Computational Methods for Building Physics and Construction Materials

The course contains in-depth lecturing on different computational methods for differential equations, numerical solution strategies, explicit and implicit discretization, finite difference method, method of lines, boundary conditions and implementation of physical processes that frequently occur in construction materials. Emphasis will be on the meso-scale level and on transport processes that are active in porous construction materials such as concrete, geopolymers, insulation materials, etc. Typical problems that will be addressed in this course will be on modelling moisture and/or reactive transport in porous media, heat transport and effect of insulation, coupled moisture - heat systems, and cement hydration kinetics. The course will provide a full solution strategy approach, so from a physical problem, to schematization and discretization, to boundary conditions evaluation, and to a computational solution.

Key topics:

• Steady state problems – discretization and implementation in Excel
• Transient problems – explicit & implicit heat and moisture flow – implementation in Octave/Matlab/FEM
• Coupled systems – heat and moisture flow, discretization and implementation in Octave/Matlab/FEM
• Particle structure formation and hydration kinetics of cementitious systems

Objective of the course is to train MSc, PhD and Postdoc students on how to solve common differential equations and what solution strategies can be applied to simulate physical problems in construction materials. After finishing this course, students will be able to use computational methods skills for their own research.