Computational fluid-structure interactions using nonlocal formulations: Towards predictive simulation of coupled micro- and nanoscale mechanics

Interdisciplinary Areas: Data and Engineering Applications, Future Manufacturing, Micro-, Nano-, and Quantum Engineering

Project Description

From paint and do-it-yourself home repair to diapers and hygiene products, soft coatings involve the fluid-layer-mediated adhesion of an elastic material to a rigid substrate. The ability to accurately simulate the adhesion and debonding processes, including material failure, in real-world scenarios remains a challenge. The proposed direction for a Gilbreth Fellow under the supervision of Profs. Christov and Prakash lies at the intersection of computational engineering and micro- and nanoscale mechanics. Specifically, we are interested in predictive, multiscale simulation of flow-induced mechanical deformation using nonlocal formulations of continuum mechanics. The vision for the research is to construct tractable 1D models coupling nonlocal mechanical response to fluid flow, then proceed with the creation of 3D solvers for peridynamic equations, employing novel finite-volume discretizations, culminating in the detailed simulation of two-way coupled fluid-structure interactions featuring nonlocal mechanics.

 
Applications and project proposals can involve, but not limited, to coupling flow solvers with peridynamics, computational fluid–structure interactions, developing peridynamic bonds for soft materials, and broadly micro- and nano-scale mechanics, including material failure and fracture. We seek to push the state of the art in any of these directions, levering the Gilbreth Fellowship support and associated funded projects to pursue groundbreaking fundamental research.
 

Start Date

May 2024 or after (Flexible)
 

Postdoc Qualifications

The postdoctoral researcher should have a degree in Computational Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or equivalent. The research requires a strong background at the intersection of computational and theoretical mechanics and experience with nonlocal formulations of the latter, such as peridynamics. This background can be demonstrated by a track record of publications in top disciplinary journals in these fields.
 

Co-Advisors

Ivan C. Christov, Associate Professor, School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, https://engineering.purdue.edu/TMNT-Lab/

Arun Prakash, Associate Professor, Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, https://engineering.purdue.edu/~aprakas/
 

Short Bibliography

1. I. C. Christov, “Soft hydraulics: from Newtonian to complex fluid flows through compliant conduits,” Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter 34 (2022) 063001, doi:10.1088/1361-648X/ac327d; preprint arXiv:2106.07164.
2. W.-K. Sun, L.-W. Zhang, K. M. Liew, “A smoothed particle hydrodynamics–peridynamics coupling strategy for modeling fluid–structure interaction problems,” Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering 371 (2020) 113298, doi: 10.1016/j.cma.2020.113298
3. S. Silling, “Application of peridynamics to large deformations and soft materials,” SAND2016-10804PE, https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1505442.
4. P. Lindsay, M. Parks, A. Prakash, “Enabling fast, stable and accurate peridynamic computations using multi-time-step integration,” Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 306 (2016) 382-405. doi: 10.1016/j.cma.2016.03.049
5. X. Wang, A. Prakash, J. S. Chen and E. Taciroglu, “Variationally consistent integration for non-matching discretizations,” Computational Mechanincs, 60 (2017) 465-478. doi: 10.1007/s00466-017-1417-0