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Unit outline_

CIVL2611: Introductory Fluid Mechanics

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The objective of this unit of study is to develop an understanding of basic fluid concepts for inviscid and incompressible fluids. Topics to be covered will include: basic fluid properties, hydrostatics, buoyancy, stability, pressure distribution in a fluid with rigid body motion, fluid dynamics, conservation of mass and momentum, dimensional analysis, open channel flow, and pipe flow. This core unit of study together with CIVL3612 forms the basis for further studies in the applied areas of ocean, coastal and wind engineering and other elective fluid mechanics units which may be offered.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Civil Engineering
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

CIVL2201 AND (CIVL1802 or ENGG1802) AND (MATH1061 OR MATH1021). Students are expected to have a strong understanding of fundamental physics, statics, equilibrium, forces, and dimensional analysis. Familiarity with simple calculus, partial differential equations, and the analytical and numerical solutions

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Chengwang Lei, chengwang.lei@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Chengwang Lei, chengwang.lei@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
hurdle task
Final Exam
A two-hour close-book exam to be scheduled in the formal exam period
40% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Small test hurdle task Quiz (Timetabled)
Supervised quiz taking place in a timetabled session
20% Week 07 60-90 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Assignment Lab Report 1
Individual report on Bernoulli Theorem Demonstration
8% Week 09
Due date: 27 Sep 2024 at 23:59
To be specified
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Lab Report 2
Individual report on Dimensional Analysis and Modelling
4% Week 12
Due date: 25 Oct 2024 at 23:59
To be specified
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4
Online task Weekly Assignment (Online)
Weekly online assignment on Canvas
22% Weekly To be specified
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Tutorial quiz In-Class Submission
Answers to short questions collected during tutorial classes
6% Weekly In tutorial classes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Assignments: Weekly Assignments will be posted on Canvas to be completed by specified deadlines. In-class Submissions will be collected at tutorials. Both Weekly Assignments and In-class Submissions are counted towards the final result.

Lab Reports: There are two unequally weighted lab reports. Lab Report 1 is a full report on Bernoulli Theorem Demonstration, and Lab Report 2 is a brief report on Dimensional Analysis and Modelling

Quiz (Timetabled): This is an in-person paper-based test and will be invigilated. Details about the formats and contents of the quizzes will be announced in class and via email.

Final Exam: The Final Exam will be a supervised close-book Exam, which will cover all topics of this unit of study.

Refer to Supplementary Information (available in Canvas) for details of each assessment.

 

Criteria for Passing

To achieve a ‘Pass’ grade in this unit of study, ALL of the following criteria MUST be satisfied:

  • Submit at least one lab report and achieve minimum 50% in the report.
  • Achieve minimum 45% in the timetabled quiz.
  • Achieve minimum 40% in the Final Exam (or 45% in the Final Exam if the above criterion for the timetabled quiz is not met).
  • Have an overall mark above 50%.

Students who do not meet all the criteria will not receive a ‘Pass’ grade in this unit of study, and regardless of their performance in individual components, 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.

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.

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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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 2023 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 2023. 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

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to fluid mechanics Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1
Week 02 Fluid properties and hydrostatics Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1
Week 03 Hydrostatic forces on submerged surfaces Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO2
Week 04 Buoyancy and stability Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO2
Week 05 Fluids in motion Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO2
Week 06 Bernoulli Theorem Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO3
Week 07 Dimensional analysis Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO4
Week 08 Modelling and similitude Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO4
Week 09 Reynolds transport theorem and mass conservation Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO5
Week 10 Conservation of linear momentum Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO5
Week 11 Open channel flow Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO6
Week 12 Flow in pipes Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO6
Week 13 Review Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment: There will be weekly lectures (2 hours) followed by tutorials (2 hours). In-class submissions are only acceptable from students who are attending the correct tutorial sessions. Student are required to submit at least one lab report.

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 details of the prescribed textbook are given below:

Title: Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics, (9th Ed., SI version)

Authors: Andrew L. Gerhart, John I. Hochstein, Philip M. Gerhart

ISBN: 978-1-119-70326-6

ISBN: 978-1-119-70327-3 (ePub)

ISBN: 978-1-119-76714-5 (ePdf)

Publisher: Wiley

e-Text option is available by clicking this Link to e-Text.

Other editions of the textbook may also be used. The SciTech Library has a good collection of resources related to Fluid Mechanics including many textbooks and other reference materials. You are encouraged to take advantage of these resources.

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. Understand the fundamental properties of fluids and how they influence fluid motion
  • LO2. Be able to calculate pressure forces on submerged and floating bodies in both stationary fluids and fluids moving in rigid body motion
  • LO3. Understand the physical meaning and limitations of Bernoulli Theorem and be able to apply the theorem to a range of fluid flow problems.
  • LO4. Be able to apply dimensional analysis principle to simplify solutions of fluid mechanics problems and the design of experiments
  • LO5. Understand the principles of mass and momentum conservations in the context of fluid flows and be able to use these concepts for calculations.
  • LO6. Understand the fundamentals of open channel flow and pipe flow

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 schedule of the weekly topics has been adjusted so that the assessments are evenly distributed over the entire semester. The weightings of assessments have also been adjusted in response to the feedback from the previous round.

Work, health and safety

Fully-enclosed shoes must be worn when attending the physical lab demonstration on Bernoulli Theorem.

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.