Optimal design and turbulent mixing in architectural fluid mechanics

With buildings accounting for over one third of global energy consumption and having a decisive influence on the well-being of their occupants, there is an urgent need to design energy efficient and comfortable buildings. This project will build on advances made over the past 20 years in the fields of natural ventilation and building physics by incorporating principles of optimal design and the control of buoyancy-driven mixing. The work will establish how the arrangement, size and openings of interconnected spaces affect mixing and, therefore, the distribution of warm air within buildings. An in-depth understanding of the way in which boundary conditions affect mixing in stratified environments will therefore be developed.

The project will involve conducting high-fidelity numerical simulations of buoyancy-driven mixing in confined environments, making use of recent advances in the simulation and modelling turbulent jets and plumes. Optimal design and control will be investigated using `adjoint’ simulations, to determine how sensitively the ventilation and temperature distribution depends on a building’s geometry and boundary conditions. The candidate will have access to College and National supercomputing facilities and have the opportunity to interact with students conducting complementary laboratory investigations.

The successful candidate will hold at least a 2:1 degree in engineering, mathematics or physics and have a strong interest and ability in mathematical modelling, fluid mechanics, numerical analysis and computer programming. It is desirable, but not essential, that candidates have experience using Linux, high-performance computing platforms and have an interest in the built environment. The studentship will cover PhD tuition fees, a stipend for three years.

A formal application for this position consists of a cover letter, outlining the suitability of the candidates expertise and interests, a CV and two academic references. Informal enquiries and formal applications should be sent to John Craske at [Email Address Removed].