We are pleased to announce a CFD Challenge Workshop that will be held during the 2012 ASME Summer Bioengineering Conference in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, June 20-23, 2012. The Challenge centers on a giant cerebral aneurysm with proximal stenosis, shown to the right. This case derives from a study by Cebral et al., and was chosen for its clinical relevance and because questions were raised about the CFD predictions.

Briefly, this Challenge aims to test the sensitivity of steady and pulsatile pressure drops as predicted by different CFD solvers or groups, and against in vitro pressure measurements. The Challenge will be carried out over the next year in four phases:

Phase I – Preliminary Results: Each participant simulates steady and pulsatile pressure drops based on the nominal surface geometry and specific inlet flow rates, courtesy of Juan Cebral, and submits a two-page abstract describing methods and results, following some guidelines that we will provide. The SBC2012 abstract deadline is January 13, 2012.

Phase II – Final Results: Owing to likely differences between the nominal conditions and the manufactured flow model and pumped flow rates, in this phase participants will be asked to repeat their simulations based on the experimental conditions. Data will be submitted for centralized analysis by May 1, 2012.

Phase III – Presentation of Results: Each participant will briefly present their CFD methods and verification strategies during the conference workshop in June 2012, followed by a presentation of the aggregated results and a roundtable discussion of the current and possible future challenges.

Phase IV – Publication of Results: Participants will help draft a manuscript for submission to the ASME Journal of Biomechanical Engineering

Participants should be willing and able to participate in all phases of the Challenge, including sending a representative to SBC2012. Unfortunately we are unable to provide financial assistance, as this is an all-volunteer effort (including the GMEDTEC and CABER groups in Ireland that are leading the experimental arm of the Challenge!)

To receive further information and instructions for Phase I, including the triangulated surface geometry and flow rate conditions, please email steinman@mie.utoronto.ca. We look forward to your participation in this Inaugural CFD Challenge!

David A. Steinman, Chair, Fluids Committee, ASME Bioengineering Division
Frank Loth, Vice-Chair, Fluids Committee, ASME Bioengineering Division