Course syllabus

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MTF053 Fluid mechanics lp1 HT24 (7.5 hp)

Course is offered by the department of Mechanics and Maritime Sciences

The course is given in English.

 

Content

  1. Contact details
  2. Course purpose
  3. Course literature
  4. Course design
  5. Learning objectives
  6. Examination
  7. Schedule
    week 1  week 2  week 3  week 4  week 5  week 6  week 7  week 8

 

1. Contact details

 

Examiner


 

Teaching Assistants


 

2. 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.

 

3. Course literature

The course follows the book Fluid Mechanics by F. M. White, which is a classic book in the field that is used for similar courses world wide.

  • 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:
  • Summaries and quizzes

 

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
The concept of a fluid
Lecture 02

Chapter 1 - Introduction
Fluid flow and viscosity
Lecture 03

Chapter 2 - Pressure in a Fluid
Hydrostatic pressure distribution and buoyancy
Lecture 04

Chapter 3 - Integral Relations
Reynolds transport theorem
Lecture 05

Chapter 3 - Integral Relations
Conservation of momentum and the Bernoulli equation
Lecture 06

Chapter 3 - Integral Relations
The energy equation
Lecture 07

Chapter 4 - Differential Relations
Continuity and Navier-Stokes equations
Lecture 08

Chapter 4 - Differential Relations
The energy equation, rotation and vorticity
Lecture 09

Chapter 5 - Dimensional Analysis and Similarity
The PI-theorem and non-dimensional numbers
Lecture 10

Chapter 6 - Viscous Flow in Ducts
Laminar pipe flow
Lecture 11

Chapter 6 - Viscous Flow in Ducts
Reynolds decomposition
Lecture 12

Chapter 6 - Viscous Flow in Ducts
Turbulent boundary layers
Lecture 13

Chapter 6 - Viscous Flow in Ducts
Turbulent pipe flow
Lecture 14

Chapter 7 - Flow Past Immersed Bodies
External boundary layers
Lecture 15

Chapter 7 - Flow Past Immersed Bodies
The boundary-layer equations
Lecture 16

Chapter 7 - Flow Past Immersed Bodies
Turbulent boundary layers
Lecture 17

Chapter 7 - Flow Past Immersed Bodies
Separation, drag, and lift
Lecture 18

Chapter 9 - Compressible Flow
Speed of sound and isentropic flow
Lecture 19

Chapter 9 - Compressible Flow
Normal shocks
Lecture 20

Chapter 9 - Compressible Flow
The convergent-divergent nozzle
Lecture 21

Chapter 9 - Compressible Flow
Oblique shocks
Lecture 22

Chapter 9 - Compressible Flow
Expansion waves


Suggested solutions to problems solved in class and and recommended home problems

 

Document

Description
Suggested solutions 1

Chapter 1 - Introduction
The concept of a fluid, fluid flow and viscosity
Suggested solutions 2

Chapter 2 - Pressure in a Fluid
Hydrostatic pressure distribution and buoyancy
Suggested solutions 3

Chapter 3 - Integral Relations
Reynolds transport theorem
Conservation of mass, momentum, and energy
The Bernoulli equation
Suggested solutions 4

Chapter 4 - Differential Relations
Continuity
Navier-Stokes equations
The energy equation
Rotation and vorticity
Suggested solutions 5

Chapter 5 - Dimensional Analysis and Similarity
Similarity and non-dimensional numbers
Suggested solutions 6

Chapter 6 - Viscous Flow in Ducts
Laminar and turbulent pipe flow
Reynolds decomposition
Turbulent boundary layers
Suggested solutions 7

Chapter 7 - Flow Past Immersed Bodies
Laminar and turbulent external boundary layers
Separation, drag, and lift
Suggested solutions 9

Chapter 9 - Compressible Flow
Speed of sound and isentropic flow
Normal shocks
The convergent-divergent nozzle
Oblique shocks and expansion waves

 

4. 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

MTF053_LabPM.pdf

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
24-09-23 08:00 - 12:00 1, 2, 3
24-09-23 13:00 - 17:00 4, 5, 6
24-09-24 08:00 - 12:00 48, 49, 50
24-09-25 13:00 - 17:00 7, 8, 9
24-09-26 08:00 - 12:00 51, 52, 53
24-09-27 13:00 - 17:00 10, 11, 12
Course Week 5
24-09-30 08:00 - 12:00 13, 14, 15
24-09-30 13:00 - 17:00 46, 47
24-10-02 13:00 - 17:00 16, 17, 18
24-10-04 13:00 - 17:00 19, 20, 21
Course Week 6
24-10-07 08:00 - 12:00 22, 23, 24
24-10-07 13:00 - 17:00 25, 26, 27
24-10-10 13:00 - 17:00 28, 29, 30
24-10-10 08:00 - 12:00 31, 32, 33
Course Week 7
24-10-14 13:00 - 17:00 34, 35, 36
24-10-16 13:00 - 17:00 37, 38, 39
24-10-18 13:00 - 17:00 40, 41, 42
Course Week 8
24-10-21 13:00 - 17:00 43, 44, 45

 

