About the Lab
The Rodi Lab focuses on understanding, modeling, and simulating turbulent flows in engineering and environmental systems. The lab’s core research centers on turbulence modeling and computational fluid dynamics (CFD), with the goal of developing reliable, physically grounded models that can be used in real-world engineering design and analysis.
A major emphasis is placed on Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) turbulence models, large-eddy simulation (LES), and, where feasible, direct numerical simulation (DNS). These approaches are applied to complex flows involving separation, heat and mass transfer, sediment transport, and free-shear and wall-bounded turbulence. The lab combines theoretical model development with numerical methods such as finite-volume discretization, and routinely validates simulations against laboratory experiments and field measurements.
Typical application areas include river and hydraulic engineering, sediment transport in natural waterways, cooling and heat transfer in turbomachinery and engines, flows around obstacles, and industrial internal flows. This work has strong societal relevance, supporting safer and more efficient infrastructure, improved environmental management of rivers and reservoirs, and better thermal performance in energy and transportation technologies.
The lab is well suited for students with interests in fluid mechanics, applied mathematics, or mechanical and civil engineering. Ideal candidates enjoy combining physical insight with numerical modeling, are comfortable with differential equations and programming, and are motivated to work on problems that connect fundamental turbulence physics with practical engineering applications.