Professor Tom Baldock
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Civil Engineering School
This is an introductory level course dealing with the properties and behaviour of fluids in usual civil and environmental engineering applications. The fundamental principles of continuity, energy and momentum are introduced and applied to applications that include fluid statics, fluid dynamics, pipe flows, similarity laws, fluid loading and unsteady flows. The course provides essential knowledge for the study of natural flow phenomena in rivers, estuaries oceans and the atmosphere. It provides the fundamental theory for design of hydraulic structures such as culverts, spillways, energy dissipators and pipe networks.
This introductory level course deals with the properties and behaviour of fluids in Civil and Environmental Engineering applications (e.g., steady and unsteady fluid forces on pipelines, dams and other structures, forces on buildings through to static fluid forces, pressure and gravity driven pipe flows, stability of structures within fluids, fluid-structure interaction). You will learn introductory fluid mechanics through lectures and reading, actively participating in lectures, solving problems before and during tutorials, self-assessment quizzes and concept assessment quizzes, and by conducting four "hands on" laboratory experiments as a team, as well as through informal group work and independent study.
Credit for previous attempt at the course is not allowed.
Any student who enrols in a course must not be given exemption or partial credit from their previous attempt(s) for any individual piece of assessment. Instead, the student must complete all of the learning activities and assessment items within the study period of enrolment.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Entry requirements to the School of Civil Engineering plus university courses in mechanical physics, calculus and the usual range of engineering mathematical skills (i.e., completed successfully MATH1051 & MATH1052). The course assumes that students have a working knowledge of 1st Year level engineering statics and dynamics or have completed ENGG1010/ENGG1400/ENGG1700.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
(ENGG1400 or ENGG1700) and (MATH1051 or MATH1071) and (MATH1052 or MATH1072)
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
CIVL3130 or CHEE2003
Course staff
Course coordinator
Lecturer
Professor Tom Baldock
Tutor
Associate Professor Wenhua Zhao
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Lecture, tutorial and laboratory class schedules will be posted on SI-net or Blackboard at appropriate times.
Aims and outcomes
The course aims to provide you with a comprehensive introduction to fluid mechanics relevant to civil and environmental engineers and to develop further your physical intuition and abstraction level.
For safety of hydraulic structures or infrastructure, this course covers
1. hydrostatic and steady fluid loading (e.g., wind loads on buildings, bridges, water loads on civil infrastructure {e.g., radial dam gates})
2. basic unsteady fluid loading (e.g., pipelines, jetties, coastal structures)
3. forces from fluid-structure interactions (e.g., offshore structure movements)
4. buoyancy & stability of structures within fluid environments (e.g., ports, offshore processing platforms)
For reliability of civil infrastructure, this course covers
1. pressure driven pipe flow (e.g., water supply pipe distributions, sewers, rising mains, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning)
2. gravity-driven pipe flow (e.g., reduced flooding using urban drainage systems)
The course also aims to provide you with the opportunity to perform, within a team framework, a sequence of hands-on fluid mechanics experiments that progressively build essential experience in physical modelling through the collection and analysis of experimental data.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
ESSENTIAL (ASSESSABLE) LEARNING OBJECTIVES - Describe and explain a range of fundamental fluid mechanics concepts and processes using both text and illustrations.
LO2.
ESSENTIAL (ASSESSABLE) LEARNING OBJECTIVES - Solve quantitative fluid mechanics problems at the introductory level using complex reasoning and the selection of appropriate solutions.
LO3.
ESSENTIAL (ASSESSABLE) LEARNING OBJECTIVES - Perform a sequence of introductory level pre-laboratory calculations and associated fluid mechanics laboratory experiments.
LO4.
ESSENTIAL (ASSESSABLE) LEARNING OBJECTIVES - Write clear and accurate laboratory reports for the laboratory experiments using the given templates.
LO5.
ESSENTIAL (ASSESSABLE) LEARNING OBJECTIVES - Perform appropriate analyses and calculations to enable the initial design of typical engineering hydraulic systems.
LO6.
ESSENTIAL (ASSESSABLE) LEARNING OBJECTIVES - Apply basic fluid mechanic concepts to common (everyday) fluid mechanics problems and solve them through critical thinking strategies.
LO7.
