Mar 29, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Academic Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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MEC 4160 - Computational Fluid Dynamics

3 lecture hours 0 lab hours 3 credits
Course Description
This course serves as an introduction to computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The course builds a fundamental understanding of the underlying partial differential equations for fluid flow and provides experience with the numerical tools available for solving fluid flow problems. (prereq: MEC 3120 ) (quarter system prereq: ME 3104)
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  • Demonstrate working knowledge of the governing equations of fluid mechanics
  • Demonstrate ability to select and create a flow domain
  • Perform a mesh convergence study to obtain a mesh independent solution
  • Analyze numerical results and provide appropriate data plotting
  • Recognize strengths and limitations of CFD techniques
  • Explain the differences between different CFD turbulence models
  • Demonstrate use of CFD in the design process

Prerequisites by Topic
  • Fluid mechanics

Course Topics
  • Classification of partial differential equations
  • Review of control volume analysis and Navier-Stokes equations
  • Finite difference method
  • Finite element method
  • Finite volume method
  • Lattice-Boltzmann method
  • Physics-informed neural networks
  • Domain selection and sizing
  • Mesh convergence and mesh independent solutions
  • Turbulence modeling
  • Error and uncertainty

Laboratory Topics
  • Simulation with commercial CFD software
  • Flow domain creation
  • Mesh convergence
  • Internal flows
  • External flows
  • Turbulence models
  • Post processing
  • Interpretation of results

Coordinator
Dr. Nathan Patterson



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