Subject details

At the completion of this subject students will be able to:

  1. apply principles of hydrostatics and buoyancy, pressure measurement and the resultant forces on submerged objects
  2. apply the continuity of mass, momentum and energy to solve steady flow and flow measurement problems
  3. determine flow in single and branched pipe systems with major and minor head losses
  4. apply principles of fluid flow in more complex scenarios (some of which require subjective judgement), including flow under varying head conditions (i.e. reservoir emptying time), open channel flow, and pump selection
  5. use higher-level mathematical problem-solving methods (including iterative solutions with multiple unknowns, approximate integration and dimensional analysis) to fluid flow problems.
    • Hydrostatics
    • Pressure measurement
    • Stability of floating bodies
    • Fluids in motion
    • Flow measurement
    • Flow through pipes
    • Flow under varying head
    • Critical flow (open channel)
    • Hydraulic structures
    • Dimensional analysis
    • Pumps and turbines

  • Study resources

    • Instructional methods

      • Audio/Video conferencing
      • Discussion forum/Discussion Board
      • Embedded Multimedia
      • Glossary
      • Online Quizzes/Tests
      • Online assignment submission
      • Podcasting/Lecture capture
      • Standard Media
      • Streaming Multimedia
      • Virtual Classroom
      • Web links

    • Online materials

      • Online Assessment
      • Audio-Video streaming
      • Quizzes

You must either have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject, or currently be enrolled in the following subject(s) in a prior study period; or enrol in the following subject(s) to study prior to this subject:

Please note that your enrolment in this subject is conditional on successful completion of these prerequisite subject(s). If you study the prerequisite subject(s) in the study period immediately prior to studying this subject, your result for the prerequisite subject(s) will not be finalised prior to the close of enrolment. In this situation, should you not complete your prerequisite subject(s) successfully you should not continue with your enrolment in this subject. If you are currently enrolled in the prerequisite subject(s) and believe you may not complete these all successfully, it is your responsibility to reschedule your study of this subject to give you time to re-attempt the prerequisite subject(s)

Special requirements

  • EquipmentDetails - Audio headset with microphone are required to access weekly consultation and help desk facilities.
  • OtherDetails -

    Students will require Windows 7 or higher. UniSA does not support Windows XP. 

The aim of this subject is to provide a basic understanding of water flows, with particular application to incompressible flow through pipes. The main goal is to introduce the student to the main principles governing fluid flow: continuity of mass and momentum, and energy loss through friction.

  • Continuous Assessment (weekly online activities) (10%)
  • Quiz (4 x calculation based) (10%)
  • Practical (4 x 750 words) (30%)
  • Examination (50%)

Textbook information is pending.

Related degrees

undergraduate USA-ENG-DEG-2019

Associate Degree in Engineering
4 available majors
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  • Restricted - Core Subject Civil Engineering
  • Restricted - Major in Civil Engineering
  • Restricted - Core Subject in Mechanical Engineering
  • Restricted - Major in Mechanical Engineering