Overview
Background
My research focuses on fluid flows, in particular turbulent flows. Turbulence is present is many engineering and environmental applications and affects many aspects of our lives. The aim of my research is to better understand turbulence to be able to develop more sustainable engineering solutions and strategies.
Examples include:
- Analysis of atmospheric boundary layer turbulence,
- Investigation of turbulent wind impacts in renewable energy applications, including solar and wind energy,
- Investigation of strategies for reducing the turbulent drag that occurs on aircraft and ships as they move through air or water.
An area of my current research interest is understanding and characterisation of turbulent canopy flows using wind tunnel experiments, field measurements and analytical modelling. Canopy flows exist in agricultural fields, forests, solar arrays and urban environments. My research aims to develop an improved understanding of the turbulent and scalar transport in these environments to inform operational strategies and design considerations in these various environmental, engineering and urban settings.
I joined the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering at the University of Queensland as a lecturer in 2024. Prior to that, I held lecturer and postdoctoral positions at the University of Adelaide. In addition to my research and teaching activities, I co-convene the Australasian Fluid Mechanics Society (AFMS) Seminar Series, a fortnightly online seminar featuring Fluid Mechanics research, and I am on the Student/Early Career Researcher sub-committee of the AFMS.
Availability
- Dr Azadeh Jafari is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, University of Guilan
- Masters (Coursework) of Mechanical Engineering, University of Guilan
- Doctor of Philosophy of Mechanical Engineering, University of Adelaide
Research interests
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Boundary Layer Flows
Characterising boundary layer flows over complex surfaces is important for several engineering and environmental applications. This research combines wind tunnel experiments and theoretical analysis to improve our understanding of boundary layers over different surfaces.
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Fluid Dynamics of Renewable Energy Applications
Investigating the wind and flow dynamics in solar and wind farms to inform design and operational strategies. Examples include wind loads on solar panels and heliostats, heat mitigation in PV arrays, and how urban photovoltaics and agrivoltaics impact heat and airflow transfer in urban and rural settings.
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Turbulent Flows
Using analytical and experimental approaches to analyse and manipulate turbulence in different flow applications
Works
Search Professor Azadeh Jafari’s works on UQ eSpace
2023
Conference Publication
Heliostat wind load field measurements at the University of Adelaide Atmospheric Boundary Layer Research Facility (ABLRF)
Marano, Matthew, Emes, Matthew, Jafari, Azadeh and Arjomandi, Maziar (2023). Heliostat wind load field measurements at the University of Adelaide Atmospheric Boundary Layer Research Facility (ABLRF). 28th International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems, Albuquerque, NM, United States, 27-30 September 2022. Hannover, Germany: TIB Open Publishing. doi: 10.52825/solarpaces.v1i.670
2023
Journal Article
Frequency-tuned surfaces for passive control of wall-bounded turbulent flow - a resolvent analysis study
Jafari, Azadeh, McKeon, Beverley J. and Arjomandi, Maziar (2023). Frequency-tuned surfaces for passive control of wall-bounded turbulent flow - a resolvent analysis study. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 959 A26. doi: 10.1017/jfm.2023.149
2022
Journal Article
A feasibility study on the application of mesh grids for heliostat wind load reduction
Emes, Matthew J., Jafari, Azadeh and Arjomandi, Maziar (2022). A feasibility study on the application of mesh grids for heliostat wind load reduction. Solar Energy, 240, 121-130. doi: 10.1016/j.solener.2022.05.033
2022
Journal Article
Finite-length porous surfaces for control of a turbulent boundary layer
Jafari, Azadeh, Cazzolato, Benjamin and Arjomandi, Maziar (2022). Finite-length porous surfaces for control of a turbulent boundary layer. Physics of Fluids, 34 (4) 045115, 1-11. doi: 10.1063/5.0084505
2022
Conference Publication
Reducing turbulent skin-friction drag by application of a perforated surface
Jafari, Azadeh, Mckeon, Beverley, Cazzolato, Benjamin S. and Arjomandi, Mazia (2022). Reducing turbulent skin-friction drag by application of a perforated surface. 23rd Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 4–8 December 2022.
