Fluid Mechanics is a basic subject, in which the fundamental principles of physics and mechanics are applied to fluid matter. The aim is for students of the degree in mechanical engineering to acquire the knowledge and tools necessary to know how to analyse and understand fluid problems of different categories, to serve as support for other subjects in the syllabus related to the properties and movement of fluids, both basic and more oriented to real problems in the field of engineering. The development of generic skills and competences such as teamwork and autonomous learning is also encouraged.
Fluid Mechanics describes the relevant physical phenomena of fluid motion, describing the general equations of these movements. This knowledge provides the basic principles necessary to analyse any system in which fluid is the working medium. The field of applications of Fluid Mechanics in engineering is very broad: transport of fluids in pipelines, aeronautics, engines, ships, biological flows, etc. The principles of Fluid Mechanics are necessary for such diverse fields as:
- Design of hydraulic machinery.
- Lubrication.
- Heating and ventilation, heating and cooling systems.
- Design of piping systems.
- Means of transport: transmission, air conditioning, exhaust systems, aerodynamics and hydrodynamics, refrigeration, etc.
- Aerodynamics of structures and buildings
- Thermal and fluid power plants for conventional and renewable energy production.