MECHENG 211 : Thermofluids

Engineering

2024 Semester Two (1245) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

The fundamentals of fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and heat transfer with practical applications to engineering devices and systems.

Course Overview

This course introduces Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineers to the fundamentals of engineering thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics. Thermodynamics is used to analyse the ways and limits of turning heat into mechanical energy, or to use mechanical energy to cool or heat spaces. Heat transfer is used to quantify the process of moving heat from one object to another for practical design purposes. And Fluid Mechanics examines forces due to fluid flows, such as lift and drag of aircraft, and looks at energy transfer and resistance to flow. 
Topics covered include:
  1. Thermodynamic properties
  2. Processes and cycles
  3. Air or water flow inside networks of pipes or ducts
  4. Basic aerodynamics of wings and bodies
  5. Heat transfer due to conduction, convection, and radiation
  6. Heat sinks and heat exchangers

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Understand properties of fluids and how to evaluate them (Capability 3.1)
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of of basic thermodynamic concepts such as states, processes and cycles. (Capability 3.1)
  3. Understand and analyse problems using the first law of thermodynamics (Capability 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1)
  4. Understand and apply basic concepts of fluids mechanics (Capability 3.1)
  5. Analyse problems using the Reynolds transport theorem and Bernoulii's equation (Capability 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1)
  6. Understand and analyse internal flow problems using the concepts of friction factor and minor losses (Capability 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1)
  7. Understand and analyse simple external flow problems using the concepts of lift and drag coefficents (Capability 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1)
  8. Understand and analyse the modes of heat transfer, and and simple multi-mode heat transfer problems and fins (Capability 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1)
  9. Analyse external heat transfer problems using correlations and heat transfer coefficents (Capability 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1)
  10. Understand and analyse heat exchangers using the log mean temperature difference concept (Capability 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Tests 10% Individual Test
Laboratories / Assignments 10% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 60% Individual Examination
Quizzes 20% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Tests
Laboratories / Assignments
Final Exam
Quizzes

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, each week you can expect 3 hours of lectures, a 1 hour tutorial, and 6 hours of doing problem sheets, working on assignments, attending labs, preparing for tests, quizzes, exams, and reading and having deep and meaningful thoughts about the content.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at labs to receive credit for components of the course.

Attendance at tutorials is not compulsory but is beneficial for learning the course material.

Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials and labs will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

The prescribed text is Cengel, Cimbala and Turner, Fundamentals of Thermal-Fluid Sciences, McGraw-Hill.

Health & Safety

Students are expected to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Health and Safety section of the Engineering Undergraduate Handbook.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Overall, the course was well received last year, so there will be no major changes for next year. However, we will have more in-person assessments (tests and/or exam) next year, if possible.


Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 27/11/2023 09:20 a.m.