Unit 4011 Fluid Mechanics Assignment Brief
| Unit Number | 4011 |
| Unit Title | Fluid Mechanics |
| Unit Reference Number | T/651/0724 |
| Unit Level | 4 |
| Credits | 15 |
Introduction
Fluid mechanics is an important subject to scientists and engineers of many disciplines, not just those working directly with fluid systems. Mechanical engineers need to understand the principles of hydraulic devices and turbines (wind and water); aeronautical engineers use these concepts to understand flight and design flying machines, while civil engineers typically concentrate on water supply, sewerage, and irrigation.
This unit introduces students to the fluid mechanics principles and techniques used in mechanical engineering. In particular, the hydraulic devices and systems that incorporate the transmission of hydraulic pressure and forces exerted by a static fluid on immersed surfaces.
Topics included in this unit are: pressure and force, submerged surfaces, fluid flow theory, aerodynamics, and hydraulic machinery.
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to learn about the concept and measurement of viscosity in fluids, and the characteristics of Newtonian and nonNewtonian fluids; fluid flow phenomena, including energy conservation, estimation of head loss in pipes and viscous drag; and the operational characteristics of hydraulic machines, in particular the operating principles of various water turbines and pumps.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit students will be able to:
LO1 Determine the behavioural characteristics of static fluid systems
LO2 Examine the operating principles and limitations of viscosity measuring devices
LO3 Investigate dynamic fluid parameters of real fluid flow
LO4 Explore the operating principles and efficiencies of hydraulic machines.
Essential Content
LO1 Determine the behavioural characteristics of static fluid systems
Pressure and force:
- How Pascal’s laws define hydrostatic pressure
- Pressure with the use of manometers
- Transmission of force in hydraulic systems and devices.
Submerged surfaces:
- Determining thrust on immersed surfaces
- Moments of area and parallel axis theorem
- Calculating centre of pressure with moments of area.
LO2 Examine the operating principles and limitations of viscosity measuring devices
Viscosity in fluids:
Dimensional analysis (the Buckingham π theorem)
Dynamic and kinematic viscosity definitions
Characteristics of Newtonian fluids
Effects of temperature on viscosity
Classification of non-Newtonian fluids.
Operating principles and limitations:
Operating principles of viscometers
Rheometers for Non Newtonian fluids
Converting results acquired from viscometers into viscosity values.
LO3 Investigate dynamic fluid parameters of real fluid flow
Fluid flow theory:
- Energy present within a flowing fluid and the formulation of Bernoulli’s Equation
- Classification of fluid flow using Reynolds numbers
- Calculations of flow within pipelines
- Head losses that occur within a fluid flowing in a pipeline
- Viscous drag resulting from fluid flow and the formulation of the drag equation.
Aerodynamics:
- Application of prior theory of fluid flow to aerodynamics
- Principles of aerofoils and lift-induced drag
- Flow measuring devices and their operating principles.
LO4 Explore the operating principles and efficiencies of hydraulic machines
Hydraulic machinery:
- Operating principles of different types of water turbine
- Reciprocating and centrifugal pump theory
- Efficiencies of different types of hydraulic machinery
- Environmental concerns surrounding hydraulic machines.
- Use of relevant problem-solving tools within the context of a chosen scenario/sector e.g. root cause analysis (RCA), process failure modes effects analysis (PFMEA), fishbone, practical problem solving (PPS) and advanced product quality planning (APQP).
Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria
| Pass | Merit | Distinction |
| LO1 Determine the behavioural characteristics of static fluid systems | ||
| P1 Determine force and centre of pressure on submerged surfaces.
P2 Examine the parameters of hydraulic devices that are used in the transmission of force. |
M1 Carry out appropriate calculations on force and centre of pressure on submerged surfaces. | D1 Explain the use and limitations of manometers to measure pressure. |
| LO2 Examine the operating principles and limitations of viscosity measuring devices | ||
| P3 Examine the operation and constraints of different viscometers that quantify viscosity in fluids.
P4 Carry out appropriate calculations on the effect of changes in temperature and other constraints on the viscosity of a fluid. |
M2 Explain, with examples, the effects of temperature and shear forces on Newtonian and nonNewtonian fluids. | D2 Illustrate the results of a viscosity test on a Newtonian fluid at various temperatures with those given on a data sheet and explain discrepancies. |
| LO3 Investigate dynamic fluid parameters of real fluid flow | ||
| P5 Determine parameters of a flowing fluid using Bernoulli’s Equation.
P6 Investigate the flow of a fluid using Reynold’s numbers and the significance of this information. |
M3 Explain the effect of aerodynamic drag and lift on aerofoils. | D3 Analyse the head losses accumulated by a fluid when flowing in a pipeline for various applications. |
| LO4 Explore the operating principles and efficiencies of hydraulic machines | ||
| P7 Determine the efficiency of a water turbine.
P8 Calculate the input power requirements of centrifugal pumps. P9 Explore operating efficiencies and applications of two different hydraulic machines. |
M4 Analyse the limitations that exist within different types of water turbine. | D4 Critically analyse the arguments concerning the ecological impact of hydroelectric power. |
Human-Written Unit 4011 Fluid Mechanics Assignment Solutions
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