new to CFD

rgbaguy · April 28, 2010, 16:34

Hi there,

I am new to the world of CFD. I have always been interested in fluids and have no decided that I am going to attempt to learn some techniques of CFD. I have no qualifications on the subject, and am purely self taught in math and physics, so please bear with me!

I have done much searching on google, and to be honest I feel quite lost at where to start. There is a huge amount of information that is almost impossible for me to decipher. I would like to learn the math/physics behind the fluid equations (Boltzmann, Navier Stokes etc) and then be able to mesh the results to view in a 3D application.

The only problem is I have no idea of where to start. I have a strong understanding of linear algebra, intermediate calculus and physics. I am very keen to learn everything necessary that I already lack. All I need is a little help on the basic questions I have, which I was hoping could be found here.

The questions I have are (please try to put in laymans terms):

1) What methods are there related to CFD? I know LBM is one, what about the others? SPH? FEM? FVM?
2) How is visualization done? Marching cubes etc? Level sets?
3) Representation of data? Particles?

It's a little hard for me to dive straight into learning the math/physics without having a basic idea of how to put the whole thing together, hence the above questions! Once I have a better idea of how the process works, then I can start on the math/physics.

I have built a simple marching cubes application before, but have never used level sets before, and only have a very basic idea the LS method.

Basically I want to start building an application that achieves basically what this application does: http://www.realflow.com/ - I have read that Realflow uses the SPH method.

I will not be attempting to build something like realflow, but would rather just like to learn a little about how fluids are made (from simluation to meshing). That's my new hobby, and I hope to learn some cool stuff!

I look forward to any replies!

Thanks!

rgbaguy · May 3, 2010, 07:16

Hello there! Quiet forum hey?

DoHander · May 3, 2010, 08:12

If you are new to CFD you can try some of the "beginners" books:

J. D. Anderson - Computational Fluid Dynamics the basics with applications
H. Versteeg , W. Malalasekra - An Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics: The Finite Volume Method

Do

rgbaguy · May 3, 2010, 09:04

Thanks for the reply DoHandler!

Ok, for an absolute beginner, which do you suggest? They are pretty pricey books

Could you attempt to give me a brief explanation of the FVM? How does this compare to SPH, which to my understanding seems much simpler?

Thanks!

DoHander · May 3, 2010, 10:38

The first one is my suggestion, probably you can find the book in a library or you can buy a used one from Internet.

Do

rgbaguy · May 3, 2010, 10:41

Thanks DoHander!

So you can't really attempt to answer my question on SPH vs FVM?

Thanks!

DoHander · May 3, 2010, 10:45

I suppose you can find by yourself some links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finite_volume_method
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoothe..._hydrodynamics

If you search the Internet you will find a lot of good tutorials or course notes on CFD, this is the best I can do.

Do

rgbaguy · May 3, 2010, 10:47

Thanks DoHander, I did look on Wiki.

Will see if I can find that book!

Thanks!

April 28, 2010, 16:34	new to CFD	#1
rgbaguy New Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 15	Hi there, I am new to the world of CFD. I have always been interested in fluids and have no decided that I am going to attempt to learn some techniques of CFD. I have no qualifications on the subject, and am purely self taught in math and physics, so please bear with me! I have done much searching on google, and to be honest I feel quite lost at where to start. There is a huge amount of information that is almost impossible for me to decipher. I would like to learn the math/physics behind the fluid equations (Boltzmann, Navier Stokes etc) and then be able to mesh the results to view in a 3D application. The only problem is I have no idea of where to start. I have a strong understanding of linear algebra, intermediate calculus and physics. I am very keen to learn everything necessary that I already lack. All I need is a little help on the basic questions I have, which I was hoping could be found here. The questions I have are (please try to put in laymans terms): 1) What methods are there related to CFD? I know LBM is one, what about the others? SPH? FEM? FVM? 2) How is visualization done? Marching cubes etc? Level sets? 3) Representation of data? Particles? It's a little hard for me to dive straight into learning the math/physics without having a basic idea of how to put the whole thing together, hence the above questions! Once I have a better idea of how the process works, then I can start on the math/physics. I have built a simple marching cubes application before, but have never used level sets before, and only have a very basic idea the LS method. Basically I want to start building an application that achieves basically what this application does: http://www.realflow.com/ - I have read that Realflow uses the SPH method. I will not be attempting to build something like realflow, but would rather just like to learn a little about how fluids are made (from simluation to meshing). That's my new hobby, and I hope to learn some cool stuff! I look forward to any replies! Thanks! Last edited by rgbaguy; April 28, 2010 at 17:21.

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May 3, 2010, 07:16		#2
rgbaguy New Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 15	Hello there! Quiet forum hey?

May 3, 2010, 08:12		#3
DoHander Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 411 Rep Power: 19	If you are new to CFD you can try some of the "beginners" books: J. D. Anderson - Computational Fluid Dynamics the basics with applications H. Versteeg , W. Malalasekra - An Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics: The Finite Volume Method Do

May 3, 2010, 09:04		#4
rgbaguy New Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 15	Thanks for the reply DoHandler! Ok, for an absolute beginner, which do you suggest? They are pretty pricey books Could you attempt to give me a brief explanation of the FVM? How does this compare to SPH, which to my understanding seems much simpler? Thanks!

May 3, 2010, 10:38		#5
DoHander Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 411 Rep Power: 19	The first one is my suggestion, probably you can find the book in a library or you can buy a used one from Internet. Do

May 3, 2010, 10:41		#6
rgbaguy New Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 15	Thanks DoHander! So you can't really attempt to answer my question on SPH vs FVM? Thanks!

May 3, 2010, 10:45		#7
DoHander Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 411 Rep Power: 19	I suppose you can find by yourself some links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finite_volume_method http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoothe..._hydrodynamics If you search the Internet you will find a lot of good tutorials or course notes on CFD, this is the best I can do. Do

May 3, 2010, 10:47		#8
rgbaguy New Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 15	Thanks DoHander, I did look on Wiki. Will see if I can find that book! Thanks!