Browsing by Author "Moreno-Casas, Patricio A."

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    (33, 33) Abell, José A.; Moreno-Casas, Patricio A.; Recabarren, Matías; 33
    In an era where technology continually reshapes the landscape of professional practice, it has become relevant to equip engineering students with advanced computational skills beyond programming. This article presents a novel discipline-based framework designed to integrate advanced computational skills into engineering education. Responding to challenges such as the disconnection between computational abilities and domain-specific knowledge, and student demotivation due to overwhelming technological challenges, this study aims to validate the impact of the framework on domain learning, computational skill acquisition, and perceived future utility. Implementing a case study approach, we explore the development of high-performance computing skills within a project-based learning context in Civil Engineering. Results indicate significant improvements in students' understanding of both computational concepts and the engineering domain, evidenced by enhanced self-perception and positive Technology Acceptance Model outcomes. The framework facilitated a meaningful connection between computational skills and professional applications, as seen in students' project reflections. Despite the promising results, the necessity for instructors to possess and impart computational knowledge is highlighted as an important factor for successful integration. This study contributes to educational computing research by providing a scalable approach to embedding advanced computational skills in engineering curricula, addressing existing educational challenges, and suggesting directions for future research.
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    (33, 33) Moreno-Casas, Patricio A.; Toro, Juan Pablo; Sepúlveda, Sebastián; Abell, José Antonio; González, Eduardo; Paik, Joongcheol; 33
    In this paper, we present the simulation results of a Lagrangian particle tracking model that computes the motion of saltating sediment particles, which is considered the most important mode of bedload transport in rivers and channels. The model is one-way coupled to a validated turbulent LES-WALE (Large Eddy Simulation – Wall-Adapting Local Eddy-viscosity) channel flow, i.e., the particles do not affect the computation of the flow velocities and pressures, as suggested for dilute flows. The model addresses the particle trajectories, the collision of the particles with the bottom wall, and collision among particles. The focus of this work is placed on the effect of different particle concentrations and flow intensities (different flow shear stresses) on jump statistics and particle diffusion. Numerical results are validated with experimental laboratory data obtained from the literature for particle diameters in the range of sands. The present results indicate that, at particle concentrations up to 2%, the diffusion coefficients in the streamwise and spanwise directions, (Formula presented.) and (Formula presented.), for the local range are nearly constants with a value close to one, corresponding to the ballistic regime. At a concentration of 4%, the largest concentration studied herein, values of (Formula presented.) and (Formula presented.) for the local range are slightly smaller, with a representative value of 0.9 regardless of flow intensities. For the intermediate regime, it was found that, on average, (Formula presented.) with (Formula presented.) ranging from 0.6 to 0.85 and (Formula presented.) within the range 0.45–0.70. For a fixed flow intensity, both diffusion coefficients increase with the particle concentration, which is an indication of the contribution of the collision among particles to particle diffusion. For highly controlled simulation conditions, the differences in particle velocity at a given concentration may change drastically, which should translate to important fluctuations in the computation of sediment transport rates. Finally, the employed computational resources are described as a function of particle concentration. Although the number of total collisions increases linearly with the number of particles, the number of collisions per particle reaches a plateau, thus indicating that there exists an upper limiting value for the number of collisions per particle.
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    (33, 33) Moreno-Casas, Patricio A.; Scott, Felipe; Delpiano, Jose; Abell, Jose A.; Caicedo, Francisco; Muñoz, Raul; Vergara-Fernández, Alberto; 33
    The gas?liquid mass transfer coefficient is a key parameter to the design and operation of biotrickling filters that governs the transport rate of contaminants and oxygen from the gas phase to the liquid phase, where pollutant biodegradation occurs. Mass transfer coefficients are typically estimated via experimental procedures to produce empirical correlations, which are only valid for the bioreactor configuration and range of operational conditions under investigation. In this work, a new method for the estimation of the gas?liquid mass transfer coefficient in biotrickling filters is presented. This novel methodology couples a realistic description of the packing media (polyurethane foam without a biofilm) obtained using microtomography with computational fluid dynamics. The two-dimensional analysis reported in this study allowed capturing the mechanisms of the complex processes involved in the creeping porous air and water flow in the presence of capillary effects in biotrickling filters. Model predictions matched the experimental mass transfer coefficients (±30%) under a wide range of operational conditions.
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    (33, 33) Paul, Alvaro; Murgadas, Sofía; Delpiano, José; Moreno-Casas, Patricio A.; Walczak, Magdalena; Lopez, Mauricio; 33
    Internal curing (IC) of concrete by pre-wetted lightweight aggregate (LWA) is an established technology to assist cement hydration and reduce shrinkage and cracking in concrete. However, the current understanding in what makes a certain LWA effective for IC gives opportunities to improve the technique. The aim of this article is to identify the moisture transport mechanisms within an LWA that govern IC performance. Results on LWA of different internal structures (natural, manufactured), and different size distributions (fine, coarse), pre-soaked with either pure water or water containing shrinkage reducing admixtures (SRA), indicate that there are different mechanisms involved in water uptake and release: one controlled by capillary action, and one controlled by air diffusion into the pore water. It is concluded that it is the internal structure, geometry, and particle size distribution of the LWA that determine the effect of SRA and the overall LWA impact on the IC performance. By using 3D micro-CT images LWAs are studied in order to determine which characteristics (pore size, pore connectivity, pore distribution) are better suited for improving IC. This contribution to understanding water transport in LWAs may help to engineer the characteristics of LWA optimized for IC applications.
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    Computational tomography and CFD simulation of a biofilter treating a toluene, formaldehyde and benzo[?]pyrene vapor mixture.
    Moreno-Casas, Patricio A.; Scott, Felipe; Delpiano, José; Vergara-Fernández, Alberto
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    A convenient method to validate the gas flow of a CFD-CT simulation applied on a packed bed used in gas biofiltration through residence time distributions
    Carreño-López, Felipe; Moreno-Casas, Patricio A.; Scott, Felipe; Iza, Jon; Sierra-Pallares, José; Muñoz, Raúl; Vergara-Fernández, Alberto