Modeling Acoustic Fields Using OpenFOAM to Determine Navigation Impacts | W81EWF 24 2 0029

Opportunity Information: Apply for W81EWF 24 2 0029

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), through the Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), is offering a cooperative agreement to develop and apply a modeling workflow in OpenFOAM that links underwater acoustics (and possibly electric fields) with hydraulics and real-world navigation activity. The core aim is to enhance OpenFOAM so it can represent how navigation-related factors interact with, alter, or correlate with modeled acoustic conditions while still computing the standard hydraulic variables (for example, flow velocities, turbulence, and other flow-field characteristics). In practical terms, the end product is expected to be an integrated dataset and modeling capability that includes a sound field and a flow field, alongside specific navigation attributes that are demonstrated to influence the acoustic field and/or the hydrodynamic field. If appropriate for the site and data, the project may also incorporate an electrical field component.

The work is structured as a close collaboration between the selected recipient and ERDC, with USACE providing a real field site and much of the supporting information needed to build and validate the model. USACE will supply site geometry and multiple operational and observational datasets, including acoustic measurements, lock operations data, navigation data, and AIS (Automatic Identification System) data. The selected partner will be responsible for processing the ambient acoustic environment as well as intentional acoustic signals (described as an acoustic deterrent), and for processing hydrological data as needed to support the modeling effort. USACE will handle processing of operations, navigation, and AIS data, and will also manage privacy and sensitivity concerns by removing or recoding vessel identifiers before sharing or using those records for analysis.

From a technical perspective, the opportunity is focused on extending OpenFOAM beyond traditional computational fluid dynamics to better represent multi-physics and operational realities at navigation sites, such as locks or other managed waterways. The mention of adding “navigation attributes” suggests the modeling effort will not only simulate physical fields but also encode vessel- and operation-related descriptors (such as traffic patterns, vessel presence or proximity, operational states, or other derived indicators) in a way that can be compared with or used to interpret changes in the acoustic and flow fields. The resulting combined dataset is intended to support analysis of navigation impacts, meaning it should help determine how vessel movements and operational conditions relate to acoustic propagation or acoustic conditions in the waterway, and potentially how those acoustic conditions interact with hydraulics and/or electric-field effects when relevant.

Administratively, this is a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement, indicating that substantial involvement and coordination with USACE/ERDC is expected during the project rather than a hands-off grant model. The funding opportunity number is W81EWF 24 2 0029, the activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development (CFDA 12.630), and ERDC is the issuing agency. The opportunity anticipates a single award with an award ceiling of $175,000. The original closing date listed is 2024-06-24, and the opportunity record shows a creation date of 2024-04-24.

Eligibility is limited: only non-federal partners of the Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU) may apply. This restriction is important because it narrows the applicant pool to organizations that are already part of, or qualify through, that CESU partnership structure, which is commonly used by federal agencies to collaborate with universities, nonprofits, and other non-federal entities on research and technical projects.

• The Engineer Research and Development Center in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Modeling Acoustic Fields Using OpenFOAM to Determine Navigation Impacts" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.630.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-04-24.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-06-24. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $175,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for W81EWF 24 2 0029

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