Engineering Fluid Mechanics (H1029)
Note to prospective students: this content is drawn from our database of current courses and modules. The detail does vary from year to year as our courses are constantly under review and continuously improving, but this information should give you a real flavour of what it is like to study at Sussex.
We’re currently reviewing teaching and assessment of our modules in light of the COVID-19 situation. We’ll publish the latest information as soon as possible.
Engineering Fluid Mechanics
Module H1029
Module details for 2024/25.
15 credits
FHEQ Level 5
Module Outline
This module introduces the basic concepts of Fluid Mechanics with applications in the field of Engineering in mind. It teaches the fundamental techniques used to understand the behaviour of fluids at rest and in motion.
Many engineering applications/devices need to interact with a fluid medium (air, water, other...) to achieve a desired objective; an aircraft moving in air, a ship sailing on water, or a wind turbine extracting power from wind are some examples. In each of the above and many other scenarios an engineer needs to understand the behaviour of the fluid when it interacts with the device to fully characterise the performance of the device. Fluid Mechanics fundamentals are essential to achieve this.
As an engineer one needs to tackle fluid related phenomena to design useful applications, be it in the field of transport, energy, medicine, sports, or everyday household appliances. Without a good understanding of the fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics it would be practically impossible to produce successful designs.
This module takes the student, in a step-by-step manner, from basic A-level physics and related mathematics to the theory and equations that describe stationary and moving fluid. The student will be introduced to practical application of such theories to simple everyday examples involving fluid flow. The knowledge learned here is essential for understanding further applied topics in the Mechanical/Automotive BEng/MEng courses such as Numerical modelling or Advanced thermofluids and for carrying out Fluid Mechanics based final year projects.
List of topics
• Fundamentals: historical perspectives, fluid properties, concept of pressure.
• Fluid statics: force on submerged surfaces, buoyancy.
• Concepts in fluid flow behaviour: motion of a fluid particle, mass continuity, laminar and turbulent flow, momentum equation, Navier Stokes equations for simple 2D fluid flow.
• Boundary-layer theory and applications: velocity profile, skin friction and form drag, dimensionless groups, pipe flow networks, frictional resistance of moving bodies, lift and drag on aerofoil sections.
• Potential flow: streamlines and the stream function for various simple flows (and combinations), the Kutta-Joukowski law.
• Compressible flow: isentropic flow behaviour, total and static quantities, the speed of sound, flow in a convergent-divergent nozzle.
• Flow-measuring devices: Venturi meter, orifice plate, Pitot static tube.
The syllabus covers the following AHEP4 learning outcomes: C1, C2, C3, C12, M1, M2, M3
Module learning outcomes
Have a critical understanding of well established principles in fluid mechanics
Deploy well established techniques of analysis to engineering problems in fluid mechanics
Apply underlying concepts outside the context they were first studied
Understand the limits of knowledge in fluid mechanics and how this influences analysis
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 40.00% | |
| Coursework components. Weighted as shown below. | ||
| Test | T1 Week 6 (1 hour) | 25.00% |
| Test | T1 Week 11 (1 hour) | 25.00% |
| Report | T1 Week 7 | 50.00% |
| Unseen Examination | Semester 1 Assessment | 60.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Semester | Lecture | 1 hour | 11111111111 |
| Autumn Semester | Lecture | 2 hours | 11111111111 |
| Autumn Semester | Laboratory | 2 hours | 00000033300 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Please note that the 5XÉçÇøÊÓƵ will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver courses and modules in accordance with the descriptions set out here. However, the 5XÉçÇøÊÓƵ keeps its courses and modules under review with the aim of enhancing quality. Some changes may therefore be made to the form or content of courses or modules shown as part of the normal process of curriculum management.
The 5XÉçÇøÊÓƵ reserves the right to make changes to the contents or methods of delivery of, or to discontinue, merge or combine modules, if such action is reasonably considered necessary by the 5XÉçÇøÊÓƵ. If there are not sufficient student numbers to make a module viable, the 5XÉçÇøÊÓƵ reserves the right to cancel such a module. If the 5XÉçÇøÊÓƵ withdraws or discontinues a module, it will use its reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable alternative module.