Course syllabus
Course-PM
MTF053 Fluid mechanics lp1 HT23 (7.5 hp)
Course is offered by the department of Mechanics and Maritime Sciences
The course is given in English.
Contact details
Examiner
Niklas Andersson
Examiner/Lecturer/Adm
niklas.andersson@chalmers.se
Teaching Assistants
Martina Nobilo
Tutorials/Hands-on lab
martina.nobilo@chalmers.se
Mehmet Özgunoglu
Tutorials/Computer assignments
omehmet@chalmers.se
Michail Vourakis
Tutorials/Computer assignments
michail.vourakis@chalmers.se
Qais Khraisat
Computer assignments/Hands-on lab
qais.khraisat@chalmers.se
Thisal Mandula Sugathapala
Computer assignments
thisal@chalmers.se
Course purpose
Gas and liquid flows are encountered in numerous engineering application and in many cases fluid mechanics plays a central role for the functionality. In fact, modern society with its dependence on fast ground and air transportation as well as reliable electricity generation would not function without fluid flow. The main objectives of the course are to convey to the students an overview of and familiarity with the field of fluid mechanics and the importance of this topic in the context of common engineering applications. This means that the student should acquire a general knowledge of the basic flow equations and how they are related to fundamental conservation principles and thermodynamic laws and relations. A general knowledge of, and some experience with, flow simulation software (Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) codes) should also be obtained after this course. The course makes a foundation for fluid related courses in, for example, the Applied Mechanics Master's programme, the Sustainable Energy Systems Master's programme, and the Mobility Engineering Master's programme.
Course literature
Text book
Fluid Mechanics
Frank M. White
9:th edition
McGraw-Hill
ISBN: 978-1-260-57554-5
the 9:th edition is available at Chalmers Store. If you have an older version of the book that will work just fine.
Summaries of each of the chapters included in the course along with quizzes can be found here:
Additional Documents
| Document |
Description |
| Formulas, tables, and graphs |
Document including all formulas, graphs and tables that you need for solving the problems in the course. A copy of this document will be provided with the exam. |
| Study guide |
The study guide provides reading instructions for the course text book (Fluid Mechanics by F. M. White) there are also a set of theory questions and a list of recommended problems for all chapters of the text book included in the course. Theory questions on the exam will be inspired by the theory questions provided in the study guide (might appear as is or in slightly modified form). |
| Recommended problems |
A document with fluid mechanics problems where you can find the problems that will be solved at the exercise sessions and the problems recommended in the study guide. |
| Dimensional analysis and similarity |
supplementary course material for chapter 5 |
| Equations for boundary-layer flows |
supplementary course material for chapter 7 |
| Turbulence |
supplementary course material for chapters 6 and 7 |
| Lab PM |
Instructions for the hands-on lab: Flow around immersed bodies |
| CA1 |
Instructions for computer assignment 1 (CA1): Numerical analysis of fully-developed channel flow |
| CA2 |
Instructions for computer assignment 2 (CA2): Numerical analysis of boundary-layer flows |
Lecture Notes
| Document |
Description |
| Lecture 01 |
Chapter 1 - Introduction |
| Lecture 02 |
Chapter 1 - Introduction |
| Lecture 03 |
Chapter 2 - Pressure in a Fluid |
| Lecture 04 |
Chapter 3 - Integral Relations |
| Lecture 05 |
Chapter 3 - Integral Relations |
| Lecture 06 |
Chapter 3 - Integral Relations |
| Lecture 07 |
Chapter 4 - Differential Relations |
| Lecture 08 |
Chapter 4 - Differential Relations |
| Lecture 09 |
Chapter 5 - Dimensional Analysis and Similarity |
| Lecture 10 |
Chapter 6 - Viscous Flow in Ducts |
| Lecture 11 |
Chapter 6 - Viscous Flow in Ducts |
| Lecture 12 |
Chapter 6 - Viscous Flow in Ducts |
| Lecture 13 |
Chapter 6 - Viscous Flow in Ducts |
| Lecture 14 |
Chapter 7 - Flow Past Immersed Bodies |
| Lecture 15 |
Chapter 7 - Flow Past Immersed Bodies |
| Lecture 16 |
Chapter 7 - Flow Past Immersed Bodies |
| Lecture 17 |
Chapter 7 - Flow Past Immersed Bodies |
| Lecture 18 |
Chapter 9 - Compressible Flow |
| Lecture 19 |
Chapter 9 - Compressible Flow |
| Lecture 20 |
Chapter 9 - Compressible Flow |
| Lecture 21 |
Chapter 9 - Compressible Flow |
| Lecture 22 |
Chapter 9 - Compressible Flow |
Course design
In the course there are in total 22 lectures (plus two guest lectures) and 17 sessions with exercises. There is one compulsory hands-on fluid mechanics lab (Flow around immersed bodies) and two compulsory computer assignments; CA1 Numerical analysis of fully-developed channel flow and CA2 Numerical simulation of boundary layer flows.
