151-0528-00L Theory of Phase Transitions
| Semester | Spring Semester 2021 |
| Lecturers | L. Guin, D. Kochmann |
| Periodicity | yearly recurring course |
| Language of instruction | English |
Courses
| Number | Title | Hours | Lecturers | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 151-0528-00 G | Theory of Phase Transitions | 3 hrs |
| L. Guin, D. Kochmann |
Catalogue data
| Abstract | This course addresses two major examples of phase transitions, namely solid-solid phase transformations and solidification. We focus on the modeling of the propagation of phase boundaries (surface of strain discontinuity or solidification front) in continuum media. Both the sharp-interface model and related numerical modeling techniques based on the phase-field method are introduced. |
| Learning objective | The students are able to: - Use mechanical and/or thermodynamic balance laws to formulate a continuum model for problems involving phase transformations in 1D, 2D, and 3D. - Distinguish between the different modeling techniques used for the propagation of phase boundaries and discuss their underlying assumptions. - Apply the concepts of thermodynamics to continuous media in order to derive thermodynamically consistent models. - Model the evolution of a solidification front using the phase-field method. |
| Content | 1. Mechanics of bars 2. The Ericksen’s bar problem: solid-solid phase transformation in 1D 3. Review of classical thermodynamics 4. Continuum theory for phase boundaries in 3D 5. Solidification: a free-boundary problem with interfacial structure 6. Phase-field model for solidification 7. Selected topics involving phase transitions |
| Lecture notes | Lecture notes will be provided for reference. Students are strongly encouraged to take their own notes during class. |
| Literature | No textbook required; relevant reference material will be suggested. |
| Prerequisites / Notice | Continuum Mechanics I. Having taken or taking Continuum Mechanics II in parallel would be helpful. |
Performance assessment
| Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again) | |
Performance assessment as a semester course | |
| ECTS credits | 4 credits |
| Examiners | L. Guin, D. Kochmann |
| Type | session examination |
| Language of examination | English |
| Repetition | The performance assessment is offered every session. Repetition possible without re-enrolling for the course unit. |
| Mode of examination | oral 60 minutes |
| Additional information on mode of examination | The oral final exam (taking place during the examination session) covers all contents of this course, including lectures, exercises, homework. It counts 50% towards the final grade. It lasts 60 min including 30 min of preparation time and 30 min of examination. All notes are allowed during the final exam. Additionally, there will be a compulsory continuous performance assessment in the form of four projects: - Two assignments involving theoretical/analytical derivations. - One numerical project based on the phase-field method involving programming in matlab. - A review of a research article that involves writing a 1 to 2 page report and giving a 10 min presentation during class. Out of the four projects, at least three must be submitted two weeks after assignment. The best three submitted projects count 50% towards the final grade (16.7% each). Lastly, optional short exercises will be proposed during the semester as learning tasks. Completing and handing in four of them will give a bonus of 0.25 points to the final grade. All notes are allowed during the final exam. |
| This information can be updated until the beginning of the semester; information on the examination timetable is binding. | |
Learning materials
| No public learning materials available. | |
| Only public learning materials are listed. |
Groups
| No information on groups available. |
Restrictions
| There are no additional restrictions for the registration. |
