2020 Faculty Courses School of Engineering Department of Mechanical Engineering Graduate major in Mechanical Engineering
Computational Fluid Dynamics
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Mechanical Engineering
- Instructor(s)
- Feng Xiao / Takayuki Aoki
- Class Format
- Lecture (Zoom)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 5-6 Thu (I121)
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- MEC.F431
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2020
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
Computational fluid dynamics is an essential and advanced tool to solve fluid mechanic problems in scientific and engineering researches. In this course, you will learn the numerical methods and stills to solve the governing equations of fluid mechanics, based on the basic knowledge of fluid mechanics and numerical analysis you have acquired in the undergraduate studies.
Course description and aims
The lectures will cover the fundamental numerical approaches to solve compressible and incompressible flows, as well as well other advanced topics. Students are expected to learn not only the knowledge about the numerical methods but also skills to develop computer codes through practice.
Keywords
Incompressible flow, compressible flow, numerical analysis, discretization scheme, finite difference method, finite volume method, computer simulation, programming
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
We start with the governing equations of fluid mechanics, and then study discretization methods, discrete equations, typical solution methods of incompressible flows, and numerical methods for compressible flows which include TVD schemes and Riemann solvers. In addition, new developments in the field of computational fluid dynamics, such as multiphase flow simulation and high-performance computing will be also introduced.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Governing equation of fluid dynamics | Derivation and phsical interpretation of mathematical equations for fluid dynamics |
| Class 2 | Discretization methods (finite difference and finite volume methods, time-integration method), properties of discrete equations | Fundamentals of discretization methods |
| Class 3 | Numerical methods for incompressible flow (Mac，SIMPLE), Possion Solver, Multigrid Method | Semi-implicit Method for incompressible flow computation |
| Class 4 | Weakly compressible flow computation for incompressible flows, Lattice Boltzmann Method, SPH method | Explicit schemes for incompressible flows |
| Class 5 | The feature of compressible flow and the key aspects in numerical methods (Burgers equation, shock wave, conservatitve scheme) | Characteristics of compressible flow, shock wave, conservative schemes, TVD schemes |
| Class 6 | Numerical methods for compressible gas (Euler equations, Riemann solvers, high-resolution schemes) | Riemann solver, implementation of TVD schemes to gas dynamics |
| Class 7 | Numerical methods for interfacial multi-phase flows (One-fluid model, interface capturing methods, surface tension) | One-fluid model, interface capturing methods, surface tension |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
To be annpounced
Reference books, course materials, etc.
1. 肖鋒，長崎孝夫：「数値流体解析の基礎 - Visual C++とgnuplotによる圧縮性・非圧縮性流体解析」，コロナ社，2020年(in Japanese)
2. Anderson, J.D., Computational Fluid Dynamics - The Basics with Applications; McGraw-Hill, Inc. 1995
3. Hirsch C., Volume 1&2, Numerical Computational of Internal and External Flows; John Wiley & Sons, 2001
4. Ferziger, J.H. and Peric, M., Computational Methods for Fluid Dynamics; Springer, 1999
Evaluation methods and criteria
Learning achievement is evaluated by reports and excercises, and programing practice may be required in some cases.
Related courses
- MEC.F201 ： Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics
- MEC.F211 ： Practical Fluid Mechanics
- MEC.F331 ： Advanced Fluid Mechanics
Prerequisites
It is desirable to have the knowledge on fundamentals of thermo-fluid dynamics and numerical analysis