Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- A Word to the Instructor
- 1 Basic Concepts and Fluid Properties
- 2 The Fluid Dynamic Equation
- 3 Fluid Statics
- 4 Introduction to Fluid in Motion – One-Dimensional (Frictionless) Flow
- 5 Viscous Incompressible Flow: Exact Solutions
- 6 Dimensional Analysis and High-Reynolds-Number Flows
- 7 The (Laminar) Boundary Layer
- 8 High-Reynolds-Number Flow over Bodies (Incompressible)
- 9 Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics
- 10 Elements of Inviscid Compressible Flow
- 11 Fluid Machinery
- Appendix A Conversion Factors
- Appendix B Properties of Compressible Isentropic Flow
- Appendix C Properties of Normal Shock Flow
- Index
Preface
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- A Word to the Instructor
- 1 Basic Concepts and Fluid Properties
- 2 The Fluid Dynamic Equation
- 3 Fluid Statics
- 4 Introduction to Fluid in Motion – One-Dimensional (Frictionless) Flow
- 5 Viscous Incompressible Flow: Exact Solutions
- 6 Dimensional Analysis and High-Reynolds-Number Flows
- 7 The (Laminar) Boundary Layer
- 8 High-Reynolds-Number Flow over Bodies (Incompressible)
- 9 Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics
- 10 Elements of Inviscid Compressible Flow
- 11 Fluid Machinery
- Appendix A Conversion Factors
- Appendix B Properties of Compressible Isentropic Flow
- Appendix C Properties of Normal Shock Flow
- Index
Summary
Fluid mechanics is a fascinating but complex science and some problems cannot be solved by simple intuition. The reason behind this is the complex nonlinear differential equations, which cannot be solved analytically. The approach that evolved over recent centuries is to develop simple models for specific flow regions so that engineering calculations and predictions become possible. Unfortunately, even these simple models rely on complex mathematics, which makes introductory courses on this subject extremely difficult and sometimes confusing to students.
On the other hand, numerical solutions have matured recently and generating a solution for a given geometry can be achieved by a simple “run” command. The approach of many users is to run a large number of cases and develop their own “learning curve” of the problem, exactly as is done by experiments. The ease of generating attractive, colorful solutions creates the illusion (for many students) that further study of the subject is unnecessary.
The first objective of this introductory text is to familiarize students (and many will be exposed to only one course on fluids) with the basic elements of fluid mechanics. Therefore, if their future work relies on occasional numerical solutions, they will be familiar with the jargon of the discipline and with the expected results. At the same time, this book can serve as a long-term reference text, contrary to the oversimplified approach occasionally used for such introductory courses.
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- Chapter
- Information
- Introductory Fluid Mechanics , pp. xi - xiiPublisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2010