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 2026 in Semester 1 at Clayton and Malaysia. It needs MMA2003 or MEC2404.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1
- Clayton, Malaysia
- Assessment
- Exam 60%
- and 4 other tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
The 2027 handbook has no page for MEC3451. This is its 2026 entry, the latest one.
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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 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
Additional prerequisite: You must have completed 18 credit points of engineering Level 2 units (which includes MEC2404 or MMA2003).
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 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
| First semester | Malaysia | On campus |
Assessment
- Practical activitiesExerciseCompetency hurdle-
- Design problemProject20%
- Use of engineering analysis, tools and resourcesProjectCompetency hurdle-
- Mid-semester testQuiz / Test20%
- Final assessmentExamination60%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Integrate and synthesise inclusive ways of working to function effectively as an individual and as a member or leader of diverse teams, and to improve the team’s collective understanding of fluid mechanics.
- 2
Analyse engineering problems in fluid mechanics, and clearly discuss the assumptions and limitations of the analyses and models used.
- 3
Integrate and synthesise knowledge of fluid mechanics, mathematics and engineering fundamentals to derive and solve mathematical models of laminar or turbulent internal and external flows, thereby providing the theoretical foundations for critical use of AI and CFD tools in fluid engineering.
Workload and teaching
- Laboratories8 hours
- Workshops24 hours
- Practical activities24 hours
- Teaching approachOnline learning
- Teaching approachPeer assisted learning
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachActive 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.
Weekly readings from text book; example solutions/videos of solved examples; using AI.
Learning through team-based activities designed to promote discussion and consolidate concepts delivered through lectures and readings.
Learning through solving complex problems every week, and by working on a mini-design problem that may require some programming and use of AI
Weekly practicals will involve team-based discussions and using AI to solve design-style problems and perform analysis.
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 2026 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 MMA2003 or MEC2404 before you enrol. Enrolment rules also apply.
When is MEC3451 offered?
In 2026, 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 60% of the final mark, alongside 4 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include MEC3451?
MEC3451 is part of Mechanical engineering.