Department of Mechanical Engineering, Unit Catalogue 2006/07

ME20022 Thermofluids 4

Credits: 6

Level: Intermediate

Semester: 2

Assessment: EX85OT15

Requisites:

Before taking this unit you must take ME20015

Aims: To develop the student's ability to apply the principles of fluid dynamics to problems of engineering importance at high and low speeds.
Learning Outcomes:
After taking this unit the student should be able to:
* Calculate the flow over an arbitrary two-dimensional aerofoil by a variety of techniques with various degrees of approximation.
* Calculate the skin friction and drag caused by boundary-layer flow over external surfaces.
* Calculate the pressure losses in duct/pipe networks.
* Understand the effects of compressibility on fluid flow and solve engineering problems dealing with high-speed aerodynamics.
Skills:
Problem solving; numeracy; working independently.
Content:
AEROFOIL CHARACTERISTICS: lift and drag on aerofoils, centre of pressure and aerodynamic centre, aerodynamic stall. VISCOUS FLOWS: Introduction to effects of fluid viscosity, laminar and turbulent pipe flows, Reynolds experiment, effects of roughness, minor losses, boundary layers in zero pressure gradients, transition, effect of pressure gradient, including flow separation. COMPRESSIBLE FLOW: Mach number and speed of sound. Shock waves. Area-change. Flow through a converging-diverging nozzle. Application to rockets and aerospace engineering. FLUID-DYNAMIC MACHINES: Euler's equation, radial and axial flow pumps and turbines. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: History of fluid dynamics and flight in the 20th and 21st century. AEROFOIL CHARACTERISTICS LABORATORY: measure lift and moment coefficients versus angle of attack, determine centre of pressure and aerodynamic centre, examine aerodynamic stall and Reynolds number effects. Thermofluids laboratory experiment.

University | Catalogues for 2006/07