DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/4FVB-KB96
Author ORCID Identifier
0000-0002-5387-7565
Defense Date
2017
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Mathematical Sciences
First Advisor
Rebecca Segal
Second Advisor
Laura Ellwein-Fix
Third Advisor
Rebecca Heise
Abstract
Mathematical Biology has found recent success applying Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to model airflow in the human lung. Detailed modeling of flow patterns in the alveoli, where the oxygen-carbon dioxide gas exchange occurs, has provided data that is useful in treating illnesses and designing drug-delivery systems. Unfortunately, many CFD software packages have high licensing fees that are out of reach for independent researchers. This thesis uses three open-source software packages, Gmsh, OpenFOAM, and ParaView, to design a mesh, create a simulation, and visualize the results of an idealized terminal alveolar sac model. This model successfully demonstrates that OpenFOAM can be used to model airflow in the acinar region of the lung under biologically relevant conditions.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
8-9-2017
Included in
Numerical Analysis and Computation Commons, Numerical Analysis and Scientific Computing Commons, Partial Differential Equations Commons, Respiratory System Commons