The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a $499,993 Project Grant under the Engineering program (CFDA 47.041) to the University of Massachusetts (UMass) for a 3-year research project focused on modeling fluid-structure interactions between flexible structures and inertial viscoelastic flow. The goal of this project is to investigate the influence of viscoelasticity on the behavior of flexible structures, such as flags, sheets, and cantilevered beams, in high Reynolds number and high Weissenberg number flows. The research involves conducting numerical simulations using OpenFOAM and synergistic physical experiments to study vortex formation and structural dynamics. The findings are expected to lead to new techniques for suppressing or enhancing flow-induced motion of flexible structures in real-world applications. The project will also integrate the research into educational and outreach activities to disseminate the knowledge gained.
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