The hands-on lab and the two assignments are done in groups of max four students (the same groups are used for all three compulsory course elements). You need to assign to one of the lab groups in Canvas. The results for both the computer assignments should be handed in. The results should also be presented group wise to the responsible assistant during the last two weeks of the course. You will be contacted by the assistant responsible for your group presentation to set up a meeting.
Hands-on Fluid Flow Lab - Flow Around Immersed Bodies
The lab will be done in the wind tunnel laboratory (entrance floor of the M-building). To the right of Kurslab, opposite to the group room M1162C. The door to the laboratory is locked, the responsible course assistant will let you in. You'll find a separate schedule for the lab below.
Read through the instructions before the lab
| Date | Time | Group Numbers | |
| Course Week 4 | |||
| 23-09-18 | 08:00 - 12:00 | 1, 2, 3 | |
| 23-09-18 | 13:00 - 17:00 | 4, 5, 6 | |
| 23-09-20 | 13:00 - 17:00 | 7, 8, 9 | |
| 23-09-22 | 13:00 - 17:00 | 10, 11, 12 | |
| Course Week 5 | |||
| 23-09-25 | 08:00 - 12:00 | 13, 14, 15 | |
| 23-09-25 | 13:00 - 17:00 | 46, 47 | |
| 23-09-27 | 13:00 - 17:00 | 16, 17, 18 | |
| 23-09-29 | 13:00 - 17:00 | 19, 20, 21 | |
| Course Week 6 | |||
| 23-10-02 | 08:00 - 12:00 | 22, 23, 24 | |
| 23-10-02 | 13:00 - 17:00 | 25, 26, 27 | |
| 23-10-04 | 13:00 - 17:00 | 28, 29, 30 | |
| 23-10-05 | 08:00 - 12:00 | 31, 32, 33 | |
| Course Week 7 | |||
| 23-10-09 | 13:00 - 17:00 | 34, 35, 36 | |
| 23-10-11 | 13:00 - 17:00 | 37, 38, 39 | |
| 23-10-13 | 13:00 - 17:00 | 40, 41, 42 | |
| Course Week 8 | |||
| 23-10-16 | 13:00 - 17:00 | 43, 44, 45 | |
Computer Assignment 1 (CA1) - Numerical analysis of fully-developed channel flow
In this exercise, you will study a fully developed channel flow (flow between two parallel plates) numerically. You will start with a laminar flow as that problem can be solved analytically and thus it is possible to make a comparison and get a feeling for the accuracy of the numerical method. In the second part of the assignment, you will analyze a turbulent flow numerically and compare your results to provided measured data. The numerical part will be done using Python.
Computer Assignment 2 (CA2) - Numerical simulation of boundary-layer flows
In this assignment you will use a commercial Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software called Star-CCM+. Two different simulations will be done. The first involves flow over a flat plate and you will extract data from the CFD simulation to compare with the analytical/empirical formulations for laminar and turbulent boundary layers. In the second task you will simulate the flow over a cylinder and compare the simulated flow field with data from an experiment.
