Introduction To CFD Analysis With Practical Examples

Introduction to CFD Analysis with Practical
Examples
written by
Radu Crahmaliuc
updated on
March 12th, 2021
approx reading time
7 Minutes
BlogCFDIntroduction to CFD Analysis with Practical Examples
Computational fluid dynamics or CFD analysis is one of the key analysis methods used in
engineering applications. The origins of and basics of CFD software lies in mankind’s efforts to
better understand the power of natural elements like wind, storms, floods, or sea waves.
Flow Analysis What Do We Know About Flows?

The physical discipline of fluid dynamics evolved as the sciences started to classify the natural
power and associated reaction of air, water or gases. This provided a systematic structure that
embraced empirical laws and was derived from the idea of flow measurement that is used to
solve practical problems. A typical fluid dynamics problem involves basic fluid properties like
flow velocity, pressure, density, and temperature, in relation to time and space.
In everyday life, we can find fluid flows in meteorology (rain, wind, floods, hurricanes), heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning, aerodynamic design, engine combustion, industrial processes,
or the human body—for example, blood flow—and so on. Fluid dynamics has a wide range of
applications, including calculating forces on aircraft, determining the mass flow rate of
petroleum through pipelines, and predicting weather patterns.
CFD Analysis What is CFD?

Gas and liquid flow behavior is quantified by partial differential equations representing
conservation laws for mass, momentum, and energy. Computational fluid dynamics is a branch
of fluid mechanics that uses numerical analysis and algorithms to solve fluid flows situations.
High-performing computers are used to conduct the calculations required to simulate the
interaction of liquids and gases with surfaces defined by boundary conditions. [1]
Let’s start with some CFD basics. CFD software is based on the Navier-Stokes equations.
Arising from applying Newton’s second law to fluid motion, together with the assumption that
the stress in the fluid is the sum of a diffusing viscous term and a pressure term, these equations
describe how the velocity, pressure, temperature, and density of a moving fluid are correlated.
[2]
The development of CFD and the increase in CFD software applications has been closely
associated with the evolution of high-speed computers.
Learn how a ducting system design was optimized with CFD 100% via web browser.
Download Case Study for Free
CFD Basics Brief History of CFD

1922 – Basis of modern CFD and numerical meteorology made by Lewis Fry Richardson in a
weather forecasting scheme using differential equations and finite differences [3];
1933 – Earliest numerical solution for flow past a cylinder developed by A. Thom [4]1950 –
First 24-hour weather forecast performed by the ENIAC modern computer [5]1955 – Particle-in-
cell simulation method for transient 2D fluid flow developed by Los Alamos National Lab
[6]1963 – Vorticity-stream-function method for 2D, transient, incompressible flow [7]1965 –
Marker-and-cell method for time-dependent viscous flow developed by Los Alamos National
Lab [8]1966 – Fluid-in-cell method developed for unsteady compressible flow problems [9]1967
– First 3D model based on panels discretization published by Douglas Aircraft [10]1968 – First
lifting Panel Code (A230) described by Boeing Aircraft [11]1970 – First description of Full
Potential equations published by Boeing [12]1981 – 3D FLO57 code based on Euler equations
for transonic flows [13]After 1981 – Many of the fundamental pieces of research that contributed
to CFD 2D and 3D methods focused on airfoil design and analysis. NASA research dedicated to
the Navier–Stokes equations developed 2D codes ARC2D and 3D codes. These included codes
like ARC3D, OVERFLOW, and CFL3D, which were the main sources for modern commercial
CFD packages covering CFD basics.
CFD Applications Importance Why is It Important to Use
CFD Analysis?
With a CFD analysis, we can understand the flow and heat transfer throughout the design
process. The basic methodology for any engineering CFD software analysis is based on a few
procedures:
• Understanding flow model — Flow separations, transient effect, physical interactions;

• Proving assumed model — Experimental results validation, parametric studies, structural
simulations;
• Model optimizing — Reducing pressure drops, flow homogenization, improving laminar and
turbulent mixing.
Without numerical simulations of fluid flow, it is very difficult to imagine how:

• Meteorologists can forecast the weather and warn of natural disasters;
• Vehicle designers can improve aerodynamic characteristics;
• Architects can design energy-saving and safe-living environments;
• Oil and gas engineers can design and maintain optimal pipes networks;
• Doctors can prevent and cure arterial diseases by computational hemodynamic.
CFD Analysis Performing Sophisticated CFD Simulations

with SimScale
CFD analysis of a Formula One car carried out in a web browser with SimScale
In relation to mechanical fluid simulation, fluid dynamics is one of the key analyses methods
used by the SimScale platform together with solid mechanics and thermodynamics. SimScale
offers a wide variety of CFD software analysis capabilities, including:
• Multiple laminar and turbulence models, which are based on the Reynolds number for the fluid
flow;
• Steady-state applications and transient solvers setup;
• Mass transport within fluid flows;
• Access to multiple incompressible and compressible fluids solvers;
• Single- and multiphase flows simulation;
• Advanced modeling concepts, such as porous media or rigid body movement of fluid domains
CFD Basics: Templates Templates in Public Projects

