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Instructor Class Description

Time Schedule:

Alexander Horner-Devine
CEE 570
Seattle Campus

Hydrodynamics

Applications of the equations of motion to the flow of ideal and real fluids. Fundamentals of fluid potential motion. Viscous flows; Navier-Stokes equations and some exact solutions. Boundary-layer theory. Introduction to turbulence. Two- and three-dimensional examples, including free surface flows. Applications of field equations to problems of engineering significance. Prerequisite: CEE 342 or equivalent.

Class description

The first section of the course focuses on developing a basis in fundamental fluid mechanics. We then explore known solutions to the Navier-Stokes equations that can be applied to environmental flows of interest and discuss the necessary assumptions in the context of scaling analysis. E.g. Tidal flushing of an estuary, wind-driven flow in a lake, gravity currents.

Student learning goals

General method of instruction

The course consists of 3 lecture hours per week plus an additional hour. The additional hour will be used alternately for extra lecture time and in-class laboratory experiments.

Recommended preparation

The course assumes at least one prior fluid mechanics course as well as a solid mathematics background.

Class assignments and grading

There is one problem set per week, an in-class midterm and a take-home final. The assignments are intended to allow students to explore the solutions that we derive in class and extend them to new flows.

The class grade is based on the assignments (40%), midterm (30%) and final (30%).


The information above is intended to be helpful in choosing courses. Because the instructor may further develop his/her plans for this course, its characteristics are subject to change without notice. In most cases, the official course syllabus will be distributed on the first day of class.
Last Update by Alexander Horner-Devine
Date: 05/07/2006