Course Title: Perform calculations related to simple fluid systems

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2008

Course Code: CIVE5599

Course Title: Perform calculations related to simple fluid systems

School: 130T Infra, Electrotec & Build Serv

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6066 - Advanced Diploma of Civil Engineering (Structural Design)

Course Contact : Tony Skinner Program Coordinator

Course Contact Phone: (03) 9925 4444

Course Contact Email:tony.skinner@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Program Coordinator:
Mr Tony Skinner
Tel. 9925 4444
Fax. 99254377
Email: tony.skinner@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 40

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

EDX130 – Use mathematics at technician level

Course Description

This unit covers the competency to apply knowledge of the basic properties, principles and applications of fluids, components, fluid statics and fluid flow to calculations on simple fluid systems.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

EAX101 Perform calculations related to simple fluid systems

Element:

Calculate the basic properties of fluids

Performance Criteria:

1.1 The basic properties of fluids are described.
1.2 Properties of fluids are calculated given relevant data and expressed using appropriate units.
1.3 A graph is drawn showing typical variation of Saturation Vapour Pressure with temperature for a liquid.
1.4 The difference between real and ideal gases and liquids is explained.
1.5 The gas laws are used to calculate property changes to perfect gases.

Element:

Determine pressures in stationary fluids and buoyancy forces

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Pascal’s Law is explained and applied to fluids enclosed in various containers.
2.2 The variation of pressure with depth is determined.
2.3 The centre of pressure is determined and the resultant force calculated on vertical, horizontal and inclined surfaces.
2.4 Pressure readings from manometers and piezometers is made.
2.5 Archimedes Principle is stated and explained.
2.6 The magnitude and location of buoyancy forces is calculated.

Element:

Determine the flow rate through an open channel

Performance Criteria:

3.1 The Chezy or Manning Formula is used to calculate the flow rate through an open channel.
3.2 The optimum shape for an open channel with fixed or variable flow rates is determined.
3.3 The application & function of notches and weirs in the measurement of channel flow is explained

Element:

Determine the head loss in pipes and fittings

Performance Criteria:

4.1 The D’Arcy Equation is used to calculate head loss in a pipe.
4.2 The friction factor is determined using the Moody Diagram or formula.
4.3 Appropriate K factors are selected.
4.4 Head loss through fittings is calculated.
4.5 Head loss is calculated through a system consisting of a pipe and a number of fittings.
4.6 The system head equation is determined using a mean value of the friction factor and shown in the form of a parabola.
4.7 The system head curve is drawn for a single pipe system with a number of fittings and tanks or reservoirs at different levels either vented or under pressure or vacuum.

Element:

Perform calculations for fluid flow through pipes and ducts

Performance Criteria:

5.1 The difference between steady and unsteady flow is explained.
5.2 Stream flow and eddies are sketched.
5.3 The characteristics of laminar, turbulent and transition (mixed) flow is explained.
5.4 The relationship between Reynold’s Number and flow regime is explained.
5.5 Reynold’s Number is calculated for fluid flow in a circular pipe given pipe diameter, flow rate or velocity and fluid characteristics.
5.6 Calculations are performed for velocity, volume flow rate and mass flow rate of a fluid in pipes with or without branches.
5.7 Conservation of mass is explained by the Continuity Equation.
5.8 The various energy components in a fluid system is related to fluid head and the conservation of energy explained by the Bernoulli equation.
5.9 The Bernoulli equation is used with or without a head loss term to calculate property changes to a fluid flowing from a tank to a pipe or through a tapered or inclined pipe or duct.

Element:

Select basic components of a fluid system

Performance Criteria:

6.1 The application and function of various fluid components is explained.
6.2 The factors to be considered when choosing components for a fluid system are explained.
6.3 The principles of operation of fluid flow measuring devices is explained


Learning Outcomes


Calculate the basic properties of fluids

Determine pressures in stationary fluids and buoyancy forces

Determine the flow rate through an open channel

Determine the head loss in pipes and fittings

Perform calculations for fluid flow through pipes and ducts

Select basic components of a fluid system


Details of Learning Activities

Teacher-led:
* Overview properties described in the RMIT course text
* Explain the graph of SVP v. Temperature
* Overview the role of different fluid system components
* Explain Pascal’s Laws of Pressure and provide evidence of their existence
* Work through examples of calculations on pressure variation with depth and centre of pressure
* Provide examples on reading of manometers and piezometer
* Overview displacement and buoyancy principles inc. worked examples
* Differentiate between steady/unsteady flow and flow regimes
* Relate Reynold’s no. to flow regimes and show a sample calculation
* Stress importance of Q=VA for flow and demonstrate calculations inc. Continuity Equation
* Explain the three energy components of the Bernoulli equation in terms of conservation of energy.
* Demonstrate derivation of K factors from chart
* Explain the Moody Diagram, D’Arcy equation and show a sample calculation
* Overview system head
* Explain the terms that appear in Chezy and Manning equations and demonstrate their use in determining flow rate
* Illustrate optimum shapes for rectangular and trapezoidal sections
* Overview the role of notches/weirs in flow measurement

Student-based problem-solving:
* Study fluid properties in the text and solve associated problems
* Consider factors in choosing components focusing on flow measuring devices
* Solve problems on pressure variation with depth and centre of pressure
* Observe location of flow regimes on a graph of Re v. friction factor. Determine values of Re
* Combine the Continuity concept with Bernoulli in solving pipe flow problems
* Derive f factor from Moody diagram and use in D’Arcy to determine friction loss in pipes. Use K factors chart in determining loss in fittings.
* Determine system head and plot system head curve. Combine to determine system loss
* Determine flow rates using Chezy and Manning
* Use notch/weir formulae to determine flow rate

Laboratory activities
This unit is complemented by lab procedures in unit EAC130 - Perform Laboratory Experiments in Fluid Mechanics


Teaching Schedule

See Online Learning Hub for details.


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

National Engineering Module EA706 - Fluid Mechanics 1.


References

Online course notes


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

This unit will be assessed in the classroom and the laboratory environment using holistic assessment based on typical workplace activities.
Assessment will comprise :
• One mid-semester examination based on elements 1 – 3
• One end-of-semester examination based on elements 4 - 6


Assessment Tasks

Assessment of this unit will involve completion of:
• A two hour mid-semester written examination based on Elements 1, 2, and 3
• A two hour end-of-semester written examination based on Elements 4, 5, and 6


Assessment Matrix

  

Element Covered Assessment Task Proportion of Final Assessment Submission Time
1,2,3 Mid-semester written examination   45% N/A 
4,5,6 End-of-semester written examination 55% N/A

Other Information

The underpinning knowledge and skills for this course are listed in the accreditation document and are available upon request from your instructor

Course Overview: Access Course Overview