1 What is CFD?

CFD is a branch of engineering that uses numerical methods and software tools to analyze and solve problems involving fluid flows. By using mathematical models and algorithms, CFD can simulate how fluids behave under different conditions and scenarios. CFD can also provide detailed information about the pressure, velocity, temperature, and density of the fluids, as well as the forces and moments acting on the solid surfaces.

2 Why use CFD for aerodynamics?

CFD can help you improve your aerodynamics in several ways. First, CFD can help you explore different design options and compare their effects on the fluid flow and the aerodynamic performance. You can use CFD to create virtual prototypes and test them under various operating conditions, such as speed, angle of attack, turbulence, and boundary layers. Second, CFD can help you validate and refine your design before you build and test it in a wind tunnel or a water tank. You can use CFD to check for potential problems, such as separation, stall, or shock waves, and to optimize your design parameters, such as shape, size, or position. Third, CFD can help you complement and enhance your physical experiments. You can use CFD to provide more data and insights that may not be easily measured or observed in the real world, such as the flow patterns, the pressure distribution, or the drag coefficient.

3 How to use CFD for aerodynamics?

To use CFD for aerodynamics, you need to follow some basic steps. First, you need to define your problem and your objectives. What are you trying to achieve with your design? What are the relevant variables and constraints? What are the expected outcomes and criteria? Second, you need to create a geometric model of your design and the fluid domain. You can use CAD software or other tools to create a 2D or 3D representation of your design and the surrounding fluid. Third, you need to generate a mesh or a grid for your model. The mesh is a network of discrete elements that covers your model and the fluid domain. The mesh determines the accuracy and the efficiency of your simulation. You can use meshing software or other tools to create a structured or unstructured mesh with different levels of refinement and resolution. Fourth, you need to apply the boundary conditions and the initial conditions for your simulation. The boundary conditions specify the values of the fluid variables at the boundaries of your model and the fluid domain, such as the inlet, the outlet, the wall, or the symmetry. The initial conditions specify the values of the fluid variables at the beginning of your simulation, such as the velocity, the pressure, or the temperature. Fifth, you need to select the appropriate fluid model and the solver for your simulation. The fluid model is a set of equations and assumptions that describe the behavior of the fluid, such as the continuity, the momentum, the energy, or the turbulence. The solver is a numerical method that solves the fluid model and calculates the fluid variables at each mesh element. You can use different types of fluid models and solvers depending on the complexity and the characteristics of your problem. Sixth, you need to run your simulation and monitor the results. You can use software or other tools to run your simulation and to check the convergence and the stability of your solution. You can also use software or other tools to visualize and analyze the results of your simulation, such as the flow field, the pressure contours, the velocity vectors, or the drag force.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?