Learning Differential Equation Aspects Of Fluid Mechanics With Spreadsheet Facilitated Computational Fluid Dynamics

It is well known that continuum fluid flow is described at its most fundamental level by the Navier-Stokes equations, a system of nonlinear, second-order, partial differential equations. In spite of this solid foundation, the equations themselves are sufficiently difficult to understand and solve that they are often introduced only superficially in fluid-mechanics courses. Because it is difficult to connect mathematical theory to engineering practice, a differentialequation perspective is often perceived as “too mathematical,” or “too disconnected” to be of any value. It is our view that the differential-equation view does have value in facilitating the fundamental understanding of fluid flow, but it needs to be made accessible to the students with a reasonable level of effort. The intent of this paper is to describe how we have incorporated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) into fluid-mechanics courses, especially at the advanced levels.