535.735.81 - Computational Fluid Dynamics

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into 14 modules, which can be accessed by clicking Course Modules on the course menu. A module will have several sections including the readings, video lectures, discussions, and assignments. Students should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates. Modules typically last approximately 1 week.

Course Topics

• Fluid Dynamics
  
• Diffusion
• CFD Solvers
• CFD Modeling using OpenFOAM
• Convection
• Incompressibility
• Applications of CFD

Course Goals

By the end of this course the students should be able to develop fairly complicated computational fluid dynamics models and solvers on your own based on a sound theoretical understanding of

the subject matter. In addition, the students will acquire enough practical experience to use a commercial CFD package in building and simulating a complex, real life flow situation.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Develop finite volume formulations for the equations governing fluid flow.
• Apply the assumptions relevant to different flow regimes and types (incompressible, compressible, turbulent, laminar, creeping, etc.)
• Derive the algebraic equations from the finite volume formulation through spatial discretizations of equations.
• Model various flow field boundaries and incorporate the models in the algebraic equations.
• Apply different explicit and implicit time marching schemes.
• Evaluate mesh quality and propose improvements to CFD meshes.
• Implement 2D solvers for diffusive, advective and unsteady flows.
• Use OpenFOAM to simulate a wide array of flow problems and analyze the simulation results.

Textbooks

We will be using the following textbooks in this course. All are available for free through the JHU Library eReserves system.

Required Software

Webcam, microphone (if provided with computer, this is usually adequate along with adequate lighting and no background sound interference). MS Office. Application to convert Word files to PDF.

OpenFOAM and ParaView

You are not required to have OpenFOAM or ParaView installed before starting the course. Instructions for installation will be given in Module 1. OpenFOAM is a free, open source, software that anyone can download and use with very few restrictions. Check their license for a full list of what you can and cannot do with it. ParaView is also free to download and use for academic purposes.

Student Coursework Requirements

It is expected that each module will take approximately 11-13 hours per week to complete. Here is an approximate breakdown: reading the assigned sections of the texts (approximately 5 hours per week), listening to the audio annotated slide presentations (approximately 2.5-3.5 hours per week), discussion boards, programming, modeling and theoretical assignments (approximately 4-5 hours per week).

Instructor will always attempt to grade each assignment within 10 days of the due date.

Late assignments will have points deducted from the grade (20% for each late it is late). If you have extreme circumstances, please communicate this with the instructor and an individual consideration will be made.

This course will consist of five basic student requirements:

1. Weekly modeling Projects (25% of final grade)
   
   There are 8 one-week modeling assignments throughout the semester, weighted equally. You will use OpenFOAM to complete these assignments.

2. Theoretical/Computational Assignments (20% of final grade)
   
   There are 3 theoretical assignments throughout the semester, weighted equally.

3. Programming Assignments (Problem Sets) (25% of final grade)
   
   There are 6 two-week programming assignments and 1 one-week programming assignment throughout the semester, weighted equally.

4. Term Project (25% of final grade)
   
   The term project is executed in teams that you will be forming with your classmates early in the semester. There are deliverables in modules 3, 5, 7, 9, and 13. Details for the term project are posted in module 1 in Canvas.

5. Discussion Board Posts (5% of final grade)
   
   Each week you will required to complete a muddiest point discussion post (among other discussion posts as assigned). You will not be required to respond to classmates’ posts. These posts are an important way for me to gauge your understanding of the course material so that I can be responsive to areas where students may need additional support.

Grading Policy

Assignments are due according to the dates posted in the Canvas course site. Students may check these due dates in the Course Calendar or the Assignments in the corresponding modules. Grades will post no later than 10 days after assignment due dates. A grade of A indicates achievement of consistent excellence and distinction throughout the course—that is, conspicuous excellence in all aspects of assignments and discussion in every week. A grade of B indicates work that meets all course requirements on a level appropriate for graduate academic work. These criteria apply to both undergraduates and graduate students taking the course.

The following grades are used for this course: A+, A, A– (excellent), B+, B, B– (good), C (unsatisfactory), F (failure), I (incomplete). A grade of F indicates the student’s failure to complete or comprehend the course work.

A course for which an unsatisfactory grade (D or F) has been received may be retaken. The original grade is replaced with an R. If the failed course includes laboratory, both the lecture and laboratory work must be retaken unless the instructor indicates otherwise. A grade of W is issued to those who have dropped the course after the refund period but before the drop deadline. The transcript is part of the student’s permanent record at the university. No grade may be changed except to correct an error, to replace an incomplete with a grade, or to replace a grade with an R.

The Whiting School assumes that students possess acceptable written command of the English language. It is proper for faculty to consider writing quality when assigning grades.

For incomplete grades, please see the Graduate Programs catalogue for the Whiting School of Engineering.

The course grading scale is the following:

100–98 = A+

97–94 = A

93–90 = A−

89–87 = B+

86–83 = B

82–80 = B−

79–70 = C

Course Evaluation

I take student feedback very seriously and am also trying to improve my teaching. If you have any feedback during the course, please do not hesitate to reach out to provide that feedback or ask a question. At the end of the course, please make an effort to complete the course evaluation - you are helping students in the future.

Course Policies

Honor Code:

Other Policies:

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.