2022
Conference Publication
Stowing strategy for a heliostat field based on wind speed and direction
Emes, Matthew, Jafari, Azadeh, Collins, Mike, Wilbert, Stefan, Zarzalejo, Luis, Siegrist, Silvan and Arjomandi, Maziar (2022). Stowing strategy for a heliostat field based on wind speed and direction. 26th International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems (SolarPACES), Freiburg, Germany, 28 September - 2 October 2020. Melville, NY, United States: AIP Publishing. doi: 10.1063/5.0085677
2021
Journal Article
A review of static and dynamic heliostat wind loads
Emes, Matthew, Jafari, Azadeh, Pfahl, Andreas, Coventry, Joe and Arjomandi, Maziar (2021). A review of static and dynamic heliostat wind loads. Solar Energy, 225, 60-82. doi: 10.1016/j.solener.2021.07.014
2021
Journal Article
Wire mesh fences for manipulation of turbulence energy spectrum
Jafari, Azadeh, Emes, Matthew, Cazzolato, Benjamin, Ghanadi, Farzin and Arjomandi, Maziar (2021). Wire mesh fences for manipulation of turbulence energy spectrum. Experiments in Fluids, 62 (2) 30, 1-17. doi: 10.1007/s00348-021-03133-7
2020
Conference Publication
Wind load design considerations for the elevation and azimuth drives of a heliostat
Emes, Matthew, Jafari, Azadeh and Arjomandi, Maziar (2020). Wind load design considerations for the elevation and azimuth drives of a heliostat. International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems (SolarPACES), Daegu, South Korea, 1-4 October 2019. Melville, NY USA: AIP Publishing. doi: 10.1063/5.0028609
2020
Conference Publication
The Control of a turbulent boundary layer by the application of a micro-cavity array
Silvestri, Anton, Jafari, Azadeh, Bhat, Shantanu, Severino, Gianni, Cazzolato, B.S. and Arjomandi, Maziar (2020). The Control of a turbulent boundary layer by the application of a micro-cavity array. 22nd Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference AFMC2020, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 7-10 December 2020. Brisbane, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/3d3e559
2020
Journal Article
The influence of atmospheric boundary layer turbulence on the design wind loads and cost of heliostats
Emes, Matthew J., Jafari, Azadeh, Coventry, Joe and Arjomandi, Maziar (2020). The influence of atmospheric boundary layer turbulence on the design wind loads and cost of heliostats. Solar Energy, 207, 796-812. doi: 10.1016/j.solener.2020.07.022
2020
Journal Article
Turbulence characteristics in the wake of a heliostat in an atmospheric boundary layer flow
Jafari, Azadeh, Emes, Matthew, Cazzolato, Benjamin, Ghanadi, Farzin and Arjomandi, Maziar (2020). Turbulence characteristics in the wake of a heliostat in an atmospheric boundary layer flow. Physics of Fluids, 32 (4) 045116. doi: 10.1063/5.0005594
2020
Conference Publication
An experimental investigation of unsteady pressure distribution on tandem heliostats
Jafari, Azadeh, Emes, Matthew, Cazzolato, Benjamin, Ghanadi, Farzin and Arjomandi, Maziar (2020). An experimental investigation of unsteady pressure distribution on tandem heliostats. International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems (SolarPACES), Daegu, South Korea, 1-4 October 2019. Melville, NY, United States: AIP Publishing. doi: 10.1063/5.0028678
2020
Conference Publication
A summary of experimental studies on heliostat wind loads in a turbulent atmospheric boundary layer
Arjomandi, Maziar, Emes, Matthew, Jafari, Azadeh, Yu, Jeremy, Ghanadi, Farzin, Kelso, Richard, Cazzolato, Benjamin, Coventry, Joe and Collins, Mike (2020). A summary of experimental studies on heliostat wind loads in a turbulent atmospheric boundary layer. International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems (SolarPACES), Daegu, South Korea, 1-4 October 2019. Melville, NY, United States: AIP Publishing. doi: 10.1063/5.0028676
2019
Journal Article
Hinge and overturning moments due to unsteady heliostat pressure distributions in a turbulent atmospheric boundary layer
Emes, Matthew J., Jafari, Azadeh, Ghanadi, Farzin and Arjomandi, Maziar (2019). Hinge and overturning moments due to unsteady heliostat pressure distributions in a turbulent atmospheric boundary layer. Solar Energy, 193, 604-617. doi: 10.1016/j.solener.2019.09.097
2019
Journal Article
Measurement of unsteady wind loads in a wind tunnel: scaling of turbulence spectra
