RHU is proud of its class 2019 mechanical engineering graduate, Houssam Matbouli who presented a technical research paper titled “Performance assessment of a NACA-2412 surrogate model using non-intrusive polynomial chaos method” at the ASME-Fluids Engineering Division Conference (FEDSM 2020) held in Orlando Florida from July 13 -15, 2020. The research was conducted under the supervision of RHU Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Dr. Iyad Fayssal.

The submitted research received very good reviews and recommendations; according to the reviewers report, the developed mathematical model in the paper sounds attractive with recommendations to consider the work (extended) for possible journal publication.

Airfoils have numerous applications in civil aviation industry, helicopters, high speed jets, unmanned air vehicles, drones, wind turbines for renewable energy applications, and flapping robots for civil and defense applications. The developed methodology in this research allows predicting the performance of an airfoil in a fraction of a second, while preserving the accuracy of high-fidelity full numerical simulations which are mathematically complex and time consuming.

The concept of surrogate models (also known as approximation models which are generated via a data-driven bottom-up approach) can be applied in artificial intelligence, shape optimization, turbomachinery, industrial applications, etc. providing an efficient design and optimization tool for various engineering disciplines. The current research methodology can be further extended to include several operating parameters to optimize the airfoil design for better flow control, which in turn can improve fuel consumption and efficiency, reduce drag and environmental impact, prevent induced-flow separation stalling, and enhance vibration control of the wing.

Mr. Matbouli is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree at at KU Leuven, Belgium. Watch a video about this technical research.