Fluid mechanics
Undergraduate · Engineering
Syllabus focus
Topics typically covered
Standard syllabus
Fluid properties and statics
- Density, specific weight, and specific gravity
- Viscosity: dynamic and kinematic definitions
- Surface tension and capillary effects
- Pressure at a point and Pascal's law
- Hydrostatic pressure distribution in fluids
- Manometers and pressure measurement devices
- Forces on plane submerged surfaces
- Forces on curved submerged surfaces
- Buoyancy, Archimedes' principle, and stability
- Rigid-body acceleration of fluid containers
Integral analysis and pipe flow
- System versus control volume formulations
- Conservation of mass for control volumes
- Linear momentum equation and force on CV
- Angular momentum equation for turbomachinery
- Bernoulli equation assumptions and applications
- Energy grade line and hydraulic grade line
- Major losses: Darcy-Weisbach and Moody chart
- Minor losses: fittings, valves, and expansions
- Laminar versus turbulent flow in pipes
- Reynolds number and flow regime transitions
STEM / applied
External flow and turbomachinery
- Drag and lift on immersed bodies (intro)
- Boundary layer concepts and separation
- Flow over flat plates and cylinders (qualitative)
- Open-channel flow: uniform depth and Froude number
- Pumps: system curves and operating points
- Turbines: impulse and reaction types
- Dimensional analysis and Buckingham Pi theorem
- Similitude and model testing principles
- CFD workflow overview for external flows
- Lab: venturi meters, orifice plates, and pump tests
Multiphysics and design applications
- Compressible flow intro: Mach number effects
- Aerodynamic forces in vehicle and wing design
- HVAC duct design and fan selection
- Hydraulic circuit design for mobile equipment
- Blood flow and biofluid mechanics (survey)
- Environmental flows: rivers and mixing (intro)
- FE fluids topic alignment and problem sets
- MATLAB/Python for pipe network iteration
- Failure case studies: cavitation and water hammer
- Capstone fluid system sizing project elements
Study units
Each unit includes a study guide, worksheets, review, practice test, and answer key. One unit is free; subscribe for the full class.
- Fluid properties and statics
Density, specific weight, and specific gravity
Coming soon - Integral analysis and pipe flow
System versus control volume formulations
Coming soon
Notes
Topics reflect common engineering syllabi at US colleges and universities. Exact order, depth, and applied emphasis vary by institution, department, and instructor.