Module Code - Title:
ME4438
-
COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
1. To provide the students with a fundamental understanding of the theory and application of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) as implemented by the finite volume technique.
2. To provide the students with a working knowledge of a commercial CFD code via practical computer laboratory sessions.
Syllabus:
The philosophy of CFD; fundamentals of vector fluid dynamics; fundamentals of viscous fluid deformations; the governing equations of fluid dynamics; basic discretisation and grid generation techniques; the finite volume method; application to convection-diffusion problems; pressure-velocity coupling; implementation of boundary conditions; fundamentals of turbulence modelling.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module the student will be able to:
1. derive from first principles the governing equations of fluid flow utilizing a Cartesian coordinate system;
2. describe the fundamental numerical techniques utilized by the finite volume method to solve the governing equations of fluid flow;
3. illustrate how the numerical solution strategy influences the final flow field;
4. apply the finite volume method to obtain numerical solutions for simple flow fields;
5. describe the fundamental mathematical concepts used in turbulence modeling;
6. generate appropriate meshes for various two and three dimensional geometrical arrangements using mesh generation software;
7. use finite volume software to predict the flow field pertinent to a selected engineering problem; and,
8. write a technical report in the style of a journal paper.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
.
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
Students obtain hands-on experience of a commercial CFD code (FLUENT 5) during laboratory sessions. An individual project is chosen by each student which must address the following objectives; selection of a component involving fluid flow, short literature review; geometry creation, mesh generation; CFD solution; and comparison of CFD results with analytical or experimental results if appropriate. The project is documented in the form of a Journal styled paper.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Niven, A.J. (2007)
Lecture Notes
, UL Print Room
Versteeg, H.K. and Malalasekera, W. (2007)
An Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics (The Finite Volume Method)
, Pearson Prentice Hall
Other Relevant Texts:
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Module Leader:
andrew.niven@ul.ie