Abstract
It becomes quite challenging to teach a fundamental course with heavy elements of laboratory and experiment when conducing online teaching using Zoom. The aim of this project is to resolve such issues for an engineering fundamental course, MAEG3030 “Fluid Mechanics”, by establishing fluid models and building a virtual laboratory using the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software.
In this project, we will establish experimental models to explain the basic concepts and equations used in fluid mechanics; we will use the detailed fluid simulation for dimensional analysis; and we will simulate various internal/external viscus flows. A virtual laboratory will also be built for simulating the wind tunnel experiment. All these CFD models can be applied and replicated in several other undergraduate courses such as Thermodynamics, Introduction to Combustion, Renewable Energy Technologies, and Building Automation and Control.
Brief write-up
Project objectives
It becomes quite challenging to teach a fundamental course with heavy elements of laboratory and experiment when conducing online teaching. The aim of this project is to resolve such issues for an engineering fundamental course, i.e., Fluid Mechanics, by establishing fluid models and building a virtual laboratory using computational fluid dynamics tools.
Activities, process and outcomes
1. To establish fluid models to assist the conceptual explanation; and
2. To build a virtual laboratory for fluid experiments.
We use the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software to establish experimental models and virtual laboratory that can be used in Zoom teaching. We also build a virtual laboratory for simulating the water purification reactor. Such a virtual lab assists students’ understanding of the turbulence flow which is a very difficult topic in fluid mechanics.
Deliverables and evaluation
We deliver all the models and animations required to assist the conceptual explanation in fluid mechanics, as well as a virtual laboratory for water purification reactor experiment. All the models, animations and the virtual experiment are used to assist the conceptual explanation in fluid mechanics during online teaching. The project delivers innovative instructional strategies and teaching materials for conducting online teaching using Zoom.
Dissemination, diffusion, impact and sharing of good practices
The model and virtual lab experiment can be shared with colleagues at CUHK. A website is constructed to demonstrate the teaching materials.
Impact on teaching and learning
The output and achievement obtained in this project set a good example to all the other online courses involving laboratory and experiments. The CFD models can also be used for other relevant undergraduate courses.
