Skip to main content
Unit of study_

CHNG2801: Fluid Mechanics

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

This course covers the principal concepts and methods of fluid statics and fluid dynamics. The topics covered include dimensional analysis, fluid properties, conservation of mass and momentum, measurement of flow, and flow in pipes. The course provides an introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics for the solution of flow regimes.

Unit details and rules

Unit code CHNG2801
Academic unit Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
CHNG1103
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

It is assumed that students will be concurrently enrolled in or have already completed CHNG2802 or MATH2xxx

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Timothy Langrish, timothy.langrish@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam Final exam
Final examination covering all aspects of the unit of study, including labs
50% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Skills-based evaluation Laboratory report, air flow experiment
The production of an individual laboratory report of 10-15 pages in length
12% Multiple weeks One afternoon session, 1.5-2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO9 LO8 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Skills-based evaluation Laboratory report, water flow experiment
The production of an individual laboratory report of 10-15 pages in length
15% Multiple weeks One afternoon session, 1.5-2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO9 LO8 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Skills-based evaluation Tutorials
Four assessed tutorials, marked summatively with formative feedback
8% Multiple weeks Homework, 1-2 hours each
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4
Tutorial quiz Quiz
Individual quiz, work covered up to week 6
15% Week 08 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO9 LO6 LO5 LO4
Type B final exam = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

Students will be required to be able to answer individual questions in fluid mechanics in the examination (50%) and the tutorial quiz (15%).

Laboratory, group work, and oral presentation skills will be addressed in two laboratory experiments (air flow, 12%, and water flow, 15%). Four of the 12 tutorials will be marked, making up the remaining 8%.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Has mastered all aspects of fluid mechanics at this intermediate level.

Distinction

75 - 84

Has mastered most aspects of fluid mechanics at this intermediate level.

Credit

65 - 74

Has demonstrated a solid understanding of the application of fluid mechanics at this intermediate level.

Pass

50 - 64

Has demonstrated a satisfactory understanding of the application of fluid mechanics at this intermediate level, with gaps that are not critical.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

10% per day for submitted work (tutorials and laboratory reports).

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Introduction; 2. Fluid statics and manometry; Introduction to laboratory safety. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO9
Week 02 1. Fluid statics and manometry; 2. Mass balances in fluid mechanics; More laboratory introduction Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 1. Momentum balance; 2. Bernoulli’s equation; 3. Flow measurement; Introduction to laboratory report writing Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO8 LO9
Week 04 1. Pumps in Bernoulli’s equation; 2. Friction as a concept; Some laboratory groups may run. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6 LO9
Week 05 Friction in turbulent flows; Some laboratory groups may run. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6 LO9
Week 06 Putting it all together; Some laboratory groups may run. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO8 LO9
Week 07 Review of Bernoulli’s equation; Some laboratory groups may run. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO8 LO9
Week 08 Dimensional analysis; Some laboratory groups may run. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO7
Week 09 1. Pumps and net positive suction head; 2. Piping networks; Some laboratory groups may run. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6 LO8 LO9
Week 10 The Momentum equation; Some laboratory groups may run. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO9
Week 11 Compressible flows; Some laboratory groups may run. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO8 LO9
Week 12 An introduction to computational fluid dynamics; Some laboratory groups may run. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO8 LO9
Week 13 Revision; Some laboratory groups may run. Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9

Attendance and class requirements

  • Tutorial: After each lecture, there will be 2-hour tutorial. Students will solve various problems relevant to the topics of the lecture.
  • Independent study: Students are expected to spend about 3-4 hours of self directed learning outside the specified contact periods.
  • Laboratory: Groups will be allocated in week 3. Each group will conduct two experiments. The report should be submitted after two weeks. There will be oral presentation for one of the experiments.
  • Presentation: Each group will present the outcomes of their research and experimental work. It is expected that each group conduct a critical thinking and analyse the data acquired from the experiments and discuss the errors.

Students are advised that attendance at all lectures and tutorials is helpful for maximising the benefits of the face-to-face learning and teaching style for this unti of study.  Attendence at laboratory sessions is compulsory.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed as a Library eBook, available on the Library web site.

  • Granger, R.A., Fluid Mechanics, 2012

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. work creatively and systematically with others in ensuring correct procedures and accurate results
  • LO2. conduct and report laboratory experiments
  • LO3. define properties of fluids that govern fluid flow including their units and dimensions
  • LO4. solve simple fluid statics problems
  • LO5. apply fundamental equations for the conservation of mass, momentum and energy to moving bodies of fluid
  • LO6. analyse common fluid flow systems including piping, pumps and valves
  • LO7. apply dimensional analysis to determine the characteristics of a scale model or prototype
  • LO8. understand and apply the concepts and principles of flow measurement for compressible and incompressible fluids
  • LO9. derive simple fluid flow formulae from fundamental equations and explain the simplifying assumptions involved.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The weighting of assessments has been adjusted to reflect student feedback that the labs are more difficult and time-consuming than other non-exam components.

Additional costs

N/A

Site visit guidelines

N/A

Work, health and safety

Staff and students must comply with all University WHS requirements.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.