Library
To better illustrate the multitude of applications for CFD analysis, let’s take a look at some CFD
basics and relevant examples that are available in the SimScale Public Projects Library:
Many projects are related to the aerodynamic analysis of different vehicles, such as F1 cars or
motorbike turbulence airflow simulation.
In the course of a football or basketball game, the ball can often take unpredictable trajectories.
This project shows how a flow analysis can be used to investigate the aerodynamic behavior of a
football.
During a free workshop on Formula 1 aerodynamics, Nic Perrin provided a lot of great insights
into the fascinating aerodynamics of a race car, such as the interaction between the front wing
and the wheels, or how the vortices help to improve the downforce.
An interesting multiphase flow analysis is this free surface simulation of a waterfall. Here is a

simple flow simulation of a globe valve where the results can be analyzed and visualized in the
integrated post-processing environment.
Free surface multiphase simulation of a waterfall carried out in a web browser with SimScale
The projects related to theoretical models research are extremely important as these assumptions
are the foundation for real cases studies.
Here is an example of a non-Newtonian flow analysis through a sudden expansion. For a more
detailed study, please go to “non-Newtonian flow through an expansion channel”
documentation. This project validates the flow velocity profile for a non-Newtonian fluid via the
steady state Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) approach and Power-Law model for
non-Newtonian fluids.
All of the projects presented in this article (and CFD basics learned) can be imported into your
own workspace and used as templates. All you need to do is create a free Comunity account here
and then copy any of these simulations. Feel free to browse the Public Projects Library for other
interesting analyses.
To learn how to use them and set up your own simulation with SimScale, watch the recording of
the CFD Master Class (session 1). Just fill out this short form and it will play automatically.
References
 Wikipedia, Computational fluid dynamics

 Wikipedia, Navier-Stokes Equations
 Richardson L.F. – “Weather Prediction by Numerical Process”, Cambridge University
Press, 1922, Reprinted by Dover Publications, New York, 1965
 Thom A. – “The Flow Past Circular Cylinders at Low Speeds”, Royal Society, 651-666,
London, 1933
 Lynch P. – “The origins of computer weather prediction and climate modeling”, Journal
of Computational Physics, University of Miami, 2008
 Harlow F.H. – “A Machine Calculation Method for Hydrodynamic Problems”, Los
Alamos Scientific Laboratory, 1956
 Fromm, J. E., Harlow, F. H. – “Numerical solution of the problem of vortex street
development”, Physics of Fluids 6: 975, 1963
 Harlow, F. H. Welch J. E., “Numerical calculation of time-dependent viscous
incompressible flow of fluid with a free surface”, Physics of Fluids 8: 2182–2189, 1965
 Gentry, R. A., Martin, R. E., Daly, J. B. – “A Eulerian differencing method for unsteady
compressible flow problems”. Journal of Computational Physics 1: 87–118, 1966
 Hess, J.L. Smith A.M.O., – “Calculation of Potential Flow about Arbitrary Bodies”.
Progress in Aerospace Sciences 8: 1–138, 1967
 Rubbert, P., Saaris, G. – “Review and Evaluation of a Three-Dimensional Lifting
Potential Flow Analysis Method for Arbitrary Configurations,” AIAA paper, 72-188,
1968
 Murman, E., Cole, J. – “Calculation of Plane Steady Transonic Flow,” AIAA paper,
1970
 Jameson, A., Schmidt, W. and Turkel, E. – “Numerical Solution of the Euler Equations
by Finite Volume Methods Using Runge-Kutta Time-Stepping Schemes,” AIAA paper 81-
1259, 1981
Set up your own cloud-based simulation via the web in minutes by creating an account on the
SimScale platform. No installation, special hardware or credit card is required.

Introduction To CFD Analysis With Practical Examples

Uploaded by

Introduction To CFD Analysis With Practical Examples

Uploaded by

Introduction to CFD Analysis with Practical

March 12th, 2021

approx reading time

BlogCFDIntroduction to CFD Analysis with Practical Examples

Flow Analysis What Do We Know About Flows?

CFD Analysis What is CFD?

Download Case Study for Free

CFD Basics Brief History of CFD

• Understanding flow model — Flow separations, transient effect, physical interactions;

Without numerical simulations of fluid flow, it is very difficult to imagine how:

CFD Analysis Performing Sophisticated CFD Simulations

CFD Basics: Templates Templates in Public Projects

An interesting multiphase flow analysis is this free surface simulation of a waterfall. Here is a

 Wikipedia, Computational fluid dynamics

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