Course overview
This course equips students with the necessary skills, knowledge and hands-on experience to effectively use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques to solve engineering problems related to flow dynamics, heat transfer and multiphase flows. The curriculum encompasses various topics such as governing equations, discretisation schemes, numerical methods, turbulence modelling, mesh quality and independence test, numerical errors, and boundary conditions. This is an elective course for the Master of Engineering (Mechanical) program. The course offers online lectures for flexible access and 11-12 face-to-face practical sessions held in computer suites at the North Terrace campus. Students actively engage in project-based learning and group work by using CFD software in practical exercises. Assessment activities comprise a group project, an individual assignment, online quizzes and a final exam, all designed to assess students understanding of CFD fundamentals and proficiency in applying CFD in engineering applications. Upon successful completion of the course, students will possess a solid understanding of the fundamental CFD techniques and will be able to use CFD to solve basic engineering problems.
Course learning outcomes
- Understand and be able to numerically solve the governing equations for fluid flows
- Understand and apply finite difference and finite volume methods to fluid flow problems
- Understand different mesh types, mesh quality and mesh sizes
- Understand how to conduct a grid-convergence assessment
- Understand and apply turbulence models to engineering fluid flow problems
- Understand the issues about two-phase flow modelling and be able to numerically solve heat transfer problems
- Use CFD software such as ANSYS/CFX to an acceptable standard for a graduate engineer