DEVELOPING (NON-ASSESSABLE) LEARNING OBJECTIVES - Work as a productive team member to conduct laboratory experiments and produce group laboratory reports.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz, Tutorial/ Problem Set | Self-assessed problem solving on tutorial concepts |
Week 1 Mon - Week 13 Fri |
|
| Quiz |
CAFS (Concept Assessment and Feedback Sessions)
|
15% |
24/03/2025 11:45 am 7/04/2025 11:45 am 12/05/2025 11:45 am 26/05/2025 11:45 am
Dates to be confirmed in class - see course schedule on Blackboard. One week notice will be given of any changes. |
| Practical/ Demonstration |
Laboratory experiments and report (group)
|
25% Compulsory attendance and participation to each experiment |
Due date is 4.50 pm on the day of the scheduled laboratory class |
| Examination |
Final examination
|
60% |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Self-assessed problem solving on tutorial concepts
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz, Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Due date
Week 1 Mon - Week 13 Fri
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L05, L06
Task description
Self-assessed quizzes on tutorial concepts at key stages through the semester to allow students to gauge their learning and get feedback on progress and to practise for the assessed CAFS quizzes.
Self-directed and self-paced conceptual problem solving, using a MCQ quiz in Powerpoint on Blackboard. Answers and explanation are given immediately for each question.
Four quizzes/exercises during semester - see lecture schedule for recommended times to do the quizzes.
Students can discuss the quizzes and quiz concepts in tutorials and at the contact sessions to get further feedback on their learning
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
No submission. Self-directed learning in tutorials.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
CAFS (Concept Assessment and Feedback Sessions)
- Online
- Mode
- Oral, Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
24/03/2025 11:45 am
7/04/2025 11:45 am
12/05/2025 11:45 am
26/05/2025 11:45 am
Dates to be confirmed in class - see course schedule on Blackboard. One week notice will be given of any changes.
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L05, L06
Task description
Concept Assessment and Feedback Sessions (CAFS) are in-class quizzes (on Zoom and using EchoPoll) that will lead students through the parts of previous exam questions or tutorial questions, while assessing progress both individually, followed by feedback on the questions, before moving onto the next step of the problem. The aim is to provide feedback on students' learning of the concepts that underlie the course content and exam questions. Solutions to the CAFS questions are provided after the quizzes and students are welcome to discuss them further in tutorials and contact sessions. The scheduled times for the CAFS classes are given below. Any change will be notified at least one week in advance.
Students may work in pairs or small groups.
Final marks will be based on the scores for the best 3 out of 4 quizzes to account for one off technology issues or absence, with each of the best three quizzes worth 5%. Re-weighting of marks will apply if more than one quiz is missed for approved reasons.
Dates for CAFS classes are given in the lecture schedule on Blackboard, but are subject to change (at least one week notice of a change will be given).
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Assessment will be by Multiple Choice Questions, on Zoom only using polling via EchoPoll response are (virtual "clickers" on mobile phone, tablet or browser). The quiz will be run live over Zoom and EchoPoll, during scheduled lecture sessions. There is no late submission or deferred assessment for the quizzes, which must be completed live in the scheduled lecture session. This cannot be done in a delayed lecture viewing timeslot. Students can participate from any location where they can use Zoom and EchoPoll.
Students must be able to access the Zoom class and EchoPoll polling to receive marks.
Students must register an account in EchoPoll using their UQ student email account (s123.....@student.uq.edu.au) and must be logged into EchoPoll in the class using their UQ student ID. DO NOT use other email accounts.
Students must log in to the class session with their student ID (not names or email).
Students using EchoPoll accounts with uqconnect or uq.net emails or logged into EchoPoll with those accounts will not receive credit since they cannot be properly identified in Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
There is no late submission or deferred assessment for the quizzes, which must be completed live in the scheduled session.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
There is no late submission or deferred assessment for the quizzes, which must be completed live in the scheduled session. Final marks are based on the best 3 out of 4 quizzes to account for one-off absence or technology issues. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Laboratory experiments and report (group)
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Practical/ Demonstration
- Weight
- 25% Compulsory attendance and participation to each experiment
- Due date
Due date is 4.50 pm on the day of the scheduled laboratory class
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L06, L07
Task description
There will be four different laboratory practicals.
Students will conduct experiments in self-selected groups and prepare a group report for each of the four different laboratory sessions using the provided templates.
Remember to wear steel capped boots or shoes for all laboratory sessions. Tough toe slip-ons are not allowed.
Submission of a competent, professional report, including data, analysis and graphical representation where appropriate.
Marking is in accordance with demonstrated knowledge as specified in course grading and the rubric below
Laboratory reports and classes are assessed for engagement, completion of pre-lab calculations (preprac form), effort and contribution to group work, and the accuracy of the data and report. Lab reports are group reports at due by 4.50pm latest on the day of the scheduled laboratory class.
