Research (Page 1)

Dr. Yim's research interest is in computational mechanics and experimental modeling, simulation and analysis of fluid-structure interaction problems. His current research focuses on the development and application of high-performance computing based violent free-surface flow + fluid-solid contact/impact simulations. The research integrates computational contact/impact mechanics (CCIM), computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and computational structural mechanics (CSM) under a unified (paticle and conventional) finite-element approach. Applications include fluid (wave and tsunami) impact on structures in the naval (surface effect ships (SES), air-cushion vehicles (ACV), air/liquid-filled membrane causeways, etc.), ocean (wave energy converters (WEC), offshore systems, etc.) and structural (coastal piers, bridges, etc.) disciplines.

Current resarch include the follow fluid-solid contact-impact projects:

1. Fluid impact on bow and stern seals of surface effect ships (SES) and fluid-filled membrane causeways.

2. Fluid contact and impact loads on wave energy conversion converters (WEC).

3. Tsunami impact on coastal ports, piers and bridges.

4. Experimental and numerical modeling of wave-basin experiments (Experimental and Numerical Wave Basin, EWB and NWB).

In these projects, the fluid models used include fully nonlinear potential flow (FNPF) (inviscid and irrotational flow), Euler's Equation (inviscid flow), Navier-Stokes Equation (viscous flow) and Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes Equation (turbulent flow). We develop numerical models using the arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) particle finite-elment method (PFEM) to solve all the fluid models except FNPF, which is solved using the boundary-element method (BEM).

Solid models and fluid-solid contact-impact mechanics are based on the LS-DYNA code. Our research takes full advantage of the well tested multi-physics software as a computational platform for modeling and simulation.

The numerical models are verified and validated using measured data from experiments conducted at the O.H. Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory (HWRL) and naval research laboratories.

At Oregon State University, we have a unique, world class laboratory facility -- the HWRL allowing large-scale modeling tests of fluid-structure interaction systems. In addition to using experimental results provided from our colleagues world-wide, a significant number of our experimental results are obtained from the HWRL.

We are looking for highly self-motivated PhD level graduate students in Structural, Coastal and Ocean Engineering as well as Naval Architecture fields to conduct advanced, high-performance-computing based coupled solid-fluid mechanics research.