New here, introduction + questions

Roland · March 12, 2013, 12:53

Hi all,

Came across this forum looking for freeware CFD software and thought I might need some help in my endeavors

So I though you guys might appreciate me introducing myself.

My name is Roland, I'm a 27 year old student from the Netherlands. I've obtained engineering (bachelor) degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Technical Management. Currently I'm finishing a master degree in Business Administration (yes, I went all over the place with my choices).

Some friends and I are seriously hooked on cars and motorsports. We all own a racing car and I thought it should be possible for me to construct some kind of underfloor for our cars to generate some downforce and thus, gain performance, relatively cheaply. Therefore I'm reading some literature on aerodynamics and I want to use CFD software to assess any designs I will be making, if possible.

I'd love some input in the future on my ideas on aerodynamics (at which I'm new), some help along the way using the software (at which I am a complete new as well).

My first question is, will it be possible for me to use CFD software for my purpose, without prior experience? And is this: http://sourceforge.net/projects/openfoam-mswin/ the software you are generally discussing?

Does anyone have any threats they insist I read before I start?

I might already have violated some rules here, I'm not that used to using internet Fora like this, so please accept my apologies if I have broken any rules. I thought the lounge would be a safe place to start asking some questions

And if anyone would like to introduce themselves, I'd be happy to get to know you!

Regards,
Roland

Aeronautics El. K. · May 4, 2013, 08:31

Hi Roland!

It's been quite some time since you posted here but just now I saw your post...

Well, I believe one of the very first things you need to do is to study the book "Race Car Aerodynamics" by Katz.

OpenFoam is a really good, open source, CFD program (running on Linux) and if you fancy the idea then you'd better start reading the tutorials and putting them into practice. Before that, however, you need to learn how to create grids for your computations which is, maybe, the most time-consuming task...
I don't know any open source grid generators to suggest but there are a few good ones on the market...

Roland · May 7, 2013, 07:54

Thanks for the reply. Currently I'm reading "Competition Car Aerodynamics" by Simon McBeath. It looked like an easy start into the basics of car aerodynamics, and it is.

I will take your advice and read Katz's book after I finish McBeath's. Then I will do some OpenFOAM tutorials, and see where I end up

Thanks again!

March 12, 2013, 12:53	New here, introduction + questions	#1
Roland New Member Roland Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Hi all, Came across this forum looking for freeware CFD software and thought I might need some help in my endeavors So I though you guys might appreciate me introducing myself. My name is Roland, I'm a 27 year old student from the Netherlands. I've obtained engineering (bachelor) degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Technical Management. Currently I'm finishing a master degree in Business Administration (yes, I went all over the place with my choices). Some friends and I are seriously hooked on cars and motorsports. We all own a racing car and I thought it should be possible for me to construct some kind of underfloor for our cars to generate some downforce and thus, gain performance, relatively cheaply. Therefore I'm reading some literature on aerodynamics and I want to use CFD software to assess any designs I will be making, if possible. I'd love some input in the future on my ideas on aerodynamics (at which I'm new), some help along the way using the software (at which I am a complete new as well). My first question is, will it be possible for me to use CFD software for my purpose, without prior experience? And is this: http://sourceforge.net/projects/openfoam-mswin/ the software you are generally discussing? Does anyone have any threats they insist I read before I start? I might already have violated some rules here, I'm not that used to using internet Fora like this, so please accept my apologies if I have broken any rules. I thought the lounge would be a safe place to start asking some questions And if anyone would like to introduce themselves, I'd be happy to get to know you! Regards, Roland

May 4, 2013, 08:31		#2
Aeronautics El. K. Senior Member Lefteris Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: UK Posts: 337 Rep Power: 15	Hi Roland! It's been quite some time since you posted here but just now I saw your post... Well, I believe one of the very first things you need to do is to study the book "Race Car Aerodynamics" by Katz. OpenFoam is a really good, open source, CFD program (running on Linux) and if you fancy the idea then you'd better start reading the tutorials and putting them into practice. Before that, however, you need to learn how to create grids for your computations which is, maybe, the most time-consuming task... I don't know any open source grid generators to suggest but there are a few good ones on the market... __________________ Lefteris

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May 7, 2013, 07:54		#3
Roland New Member Roland Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Thanks for the reply. Currently I'm reading "Competition Car Aerodynamics" by Simon McBeath. It looked like an easy start into the basics of car aerodynamics, and it is. I will take your advice and read Katz's book after I finish McBeath's. Then I will do some OpenFOAM tutorials, and see where I end up Thanks again!