  • Laminar vs. turbulent flow
  • Entrance region and fully developed flow
  • Fully developed laminar flow
  • Fully developed turbulent flow
  • Turbulence modeling
  • External flow
  • Lift and drag force
  • Boundary layer characteristics
  • Prandtl/Blasius boundary layer solution
  • Effects of pressure gradient
  • Friction drag
  • Pressure drag
  • Drag coefficient
  • Design of experiments

Coordinator
Christopher Damm



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