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Fluid Mechanics Fundamentals

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Based on 2 ratings
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Robert Spall

This course is an introduction to fluid mechanics, and emphasizes both fundamental concepts and problem-solving techniques. Topics currently covered include fluid properties, fluid statics, stability of floating bodies, fluid kinematics, conservation of mass, momentum, and energy, the Bernoulli equation, control volume analysis, dimensional analysis, internal flows (i.e., laminar and turbulent pipe flows), and the Navier-Stokes equations. Topics to be added in the future may include approximations such as creeping flow, potential flow, and boundary layers, and external flows including lift and drag over airfoils. The course is based on much of the material within, and at the level of, a one semester first course in fluid mechanics taught at the junior level in an engineering department. Recommended prerequisites include a basic understanding of statics, thermodynamics, 1st year calculus including integration and differentiation, and ordinary differential equations. Elementary scientific programming skills are also helpful but not absolutely necessary. The approach taken in this course is to first introduce the relevant theory, followed by example problems where appropriate. Every attempt is made to fully explain and carry out all important steps in the derivation of important equations. In addition to undergraduate engineering students, the course would also be of value to practicing engineers wishing to review material, and as a prerequisite to most courses in computational fluid dynamics.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • How to apply basic concepts of fluid statics to problems involving fluids at rest
  • An understanding of the concepts of conservation of mass, momentum, and energy to problems in fluid dynamics
  • An ability to utilize control volume analysis to solve problems in fluid dynamics
  • An ability to compute pressure drops and pumping requirements for fluid flow through piping systems
  • Basic understanding of the navier-stokes equations

Syllabus

Introduction
Fluid Properties
Energy, Compressibility
Viscosity
Read more

Downloads:  codes for flat plate, Howarth decelerating flow, and cylinder flow.

BLPLOT.m is the Octave file to construct the line plots in the lecture.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a solid foundation in fluid mechanics, covering topics typically taught in a junior-level engineering curriculum, which is essential for further studies and professional practice
Offers a valuable review of fundamental concepts and problem-solving techniques in fluid mechanics, which can be beneficial for engineers seeking to refresh their knowledge
Serves as a prerequisite to most courses in computational fluid dynamics, equipping learners with the necessary background in fluid mechanics to succeed in more advanced studies
Requires a basic understanding of statics, thermodynamics, calculus, and ordinary differential equations, which may pose a challenge for students without prior exposure to these subjects
Involves elementary scientific programming skills, which may require learners to acquire additional knowledge or resources if they lack prior experience in this area
Uses Fortran code examples for tank drain problems, which may be less accessible to learners unfamiliar with this programming language, potentially requiring them to learn Fortran or adapt the code to another language

