- Course Code
- EG 3013
- Credit Points
- 15
- Course Coordinator
- Dr T O'Donoghue
Pre-requisites
EG 2539 (CAS 9).
Notes
Available only to students following an Honours degree programme.
Overview
The course begins with the concept of dynamic similarity and the application of dimensional analysis to experimental fluid mechanics and model-testing. This is followed by a study of steady and unsteady flow in pressure conduits, with emphasis on unsteady aspects including water hammer theory and surge protection. A section on fluid machines deals mainly with the performance of rotodynamic machines. It considers the theoretical performance of impulse and radial flow machines but stresses that actual performance is obtained from testing. Machine specific speed, cavitation problems and pump-pipeline matching are all considered. A section on open channel flow introduces basic concepts for the analysis of flow with a free surface. It deals with steady uniform flow and the importance of bed roughness and applies energy methods and momentum methods to cases of rapidly varied flow. The final section of the course introduces the students to differential analysis of fluid flow. It looks at the fundamental kinematics of fluid elements and leads to the derivation of the Navier-Stokes equations for the flow of incompressible, Newtonian fluids.
The laboratory exercises are designed to help understand and reinforce concepts covered in lectures. They involve separate experiments to study the performance characteristics of hydraulic machines and the essential features of flow in an open channel.
Structure
27 one-hour lectures, 5 one-hour tutorials, and 3 three-hour practicals in total.
Assessment
1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written examination paper (90%) and in-course assessment (10%).