Munson, B.R., Young, D.F., Okiishi, T.H., Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics, John Wiley and Sons Inc, 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th Edition.

A list of other resources will be provided in the lecture notes.

The following information is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements. The required time commitment from the beginning of semester to the end of the final exam is 48 hours attendance at lectures, 48 hours of self directed learning, 3 hours of laboratory work, 40 hours completing assignments and laboratory reports and 40 hours of revising course material and preparing for the exam.

1. Introduction (2.5%)

2. Overview of Experimental Methods (20%)

• Signal analysis & resolution
• Energy cascade and turbulence
• Flow visualization
• Quantitative measurements, including pressure, PIV, LDA, HWA, and fluorescence
• Volumetric visualization and measurement methods.

3. Flow Facility Design (10%)

• Review of analysis techniques
• Optimal design of components, including contractions, diffusers, flow screens, bends, etc.
• Wind tunnel modelling of steady-state and dynamic loads.

4. Flow Structure Analysis (37.5%)

Including but not limited to:

• Potential flow
• Topology & vortex dynamics
• Vortex rings, induced velocity, complex vortex patterns, Biot-Savart law.
• Jets and wakes – statistical flow structure, analytical techniques, similarity solutions, energy cascade
• Turbulent boundary layers - 3D vortex structure, statistical description (not covered every year).

5. Flow System Analysis (30%)

Including but not limited to:

• Ground vehicles
• Aerodynamics of cycling
• Seagoing vehicles
• Hydrodynamics of swimming
• Airborne vehicles – aeroplanes, etc.
• Aerodynamics of Sports Balls
• Other aerodynamic and hydrodynamic sports
• Nature - birds, insects and fish.

All assessment tasks are formative. There are 4 assignments, each worth approximately 3.75% of the assessment, a laboratory that is worth 5%, and a small project that is worth 10% of the total assessment. The open book exam is worth 70%. All assignments are due by 5:00pm on the due date. Details of each task are tabulated below. This schedule is subject to change during the semester. See MyUni for details.

Assignments

All assignments will are based on a problem-solving format. In each case a practical problem will be presented and the students will be asked to provide a solution to that problem. The problem format and difficulty are the same as the final exam. Each student’s submission will be assessed primarily on the quality of their approach to the problem. Students are required to state all assumptions used in their solutions, provide appropriate diagrams, and to follow a standard solution and presentation procedure known as the “problem solving protocol”. Approximately 10% of the marks of each problem are awarded for fulfilling these requirements.

Laboratory

This laboratory consists of an experimental investigation of the lift produced by a spinning cylinder mounted in a wind tunnel. Students will be required to measure the lift force, air speed and cylinder rotational speed in order to calculate the lift coefficient, and then compare the data with published values. Students are required to submit individual reports for each laboratory. Students must have submitted a report and scored at least 35% overall to be eligible to pass the course. Further details are provided by the laboratory demonstrators.

Project

A group project will be undertaken by each student, involving a literature review, analysis and/or experiment. Projects will be assessed on the basis of a report and, depending on class numbers, a presentation to the class. Students are encouraged to form groups of 2 or three students. A list of possible project topics will be provided during the lectures.

Individual assignments are to be submitted by each student to the submissions box on Level 2, Engineering South. Unless students are otherwise notified, assignments must be submitted by 5.00pm exactly two weeks after each assignment is issued. Submitted assignments must be accompanied by an assessment cover sheet, available from the front office S116 or near the assignment submission boxes. Late assignments will be penalised 10% per day. Extensions for assignments will only be given in exceptional circumstances and a case for this with supporting documentation can be made in writing after a lecture or via email to the lecturer. Assignments will be assessed and returned within 2 weeks of the due date, along with a “model” solution prepared by the lecturer. There will be no opportunities for re-submission of work of unacceptable standard. Due to the large size of the class, feedback on assignments will be provided by limited comments on the returned assignments and general feedback given during the lectures and tutorials.