UA66 Principles and Applications of Fluid Mechanics

Pearson BTEC Level 3 Engineering – UA66 Principles and Applications of Fluid Mechanics.

This unit can be studied as a standalone TECOL unit in Engineering, or as part of an Edexcel accredited BTEC Level 3 qualification in Engineering.  

Aim and purpose

This unit will give you an understanding of the behaviour and characteristics of engineering fluids and their application in hydrostatic and dynamic fluid systems.

Unit introduction

Hydraulic and pneumatic power is widely used in the operation of engineering systems. The brakes on motor vehicles, railcar doors and hydraulic actuators and presses are typical examples. Fluid power is also widely used on aircraft, particularly for lowering and raising the undercarriage and for operating the flight control surfaces.

The study of this unit will introduce you to a range of concepts and applications of fluid mechanics that will enable them to solve engineering problems associated with fluid systems. You will be introduced to the characteristics and behaviour of fluids at rest and will apply this knowledge to the inputs and outputs of hydraulic devices and systems, as well as to the determination of thrust forces and pressures that act on immersed rectangular and circular surfaces. You will also be introduced to fluid flow in piped systems and to the measurement of flow velocities, pressures and energy, using a variety of measuring instruments.

This knowledge will be useful as a precursor to the study of turbo-machines, and the wind tunnel testing of models, that find use in the design and testing of motor vehicles and aircraft.

On completion of this unit a you should:

1 Understand the physical properties and characteristic behaviour of fluids and system parameters for oiled bearings

2 Be able to determine the parameters that act in hydrostatic devices and act on immersed surfaces

3 Be able to apply fluid flow theory to determine parameters for piped measuring systems and nozzle vane systems

4 Understand the use of wind tunnel testing, aerodynamic theory and associated test data to determine the aerodynamic parameters of test models.