MCE521

Advanced Computational Dynamics

Lecture 01

Dr. Ayokunle O. Balogun

balogun.ayokunle@lmu.edu.ng

Class: Wednesday (8 – 10 am)

Venue: A04

MCE521: ADVANCED COMPUTATIONAL DYNAMICS

 Lecture content
Advanced Computational Dynamics
 Introduction
 What is computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
 Advantages of CFD
 Limitations of CFD
 Applications of CFD

Recommended textbooks
1. Computational Fluid Dynamics: A Practical Approach by Tu J., Yeoh
G., and Liu C. 2nd Edition
2. Numerical Methods for Engineers by Chapra S., and Canale R.P. 5th
Edition
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ADVANCED COMPUTATIONAL DYNAMICS
INTRODUCTION

What is advanced computational dynamics?

 Advanced computational dynamics integrates knowledge from
fundamental engineering principles, engineering mathematics and
computer science to model, analysis and find numerical solutions to
complex physical problems.

 Advanced computational dynamics equips with the tool/resources to deal

with many complex engineering problems in solid mechanics, fluid
dynamics, heat transfer and chemical processes.

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ADVANCED COMPUTATIONAL DYNAMICS
INTRODUCTION
What is computational fluid dynamics?
 However bias will lean more towards the fields of fluid dynamics and heat
transfer, where transport phenomena are predominant. This leads ultimately
to the powerful field of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) Fig 1.
 CFD deals with the study of fluid motion and
the influence of fluid-flow behavior on
processes such as heat transfer or chemical
reactions in combusting flows.
 CFD also captures the physical characteristics
of the flow based on fundamental
mathematical relations usually partial
differential equations.
 The pdes are solved implementing
computer codes. Fig 1: The different disciplines involved in CFD

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ADVANCED COMPUTATIONAL DYNAMICS
ADVANTAGES OF CFD
 The CFD tool allows an in depth study of the specific terms in the governing
equations (pdes).
 It complements experimental and analytical approaches by providing
alternative cost-effective and time-saving means of simulating real fluid
flows.
 The CFD has the capacity to simulate flow conditions that are not
reproducible in experimental tests found in geophysical and biological fluid
dynamics. An example is the Indonesian Tsunami of 2004.
 CFD can provide detailed visualization and comprehensive information
when compared to analytical and experimental fluid dynamics.

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ADVANCED COMPUTATIONAL DYNAMICS
LIMITATIONS OF CFD
 Numerical errors are inherent in computations, therefore, there will be
difference between computed results and reality.
 The visual appeal of the numerical solutions presented by vectors, contours,
or animated movies of unsteady flows could be misleading in the event of
an erroneous solution.

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AREAS OF APPLICATIONS
 These include:
1. as a research tool,
2. as an educational tool in basic thermal-fluid science
3. as a design tool
4. aerospace
5. automotive engineering
6. biomedical science and engineering
7. chemical and mineral processing
8. civil and environmental engineering
9. metallurgy
10. nuclear safety
11. power generation
12. sports

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ADVANCED COMPUTATIONAL DYNAMICS
AREAS OF APPLICATIONS
As a Research Tool
 In reality, fluid-flow variables often possess non-linear relationship and thus
the governing equations are not amenable to analytical solutions. This
necessitates the search for numerical solutions for the partial differential
equations. The CFD could be employed as a research tool to perform
numerical experiments (Fig 2).

Fig 2: flow past two side-by-side cylinders (a) experimental observation

and (b) numerical simulation

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ADVANCED COMPUTATIONAL DYNAMICS
AREAS OF APPLICATIONS
As an Educational Tool in Basic Thermal-Fluid Science
 The CFD has become an indispensable educational resource in the teaching
and learning of transport phenomena commonly encountered in heat
transfer and fluid mechanics courses.
 First, it provides hands-on approach for undergraduate students, enriching
their learning experience of fluid-flow events - particularly with the
powerful visualization capability.
 Secondly, it opens the door of opportunity to new classes of problems
especially those that mimic real world scenarios.
As a Design Tool
 The CFD is viable design tool used in the industry to gain significant insight
into processes and flow characteristics in equipment so as to increase
production, improve longevity, and cut-down waste.

