Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering Lipscomb University, Tennessee, United States
Abstract Submission: This project aims to enhance undergraduate civil engineering education by developing advanced hydraulic structure models for laboratory use and integrating computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to analyze and visualize complex flow phenomena and turbulence. Most educational models do not cover the full range of complex hydraulic conditions encountered in water or stormwater applications, such as diverse headwall configurations, spillways, overflow boxes, and various bed roughness elements. To address this gap, innovative, laboratory-scale apparatuses are created to accurately replicate these structures leveraging three-dimensional printing and traditional machining. CFD models are used in the design and development process to optimize models prior to construction and are validated with experimentation.
The incorporation of these advanced models into civil engineering curricula offers students a more comprehensive understanding of fluid dynamics principles. This project not only fills a critical gap in available educational resources but also supports a more immersive and effective learning environment for future engineers. By leveraging CFD, students are provided with tools that reflect real-world challenges, better preparing them for professional practice and research in hydraulic engineering. They will be able to explore and experiment with realistic hydraulic scenarios, enhancing their grasp of complex concepts and improving their practical skills.
