Ricardo B. Canelas

Bio: Ricardo B. Canelas is an academic researcher from Instituto Superior Técnico. The author has contributed to research in topics: Solver & Smoothed-particle hydrodynamics. The author has an hindex of 11, co-authored 33 publications receiving 859 citations.

Dam-break flows over mobile beds: experiments and benchmark tests for numerical models

Abstract: In this paper, the results of a benchmark test launched within the framework of the NSF–PIRE project “Modelling of Flood Hazards and Geomorphic Impacts of Levee Breach and Dam Failure” are presented. Experiments of two-dimensional dam-break flows over a sand bed were conducted at Universite catholique de Louvain, Belgium. The water level evolution at eight gauging points was measured as well as the final bed topography. Intense scour occurred close to the failed dam, while significant deposition was observed further downstream. From these experiments, a benchmark was proposed to the scientific community, consisting of blind test simulations, that is, without any prior knowledge of the measurements. Twelve different teams of modellers from eight countries participated in the study. Here, the numerical models used in this test are briefly presented. The results are commented upon, in view of evaluating the modelling capabilities and identifying the challenges that may open pathways for further research.

A Smooth Particle Hydrodynamics discretization for the modelling of free surface flows and rigid body dynamics

Abstract: Summary This work describes a unified discretization of rigid solids and fluids, allowing for spatially detailed and time-resolved simulations of fluid–solid interaction. The model is based on a Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) discretization of the Navier–Stokes equations and Newton's equations for rigid body dynamics. A δ-SPH term is added to the continuity equation, allowing for an effective interface description. The benchmark case of the buoyancy-driven motion of an unrestricted rigid body allows for experimenting new computational approaches for the more general case of fluid–solid interactions, in the case of solid objects larger than the smallest flow scales. Numerical experiments and analytical solutions are recovered from the literature and compared with the numerical results from the proposed model. Experimental measurements were performed and numerical results are compared, resulting in a wide range study of the fundamental properties of fluid–solid systems. After an investigation on the influence of the stabilizing δ-SPH terms, the model is shown to respect free stream consistency, the correct dynamics of a buoyant body, for a range of positive and negative relative densities and the correct recovery of equilibrium states. This work addresses these topics in an attempt to characterise the presented model with regard to the quality of its solutions and possible limitations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

State-of-the-art SPH solver DualSPHysics: from fluid dynamics to multiphysics problems.

Abstract: DualSPHysics is a weakly compressible smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) Navier-Stokes solver initially conceived to deal with coastal engineering problems, especially those related to wave impact with coastal structures. Since the first release back in 2011, DualSPHysics has shown to be robust and accurate for simulating extreme wave events along with a continuous improvement in efficiency thanks to the exploitation of hardware such as graphics processing units (GPUs) for scientific computing or the coupling with wave propagating models such as SWASH and OceanWave3D. Numerous additional functionalities have also been included in the DualSPHysics package over the last few years which allow the simulation of fluid-driven objects. The use of the discrete element method (DEM) has allowed the solver to simulate the interaction among different bodies (sliding rocks, for example), which provides a unique tool to analyse debris flows. In addition, the recent coupling with other solvers like Project Chrono or MoorDyn has been a milestone in the development of the solver. Project Chrono allows the simulation of articulated structures with joints, hinges, sliders and springs and MoorDyn allows simulating moored structures. Both functionalities make DualSPHysics one of the meshless model world leaders in the simulation of offshore energy harvesting devices. Lately, the present state of maturity of the solver goes beyond single phase simulations, allowing multi-phase simulations with gas-liquid and a combination of Newtonian and non-Newtonian models expanding further the capabilities and range of applications for the DualSPHysics solver. These advances and functionalities make DualSPHysics a state-of-the-art meshless solver with emphasis on free-surface flow modelling.

The physical oceanography of the transport of floating marine debris

Abstract: Marine plastic debris floating on the ocean surface is a major environmental problem. However, its distribution in the ocean is poorly mapped, and most of the plastic waste estimated to have entered the ocean from land is unaccounted for. Better understanding of how plastic debris is transported from coastal and marine sources is crucial to quantify and close the global inventory of marine plastics, which in turn represents critical information for mitigation or policy strategies. At the same time, plastic is a unique tracer that provides an opportunity to learn more about the physics and dynamics of our ocean across multiple scales, from the Ekman convergence in basin-scale gyres to individual waves in the surfzone. In this review, we comprehensively discuss what is known about the different processes that govern the transport of floating marine plastic debris in both the open ocean and the coastal zones, based on the published literature and referring to insights from neighbouring fields such as oil spill dispersion, marine safety recovery, plankton connectivity, and others. We discuss how measurements of marine plastics (both in situ and in the laboratory), remote sensing, and numerical simulations can elucidate these processes and their interactions across spatio-temporal scales.

Smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) for free-surface flows: past, present and future

Abstract: This paper assesses some recent trends in the novel numerical meshless method smoothed particle hydrodynamics, with particular focus on its potential use in modelling free-surface flows. Due to its Lagrangian nature, smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) appears to be effective in solving diverse fluid-dynamic problems with highly nonlinear deformation such as wave breaking and impact, multi-phase mixing processes, jet impact, sloshing, flooding and tsunami inundation, and fluid–structure interactions. The paper considers the key areas of rapid progress and development, including the numerical formulations, SPH operators, remedies to problems within the classical formulations, novel methodologies to improve the stability and robustness of the method, boundary conditions, multi-fluid approaches, particle adaptivity, and hardware acceleration. The key ongoing challenges in SPH that must be addressed by academic research and industrial users are identified and discussed. Finally, a roadmap is propose...

On the state-of-the-art of particle methods for coastal and ocean engineering

Abstract: The article aims at providing an up-to-date review on several latest advancements related to particle methods with applications in coastal and ocean engineering. The latest advancements corresponding to accuracy, stability, conservation properties, multiphase multi-physics multi-scale simulations, fluid-structure interactions, exclusive coastal/ocean engineering applications and computational efficiency are reviewed. The future perspectives for further enhancement of applicability and reliability of particle methods for coastal/ocean engineering applications are also highlighted.