AFM 2008

Seventh International Conference on Advances in Fluid Mechanics

pcr2.jpg21 - 23 May 2008
The New Forest, UK

 Overview

AFM08.jpgThe 7th International Conference on Advances in Fluid Mechanics took place recently at the Wessex Institute of Technology (WIT) New Forest Campus, organised by the Wessex Institute and Dalhousie University of Canada.

The 2008 Conference has continued to provide a forum for discussing new work in fluid mechanics and in particular for promoting the interchange of new ideas and the presentation of the latest applications in the field.

Previous meetings have been successfully held in different locations throughout the world, starting with New Orleans (1996), followed by Udine (1998), Montreal (2000), Ghent (2002), Lisbon (2004) and Skiathos (2006).  The success of the 2008 Conference will lead to it being reconvened in 2010, the date and location of which is to be decided shortly.

The Meeting is closely associated with the Fluid Mechanics book series published by WIT Press, the publishing arm of the Institute.  The Series has published 55 volumes since it started, covering a wide range of theoretical and applied fluid mechanics topics.

 Conference Sessions

afm1.jpgThe papers presented at the New Forest Meeting were classified in the following sections:
  • Hydrodynamics
  • Experimental and simulation methods
  • Environmental fluid mechanics
  • Computational methods in fluid mechanics
  • Wave studies
  • Multiphase flow
  • Industrial applications
  • Heat and mass transfer

 Invited Presentations

The programme was enhanced by a series of invited lectures:
  • "Analytical investigation of ice floe drift in the marginal ice zone", by M Rahman, Dalhousie University, Canada
  • "Influence of vegetation on the propagation of flood waves", by R. Verhoeven, University of Ghent, Belgium
  • "Stability of meridionally-flowing grounded abyssal currents in the ocean", by G. Swaters, University of Alberta, Canada
  • "Influence of linear and non-linear constitutive models on thermoacoustic waves in an enclosure", by L. Skerget, University of Maribor, Slovenia
  • "CFD modelling of turbulent boundary layer flow in passive drag-reducing applications", by R. Bourisli, Kuwait University, Kuwait

 Lunchtime Excursions

The delegates enjoyed visits to sites of interest within the New Forest during two of the lunch breaks.  The first was to Lymington, a picturesque New Forest port which is also renowned for the architecture of its high street.  Lymington is now a major centre for pleasure sailing.  In the past, it was renowned for its sea salt industry and its role as a major port in the New Forest.

During the second lunch break, the delegates visited Buckler’s Hard, which was a ship-building centre during the days of the sailing vessels.  Many of them were Man of War ships which fought in famous sea battles, including Trafalgar.  The site includes a well organised Museum which gives a clear idea of the work carried out by the ship-builders 200 years ago.  Some of the old workers’ cottages still exist as well as the Master Builder’s House, now a popular pub.

 International Scientific Advisory Committee

The International Scientific Advisory Committee met over dinner to discuss the reconvening the conference in 2010.  A series of new topics and a few names for the ISAC were proposed.  The general feeling was that the Conference is progressing well, but it is necessary to see that it continues to evolve in the right direction.

 Conference Dinner

afm2.jpgThe Conference dinner took place in a New Forest landmark building which is now a renowned hotel.  The building, called Rhinefield House, was the home of the Walker-Munro family, who built the house in a mock Tudor style, with some outstanding rooms.  The large entrance hall roof, for instance, was built in the same way as the roof of the Palace of Westminster, while several other rooms are in different European architectural styles.  The most surprising of these is perhaps the smaller, originally a smoking room, which is decorated in the Mudijar style characteristic of Southern Spain.  The ‘geso’ work in this room is of outstanding quality and was carved out by artisans specially recruited in Spain.  The excellent standards of the dinner were enhanced by good wines.  At the end of the dinner, Carlos thanked the delegates for their support of WIT conferences and gave them a copy of the latest edition of his New Forest book as a souvenir of their visit to the New Forest.

 Publication of Papers

The proceedings of Advances in Fluid Mechanics VII, 512 pp (ISBN: 1-84564-109-2) are available in hard back from WIT Press priced at £168/US$336/€252. Orders can be placed by telephone: +44 (0) 238 029 3223, fax: +44 (0) 238 029 2853, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via the WIT Press web site at: www.witpress.com

Papers from the conference will also be hosted online at the WIT eLibrary as volume 59 of WIT Transactions on Engineering Sciences (ISSN: 1743-3533). For more details visit the WIT eLibrary at: library.witpress.com

Patagonia a forgotten land – from Magellan to Peron, by C.A. Brebbia,  384 pp (ISBN 978-1-84564-061-3) is available in hard back from WIT Press, priced at £33/US$59/€49.50.  Orders can be placed as above.

The New Forest: A Personal View, by C.A. Brebbia, 128pp (ISBN 1-84564-145-0) is available in hard back from WIT Press, priced at £27/US$54/€40.50.  Orders can be placed as above.