Research Areas

Research Line: Solid Mechanics

Development of mathematical models for one-, two-, and three-dimensional analysis of structures using numerical methods, including the finite element method. Development of techniques and procedures in mechanical design, focusing on theoretical, numerical, and experimental analysis of stresses, fatigue, creep, fracture mechanics, mechanical behavior of materials, destructive and non-destructive tests, structural analysis, and failure history. Structural integrity monitoring.

Professors:

Associated Laboratories

Research Line: Dynamic Systems and Control

Modeling the dynamic behavior of mechanical and mechatronic systems including rigid or deformable elements. Hard and rigid-elastic body systems, including the effects of friction, hysteresis, and impacts. Analysis of stochastic processes. Control of mechatronic systems, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, including mobile and robotic manipulators. Development of actuation systems and sensing for mechanical quantities.

Professors:

Associated Laboratories

Associated Courses

MEC2101 – Classical Mechanics
MEC2120 - Finite Element in Mechanical Engineering
MEC2124 – Continuum Thermomechanics I
MEC2222 – Vibration Analysis
MEC2231 – Fracture Mechanics and Fatigue
MEC2233 - Advanced Mechanical Behavior of Materials
MEC2234 - Plate and Shell Theory
MEC2240 - Theory of Elasticity
MEC2245 - Experimental Stress Analysis
MEC2358 - Mechanical Systems Control
MEC2359 - Vehicle Dynamics
MEC2360 - Automation and Robotics Elements
MEC2362 - Solid Modeling
MEC2363 - Dynamic Systems
MEC2364 - Dynamics
MEC2365 - Nonlinear Finite Elements
MEC2367 - Structural Integrity
MEC2368 - Introduction to Acoustics
MEC2369 - Propagation of Elastic Waves in Solids
MEC2374 - Mechanical Pipeline Design
MEC2401 - Introduction to Robotics
MEC2402 - Control of Robotics Systems
MEC2961 - Fiber Optic Sensors

Research and development projects in this area can be accessed on the professors' web pages.

Research Line: Pipeline Engineering

With an applied focus, and aiming to anticipate the future industry needs, this multidisciplinary research line addresses relevant to issues in the pipeline transportation segment of the oil and natural gas production and distribution chain. The main topics include structural integrity, risk analysis, risk-based inspection, structural analysis of subsea pipelines, sensing and instrumentation, instrumented pigs, thermo-hydraulic flow simulation and flow assurance. Professors:

Research Line: Petroleum Engineering

This research line focuses on issues relevant to the Exploration and Production (E&P) segment of the oil and natural gas chain. Research work includes reservoir engineering, drilling, well engineering, and production engineering. Research topics in this line include fiber optic sensing for permanent downhole monitoring, intelligent completion, smart fields, rheology of unconventional fluids of interest in the E&P segment, multiphase flow, fluid flow in the drilling process, flow in porous media, emulsion flow, and reservoir modeling. Professors:

Research Line: Energy Systems

This research line focuses on the rational use of energy sources, considering thermodynamic, economic and environmental aspects. Topic under development include conversion of diesel engines to natural gas consumption, cogeneration and alternative generation, fuel cells for electricity generation and cogeneration, as well as regulation of the natural gas sector in the country's market. Professors:

Associated Laboratories

Advanced Computing Laboratory Robotics Laboratory Rheology Laboratory Computational Transport Phenomena Laboratory Fluid Engineering Laboratory Micro Hydrodynamics and Porous Media Laboratory Dynamics and Vibrations Laboratory Fatigue and Fracture Mechanics Laboratory Photomechanics Laboratory Fiber Optic Sensors Laboratory

