MEC3451 Fluid mechanics 2
Faculty of Engineering
MEC3451 Fluid mechanics 2 is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Engineering, offered in 2025 in Semester 1 at Clayton and Malaysia. It needs CHE2161 or MEC2404.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2025
- Semester 1
- Clayton, Malaysia
- Assessment
- Exam 40%
- and 3 other tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2026 entry.
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Requisites
Before MEC3451
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
After MEC3451
No unit lists MEC3451 as a prerequisite in the 2025 handbook.
Enrolment rules
Additional prerequisite: You must have completed 18 credit points of engineering Level 2 units (which includes MEC2404 or CHE2161).
Overview
The foundations of continuum analysis of fluids will be presented. Using control volume analysis the fundamental conservation laws for mass, momentum and energy are developed leading to the derivation of the Navier-Stokes equations. Techniques employed to solving these equations for specific problems are explored. Methods of exact and approximate solutions of these equations, and the use of conceptual and analytical tools such as flow similitude, vorticity, circulation, stream function and velocity potential are described. The concept of boundary layers and its use in the calculation of drag and lift forces is elucidated. The origins and physical consequences of the phenomenon of fluid turbulence are discussed, along with their implications for computation of turbulent flows. The analysis of compressible flows and its applications are discussed. The unit introduces the concepts underpinning the broad areas of fluid acoustics, computational fluid dynamics, environmental fluid mechanics and wind energy.
Offerings in 2025
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | Flexible |
| First semester | Malaysia | On campus |
Assessment
- Workshop activitiesExerciseThreshold hurdle30%
- Design problemProjectThreshold hurdle15%
- Mid-semester testQuiz / TestThreshold hurdle15%
- Final assessmentExaminationThreshold hurdle40%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Analyse and characterise fluid motion
- 2
Analyse mass, momentum and energy transfer through fluid regions of any shape or size
- 3
Construct equations governing the behaviour of fluid particles from the fundamental principles of mass, momentum and energy conservation
- 4
Assess fluid applications and select appropriate techniques to solve the equations governing fluid behaviour for the design or analysis of those applications.
- 5
Draw on learning in the unit to articulate the transferable skill acquired in expressing physical ideas symbolically and using mathematical logic to gain useful insight.
Workload and teaching
- Practical activities24 hours
- Workshops24 hours
- Workshops36 hours
- Applied sessions36 hours
- Assessments3 hours
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachPeer assisted learning
- Teaching approachOnline learning
The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.
Application of concepts to solve real-world problems will be learned through solving problems whose statements may or may not be scaffolded, and by comparing solutions with those made available in the Applied Sessions or online.
Learning through team-based activities designed to promote discussion and consolidate concepts delivered through lectures and readings.
Content will be delivered through a combination of online video lectures, textbook-readings and online quizzes for self-assessment.
Learning resources
Required resources
Textbook PDF provided on MOODLE.
Recommended resources
Recommended reference: P. Kundu, I. Cohen, D. Dowling, Fluid Mechanics, 6th Edition, Elsevier
Where it fits
MEC3451 is part of 1 area of study in the 2025 handbook.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Prabhakar Ranganathan
- Dr Yeoh Chin Vern
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Prabhakar Ranganathan
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for MEC3451?
You need CHE2161 or MEC2404 before you enrol. Enrolment rules also apply.
When is MEC3451 offered?
In 2025, MEC3451 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton and Malaysia.
How much work is MEC3451?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does MEC3451 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 40% of the final mark, alongside 3 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include MEC3451?
MEC3451 is part of Mechanical engineering.