Pontianak, Indonesia - Recently, Geophysics student Maria Citra Puella Christy presented her thesis titled "Hydrodynamic Study of Dam-Break Wave Impact on Building Structures Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Approach." This research was supervised by Mr. Yoga Satria Putra.

The dam-break phenomenon is a natural disaster that can cause casualties and significant damage to downstream building structures. In an effort to mitigate the impact of this disaster, Maria conducted two-dimensional (2D) numerical simulations of dam-break flow on various inclined structures using the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approach.

The simulation utilized the finite volume method to discretize the Navier-Stokes equations, which form the foundation of fluid mechanics. Additionally, the Volume of Fluid (VoF) method was applied to model the free surface, which is crucial in the analysis of dam-break waves.

The results of this study provide important insights into the optimal building structures for mitigating the pressure caused by dam-break waves. This knowledge is expected to serve as an effective disaster mitigation measure for future dam-break events.

This research highlights the importance of utilizing technology and computer simulations to understand complex natural phenomena and develop effective solutions. Maria hopes that the findings of her study can be implemented in building designs in disaster-prone areas and serve as a reference for future research.

In her presentation, Maria used English, demonstrating her ability to communicate in an international language. Hopefully, Maria's research will make a significant contribution to disaster mitigation.

Maria Citra's presentation can be viewed at Youtube Prodi Geofisika UNTAN