Learning CFD from basics

ShilpaV · May 31, 2014, 03:56

Hello,

I just completed my second year in civil engineering(sophomore year) but I don't see a future in the construction indusrty. I find aerospace fascinating and have been working on a mini satellite project in my university. Coupled with my interest in Fliud Mechanics and my good analytical skills somenone suggested I study CFD and further my career in that. And whatever I read about its applications to various fields, I have found it fascinating.

The problem is I don't know how to proceed. What are the prerequisites? When I went through a few threads on this forum they say programming is esential. If so, what languages should I know? What books should I refer? The only thing I know is my basics of Fluid Mechanics are strong and I know differential calculus which seems to be a prerequisite. Basically, what should I do to learn CFD from basics ?

I know I am being naive on a advanced forum like this, but I would be glad if someone could help me out.

Thanks!

rvl565 · May 31, 2014, 16:47

you can start with JD Anderson's Into to CFD and start going through the tutorials for FLUENT/CFX if you have that, if not, start going thru tutorials for OpenFOAM. OpenFOAM requires you to know C++

ghobold · May 31, 2014, 17:10

I believe the first book anyone interested in learning CFD should read is Patankar's Numerical Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow. It is a very short book (~200 pages) and explains basically every concept you will come across in solving computational fluid problems in a very physically intuitive manner. It is easily one of the best engineering books out there. Anderson's book is also good, especially when explaining the significance of elliptic, hyperbolic and parabolic equations in solvers, plus it also discusses some other methods of solving CFD problems that Patankar does not cover in depth. However, Patankar's book is a must.

ShilpaV · June 1, 2014, 13:24

Thank you! I am surely making some headway into this.

There was one more thing I wanted to ask. If we learn everything on our own, how much does the industry value this? Like, are there any professional/certificate courses in this that we must do to be considered competent in the indutry.

May 31, 2014, 03:56	Learning CFD from basics	#1
ShilpaV New Member Shilpa Vijay Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Hello, I just completed my second year in civil engineering(sophomore year) but I don't see a future in the construction indusrty. I find aerospace fascinating and have been working on a mini satellite project in my university. Coupled with my interest in Fliud Mechanics and my good analytical skills somenone suggested I study CFD and further my career in that. And whatever I read about its applications to various fields, I have found it fascinating. The problem is I don't know how to proceed. What are the prerequisites? When I went through a few threads on this forum they say programming is esential. If so, what languages should I know? What books should I refer? The only thing I know is my basics of Fluid Mechanics are strong and I know differential calculus which seems to be a prerequisite. Basically, what should I do to learn CFD from basics ? I know I am being naive on a advanced forum like this, but I would be glad if someone could help me out. Thanks!

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May 31, 2014, 16:47		#2
rvl565 Member RacMat Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 78 Rep Power: 13	you can start with JD Anderson's Into to CFD and start going through the tutorials for FLUENT/CFX if you have that, if not, start going thru tutorials for OpenFOAM. OpenFOAM requires you to know C++

May 31, 2014, 17:10		#3
ghobold New Member Gustavo Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 26 Rep Power: 12	I believe the first book anyone interested in learning CFD should read is Patankar's Numerical Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow. It is a very short book (~200 pages) and explains basically every concept you will come across in solving computational fluid problems in a very physically intuitive manner. It is easily one of the best engineering books out there. Anderson's book is also good, especially when explaining the significance of elliptic, hyperbolic and parabolic equations in solvers, plus it also discusses some other methods of solving CFD problems that Patankar does not cover in depth. However, Patankar's book is a must.

June 1, 2014, 13:24		#4
ShilpaV New Member Shilpa Vijay Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Thank you! I am surely making some headway into this. There was one more thing I wanted to ask. If we learn everything on our own, how much does the industry value this? Like, are there any professional/certificate courses in this that we must do to be considered competent in the indutry.