For this second computer assignment, computer rooms are allocated according to the schedule below. You are not obliged to be there; it is possible to do the assignments on your own computers if you have access to the resources required. However, teaching assistants will provide supervision for those who attend these sessions.
| Date | Time | Location | Group Numbers |
| 23-10-02 | 08:00 - 12:00 | MT14* | 28 - 36, 46 |
| 23-10-02 | 13:00 - 17:00 | MT14* | 37 - 45, 47 |
| 23-10-03 | 08:00 - 12:00 | MT14* | 10 - 18 |
| 23-10-04 | 13:00 - 17:00 | 7152A** | 1 - 4 |
| 23-10-04 | 13:00 - 17:00 | 7152B** | 5 - 9 |
| 23-10-05 | 08:00 - 12:00 | MT14* | 19 - 27 |
*computer room MT14 is located in the M-building
**computer rooms 7152A and 7152B are located in the F-building
Learning objectives and syllabus
This basic course in fluid mechanics will give you knowledge about fluid flows and related engineering methods such that you will be able to:
- conduct industrial development work in the area of fluid mechanics
- apply control volume formulations, differential formulations and similarity laws
- account for basic phenomena and methods for treating turbulent flows and compressible flows
After the completing the course, you should be able to:
-
- Explain the difference between a fluid and a solid in terms of forces and deformation
- Understand and be able to explain the concept of viscosity
- Define the Reynolds number for different flows
- Be able to categorize a flow and have knowledge about how to select applicable methods for the analysis of a specific flow based on category
- Explain the difference between Lagrangian and Eulerian frame of reference and know when to use which approach
- Explain what a boundary layer is and when/where/why it appears
- Explain the concepts: streamline, pathline and streakline
- Understand and be able to explain the concept shear stress
- Explain how to do a force balance for fluid element (forces and pressure gradients)
- Understand and explain buoyancy and cavitation
- Solve problems involving hydrostatic pressure and buoyancy
- Define Reynolds transport theorem using the concepts control volume and system
- Derive the control volume formulation of the continuity, momentum, and energy equations using Reynolds transport theorem and solving problems using those relations
- Derive the continuity, momentum and energy equations on differential form
- Derive and use the Bernoulli equation (using the relation includes having knowledge about its limitations)
- Understand and explain the concept Newtonian fluid
- Explain how to use nondimensional numbers and the PI-theorem
- Explain losses appearing in pipe flows
- Explain the difference between laminar and turbulent pipe flow
- Solve pipe flow problems using Moody charts
- Explain how the flat plate boundary layer is developed (transition from laminar to turbulent flow)
- Explain and use the Blasius equation
- Define the Reynolds number for a flat plate boundary layer
- Describe what is characteristic for a turbulent flow
- Explain Reynolds decomposition and derive the RANS equations
- Understand and explain the Boussinesq assumption and turbulent viscosity
- Explain the difference between the regions in a boundary layer and what is characteristic for each of the regions (viscous sub layer, buffer region, log region)
- Use von Karmans integral relation
- Explain flow separation (for example separated cylinder flow)
- Explain how to delay or avoid separation
- Derive the boundary layer formulation of the Navier-Stokes equations
- Understand and explain the concepts displacement thickness and momentum thickness
- Understand, explain and use the concepts drag, friction drag, pressure drag, and lift
- Understand and explain how the shape and surface roughness of an object affects drag
- Measure forces on an object in a flow
- Define and explain vorticity
- Understand and explain basic concepts of compressible flows (the gas law, speed of sound, Mach number, isentropic flow with changing area, normal shocks, oblique shocks, Prandtl-Meyer expansion)
- Do a fluid flow simulation for as simple flow case using commercial Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software
Link to the syllabus on Studieportalen.
Examination form
Of the total 7.5 ects, 4.5 ects are awarded if passing a written exam, 1.5 ects for the hands-on lab, and 1.5 ects for the two computer assignments (CA1 and CA2). The three parts are reported separately in Ladok. Note: all three course elements must be approved and reported in Ladok to get a course grade.
The exam will take place 2023-10-27 (last day to sign up for the exam in Ladok is 2023-10-08). The exam will consist of 6 problems each of which may give 10 points, i.e. in total 60 points. Each problem will consist of several tasks of which some will be theory questions inspired by the theory questions provided in the study guide document (MTF053_Study-Guide.pdf). A collection of formulas and useful tables and graphs (MTF053_Formulas-Tables-and-Graphs.pdf) will be handed out with the exam. A tip is to use formula-collection document before the exam so that you get familiar with it. You may also use the mathematics handbook beta (or similar), physics handbook, and your favorite calculator as long as it doesn't have an internet connection and the memory must be cleared.
Grades for the course will be given as follows (P is the number of points on the exam):
| Grade | Range of points |
| Fail | P < 24 |
| 3 | 24 <= P < 36 |
| 4 | 36 <= P < 48 |
| 5 | 48 <= P |
Schedule
Link to course schedule in TimeEdit:
Detailed schedule:
Course week 1
Lecture L01 - Niklas Andersson
2023-08-29 (Tuesday) 13:15 - 15:00 (HB4)
Chapter 1 - Introduction
The concept of a fluid
MTF053_L01.pdf
Lecture L02 - Niklas Andersson
2023-08-30 (Wednesday) 08:00 - 09:45 (HB2)
Chapter 1 -Introduction
Fluid flow and viscosity
MTF053_L02.pdf
Exercise E01 - Martina Nobilo, Mehmet Özgunoglu, Michail Vourakis
2023-08-30 (Wednesday) 10:00 - 11:45 (EL41, EL42, ES51)
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Problems solved in class: P1.1, P1.2, P1.3, P1.4
MTF053_Recommended_Problems.pdf
Lecture L03 - Niklas Andersson
2023-09-01 (Friday) 08:00 - 09:45 (HA4)
Chapter 2 - Pressure in a Fluid
Hydrostatic pressure distribution and buoyancy
MTF053_L03.pdf
Exercise E02 - Martina Nobilo, Mehmet Özgunoglu, Michail Vourakis
2023-09-01 (Friday) 10:00 - 11:45 (ES51, ES53, KS1)
Chapter 2 - Pressure in a Fluid
Problems solved in class: P2.1, P2.2, P2.3, P2.4
MTF053_Recommended_Problems.pdf
Course week 2
Lecture L04 - Niklas Andersson
2023-09-05 (Tuesday) 13:15 - 15:00 (HB4)
Chapter 3 - Integral Relations
Reynolds transport theorem
MTF053_L04.pdf
Exercise E03 - Martina Nobilo, Mehmet Özgunoglu, Michail Vourakis
2023-09-05 (Tuesday) 15:15 - 17:00 (EL41, EL42, EL43)
Chapter 3 - Integral Relations
Problems solved in class: P3.1, P3.2, P3.3, P3.4
MTF053_Recommended_Problems.pdf
Lecture L05 - Niklas Andersson
2023-09-06 (Wednesday) 08:00 - 09:45 (HB2)
Chapter 3 -Integral Relations
Conservation of momentum and the Bernoulli equation
MTF053_L05.pdf
Exercise E04 - Martina Nobilo, Mehmet Özgunoglu, Michail Vourakis
2023-09-06 (Wednesday) 10:00 - 11:45 (EL41, EL42, ES51)
Chapter 3 - Integral Relations
Problems solved in class: P3.12, P3.13, P3.17
MTF053_Recommended_Problems.pdf
Lecture L06 - Niklas Andersson
2023-09-08 (Friday) 08:00 - 09:45 (FB)
Chapter 3 - Integral Relations
The energy equation
MTF053_L06.pdf
Exercise E05 - Martina Nobilo, Mehmet Özgunoglu, Michail Vourakis
2023-09-08 (Friday) 10:00 - 11:45 (EL41, EL42, ES51)
Chapter 3 - Integral Relations
Problems solved in class: P3.21, P3.23, P3.24
MTF053_Recommended_Problems.pdf
Consultation C01 - Mehmet Özgunoglu, Michail Vourakis, Qais Khraisat
2023-09-08 (Friday) 13:15 - 15:00 (EL41)
Course week 3
Lecture L07 - Niklas Andersson
2023-09-12 (Tuesday) 13:15 - 15:00 (HB4)
Chapter 4 - Differential Relations
Continuity and Navier-Stokes equations
MTF053_L07.pdf
Exercise E06 - Martina Nobilo, Mehmet Özgunoglu, Michail Vourakis
2023-09-12 (Tuesday) 15:15 - 17:00 (EL41, EL42, EL43)
Chapter 4 - Differential Relations