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Reviews summary

Solid fluid mechanics foundation

According to learners, this course provides a solid foundation in fluid mechanics fundamentals, covering essential topics from statics to Navier-Stokes. Many found the instructor's explanations clear and easy to follow, particularly appreciating the detailed derivations and problem-solving examples. While students praise the theoretical depth, a recurring point is the need for a strong background in prerequisites like calculus, ODEs, and statics, with some finding the pace challenging. It is often seen as an excellent starting point for students or a useful refresher for practicing engineers, though some mention needing supplementary practice for mastering problem-solving.
Strong on theory, less on practical apps.
"Excellent for theory, but could use more real-world application examples."
"More focused on the equations and derivations than practical engineering scenarios."
"Provides a deep dive into the theoretical underpinnings."
Problem-solving examples clarify theory.
"The example problems worked through in the lectures were very helpful."
"Seeing the step-by-step solutions made applying the theory much clearer."
"Liked how examples followed the theoretical explanations."
"The practical examples aided greatly in understanding the concepts."
Instructor explains concepts very well.
"The instructor is fantastic; his explanations are very clear and detailed."
"Lectures were easy to follow, especially the derivations."
"I appreciated how thoroughly the concepts were broken down."
"The teaching style makes even complex topics understandable."
Builds a strong understanding of concepts.
"The course gave me a solid foundation in fluid mechanics concepts."
"It covered the fundamentals thoroughly and provided an excellent introduction."
"Excellent course to grasp the core principles before diving deeper."
"I feel much more confident in the basic theory after completing this."
Some found the course pace rapid.
"Sometimes the pace felt a bit rushed, especially in later modules."
"Had to pause and rewatch lectures frequently to keep up."
"It moves quickly if you're not already familiar with some concepts."
Assignments can be difficult but rewarding.
"The homework problems were challenging but really solidified my understanding."
"Needed to spend a lot of time on the assignments, they weren't trivial."
"Some problems required significant effort and extra practice."
"Good problems that push you to apply the concepts learned."
Requires strong prior knowledge for success.
"Make sure you have a solid background in calculus and ODEs before starting."
"Struggled quite a bit because my statics knowledge wasn't strong enough."
"The prerequisites mentioned are absolutely essential; do not skip this advice."
"It helps immensely if you're comfortable with vector calculus and differential equations."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Fluid Mechanics Fundamentals with these activities:
Review Thermodynamics Fundamentals
Reinforce your understanding of thermodynamics, a crucial prerequisite for grasping energy conservation principles in fluid mechanics.
Browse courses on Thermodynamics
Show steps
  • Review the first and second laws of thermodynamics.
  • Practice problems related to heat transfer and energy balance.
  • Summarize key concepts and equations.
Practice Calculus and Differential Equations
Sharpen your calculus and differential equations skills, essential for solving fluid mechanics problems, especially those involving the Navier-Stokes equations.
Browse courses on Ordinary Differential Equations
Show steps
  • Solve practice problems involving integration and differentiation.
  • Review techniques for solving ordinary differential equations.
  • Work through examples of partial differential equations.
Solve Fluid Statics Problems
Reinforce your understanding of fluid statics by working through a variety of problems involving pressure, manometers, and forces on submerged bodies.
Show steps
  • Solve problems involving pressure calculations at different depths.
  • Practice using manometers to measure pressure differences.
  • Calculate hydrostatic forces on submerged surfaces.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Fluid Mechanics Cheat Sheet
Consolidate your knowledge by creating a cheat sheet summarizing key concepts, equations, and problem-solving techniques covered in the course.
Show steps
  • Summarize key equations and definitions from each module.
  • Organize the cheat sheet by topic for easy reference.
  • Include example problems and solutions.
Fluid Mechanics
Deepen your understanding of fluid mechanics with a comprehensive textbook that provides detailed explanations and numerous examples.
View Melania on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read chapters related to course topics.
  • Work through example problems in the book.
  • Compare the book's approach to the course material.
Design a Piping System
Apply your knowledge by designing a piping system for a specific application, considering factors such as pressure drop, flow rate, and pipe fittings.
Show steps
  • Define the requirements for the piping system.
  • Select appropriate pipe materials and fittings.
  • Calculate pressure drops and flow rates.
  • Optimize the design for efficiency and cost.
CFD Simulation of Pipe Flow
Extend your learning by performing a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of fluid flow through a pipe, comparing the results to analytical solutions.
Show steps
  • Create a geometry of the pipe in a CFD software.
  • Set up the simulation parameters, including boundary conditions and fluid properties.
  • Run the simulation and analyze the results.
  • Compare the simulation results to analytical solutions.

Career center

Learners who complete Fluid Mechanics Fundamentals will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Hydraulic Engineer
A hydraulic engineer designs systems that use fluid power. This course in fluid mechanics emphasizes fundamental concepts such as fluid properties, fluid statics, and conservation laws, which are essential for understanding how fluids behave in various hydraulic systems. You will learn to apply these principles to solve real-world problems, such as designing piping systems and analyzing fluid flow. By covering topics like pressure drops, pumping requirements, internal flows, and the Navier-Stokes equations, this course provides a solid foundation for hydraulic engineering tasks. A hydraulic engineer will find value reviewing the material in this course.
See salaries and explore the career path for Hydraulic Engineer
Aerospace Engineer
The job of an aerospace engineer is to design aircraft and spacecraft. This course in Fluid Mechanics Fundamentals provides a foundational understanding of fluid dynamics, which is crucial for analyzing airflow around aircraft and spacecraft. You will learn about fluid properties, kinematics, and the conservation of mass, momentum, and energy. The course covers dimensional analysis and external flows, including lift and drag over airfoils, which are directly applicable to aerodynamic design. This course enables an aerospace engineer to optimize designs for performance and efficiency. Practicing aerospace engineers wishing to review fluid mechanics may find this course helpful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Aerospace Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines; mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal devices, including tools, engines, and machines. This course may be useful in its review of the fundamentals of fluid mechanics, emphasizing both fundamental concepts and problem-solving techniques. The course covers fluid properties, fluid statics, and fluid kinematics, as well as conservation of mass, momentum, and energy. The course provides a solid base for mechanical engineers working with fluid-related systems. Examples include heat exchangers, pumps, and turbines.
See salaries and explore the career path for Mechanical Engineer
Civil Engineer
Civil engineers plan, design, and oversee the construction and maintenance of infrastructure projects. This course in Fluid Mechanics Fundamentals may be useful in understanding water distribution systems, flood control measures, and hydraulic structures. The course covers fluid statics, pressure, forces on submerged bodies, and flow through pipes. The knowledge of these concepts helps civil engineers to design efficient and safe water management systems and related infrastructure. The review of the principles of fluid mechanics will be valuable.
See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Engineer
Environmental Engineer
Environmental engineers develop solutions to environmental problems related to pollution control, waste management, and water and air quality. This course may be useful in designing water and wastewater treatment plants. It introduces fundamental concepts of fluid mechanics, including fluid properties, fluid statics, and conservation laws. Environmental engineers will find the sections on internal flows, pipe flows, and the solution of Navier-Stokes equations applicable to the design and optimization of treatment processes. Practicing environmental engineers wishing to review material will find it here.
See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer
Chemical Engineer
Chemical engineers design and develop chemical processes and equipment for large-scale manufacturing. This course in Fluid Mechanics Fundamentals may aid in understanding fluid behavior in chemical reactors, pipelines, and separation equipment. You will learn about fluid properties, viscosity, and flow through pipes, which are critical for designing efficient and safe chemical processes. The course helps chemical engineers optimize fluid transport and mixing in various chemical engineering applications. A chemical engineer may find this course helpful to review the material.
See salaries and explore the career path for Chemical Engineer
Naval Architect
Naval architects design and oversee the construction and repair of ships and other marine vessels. This course in fluid mechanics may be useful in understanding the hydrodynamic forces acting on ships, including buoyancy, stability, and resistance. You will learn about fluid statics, forces on submerged bodies, and the stability of floating bodies. The course provides insights into ship wave drag and how to optimize hull designs for reduced resistance. For the naval architect, a review of fluid mechanics material can be valuable.
See salaries and explore the career path for Naval Architect
Petroleum Engineer
Petroleum engineers design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas from underground reservoirs. This course in Fluid Mechanics Fundamentals may be useful in understanding fluid flow in porous media, wellbore hydraulics, and enhanced oil recovery techniques. The course covers fluid properties, viscosity, and flow through pipes, which are important for optimizing oil and gas production processes. The learner can gain knowledge useful for designing efficient extraction methods and managing reservoir fluids. Review of this material may be valuable.
See salaries and explore the career path for Petroleum Engineer
Energy Engineer
Energy engineers work to improve energy efficiency and develop sustainable energy solutions. This course in Fluid Mechanics Fundamentals may be useful in its survey of fluid dynamics in energy-related systems, such as wind turbines, hydroelectric power plants, and geothermal systems. You will learn about fluid properties, conservation laws, and dimensional analysis, which are essential for optimizing energy conversion and transport processes. This insight helps energy engineers design efficient and sustainable energy systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Energy Engineer
Researcher
A researcher may explore new areas within fluid dynamics. Covering fundamental concepts such as fluid properties, statics, and kinematics, this course may be useful as a solid theoretical foundation. The course also covers conservation laws, dimensional analysis, and the Navier-Stokes equations. These concepts are essential for conducting advanced research in fluid mechanics, whether theoretical or experimental. Researchers often hold advanced degrees (master's or phd for example).
See salaries and explore the career path for Researcher
Data Scientist
Data scientists analyze complex data sets to extract meaningful insights and inform decision-making. This course may be useful in understanding the underlying physics of fluid systems, which can improve the accuracy and relevance of data-driven models. While this course may not directly focus on data analysis techniques, the knowledge of fluid mechanics principles helps data scientists to develop more effective models for predicting and optimizing fluid behavior in various applications.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist
Instrumentation Engineer
Instrumentation engineers design, develop, and maintain instruments and control systems used in various engineering processes. This course in fluid mechanics may be useful in understanding the principles behind flow measurement devices, pressure sensors, and other fluid-related instruments. You will learn about fluid properties, pressure, and flow characteristics, which are essential for selecting and calibrating instruments. This helps instrumentation engineers ensure accurate and reliable measurements in fluid systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Instrumentation Engineer
Manufacturing Engineer
Manufacturing engineers improve efficiency and reduce costs in manufacturing processes. This course in Fluid Mechanics Fundamentals may be useful in understanding fluid behavior in manufacturing equipment, such as pumps, valves, and cooling systems. You will learn about fluid properties, viscosity, and flow through pipes, which are important for optimizing the performance and reliability of manufacturing processes. This knowledge helps manufacturing engineers design efficient and cost-effective manufacturing systems.
See salaries and explore the career path for Manufacturing Engineer
Quality Control Engineer
Quality control engineers ensure products meet certain standards. This course is an introduction to fluid mechanics, and emphasizes both fundamental concepts and problem-solving techniques. Quality control engineers can use this course to identify and test fluid systems. Quality Control engineers may find this course helpful to review fluid mechanics.
See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Control Engineer
Materials Scientist
Materials scientists research and develop new materials with specific properties for various engineering applications. This course may be useful in understanding the behavior of fluids interacting with different materials. You will learn about fluid properties, surface tension, and viscosity, which are important for understanding phenomena such as wetting, adhesion, and corrosion. This helps materials scientists select appropriate materials for fluid-related applications.
See salaries and explore the career path for Materials Scientist

Reading list

We've selected one books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Fluid Mechanics Fundamentals.
Cover image
Think and Grow Rich - English : For Personal Growth...
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Comprehensive resource for fluid mechanics, covering a wide range of topics from basic principles to advanced applications. It provides a clear and thorough explanation of the fundamental concepts, along with numerous examples and practice problems. This book is commonly used as a textbook in undergraduate and graduate fluid mechanics courses. It valuable reference for students and practicing engineers alike, offering in-depth coverage of the subject matter.
Melania
Hardcover
$$
From Here to the Great Unknown: Oprah's Book Club:...
Hardcover
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War
Hardcover
$$
The Message
Hardcover
$$
Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between...
Hardcover
$$
Be Ready When the Luck Happens: A Memoir
Hardcover
$$
The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of...
Hardcover
$$
Onyx Storm (Deluxe Limited Edition) (The Empyrean,...
Hardcover
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Spooky Cutie: Coloring Book for Adults and Teens...
Paperback
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The Leaf Thief: (The Perfect Fall Book for Children...
Paperback
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Rating
4.0 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Empty star
Effort
5.5 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
Robert Spall
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides a solid foundation in fluid mechanics, covering topics typically taught in a junior-level engineering curriculum, which is essential for further studies and professional practice
Offers a valuable review of fundamental concepts and problem-solving techniques in fluid mechanics, which can be beneficial for engineers seeking to refresh their knowledge
Serves as a prerequisite to most courses in computational fluid dynamics, equipping learners with the necessary background in fluid mechanics to succeed in more advanced studies
Requires a basic understanding of statics, thermodynamics, calculus, and ordinary differential equations, which may pose a challenge for students without prior exposure to these subjects
Involves elementary scientific programming skills, which may require learners to acquire additional knowledge or resources if they lack prior experience in this area
Uses Fortran code examples for tank drain problems, which may be less accessible to learners unfamiliar with this programming language, potentially requiring them to learn Fortran or adapt the code to another language
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