Fluid dynamics is the science of the motion of liquids and gases. Arup's environmental physics specialists analyse the properties and behaviour of fluids in order to improve the design of buildings, products and processes.
Arup gains understanding of flows of liquids and gases through advanced computer simulation and other modelling techniques. The resulting analysis has wide application in design, engineering and product development for industries such as maritime, water treatment and supply, offshore exploration, construction, mining, printing and pharmaceuticals.
Analysis driven by client need
Arup's fluid dynamics teams establish a clear understanding of the specific objectives, technical needs and commercial concerns for each project so that their analysis is directed towards fulfilment of the client’s goals. In this way, the firm's specialists can assist clients to achieve cost-effective and innovative designs, processes and products that share reduced risk and enhanced value.
Advantages to clients include:
- Capital and operation cost savings
- Options appraisal and rapid design testing
- Parametric and comparative studies to improve designs
- Whole system performance predictions
- Simulation of experiments too hazardous or difficult to undertake
- Cost-effective alternatives to full or reduced-scale physical testing.
Diverse project applications
Arup's portfolio of fluid dynamics projects is incredibly diverse. Few of its competitors can match this experience. In a given week, one of the firm's team of experts may be assessing the flow of cool breezes to improve the planning of city streets, while another is modelling the introduction of a drug into a patient's respiratory system or producing analysis to predict the rate at which saltwater will infiltrate a freshwater marina basin.
Working alongside the firm's mechanical engineers, Arup's fluid dynamicists used Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to investigate the operation of a proposed new ventilation system for the London Coliseum, UK. The new system supplies air through a series of nozzle banks in the dome to establish a slow swirl that mixes airflow within the auditorium. Air is then extracted at the back of the circles and balcony, ensuring adequate ventilation of the whole interior.
From microclimates to microfluidics
Achieving the design of safe, usable buildings can be aided by the modelling of internal airflows, people movement and measures of occupant comfort. Many aspects of the external environment also affect design, so microclimate predictions that draw on analysis of external airflows and urban heat island effect can lead to improvements in urban development, from individual blocks to city masterplanning.
Arup's advances in microfluidics (the flow of liquids or gases on a microscopic scale) have opened up new areas for design and process, including low-risk virtual optimisation testing, which has potential benefits for medical diagnostics.
Few firms can rival Arup's advanced in-house skills, which benefit client projects and give research input to the firm's design teams in all regions.