Continuum description and fluid properties. Basic laws for a continuum in integral and differential form. Kinematics of fluid flow and tensor calculus using index notation. Navier–Stokes equations and elementary solutions. Ideal fluid flow and basic inviscid hydrodynamics. Vorticity and streamfunction. Dimensional analysis of fluid mechanics problems. Boundary layer theory. Equations of motion for viscous flows. Viscous flow applications and lubrication theory. Instability and transition to turbulence.
Sample course profile.
Gain understanding of fundamentals of fluid mechanics through the derivation, application, and simplification of the Navier–Stokes equations. Apply this understanding to solve canonical and engineering fluid mechanics problems.
Typically offered in the Fall semester, and via EPE in odd years. 3 credit hours.
Undergraduate fluid mechanics/aerodynamics (e.g., ME 30900 or AAE 33400 at Purdue or equivalent), advanced calculus, linear algebra and differential equations.
Weekly assignments.
None.
In-class midterm and a final.
R. L. Panton, Incompressible Flow, 4th ed., Wiley (2013).
Basic MATLAB, Python or equivalent knowledge to generate plots and solve differential equations numerically.