GCIV2183-1

Duration

6h Th, 26h Pr, 10h Proj.

Number of credits

	Master of Science (MSc) in Civil Engineering	3 crédits

Lecturer

Sébastien Erpicum

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is the numerical resolution of the equations governing fluids motion. Using advanced mathematical models and numerical methods, it a way to analyze complex flows. Complementary to physical modeling, CFD is today an essential tool for the design of major civil engineering structures involving fluid flows (water, wind, smoke...).
This course proposes an introduction to CFD and its application to practical problems of civil engineering by means of existing solvers. It uses a project-based approach and intents to highlight CFD capabilities by comparison with experimental and real life data.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

At the end of the course, the students should be able to:

Apply a CFD solver to a practical problem of civil engineering
Understand the main features of a commercial or open source CFD software and their corresponding impact on the numerical solution
Set up a simulation with adequate boundary conditions, initial conditions and parameter values
Critically assess CFD results and be aware of limitations of CFD applied to civil engineering problems

This course contributes to the learning outcomes I.1, I.2, II.1, II.2, II.3, III.1, III.2, III.3, III.4, VI.1, VI.2, VI.3, VI.4, VII.1, VII.2, VII.3, VII.4, VII.5, VII.6 of the MSc in civil engineering.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Basic knowledge of fluid dynamics theory and of numerical methods.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The lecture follows a project-based approach. Student (or group of students) will be assigned a practical problem, to be solved using OpenFOAM or another CFD solver. Experimental and/or real life data will be provided to critically analyze the CFD results.
Prior to and at the end of the project, face to face lectures will provide introduction and summarize conclusions about CFD and its application to civil engineering problems. First application of the CFD solver will be done on a test case from literature to help student taking the solver in hands and assessing its basic capacities.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

The projects are carried out in class but students are also expected to work at home. The teacher and assistant will be available to answer to questions and assist the students during classes.
Lectures will be given face to face by the teacher.

Assessment methods and criteria

Any session :

- In-person

oral exam

- Remote

oral exam AND written work

- If evaluation in "hybrid"

preferred in-person

Additional information:

The final grade for the course is based on the evaluation of the project written report, the oral presentation of the main results and the answer to personal questions asked after the presentation.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

The course is taught in English.

Contacts

Dr S. Erpicum
S.Erpicum@uliege.be
04/366 95 96

CFD applied to civil engineering