Problems solved in class: P4.1, P4.6, P4.7
MTF053_Recommended_Problems.pdf
Lecture L08 - Niklas Andersson
2023-09-13 (Wednesday) 08:00 - 09:45 (HB2)
Chapter 4 - Differential Relations
The energy equation, rotation, and vorticity
MTF053_L08.pdf
Consultation C02 - Mehmet Özgunoglu, Michail Vourakis, Qais Khraisat
2023-09-13 (Wednesday) 10:00 - 11:45 (EL41)
Lecture L09 - Niklas Andersson
2023-09-15 (Friday) 08:00 - 09:45 (Vasa A)
Chapter 5 - Dimensional Analysis and Similarity
The PI-theorem and non-dimensional numbers
MTF053_L09.pdf
Exercise E07 - Martina Nobilo, Mehmet Özgunoglu, Michail Vourakis
2023-09-15 (Friday) 10:00 - 11:45 (EL41, EL42, ES51)
Chapter 4 - Differential Relations
Problems solved in class: P4.11, P4.13
MTF053_Recommended_Problems.pdf
Course week 4
Lecture L10 - Niklas Andersson
2023-09-19 (Tuesday) 13:15 - 15:00 (HB4)
Chapter 6 - Viscous Flow in Ducts
Laminar pipe flow
MTF053_L10.pdf
Exercise E08 - Martina Nobilo, Mehmet Özgunoglu, Michail Vourakis
2023-09-19 (Tuesday) 15:15 - 17:00 (EL41, EL42, EL43)
Chapter 5 - Dimensional Analysis and Similarity
Problems solved in class: P5.1, P5.2, P5.4
MTF053_Recommended_Problems.pdf
Lecture L11 - Niklas Andersson
2023-09-20 (Wednesday) 08:00 - 09:45 (HC4)
Chapter 6 - Viscous Flow in Ducts
Reynolds decomposition
MTF053_L11.pdf
Guest Lecture GL01
2023-09-20 (Wednesday) 10:00 - 11:45 (HC4)
Fluid mechanics in engineering
Lecture L12 - Niklas Andersson
2023-09-22 (Friday) 08:00 - 09:45 (SB-H8)
Chapter 6 - Viscous Flow in Ducts
Turbulent boundary layers
MTF053_L12.pdf
Exercise E09 - Martina Nobilo, Mehmet Özgunoglu, Michail Vourakis
2023-09-22 (Friday) 10:00 - 11:45 (EL41, EL42, ES51)
Chapter 6 - Viscous Flow in Ducts
Problems solved in class: P6.5, P6.10, P6.11
MTF053_Recommended_Problems.pdf
Consultation C03 - Mehmet Özgunoglu, Michail Vourakis, Qais Khraisat
2023-09-22 (Friday) 13:15 - 15:00 (EL41)
Course week 5
Lecture L13 - Niklas Andersson
2023-09-26 (Tuesday) 13:15 - 15:00 (HB4)
Chapter 6 - Viscous Flow in Ducts
Turbulent pipe flow
MTF053_L13.pdf
Exercise E10 - Martina Nobilo, Mehmet Özgunoglu, Michail Vourakis
2023-09-26 (Tuesday) 15:15 - 17:00 (EL41, EL42, EL43)
Chapter 6 - Viscous Flow in Ducts
Problems solved in class: P6.13, P6.14, P6.16
MTF053_Recommended_Problems.pdf
Lecture L14 - Niklas Andersson
2023-09-27 (Wednesday) 08:00 - 09:45 (HB2)
Chapter 7 - Flow Past Immersed Bodies
External boundary layers
MTF053_L14.pdf
Consultation C04 - Mehmet Özgunoglu, Michail Vourakis, Qais Khraisat
2023-09-27 (Wednesday) 10:00 - 11:45 (EL41)
Computer Assignment 1 (CA1)
Lecture L15 - Niklas Andersson
2023-09-29 (Friday) 08:00 - 09:45 (HB1)
Chapter 7 - Flow Past Immersed Bodies
The boundary-layer equations
MTF053_L15.pdf
Exercise E11 - Martina Nobilo, Mehmet Özgunoglu, Michail Vourakis
