Overview
Topic status: We're looking for students to study this topic.
An interesting problem in fluid mechanics is the free surface flow due to a submerged sink, used as a model for the withdrawal of fluid in a reservoir (or from your bathtub!). In particular, there is interest in the case for which there are two layers of fluid with different densities, one of which could be air. Experimental results suggest there is a critical withdrawal rate, above which the second fluid (perhaps air) begins to be sucked out of the sink. A great deal of mathematical expertise has been concentrated on this problem, mostly to compute steady-state solutions to the accompanying nonlinear free boundary problem. Lately, with modern computing power, there have been some studies of the more difficult time-dependent problem, with some very interesting results. There is still heaps to do in this area. The project would involve reproducing some recent numerical and analytical results, and extending these if possible. As well as Principal Supervision from Dr Scott McCue, there may be opportunities to work with Adjunct Prof. John Belward or Prof. Ian Turner.
- Study level
- Honours
- Supervisors
- QUT
- Organisational unit
Science and Engineering Faculty
- Research area
- Contact
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Please contact the supervisor.
Associate Professor Scott McCue
