Computational Fluid Dynamics

Prof. Leonhard Kleiser

Prof. Patrick Jenny

The conventional, widely used approach to turbulent flow computation is the solution of the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations, which require heuristic turbulence models. Deficiencies of existing turbulence models remain a key problem of Computational Fluid Dynamics. A major part of the studies performed in the group of Prof. L. Kleiser are devoted to the development and validation of advanced turbulent flow simulation techniques, in particular Large-Eddy Simulations (LES) in which the large scales of turbulence are resolved in space and time and only the effect of the non-resolved small scales is modelled. Very promising results have been obtained for relevant model problems and the LES approach is expected to play a significant role for future practical flow simulations. Further activities of this group are accurate simulations of gravity-driven and particle-laden flows.

The main research objective of Prof. P Jenny’s group is in probability density function (PDF) modelling for turbulent reactive flow and in multi-scale modelling for flow in porous media. To efficiently and accurately solve the governing equations, new numerical methodologies and models are developed. The focus is on fundamental research and its application to relevant problems in various industrial sectors.