Computer Assignment 1 (CA1) - Numerical analysis of fully-developed channel flow

MTF053_CA1.pdf

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

MTF053_CA2.pdf

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
24-10-07 08:00 - 12:00 ED3354* 28 - 36
24-10-07 13:00 - 17:00 F-T4011** 37 - 45
24-10-08 08:00 - 12:00 F-T7204** 10 - 18
24-10-08 08:00 - 12:00 D&IT2505* 46 - 53
24-10-09 13:00 - 17:00 F7152A** 1 - 4
24-10-09 13:00 - 17:00 F7152B** 5 - 9
24-10-10 08:00 - 12:00 F-T4011** 19 - 27

*computer rooms ED3354 and D&IT2505 are located in the EDIT building
**computer rooms F-T4011, F-T7204, F7152A, and F7152B are located in the F-building

5. Learning objectives

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:

    1. Explain the difference between a fluid and a solid in terms of forces and deformation
    2. Understand and be able to explain the concept of viscosity
    3. Define the Reynolds number for different flows
    4. 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
    5. Explain the difference between Lagrangian and Eulerian frame of reference and know when to use which approach
    6. Explain what a boundary layer is and when/where/why it appears
    7. Explain the concepts: streamline, pathline and streakline
    8. Understand and be able to explain the concept shear stress
    9. Explain how to do a force balance for fluid element (forces and pressure gradients)
    10. Understand and explain buoyancy and cavitation
    11. Solve problems involving hydrostatic pressure and buoyancy
    12. Define Reynolds transport theorem using the concepts control volume and system
    13. Derive the control volume formulation of the continuity, momentum, and energy equations using Reynolds transport theorem and solving problems using those relations
    14. Derive the continuity, momentum and energy equations on differential form
    15. Derive and use the Bernoulli equation (using the relation includes having knowledge about its limitations)
    16. Understand and explain the concept Newtonian fluid
    17. Explain how to use nondimensional numbers and the PI-theorem
    18. Explain losses appearing in pipe flows
    19. Explain the difference between laminar and turbulent pipe flow
    20. Solve pipe flow problems using Moody charts
    21. Explain how the flat plate boundary layer is developed (transition from laminar to turbulent flow)
    22. Explain and use the Blasius equation
    23. Define the Reynolds number for a flat plate boundary layer
    24. Describe what is characteristic for a turbulent flow
    25. Explain Reynolds decomposition and derive the RANS equations
    26. Understand and explain the Boussinesq assumption and turbulent viscosity
    27. 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)
    28. Use von Karmans integral relation
    29. Explain flow separation (for example separated cylinder flow)
    30. Explain how to delay or avoid separation
    31. Derive the boundary layer formulation of the Navier-Stokes equations
    32. Understand and explain the concepts displacement thickness and momentum thickness
    33. Understand, explain and use the concepts drag, friction drag, pressure drag, and lift
    34. Understand and explain how the shape and surface roughness of an object affects drag
    35. Measure forces on an object in a flow
    36. Define and explain vorticity
    37. 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)
    38. Do a fluid flow simulation for as simple flow case using commercial Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software

 

Link to the syllabus on Studieportalen.

Study plan

 

6. Examination

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 2024-11-01 (last day to sign up for the exam in Ladok is 2024-10-13). 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.

An old-exam archive can be found here

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

 

7. Schedule

Link to course schedule in TimeEdit:

TimeEdit

Detailed schedule:

Course week 1

Course week 2

Related movies:

Related movies:

Related movies:

  • Consultation C01 - Mehmet Özgunoglu, Patricia Vanky
  • 2024-09-13 (Friday) 13:15 - 15:00 (EL41)

Course week 3

Related movies:

  • Consultation C02 - Mehmet Özgunoglu, Patricia Vanky
  • 2024-09-18 (Wednesday) 10:00 - 11:45 (EL41, EL42)

Related movies:

Course week 4

Related movies:

  • Guest Lecture GL01
  • 2024-09-25 (Wednesday) 10:00 - 11:45 (HC4)
  • Fluid mechanics in engineering

  • 10:00 - 10:15 Asuka Gabriele Pietroniro - Volvo Cars
  • 10:15 - 10:30 Fredrik Carlsson - Siemens
  • 10:30 - 10:45 Magnus Carlsson - SAAB Aeronautics
  • 10:45 - 11:00 break
  • 11:00 - 11:15 Burak Korkmaz - RISE
  • 11:15 - 11:30 Andreas Mark - Fraunhofer
  • 11:30 - 11:45 Sudharsan Vasudevan - Volvo Technology

Related movies:

  • Consultation C03 - Mehmet Özgunoglu, Patricia Vanky
  • 2024-09-27 (Friday) 13:15 - 15:00 (EL41)

Course week 5

Related movies:

  • Consultation C04 - Mehmet Özgunoglu, Patricia Vanky
  • 2024-10-02 (Wednesday) 10:00 - 11:45 (EL41, EL42)

Related movies:

Course week 6

Related movies:

Course week 7

  • Consultation C05 - Mehmet Özgunoglu, Patricia Vanky
  • 2024-10-16 (Wednesday) 10:00 - 11:45 (EL41)

Course week 8

  • Guest Lecture GL02 - Carlos Xisto
  • 2024-10-23 (Wednesday) 09:00 - 09:45 (HB2)
  • Information about fluid mechanics courses and related programs at Chalmers
  • Exercise E17 - Mehdi Habibniarami, Patricia Vanky, Mehmet Özgunoglu
  • 2024-10-23 (Wednesday) 10:00 - 11:45 (EL41, EL42, ES51)
  • Old exam problems

  • introduction slides

Course summary:

Date Details Due