In accordance with UQ policy, course coordinators are no longer allowed to provide exemption from assessment activities to students repeating a course. ALL students, regardless of whether they have completed the pracs previously must complete the prac classes.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
To laboratory tutor on completion of the scheduled lab class and submitted in the class and before leaving the class. No later than 5pm without a 10% late penalty, as below, unless prior agreement of the tutor. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Students are responsible for making up missed lab classes before the end of the relevant block of classes (end of week 7 for experiments 1 and 2 and end of week 13 for experiments 3 and 4). Missed classes should be made up as soon as possible using the spare places available each day.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Final examination
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 60%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L05, L06
Task description
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
To receive an overall grade of 4 or more, a student must achieve at least 40% on the final exam.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Open Book examination |
| Materials | Unannotated Bilingual dictionary |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 19 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Fail. Negligible knowledge and application ability ofﾠcore material, including during the examination. |
| 2 (Fail) | 20 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Fail. Insufficientﾠknowledge and application skills inﾠcore material,ﾠparticularly during the examination. Two or more laboratory classes incomplete (all lab classes must be completed to get a grade of 4 or above). |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Fail. Falls short of satisfying all basic requirements for a Pass, particularly during the examination. Superficial knowledge and insufficient application ability of core material. 1 or more laboratory classes not complete. All four laboratory classes must be completed to pass the course. Students must demonstrate adequate knowledge of the fundamental concepts of statics, energy, momentum, continuity, dimensionless analysis and similarity and fluid loading in order to receive a pass for the exam. A pass standard must demonstrate adequate ability to perform fluid mechanics calculations, derive algebraic solutions, produce diagrams, explain solutions and convey such calculations and solutions clearly in a conventional format with appropriate units, notation and justification of assumptions. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Sound knowledge of core material and ability to apply core material in standard contexts, particularly during the examination. All four laboratory classes must be completed within the timetabled period of the different laboratory practicals to obtain a grade of 4 or higher. Thus, students must demonstrate adequate knowledge of the fundamental concepts of statics, energy, momentum, continuity, dimensional analysis and similarity andﾠfluid loading, and demonstrate adequate ability to performﾠmechanics calculations, deriveﾠsymbolic solutions,ﾠproduce diagrams,ﾠexplainﾠsolutions and convey such calculations and solutionsﾠclearly in a conventional format with appropriate units, notation and justification of assumptions. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Comprehensive knowledge and application ability with respect to core material, particularly during the examination. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Comprehensive understanding and good ability to apply the theory to new problems, particularly during the examination. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Comprehensive knowledge and in-depth understanding is demonstrated together with strong ability to apply the theory to new types of problems, particularly during the examination. |
Additional course grading information
ALL students must attend and complete all four laboratory classes to pass the course
A mark of 50% must be achieved on the supplementary exam to pass the course.
Laboratory classes and in-class quizzes (CAFS) should be regarded primarily as FORMATIVE assessment. The learning outcomes from these activities will be examined in the final examination. Tutorials, laboratory classes and quizzes should be used to develop required knowledge for the final exam.
Grade cutoffs and hurdles
Final (total) marks will be rounded up to an integer value prior to applying hurdles or grade boundaries.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Supplementary assessment for the laboratory classes is not available. Students must make up missed practicals using the spare places in the scheduled classes by the end of week 7 and week 13.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Other course materials
If we've listed something under further requirement, you'll need to provide your own.
Required
| Item | Description | Further Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Steel capped shoes or boots | Required for laboratory classe | own item needed |
Recommended
| Item | Description | Further Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Course notes | A black and white printed copy of the course notes will be available in the box at the front desk of Civil Engineering main office from O-week until the end of week 2. |
Additional learning resources information
The lectures will closely follow the lecture notes, which are based on the lecture slides. Additional examples from in-class or lectures will also be available on Blackboard. The course will provide all the theory and applications to enable an outline hydraulic design of a full-scale Civil Engineering hydraulic system, e.g. a hydroelectric scheme.
The following topics will be covered:ﾠ
1.ﾠﾠ ﾠFluid Properties
2.ﾠﾠ ﾠFluid Staticsﾠ
3.ﾠﾠﾠ Energy and Bernoulli equations, Euler equation, non-uniform steady flows
4.ﾠﾠ ﾠControl Volumes
5.ﾠﾠ ﾠMomentum and forces from fluids
6.ﾠﾠﾠ Steady uniform flow and flow in Conduits and Pipes with frictional resistance
8.ﾠ ﾠ Drag and Lift forces on objects
9.ﾠ ﾠ Dimensional Analysis and Similitudeﾠ
10.ﾠ Unsteady flow, surge and waterhammer flows (not part of final exam).
You are encouraged to read the lecture handouts and relevant textbook before lectures. An informal and voluntary studio/contact session has been added to the course timetable to provide additional opportunities to seek help from the course coordinator.
