MECHENG 718 : Computational Fluid Dynamics

Engineering

2025 Semester Two (1255) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Application of computational methods to fluid dynamics and heat transfer. Finite volume and finite difference methods. Convergence and stability. Mesh generation and post-processing. Application of commercial computer programs to industrial problems.

Course Overview

The objective of this course is to equip engineers with the skills necessary to apply Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to the solution of problems or the design of equipment involving fluid motion and/or heat and mass transfer.

The objective will be met by providing exposure to the commercial CFD package CFX together with the underpinning theoretical methodologies and analysis tools.  The use of potential flow methods will also be discussed.  An important focus will be the issue of estimating how well the CFD predictions are true representations of physical reality.

Assignments will explore aspects of CFD technology via sample problems (using packages) or numerical hand exercises.  A mini-project will enable the student to demonstrate how well they have understood the way that a CFD package can be used in the engineering context.

List of Topics:
  1. Governing equations of fluid flow and heat transfer
  2. Finite difference and finite volume approximations of the governing equations
  3. Solution methods and boundary conditions
  4. Turbulence and its simulation or modelling
  5. Meshing
  6. Alternative solver methods, parallelisation
  7. Application of CFD to engineering analysis and design
This course shares lectures and other content with MECHENG 711; completing this course will prevent future enrolments in MECHENG 711.

Course Requirements

Restriction: MECHENG 711

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. Understand and apply knowledge of the underlying methodology used to solve heat and flow problems using CFD (Capability 3.1 and 3.2)
  2. Understand and apply models of turbulence (Capability 3.1 and 3.2)
  3. Develop basic skills in modelling flow problems using a propriety CFD package (Capability 3.1 and 3.2)
  4. Apply knowledge of fluid flow and CFD to model a complex problem (Capability 4.1 and 4.2)
  5. Precisely and succinctly communicate an analysis of a complex flow problem in a written report (Capability 6.1)
  6. Understand and explain the competency requirements of CFD practitioners with respect to real-world engineering projects (Capability 7.1 and 8.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 20% Individual Coursework
Group Project 30% Group Coursework
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Assignments
Group Project
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, each week you can expect 3 hours of lectures (for the first 8 weeks of semester), and 7 hours of reading and having deep thoughts about the content, working on problem sheets, working an assignments, or working on your project.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Lectures will be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events including group discussions or tutorials.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable for the first 8 weeks of semester.

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

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.

 There was very limited feedback in the 2024 SET evaluation.

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.