2023-09-29 (Friday) 10:00 - 11:45 (EL41, EL42, ES51)
Chapter 7 - Flow Past Immersed Bodies
Problems solved in class: P7.2, P7.4, P7.6
MTF053_Recommended_Problems.pdf
Course week 6
Lecture L16 - Niklas Andersson
2023-10-03 (Tuesday) 13:15 - 15:00 (HB4)
Chapter 7 - Flow Past Immersed Bodies
Turbulent boundary layers
MTF053_L16.pdf
Exercise E12 - Martina Nobilo, Mehmet Özgunoglu, Michail Vourakis
2023-10-03 (Tuesday) 15:15 - 17:00 (EL41, EL42, EL43)
Chapter 7 - Flow Past Immersed Bodies
Problems solved in class: P7.10, P7.11
MTF053_Recommended_Problems.pdf
Lecture L17 - Niklas Andersson
2023-10-04 (Wednesday) 08:00 - 09:45 (HB2)
Chapter 7 - Flow Past Immersed Bodies
Separation, drag, and lift
MTF053_L17.pdf
Exercise E13 - Martina Nobilo, Mehmet Özgunoglu, Michail Vourakis
2023-10-04 (Wednesday) 10:00 - 11:45 (EL41, EL42, ES51)
Chapter 7 - Flow Past Immersed Bodies
Problems solved in class: P7.14, P7.17, P7.21
MTF053_Recommended_Problems.pdf
Course week 7
Lecture L18 - Niklas Andersson
2023-10-10 (Tuesday) 13:15 - 15:00 (HB4)
Chapter 9 - Compressible Flow
Speed of sound and isentropic flow
MTF053_L18.pdf
Exercise E14 - Martina Nobilo, Mehmet Özgunoglu, Michail Vourakis
2023-10-10 (Tuesday) 15:15 - 17:00 (EL41, EL42, EL43)
Chapter 9 - Compressible Flow
Problems solved in class: P9.2, P9.4
MTF053_Recommended_Problems.pdf
Lecture L19 - Niklas Andersson
2023-10-11 (Wednesday) 08:00 - 09:45 (HB2)
Chapter 9 - Compressible Flow
Normal shocks
MTF053_L19.pdf
Consultation C05 - Mehmet Özgunoglu, Michail Vourakis, Qais Khraisat
2023-10-11 (Wednesday) 10:00 - 11:45 (EL41)
Lecture L20 - Niklas Andersson
2023-10-13 (Friday) 08:00 - 09:45 (SB-H8)
Chapter 9 - Compressible Flow
The convergent-divergent nozzle
MTF053_L20.pdf
Exercise E15 - Martina Nobilo, Mehmet Özgunoglu, Michail Vourakis
2023-10-13 (Friday) 10:00 - 11:45 (EL41, EL42, ES51)
Chapter 9 - Compressible Flow
Problems solved in class: P9.7, P9.9
MTF053_Recommended_Problems.pdf
Course week 8
Lecture L21 - Niklas Andersson
2023-10-17 (Tuesday) 13:15 - 15:00 (HB4)
Chapter 9 - Compressible Flow
Oblique shocks
MTF053_L21.pdf
Exercise E16 - Martina Nobilo, Mehmet Özgunoglu, Michail Vourakis
2023-10-17 (Tuesday) 15:15 - 17:00 (EL41, EL42, EL43)
Chapter 9 - Compressible Flow
Problems solved in class: P9.15, P9.17, P9.20
MTF053_Recommended_Problems.pdf
Lecture L22 - Niklas Andersson
2023-10-18 (Wednesday) 08:00 - 08:45 (HB2)
Chapter 9 - Compressible Flow
Expansion waves
MTF053_L22.pdf
Guest Lecture GL02 - Carlos Xisto
2023-10-18 (Wednesday) 09:00 - 09:45 (HB2)
Information about fluid mechanics courses and related programmes at Chalmers
Exercise E17 - Martina Nobilo, Mehmet Özgunoglu, Michail Vourakis
2023-10-18 (Wednesday) 10:00 - 11:45 (EL41, EL42, ES51)
Old exam problems
Course summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|