Jafari, Azadeh, Ghanadi, Farzin, Emes, Matthew J., Arjomandi, Maziar and Cazzolato, Benjamin S. (2019). Measurement of unsteady wind loads in a wind tunnel: scaling of turbulence spectra. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 193 103955, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.jweia.2019.103955
2019
Journal Article
Correlating turbulence intensity and length scale with the unsteady lift force on flat plates in an atmospheric boundary layer flow
Jafari, Azadeh, Ghanadi, Farzin, Arjomandi, Maziar, Emes, Matthew J. and Cazzolato, Benjamin S. (2019). Correlating turbulence intensity and length scale with the unsteady lift force on flat plates in an atmospheric boundary layer flow. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics, 189, 218-230. doi: 10.1016/j.jweia.2019.03.029
2019
Conference Publication
A method for the calculation of the design wind loads on heliostats
Emes, Matthew J., Jafari, Azadeh, Ghanadi, Farzin and Arjomandi, Maziar (2019). A method for the calculation of the design wind loads on heliostats. 24th International Conference on Concentrating Solar Power and Chemical Energy Systems (SolarPACES), Casablanca, Morocco, 2-5 October 2018. Melville, NY, United States: AIP Publishing. doi: 10.1063/1.5117532
2018
Conference Publication
Estimating the turbulence length scales from cross-correlation measurements in the atmospheric surface layer
Emes, M. J., Jafari, A. and Arjomandi, M. (2018). Estimating the turbulence length scales from cross-correlation measurements in the atmospheric surface layer. Australasian Fluid Mechanics Society.
2018
Conference Publication
Effect of free-stream turbulence on the drag force on a flat plate
Jafari, Azadeh, Ghanadi, Farzin, Emes, Matthew J., Arjomandi, Maziar and Cazzolato, Benjamin S. (2018). Effect of free-stream turbulence on the drag force on a flat plate. Australasian Fluid Mechanics Society.
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Azadeh Jafari is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Available projects
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Passive Flow Control for Turbulent Boundary Layer Drag Reduction
Explore a novel passive flow control strategy to suppress turbulence and reduce drag through experimental fluid mechanics using advanced wind tunnel testing and diagnostics.
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UQ-IITD Project: Sensing and enhancement of wind turbine power output using flexible filaments
Control of wind turbines located in a wind farm setting involves measurement of wind speed profiles near the turbine. The wind speed profiles upstream to the turbine can be used for optimal wake steering. In this project, a low-cost technique for measuring wind speed profiles near wind turbines will be developed. Bending of passive flexible filaments, anchored to the ground near the turbine, will be used to sense the wind speed. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and wind tunnel experiments will be used to calibrate the wind speed profile obtained from filament bending against wind speed in turbulent boundary layers. A model will be developed to relate the wind velocity deficit upstream and downstream of the turbine to the bending of the filaments. A canopy of flexible filaments, placed in the vicinity of the turbines, can also act as passive control technique for modulating the inflow at the turbine based on wind speed. CFD and wind tunnel experiments will be conducted to assess the potential of such filament canopies to enhance the power output of turbines in a wind farm setting. The CFD and experimental studies will be used to determine the optimal design parameters (e.g. length, diameter and stiffness) for the filament, both for sensing and passive control applications. Small-scale prototypes of the filaments will be fabricated for the experimental measurements.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Turbulent wind flow in solar farms
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Matthew Mason
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Master Philosophy
Transient Wind Loading of Structures During Extreme Wind Storms
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Matthew Mason
Media
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