Associated Courses

MEC2101 – Classical Mechanics MEC2120 - Finite Elements in Mechanical Engineering MEC2231 – Fracture Mechanics and Fatigue MEC2240 - Theory of Elasticity MEC2303 - Thermodynamics MEC2310 - Experimental Methods in Thermosciences MEC2320 - Transport Phenomena MEC2335 - Computational Fluid Dynamics MEC2341 - Advanced Computing in Transport Phenomena MEC2343 - Solar Energy MEC2344 - Fluid Mechanics I MEC2345 - Fluid Mechanics II MEC2346 - Multiphase Flow MEC2350 - Finite Elements in Fluids MEC2352 - Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics MEC2354 - Thermal Accumulation MEC2362 - Solid Modeling MEC2363 - Dynamic Systems MEC2364 - Dynamics MEC2365 - Nonlinear Finite Elements MEC2367 - Structural Integrity MEC2372 - Introduction to Petroleum Economics MEC2373 - Flow in Pipelines MEC2374 - Pipeline in Mechanical Design MEC2376 - Non-Newtonian Fluids in the Oil Industry MEC2377 - Flow in Porous Media MEC2378 - Thermodynamic Analysis of Processes MEC2379 - Cogeneration Systems Analysis MEC2380 - Oil Well Completion MEC2381 - Oil Well Drilling MEC2382 - Natural Gas Engineering MEC2383 - Well Engineering MEC2384 - Reservoir Engineering MEC2385 - Production Engineering MEC2386 - Energy Systems MEC2387 - Offshore Production Systems MEC2388 - Fundamentals of Combustion MEC2389 - Advanced Reservoir Engineering MEC2390 - Advanced Well Engineering MEC2391 - Advanced Production Engineering MEC2961 - Fiber Optic Sensors

Research and development projects in this area can be accessed on the professors' web pages.

Research Line: Fluid Engineering

This research line encompasses experimental and computational simulation activities aimed at studying fundamental and applied problems involving fluid flow. Numerical simulations cover a wide range of flows using finite volume and finite element techniques, including applications from low Reynolds number flows with free surfaces to turbulent flows at high Reynolds numbers and multiphase flows. The development of turbulence models and efficient and robust computational methods is also one of the main focuses of this research line. Another area of research is the study of the rheological behavior of materials, considering their theoretical, numerical, and experimental aspects and analyzing unconventional materials, such as viscoplastic and viscoelastic fluids. Additionally, experimental and numerical research is conducted in atmospheric pollution, involving the dispersion of particulate (aerosol) and gaseous pollutants. Advanced techniques for fluid flow measurement, such as hot-wire velocimetry, laser-Doppler, and optical techniques using digital image processing of flows, are also developed and applied.

Professors:

Research Line: Thermal Machines

This research line focuses on developing simulation models and conducting experimental tests of heating, cooling, air conditioning systems and components. Emphasis is placed on studying of new refrigerants, non-azeotropic mixtures, hydrocarbons and air, as well as developing high-performance heat exchangers. Applied thermal accumulation in refrigeration or heating systems is also an investigated focusing on phase change systems, such as encapsulated materials or ice slurry. The Vehicle Engineering Laboratory – LEV, conducts studies related to fuel evaluation and engine performance.

Professors:

Research Line: Heat and Mass Transfer

This research line involves theoretical, numerical and experimental studies addressing fundamental and applied aspects of heat and mass transfer problems. Numerical studies on combustion models and their industrial applications are also addressed. These studies are complemented by advanced laser combustion diagnostic techniques. Professors:

Associated Laboratories

Rheology Laboratory Laboratory of Transport Phenomena Computation Fluid Engineering Laboratory Micro Hydrodynamics and Porous Media Laboratory

Associated Courses

MEC2124 – Continuum Thermomechanics I MEC2303 - Thermodynamics MEC2310 - Experimental Methods in Thermociences MEC2320 - Transport Phenomena MEC2322 - Heat and Mass Transfer MEC2335 - Computational Fluid Dynamics MEC2338 - Advanced Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics MEC2339 - Advanced Refrigeration System Simulation MEC2341 - Advanced Computing in Transport Phenomena MEC2343 - Solar Energy MEC2344 - Fluid Mechanics I MEC2345 - Fluid Mechanics II MEC2346 - Multiphase Flow MEC2347 - Heat Transfer I MEC2348 - Heat Transfer II MEC2349 - Atmospheric Pollution Control MEC2350 - Finite Elements in Fluids MEC2351 - Fundamentals of Atmospheric Pollution MEC2352 - Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics MEC2353 - Simulation of Refrigeration Systems MEC2354 - Thermal Accumulation MEC2355 - Turbulence MEC2356 - Heat Transfer with Phase Change MEC2357 - Internal Combustion Engines MEC2373 - Flow in Pipelines MEC2376 - Non-Newtonian Fluids in the oil Industry MEC2377 - Flow in Porous Media MEC2378 - Thermodynamic Analysis of Processes MEC2382 - Natural Gas Engineering MEC2388 - Fundamentals of Combustion

Research and development projects in this area can be accessed on the professors' web pages.