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ADVANCED COMPUTATIONAL DYNAMICS
AREAS OF APPLICATIONS
In Aerospace
 The CFD has been used extensively in aerodynamics design for the
calculation of the lift force on an aircraft wingspan.
 Similarly, it has been employed in studying the impact of trailing vortices on
the safe operation of successive aircraft taking off and landing on a runway,
as well as enhancing passenger and crew comfort.
 Efforts to better understand and suppress the noise produced by heavy
artillery and the safe operation of a military helicopter upon firing a missile
have also attracted the use of CFD.

Fig 3: Examples of CFD results

for applications in the aerospace
and defense industries

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ADVANCED COMPUTATIONAL DYNAMICS
AREAS OF APPLICATIONS
In Automotive Engineering
 CFD has been engaged in automotive design and manufacture to enhance
the overall driving experience, improve drive and passenger comfort and
safety, and advance fuel economy.
 CFD in automotive engineering has helped to shorten design cycles,
optimize existing engineering components and systems for improved
energy efficiency, to meet strict standards, and study important external
aerodynamics as shown in Fig 4.

Fig 4: Example of automotive aerodynamics

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ADVANCED COMPUTATIONAL DYNAMICS
AREAS OF APPLICATIONS
In Automotive Engineering
 CFD has been used to determine the effects of local geometry changes on the
aerodynamic forces and provides a significant capability for directly
comparing a multitude of vehicle designs.
 Numerical simulations through CFD allow the ease of investigating
different valve and port designs that can lead to improved engine
performance through better breathing and more induction change
distribution (Fig 5).

Fig 5: Example of CFD applications in a

diesel internal combustion engine

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ADVANCED COMPUTATIONAL DYNAMICS
AREAS OF APPLICATIONS
In Biomedical Science and Engineering
 Predicting the behavior of blood flow inside human body is possible with
simulation tools.

 Computational simulations
can provide invaluable
information that is
extremely difficult to obtain
experimentally, and they
allow many variations of
fluid-dynamics problems to
be parametrically studied.

Fig 6: Example of CFD prediction of

wall shear stress (WSS) for originally
stenosed and virtually stented arteries

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ADVANCED COMPUTATIONAL DYNAMICS
AREAS OF APPLICATIONS
In Biomedical Science and Engineering
Benefits of medical simulation of circulatory functions include
 Decrease in the chances of postoperative complications.
 Assistance in developing better surgical procedures.
 Ensures a good understanding
of biological processes, and
 Assistance in the design and
operation of more efficient and
less destructive medical
equipment such as blood pumps

Fig 7: Example of predicted velocity

profiles for originally stenosed and
virtually stented arteries

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ADVANCED COMPUTATIONAL DYNAMICS
AREAS OF APPLICATIONS
In Power Generation
 To maximize return on investment, CFD is being employed to optimize the
turbine blades for generating constant power under varying wind
conditions as shown in Fig 8.
 CFD is the only technology that has proven
to accurately model wind-farm resource
distribution, especially for highly complex
terrain with steep inclines as seen in Fig 8.
 CFD have allowed engineers to better study
the economic viability of wind farms, where
accurate results are needed in order to
reduce the financial risk.
Fig 8: Example of CFD application to prediction of the
velocity field of a wind turbine and in the vicinity of a
proposed wind farm for power.

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ADVANCED COMPUTATIONAL DYNAMICS
AREAS OF APPLICATIONS
 CFD has a wide variety of applications in diverse engineering fields. For
details about other areas of application read the recommended textbook:
Computational Fluid Dynamics: A Practical Approach by Tu J., Yeoh G.,
and Liu C. 2nd Edition. P. 6-29.

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REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Which three disciplines is CFD derived from?
2. What are some of the advantages of using CFD?
3. What are the disadvantages and limitations of using CFD?
4. How is CFD being used as a research tool, design tool and an educational
tool in the academia, such as thermal fluids?

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