CURRENT RESEARCH TOPICS
Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI)
Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) relies on a strongly non-linear problem that involves the intricate coupling between the governing equations of fluid dynamics and solid mechanics. In FSI, the interaction between movable or deformable solid structures and internal or surrounding fluid flows occurs via the exchange of momentum through geometrically complex interfaces that evolve in time. The deformation of the immersed structures, and the consequent temporal modification of the solid-fluid interfaces, strongly couples the dynamics of the fluid with that of the solids involved in the process. FSI problems are encountered in a wide variety of engineering applications and scientific fields, ranging from aerospace and civil engineering to geotechnics and planetary sciences. Advancing our capability in the modelling of this class of problems is of crucial relevance, but presents many challenges related to the complexity of the phenomena involved, their multiphysics nature and the high demand of computational resources.
Hydralic fracturing
Hydraulic fracturing is a non-linear and multi-physics problem involving the breakup of a solid medium due to the action of hydrodynamic forces. Fluid and solid mechanics are involved at the same time together with fracture mechanics. Despite its relevance in many scientific and engineering fields, the theoretical and numerical description of hydraulic fracturing remains a challenging matter and the capabilities of existing models for applications are still limited. In this context, we propose a novel numerical approach to the Direct Numerical Simulation of hydraulic fracturing based on the Navier-Stokes equations coupled with peridynamic theory of solid mechanics through a multi-direct Immersed Boundary Method (IBM).
