MECHENG 325 : Dynamics of Fluids and Structures

Engineering

2025 Semester Two (1255) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

3D rigid body dynamics - inertia tensor, Euler's equations, gyroscopic motion. Vibration of single and two degree of freedom systems. Applications to vibration engineering. Introductory acoustics and New Zealand sound insulation standards. Mass, linear momentum, angular momentum and energy equations. Application to internal and external flows, boundary layers, pumps, turbines and lifting bodies. Experimental and numerical methods, dimensional analysis, similarity, and flow measurement.

Course Overview

Fluid mechanics topics:
1. Dimensional analysis and similarity
2. Mass, momentum and energy equations
3. Rotational motion and angular momentum equation
4. External flows, forces on lifting bodies, boundary layers, turbulence
5. Flow measurement methods
6. Turbomachinery
7. Internal compressible flow

Structural dynamics topics:
1. Vibration of ‘more realistic’ single degree of freedom systems
2. Complex exponential notation
3. Vibration of multiple degrees of freedom systems
4. Dynamics, vibration and machinery
5. Kinematics of rigid bodies in three dimensions
6. Kinetics of rigid bodies in three dimensions

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: MECHENG 211, 222

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Classify pumps and turbines and apply dimensional analysis methods (Capability 3.1 and 4.1)
  2. Predict flow characteristics around bodies immersed in a flow field, and flow patterns / streamlines. (Capability 3.1 and 4.1)
  3. Use CFD and numerical methods to analyse fluid motion (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 6.1 and 7.1)
  4. Describe variables that govern fluid flow problems and use mass, energy and momentum equations. (Capability 3.1 and 4.1)
  5. Analyse pipe flow problems, piping networks and estimate losses in pipes and ducts. (Capability 3.1 and 4.1)
  6. Predict and describe forces associated with static and dynamic imbalance (Capability 3.1 and 4.1)
  7. Formulate and solve equations of motion of MDOF systems and evaluate their natural frequencies and mode shapes. (Capability 3.1 and 4.1)
  8. Calculate the angular momentum of a rotating 3D rigid body and predict moments associated with the rotation. (Capability 3.1 and 4.1)
  9. Develop and demonstrate an understanding of the New Zealand sound insulation standards (Capability 8.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Laboratories 12% Individual Coursework
Projects 38% Group & Individual Coursework
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Laboratories
Projects
Final Exam
• Students must sit the exam to pass the course. Otherwise, a DNS (did not sit) fail grade will be returned.
• A passing mark is 50% or higher, according to University policy.
• Late submission penalties will be applied as stated on Canvas.

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, you can expect three one-hour lectures and a one-hour tutorial per week, two hours of reading and thinking about the content and four hours of work towards assessments and labs per week.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled labs to complete components of the course. Attendance at scheduled tutorials is expected.
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 including tutorials.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable delivery.

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.

Health & Safety

The risk levels for performing the tasks associated with the scheduled labs are estimated to be low. Students must ensure they are familiar with their Health and Safety responsibilities, as described in the university's Health and Safety policy

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.

The course involves two parts, fluid dynamics and structural dynamics, each for 6 weeks. Content in both parts is quite diverse and includes many aspects of dynamics relevant for mechanical and mechatronics engineering students.

Based on 2024 SET results, we are refining the two coursebooks  (one for fluid dynamics, one for structural dynamics) to improve clarity and cohesiveness.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations 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. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

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 your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, 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 you may be asked to submit your 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. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.