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Department of Mechanical Engineering, Unit Catalogue 2008/09


ME40054 Computational fluid dynamics

Credits: 6
Level: Masters
Semester: 1
Assessment: CW 50%, EX 50%
Requisites:
Before taking this unit you must take ME30031
Aims:
* To introduce the full Navier-Stokes equations and give the physical significance of each term in the equations.
* To introduce the student to CFD techniques appropriate for practical engineering applications (the finite-volume method).
* To introduce the student to the use of commercial CFD packages, the importance of validation and the need for caution in applying the underlying models for turbulent flow.
Learning Outcomes:
After taking this unit the student should be able to:
* Use CFD codes to compute 2D flows and understand the physical significance of the solutions.
* Compute rates of heat transfer and shear stress.
* Set up viscous fluid flow and heat transfer problems using a commercial code (with regular and possibly body-fitted grids), and extract features of the computed solutions for interpretation and validation.
Skills:
Problem solving; IT; numeracy; working independently; written communication.
Content:

LAMINAR FLOW: Navier-Stokes equations and energy equations; physical significance of the terms. Discretisation and solution of the non-linear equations using the finite-volume method. Pressure-velocity coupling. Alternative mesh structures.
TURBULENT FLOW: Introduction to computational models of turbulence. Application to the computation of developing boundary layers and recirculating flows. Other methods of simulation and limitations of the current generation of turbulence models.