Outline

Overview

The objective of this unit is to provide students with advanced knowledge of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) techniques and skills in solving thermal fluid flow problems relevant to Civil and Environmental Engineering applications. Students will also gain experience in using a state-of-the-art commercial CFD package and advanced understanding of a range of engineering problems through working on projects.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Civil Engineering
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	CIVL5669
Assumed knowledge ?	CIVL3612 or CIVL9612
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Chengwang Lei, chengwang.lei@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Practical skill	Assignment Take-home assignment	20%	Week 04 Due date: 31 Aug 2025 at 23:59	No more than 7 A4 pages in total	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Project 1 A written report plus CFD data submission	30%	Week 08 Due date: 28 Sep 2025 at 23:59	No more than 10 A4 pages for report	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Q&A following presentation, submission or placement	Project 2 Presentation Oral presentation followed by Q&A	20%	Week 13 Due date: 05 Nov 2025 at 11:00	15~20 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Project 2 A written report plus CFD data submission	30%	Week 13 Due date: 09 Nov 2025 at 23:59	No more than 12 A4 pages for report	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assignment: Gaining an appreciation of CFD procedures and applications through reading literature; demonstrating CFD approach and basic procedures through working on a simple test case.

Project 1: Using CFD tools to solve a self-selected fluid flow problem relevant to Research Topic 1. A simple laminar flow model is acceptable.

Project 2: Using CFD tools to solve a complex fluid flow problem relevant to Research Topic 2 or 3.

Project 2 presentation: A verbal presentation on various aspects of Project 2.

Criteria for Passing the Unit of Study

In order to achieve a ‘Pass’ grade in this unit of study, all the following criteria must be satisfied:

A minimum of 50% for Project 2 submissions (CFD Model and Written Report)
A minimum of 50% for Project 2 Oral Presentation
An overall mark of at least 50%

Students who do not meet all these criteria will not receive a pass in the unit of study, and regardless of their performance in individual components of the unit of study, will not receive a mark greater than 47%.

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
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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:

The University's standard late penalty rate will be applied to late submissions of assessments.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	An overview of Computational Fluid Dynamics	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 02	Introduction of numerical methods	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	Boundaries and boundary conditions	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Research Topic 1: Plumes, jets, and fountains	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	Numerical accuracy and stability	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Verification, validation, and best practice guide	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Research Topic 2: Mixing and transport in water bodies	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Introduction and description of turbulent flows	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	Research Topic 3: Environmental load on structures & fluid-structure interaction	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 10	Direct numerical simulation	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	RANS turbulence models	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	Large eddy simulation	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	Review and presentation	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance to the weekly lectures and tutorials in computer lab is expected.

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

The following textbook is recommended:

J.H. Ferziger & M. Peric – Computational Methods for Fluid Dynamics. Springer, 2002

The following web site contains general resources related to CFD (computational fluid dynamics):

https://www.cfd-online.com/

Further, ANSYS web site (ansys.com) has information specific for individual modules including ANSYS Fluent that will be used in this course.

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. demonstrate an advanced understanding of CFD procedures through both in-class and self learning
LO2. demonstrate an understanding of advanced CFD approaches for dealing with turbulent and complex fluid flows
LO3. use a state-of-the-art commercial CFD package to solve engineering problems
LO4. formulate and solve engineering problems using CFD tools
LO5. present CFD based solutions and analyses through technical reports
LO6. demonstrate an advanced understanding of a range of fluid flow problems relevant to civil and environmental engineering applications

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

The weekly activities have been re-ordered for the benefit of spreading out the corresponding assessments througout the semester. An oral presentation is introduced to evaluate individual's understanding of the CFD technique and oral communication skills.

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

CIVL6669: Applied Fluid Engineering Computing

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links