Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI)
This module was all about coupling fluid dynamics and structural mechanics, where the motion of a structure influences the surrounding flow, and vice versa. It started with theory on different coupling strategies (1-way vs. 2-way), stability issues, and the role of mesh quality in capturing realistic responses.
The assignments built step by step:
Homework 1 introduced 1-way FSI by transferring aerodynamic loads from a CFD simulation into a structural solver, focusing on workflow and mapping strategies.
Homework 2 advanced to 2-way coupling, where fluid and structure iteratively interacted. This highlighted how displacements and stresses can significantly shift when feedback between solvers is considered.
Final Exam Project applied these methods to a traffic barrier exposed to wind loads. Several coupling strategies were tested:
1-way steady-state → small displacements validated the rigid assumption.
2-way steady-state → nearly doubled deformation and stresses, showing how feedback loops change design outcomes.
2-way transient → revealed large oscillations under storm conditions, stressing the importance of joint stiffness and damping in preventing instabilities
Through these studies, I gained a clear understanding of how fluid–structure coupling is essential for safety-critical designs. The work combined meshing, solver configuration, and careful interpretation of displacement, stress, and drag coefficient results. It also underlined how simplified assumptions can mislead designs if feedback effects are ignored