Module Code - Title:
ME4438
-
COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS
Year Last Offered:
2026/7
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.
Prime Texts:
Versteeg, H.K. and Malalasekera, W. (2007)
An Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics (The Finite Volume Method)
, Pearson Prentice Hall
Niven, A.J. (2007)
Lecture Notes
, UL Print Room
Other Relevant Texts:
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
MASTER OF ENGINEERING IN AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING
MASTER OF ENGINEERING IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
MASTER OF ENGINEERING IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
MASTER OF ENGINEERING IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Module Leader:
andrew.niven@ul.ie