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EM3018: FLUID MECHANICS A (2016-2017)

Last modified: 28 Jun 2018 10:27


Course Overview

The course begins with the concept of dynamic similarity and the application of dimensional analysis to model-testing.  This is followed by sections on steady and unsteady flow in pressure conduits; rotodynamic fluid machines including cavitation and pump-pipeline matching; open channel flow, mainly focused on steady uniform and steady rapidly varied flows; and porous media flow with applications in civil, mechanical, chemical and petroleum engineering.

The laboratory exercises are designed to reinforce concepts covered in lectures and include experiments on the performance characteristics of hydraulic machines and measurements of the essential features of flow in an open channel.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 3
Session First Sub Session Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus None. Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Professor Thomas O'Donoghue

Qualification Prerequisites

None.

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Engineering (EG) (Studied)
  • Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)
  • One of EG2003 Fluid Mechanics & Thermodynamics (Passed) or EG2004 Fluid Mechanics & Thermodynamics (Passed) or EG2539 Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics (Passed)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

  • EG3013 Fluid Mechanics A (Studied)
  • EG3018 Fluid Mechanics (Studied)

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

1.       Dimensional analysis and model testing: similarity; common dimensionless numbers; Buckingham PI method; applications.      (5 lectures)

2.       Steady and unsteady flow in pipes: head loss; inertia head; water hammer; surge protection.      (6 lectures)

3.      Open channel flow: classification; friction formulae; optimum design of channel section; energy methods; flow transition; critical flow; hydraulic structures; momentum methods: hydraulic jump.          (5 lectures)

4.      Hydraulic machines: classification; impulse, axial and radial m/c; design principles for reaction m/c; performance of m/c from model tests; specific speed; cavitation and pump and turbine positioning; pump-pipeline systems.  (6 lectures)

5.      Porous media flow: porous media properties; permeability and Darcy’s law; flow in pipes; open channel flow; wells.   (5 lectures)

Open Channel Flow and Hydraulic Machines Laboratory Exercises 

Each student does two extended laboratory exercises, one on open channel flow and the other on hydraulic machines.  The exercises are ‘extended’ in that they involve analysis and library/WWW work outside of the laboratory.

Further Information & Notes

Note(s): Available only to students following an Honours degree programme.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written examination paper (90%) and in-course assessment (10%). The continuous assessment is based on the laboratory exercises.

Formative Assessment

a) Students can receive feedback on their progress at the tutorial/feedback sessions.  Students can bring their worked solutions to tutorial questions and/or past exam questions for assessment by the lecturer.

b) Feedback on the continuously-assessed laboratory exercises is provided via written comments on submitted work.

c) Feedback on the final exam will be via posting of the exam paper solutions on MyAberdeen. Students can request more detailed individual feedback on their exam performance by contacting the Course Coordinator.

Feedback

None.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.

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