Afternoon Lectures

My group's research focuses on fundamental advances in numerical algorithms and understanding of flow physics that allow the reliable prediction of marine engineering turbulent flows. This presentation will discuss key aspects of such simulation, termed large eddy simulation (LES) alongside illustrative examples. The basic ideas and challenges behind this methodology will be discussed. The predictive capability of LES will be demonstrated for propeller flows and hull flows. The modeling and simulation of cavitating flows will be discussed. Recent developments in the modeling of drag reduction due to superhydrophobic surfaces will be presented. LES results will be shown to be in good agreement with experiments and used to discuss aspects of the underlying physics. The presentation will conclude with future developments in the simulation of fluid-structure interaction, and the simultaneous assimilation of simulation and experimental data.

Krishnan Mahesh
Richard B Couch Professor of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
University of Michigan

Krishnan Mahesh is the Richard B. Couch Professor of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, with appointments in the Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering Departments at the University of Michigan. He is Founding Director of the Center For Naval Research and Education at the University of Michigan.

Mahesh's research focuses on algorithm development, theoretical analysis and modeling of multi-physics turbulent flows. He received his Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, and Masters and PhD degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University.

Mahesh is a 2018 Fulbright-Nehru Specialist, Fellow of the American Physical Society, Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and Fellow of the Minnesota Supercomputing Institute. He is a recipient of the CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation and the Francois N. Frenkiel award from the American Physical Society. He has received the Taylor award for Distinguished Research, McKnight Presidential Fellowship, Guillermo E. Borja award and McKnight Land-Grant Professorship from the University of Minnesota. Mahesh's papers have received best paper awards from the Fifth International Symposium on Marine Propulsors in 2017, and AIAA Hampton Roads Section Young Professional Paper Competition in 2021. Mahesh has around 200 publications in journals and refereed conferences, and has graduated 29 PhD students.