Course - Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics - TEP4280
Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics
Choose study yearAssessments and mandatory activities may be changed until September 20th.
About
About the course
Course content
Mechanical engineering is one of the important branches of engineering. Fluid dynamic is essential fields of study and research within mechanical engineering. Majority of engineering challenges directly or indirectly deals with the fluid dynamics. With development of numerical methods and the increase of computer power, we can simulate complex engineering problems with some degree of confidence. The combined field of engineering mathematics and fluid dynamics we generally call as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The present course focuses on CFD techniques and tools. The students will learn different tools and techniques used to simulate and to solve complex engineering problems through CFD.
Classic examples of CFD modelling and its applications are aerodynamic shape optimization of aircraft, landing gear, wind turbine blades, car, bridge, tall buildings. CFD tools are also used in the field of medicine to model blood flow through heart. CFD is not limited to mechanical engineering, it is applicable to almost all engineering branches and the medicine. Use of CFD enables to minimize the cost of the expensive experimental studies. Through CFD tools, we model the governing equations, including conservation of mass, momentum and energy. We can also model the turbulent characteristics of flow.
This course provides basic competence of important topics numerical modelling, which creates foundation for the advanced courses in subsequent years, specifically writing of master’s thesis using CFD tools. Some of the topics are introductory level, and others are at analysis, evaluate and critical reflection level. Following are the broad topics students will learn in this course. Detailed information on the depth of the topics will be given in the classroom.
- Conservation of mass, momentum and energy equations with discretization techniques.
- Introduction of CFD to solve engineering problems.
- Basics of partial differential equations (PDEs) in fluid dynamics, spatial discretization methods, time discretization methods, stability related methods, solution verification and validation.
- Introduction to turbulence modelling.
- Selected cases in the field fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, heat transfer and turbomachinery.
- Use of numerical tools to simulate the problems (software learning).
This course aims to increase student’s fundamental knowledge on numerical techniques, and create interest in solving engineering problems using CFD tools. This course also aims to develop skill (software learning) in CFD modelling, foster critical thinking on numerical accuracy and to reflect through verification and validation of the numerical results.
Learning outcome
Competence
After the completion of the course the candidate will be able to…
- use the knowledge of mathematical modelling techniques and carry out computational fluid dynamic analysis of engineering problems within mechanical engineering.
- model and simulate the fluid flow related problems using available software tools.
- use the knowledge of verification and validation techniques, and evaluate the quality of the mathematical model, and demonstrate the reliability of results.
- communicate the results of modelled engineering problem through a scientific report and the presentations.
Skill
After the completion of the course the candidate will be able to…
- prepare numerical model of real-life engineering case and simulate with certain assumptions and explain the results with some degree of confidence.
- use the knowledge of the numerical methods, turbulence modelling, discretization schemes and boundary conditions, and select required parameters consciously to carry out the simulations.
- classify and weigh between the complexities of real-life engineering cases and available computer resources. The candidate can make suitable judgement on required simplifications of the mathematical model and the consequences in terms of accuracy of the results.
- solve simplified engineering problems related to fluid dynamics using finite difference method.
- work in collaboratively in a group and make a scientific presentation, discuss numerical results, judge the quality of the results recognizing state-of-the-art in the field of computational fluid dynamics. In addition, the candidate will be able to document the work in a scientific report.
Knowledge
After the completion of the course the candidate…
- can explain the conservation laws and describe in the context of computational fluid dynamics.
- will be able to solve simplified fluid dynamic problem using the knowledge of partial differential equation.
- has knowledge of finite difference and finite volume methods, and will be able to formulate the basic fluid dynamic related engineering problems through suitable programme and software.
- can list the essential steps, governing laws, equations and methods used to carry out computational fluid dynamic analysis.
- has knowledge of basic post-processing techniques of simulated problem and can show contours, streamlines and vectors.
- has knowledge of software programme to model, and is trained to simulate the simplified fluid dynamic problems.
- has knowledge of numerical errors and uncertainties and, the candidate can draw preliminary conclusion on the accuracy of the modelled engineering problems.
The candidate has knowledge of documentation of scientific results obtained through computational fluid dynamic analysis.
Learning methods and activities
Learning methods are divided into several categories,
- collaborative learning in group,
- project base learning,
- problem base learning (case studies).
The very first lecture focuses on course specific information such as course structure, assignments, group work, assessment, expectations and learning outcome. It is desirable for all students to join the first lecture in this course. The second and subsequent lectures focus on course specific instructions and learning. This course is divided into two main segments: (1) regular lectures and (2) project work. During regular lectures, instructions on theoretical concepts and mathematical modelling will be given through lectures, presentations, group work and exercises. Second part of the semester will focus on applying the theoretical concepts and programming skills to the project work. The project work will be carried out using available programming tools and solving the problem. That includes creating geometry, mesh, prescribing boundary conditions, simulation and post-processing the results. The students will deliver the project presentation and report at the end of the semester.
We may use OpenFOAM and ParaView as a tool for the CFD simulations and post processing of the results. This course does not teach specifics of the OpenFOAM software. Essential information to carry out the basic CFD simulation using OpenFOAM will be given during the project work.
Compulsory assignments
- Exercises
Further on evaluation
- A minimum of five exercises must be approved to qualify for the final examination. The exercises are aimed at applying theoretical concepts learnt in the corresponding week and to solve academic problems or provided test cases. These exercises will help to develop problem solving, mathematical, analytical and critical thinking skills. Assessment criteria for the exercises will be presented and discussed in the classroom. The exercises are distinct from each other; therefore, there may be the possibility of different assessment criteria and a requirement of minimum points for each exercise.
- Students carry out the project work in a group during the semester. The project report in prescribed scientific format must be delivered to the examination system before the deadline. Project presentations are mandatory, and it is part of the project work. Specific requirements and criteria for the project report and the presentation will be given in the classroom.
- Students who have not completed and approved the five exercises, will not qualify for the project presentation and for the project report submission.
- Students who have not carried out the project work and have not submitted the project report, will not qualify for the final examination.
- Students must pass both the project work and the final examination to pass the course.
Conditions
- In case of retaking the final examination,
- the examination may be converted to the oral examination;
- exercises approved in the previous term may be approved again. Partially approved exercises will not be considered;
- previously earned project grade may be approved again.
- Retaking the project work is not allowed. An exception may be granted if a student fails in the previous project work. In this case, the student must carry out the project in the spring semester along with regular class, complete the project presentation and submit the project report.
- The grade earned in the previous written examination may be approved again to pass the course.
- If a student would like to retake the entire course again, the student must complete the exercises, project work and final examination in the spring semester.
Recommended previous knowledge
It is advantage to be skillful in using computer programming, it may be python, matlab.
Knowledge of linux commands is also useful.
It will be advantageous, if you have completed following courses prior to this course.
- TEP4100 / TEP4110 Fluid Mechanics
- TMA4122 Calculus 4M, or equivalent courses.
Course materials
We will use some of the topics from the following textbook during the first part of the course.
Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics, An: The Finite Volume Method. Authors: H Versteeg and W Malalasekera. Publisher: Pearson.
We will also use help material related to OpenFOAM. More information about the other relevant books and the study material will be provided in the classroom.
Student will also require reading the research articles during the project work. Specific detail on the research articles will be given at the start of the project work.
Subject areas
- Thermal Energy and Hydropower - Energy and Process
- Fluids Engineering
- Energy and Process Engineering