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ENG580 - Applied Fluid Mechanics

2026

Sector

Higher Education

Discipline

Engineering

Credit Points

Equivalent Units

Prerequisites

Incompatible

Coerequisites

Assumed Knowledge

ENG247 - FLUID AND THERMODYNAMICS

Unit Description

This unit deals with the analysis, design, implementation and evaluation of complex fluid mechanics equipment and machinery. It covers both incompressible and compressible aerodynamics: high speed flow of an ideal gas in pipe with friction and heat transfer; normal shock waves; the characteristics of subsonic and supersonic flow; and application of fluid momentum principle to the analysis of Turbomachinery. Incompressible aerodynamics includes the boundary layer theory; flow separated, lift and drag on bodies. Compressible flow of ideal gas includes isentropic flow; normal shock waves; flow through a convergence-divergence nozzle; Rayleigh flow; Fanno flow; Prandtl-Meyer flow and unsteady shock waves. Turbomachines dealt with include centrifugal pumps; axial-flow pumps and fans. Students will calculate and analyze the interaction forces between the body of objects and the fluid flow.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1.	Examine the behaviour of viscous fluid flow over immersed objects and evaluate the effects of induced forces.
2.	Critically analyse and evaluate the thermodynamic behavior of compressible fluid flows in engineering applications.
3.	Critically analyse and evaluate the operating principles and performance characteristics of turbomachinery.
4.	Apply discipline theories and methods to the problems of designing, implementing, operating and maintaining mechanical systems in industrial contexts.
5.	Effectively communicate ideas and principles related to applied fluid mechanics.

Assessment Overview

	Assessment Task	Value (of total mark)	Related Learning Outcome/s
1.	Quiz (30 minutes)	5%	1,4
2.	Assignment - Compressible flow (2000 words)	20%	1,4,5
3.	Individual Report - flow over immersed bodies (1500- 2000 words)	20%	2,4,5
4.	Group Project - Introduction to turbomachinery ( 2500 - 3000 words)	20%	3,4,5
5.	Final Test (2 hours)	35%	1,2,3,4,5

Unit Availability

Year	Semester	Att Mode	Location	Learning Method	Timetable*
2026	Semester 1	Internal	Casuarina Campus	OLR	View
2026	Semester 1	External	External Studies	OLR	View

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OLR: Internet access is required for this unit as students are required to access study materials provided on-line through Learnline. Please log into Learnline on the first day of each teaching period. For more information about Learnline, please click here.

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