Any good general fluid mechanics textbook is sufficient for the course.
Recommended books are those by:
Crowe, C. T. et al., 2005. Engineering Fluid Mechanics. Wiley
Douglas, J. F., Gasiorek, J.M. and Swaffield, J.A. 2001. Fluid Mechanics, Prentice-Hall.
Street, R. L., Watters, G. Z. and Vennard, J. K.,1996. Elementary fluid mechanics, Wiley, New York.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Tutorial |
Problem solving sessions Weekly problem solving sessions assisted by the lecturer/teacher. The topics will be aligned with the lecture topics. Tutorial classes will run between Weeks 1 - 13. Tutorial classes are scheduled on mySI-net. Bring the textbook/lecture handouts to all tutorials. Readings/Ref: Relevant sections in the handout materials/textbook. A guide to the expectations on workload and assessment activities is given on Blackboard. Hints and guidance will be given in tutorial classes. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L05, L06 |
Lecture |
Lectures Lectures will cover all course content and follow the lecture notes on Blackboard, the material presented in most textbooks, and will usually include worked examples similar to problems given in the tutorials and the end-of-semester examination. BEFORE each lecture, read the relevant section/s in the notes/textbook. Bring the lecture notes to all lectures. Check mySI-net for times and locations. Two to three one-hour lectures will be held each week. Readings/Ref: Relevant sections in the handout materials/textbook and as provided by the lecture slides. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L05 |
|
Problem-based learning |
Problem based learning sessions for tutorial and problem solving An additional voluntary contact session has been timetabled, where students can ask questions, get additional help etc. If sufficient students attend, problems will be worked through interactively, in real time, on a visualiser by the lecturer or on Zoom, with students expected to provide the solutions steps along the way. Students have welcomed these sessions in previous years. They are designed to complement the weekly tutorial where students can seek individual help. Contact sessions are not recorded. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L05, L06 |
|
Not Timetabled |
Self-assessment quiz on tutorial concepts Four self-assessment quizzes (not for course credit) will be provided for students to practise conceptual questions similar to those in the assessed quizzes. These are scheduled in place of lecture periods but can be done before or after that time, but the scheduled time is recommended to fit best with the course material. Learning outcomes: L01, L06 |
|
Problem-based learning |
CAFS class (Problem Based Learning): Concept Assessment and Feedback Sessions (CAFS) will lead students through the parts of previous exam questions and tutorial questions, while assessing progress both individually and as a class, with explanations provided before moving onto the next step of the problems. The assessment will be performed using polling software on mobile devices or PC/Laptop and multiple choice answers. Students will be awarded credit for correct solutions. Some solutions will be in symbolic or diagram form. The aim is to help students determine the conceptual steps required to answer exam questions as opposed to trying different formulae. Four sessions covering previous exam questions will be held over the course of the semester. Marks will be awarded based on the best of three out of the four sessions. These will be live on Zoom and held in scheduled lecture times as given on mySI-net. Dates and class subject to change, but proposed dates are given on the lecture schedule. Any changes will be notified at least one week in advance via e-mail. Students must have an EchoPoll account in order to receive credit. Students MUST ONLY USE their s1234...@student.uq.edu.au email when setting up their account and logging into quizzes. Other emails do not link to Blackboard. Credit for quizzes will not be given for accounts not using the s1234...@student.uq.edu.au email. Final marks are based on the best 3 out of 4 quizzes to account for absence or technical issues. Learning outcomes: L02, L06 |
|
Multiple weeks From Week 4 To Week 13 |
Practical |
Laboratory experiments Students are required to attend four different laboratory classes during the semester. Sign up via mySI-net. Students must complete all four practical classes to pass the course and make up any missed classes by the end of week 12. Laboratory classes will run between Weeks 4 - 13 from 2pm - 5pm. You will conduct laboratory experiments in approved groups and produce a group report using the provided templates. You must hand in a preprac form before each lab as part of the report and assessment. Students will need to work remotely with external students and facilitate communicating the laboratory processes, data and produce a joint report. Completed group reports must be submitted to the tutor at the end of each laboratory session (and before 5.00pm). The four laboratory classes are: 1: Flow meters (FM), weeks 4 to 7 2: Sluice gate (SG), weeks 4 to 7 3: Pipe flow (PF), weeks 9 to 13 (Mon) 4: Flow drag (DC), weeks 9 to 13 (Mon) Bring a calculator and handouts/textbook. Each laboratory class will be covered in a lab introductory session in the lecture prior to the start of the laboratory. Readings/Ref: Relevant sections in the handout materials/textbook and as provided by the lecture slides. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L07 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course:
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: