Course Syllabus

 

M.C. Escher, Sky and Water II, woodcut, December 1938

 

Course Description

Fluid mechanics is the  studies the behavior of fluids, liquids and gases, and how those interact with their surroundings under the presence of internal and external forces. Fluid flows are omnipresent in, natural phenomena, industrial applications but also our everyday lives.

This course will cover fundamental concepts of fluid mechanics, including fluid statics, fluid kinematics, fluid dynamics, dimensional analysis and similitude, laminar and turbulent, internal flow, and boundary layers. Students will apply fluid mechanics concepts while working on exercises and solving problems. In addition, students will have the opportunity to participate in field studies and witness current research and developments in Sweden that rely on fluid mechanics.

The course will cover the following modules:

1. Introduction and Basic Concepts
   • A Brief History of Fluid Mechanics
   • The No-Slip Condition and other boundary conditions
   • Classification of Fluid Flows
2. Properties of Fluids
   • Density and Specific Gravity
   • Vapor Pressure and Cavitation
   • Viscosity 
   • Surface Tension and Capillary Effect
3. Pressure and Fluid Statics
   • Pressure
   • The Manometer
   • The Barometer and Atmospheric Pressure
   • Hydrostatic forces on Plane and Curved Surfaces
4. Fluid Kinematics
   • Lagrangian and Eulerian Descriptions
   • Fundamentals of Flow Visualization
   • The Reynolds Transport Theorem
5. Bernoulli and Energy Equations
   • Conservation of Mass
   • Mechanical Energy and Efficiency
   • The Bernoulli Equation
   • General Energy Equation
6. Momentum Analysis of Flow Systems
   • Momentum Conservation and Control-Volume Analysis
   • The Linear Momentum Equation 
   • The Angular Momentum Equation 
7. Dimensional Analysis and Modeling
   • Dimensions and Units 
   • Dimensional Homogeneity
   • Nondimensionalization of Equations
   • Dimensional Analysis and Similarity
8. Internal Flow
   • Laminar and Turbulent Flows
   • Laminar Flow in Pipes
   • Turbulent Flow in Pipes
9. Differential Analysis and the Navier–Stokes Equations
   • Conservation of Mass—The Continuity Equation 
   • The Stream Function
   • The Navier–Stokes Equation
   • Differential Analysis of Fluid Flow Problems
10. Approximations of the Navier–Stokes Equations
    • The Creeping Flow Approximation
    • Approximation for Inviscid Regions of Flow
    • The Irrotational Flow Approximation
    • The Boundary Layer Approximation
11. External Flow: Drag and Lift
    • Drag and Lift
    • Friction and Pressure Drag 
    • Drag and Lift on Common Geometries

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Understand principles of fluid mechanics covered in all modules
• Analyze fluid flows through the use of fluid mechanics principles and appropriate modeling
• Identify fluid-flow phenomena in various engineering systems, such as pipes, and apply their knowledge to assess physical implications
• Reflect on the importance of fluid mechanics in natural systems and engineering applications 

Faculty

Pantelis Moschopoulos, PhD

Readings

Field Studies

We will have two course-integrated field studies to learn how fluid dynamics concepts are utilized in industry or research. 

Field studies may include:

Visit to laboratories at Kungliga Tekniska Högskola (Royal Institute of Technology), Stockholm, Sweden

Visit to laboratories at Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

Guest Lecturers

Guest lecturers (experts in a particular area of fluid mechanics) may be invited to talk about topics of particular interest to students.

Approach to Teaching

The course tries to follow as much as possible an interactive and question-driven approach, combining lectures, discussion, exercises, and problem solving. Students are encouraged to reason through concepts, ask questions, and develop physical intuition. The main goal of the course is to recognize and understand Fluid Mechanics not only in the classroom or the homeworks, but also in everyday life, nature, and engineering applications. 

DIS Accommodations Statement 

If you have approved academic accommodations with DIS, please make sure the teacher receives your DIS accommodations letter within two weeks from the start of classes. If you can think of other ways the teacher can support your learning, please do not hesitate to let the teacher know. If you have any further questions about your academic accommodations, contact Academic Support acadsupp@dis.dk. 

Expectations of the Students

• You should participate actively during lectures, discussions, group work, and exercises.
• Laptops may be used for note‐taking, fact‐checking, or assignments in the classroom, but only when indicated by the instructor. At all other times, laptops and electronic devices should be put away during class meetings.
• Readings must be done prior to the class session. 
• In addition to completing all assignments and exams, you need to be present, arrive on time, and actively participate in all classes and field studies to receive full credit. Your final grade will be affected, adversely, by unexcused absences and lack of participation. Your participation grade will be reduced by 10 points (over 100) for every unexcused absence.
• Classroom etiquette includes being respectful of other opinions, listening to others and entering a dialogue in a constructive manner.
• You are expected to ask relevant questions in regards to the material covered.
• Excuses for any emergency absences must be given beforehand. It is the responsibility of the student to make up any missed coursework.
• Generative AI tools may be used only based on the instructions given for each assignment. AI should support and not replace your effort in reasoning and problem solving. You remain responsible for the accuracy and quality of any work you submit.

Evaluation

To be eligible for a passing grade in this class, all of the assigned work must be completed by the set deadline.

Grading

Active participation: Includes attendance, preparation for lectures and other sessions, active participation in learning activities, class discussions, group work and problem solving. It also includes active participation during field studies and presentation of reflections on how they are related and relevant within the context of the course.

Problem Sets:  Homework problems will be posted on Canvas. Students are allowed to work in groups to complete their homework. A pdf scan or clear photo of their work must be submitted on Canvas.

Reading Assignment: Reading assignments will be given from the textbook and ancillary texts. Students are expected to make comments or well-formed questions throughout each reading assignment. 

Quizzes: Short quizzes that cover specific modules of the course will be posted on Canvas. You are expected to work on your own.

Final Exam: At the end of the semester, you will take an exam that covers all topics from the course. The exam will  be open for 24 hours. You are expected to work on your own. Once you start taking the exam, you will have 2 hours to complete it. You should provide final answers of problems on Canvas, and upload a pdf scan or clear photo of your work.

Active participation	10%
Reading Assignments	15%
Problem Sets	30%
Quizzes	25%
Final exam	20%