Viscous Fluid Flow Course | IIT Guwahati | Prof. Amaresh Dalal | CFD & Heat Transfer
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 34 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Mechanical Engineering, Computational Thermo Fluids |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 26 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Unlock the Secrets of Real-World Fluid Dynamics with IIT Guwahati's Expert-Led Course
Fluid mechanics forms the backbone of countless modern technologies, from aerospace design and power generation to biomedical devices and climate modeling. While introductory courses cover the fundamentals, truly understanding the behavior of real fluids—like air and water—requires a deep dive into viscous fluid flow. This is where the effects of friction and internal resistance dominate, leading to phenomena like boundary layers, drag, and turbulence.
We are excited to present a detailed overview of a comprehensive 12-week course, "Viscous Fluid Flow," instructed by the renowned Prof. Amaresh Dalal from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati. This course is designed to bridge the gap between basic fluid mechanics and advanced computational analysis, providing the tools needed to solve complex, real-life engineering problems.
Meet Your Instructor: Prof. Amaresh Dalal
Learning from an expert with both deep academic knowledge and practical research experience is invaluable. Prof. Dalal brings precisely that to this course.
- Position: Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Guwahati.
- Education: Ph.D. from IIT Kanpur (2009).
- Research Background: Post-doctoral work at Purdue University and extensive expertise in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Heat Transfer, and Multiphase Flows.
- Current Focus: Developing a general-purpose, robust CFD solver for complex real-world problems.
- Achievement: Recipient of the prestigious Prof. K.N. Seetharamu Medal and Prize for the Best Young Researcher in Heat Transfer (2017).
Who Should Take This Course?
This advanced course is meticulously crafted for a specific audience aiming to solidify and expand their understanding of fluid mechanics.
- Intended Audience: Undergraduate and Postgraduate students in Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical, and Civil Engineering. Faculty members seeking to enhance their curriculum. Practicing engineers in fluid and thermal industries (e.g., power, automotive, HVAC).
- Prerequisites: A fundamental knowledge of Fluid Mechanics is sufficient. The course builds from there, making it accessible yet challenging.
- Industries That Value This Knowledge: The concepts taught are directly applicable in industries like BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited), NTPC, and Eaton, where fluid flow and heat transfer analysis are critical.
What Will You Learn? A 12-Week Journey
The course layout is structured to take you from foundational concepts to advanced topics in a logical progression. Here’s a week-by-week breakdown:
| Week | Topic | Key Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction | Course overview, importance of viscosity, scope of viscous flows. |
| 2 | Steady 1D Rectilinear Flows | Couette & Poiseuille flows, pressure-driven motion. |
| 3 | Steady Axisymmetric Flows | Pipe flow (Hagen-Poiseuille), flow in annuli. |
| 4 | Transient 1D Unidirectional Flows | Stokes’s First & Second Problems (suddenly moved plate). |
| 5 | Steady 2D Rectilinear Flows | Flow in corners, lid-driven cavity concepts. |
| 6 | Lubrication Theory | Thin-film flows, application in bearings. |
| 7-8 | Laminar Boundary Layers I & II | Boundary layer equations (Blasius solution), separation, drag. |
| 9 | Laminar Free Shear Flows | Jets, wakes, and mixing layers. |
| 10 | Stability Theory | Linear stability analysis, transition from laminar to turbulent flow. |
| 11-12 | Turbulent Flows I & II | Characteristics of turbulence, Reynolds averaging, turbulence modeling introduction. |
Core Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will achieve the following:
- Derive and comprehend the Navier-Stokes equations, the fundamental governing equations for viscous flow.
- Analyze and solve exact solutions for simplified flow configurations.
- Understand the physics of creeping flows, boundary layer development, and hydrodynamic stability.
- Gain a foundational introduction to turbulence, a key challenge in modern CFD.
- Develop the mathematical tools and physical insight necessary to model and solve real-world fluid flow problems.
Essential Reference Books
To supplement your learning, Prof. Dalal recommends these authoritative texts, which are classics in the field:
- White, F. M., Viscous Fluid Flow, McGraw-Hill, 2011.
- Papanastasiou, T. C., Georgiou, G. C., and Alexandrou, A. N., Viscous Fluid Flow, CRC Press, 2000.
- Sherman F. S., Viscous Flow, McGraw-Hill College, 1990.
- Ockendon H., and Ockendon J.R., Viscous Flow, Cambridge University Press, 1995.
- Schlichting, H., and Gersten, K., Boundary Layer Theory, Springer-Verlag, 2000.
Why This Course is a Must for Aspiring Engineers
In a world driven by innovation, the ability to accurately predict and manipulate fluid behavior is a superpower. Whether you're designing a more efficient turbine, optimizing a heat exchanger, or modeling environmental flows, a command of viscous flow principles is non-negotiable. This course, offered by one of India's premier institutes and taught by a leading researcher, provides not just theoretical knowledge but a mindset for solving complex engineering challenges.
Take the next step in your engineering journey. Dive deep into the fascinating world of Viscous Fluid Flow and equip yourself with the advanced skills demanded by top industries and research institutions today.
Enroll Now →