OpenFoam applications, meshing, Windows version
 

Hi,

I am working as a consultant architect/engineer in the field of energy efficient building design. I have few questions about OpenFoam.

1. I was wondering if it is possible to carry out the following tasks:

• Wind Site Analysis of an Urban Context (eg adjacent / nearby buildings and their effect on air flow on the building under consideration, how the shape and features of a building affect airflow into / around the building, etc.)
• Building Indoor Airflow both for Natural, Mechanical and Mixed Mode Ventilation (eg air movement across multiple zones, through atria and locally within a room, eg draughts) taking into account interactions with internal heat sources such as people and equipment.
• Analysis of ventilation components (eg windows, ventilation louvres) can we study the pressure drop / discharge coefficient (Cd) to verify the sketchy manufacturer data
• Large spaces (eg auditoria air movement from inlets under seats)

2.I have seen that it is possible to import geometry in .stl format? Is that accurate? Does it work well with complex geometries? Does it create suitable meshes at appropriate length scales to get accurate results within a reasonable computing time?

3.I have seen that there is a new version for Windows. Does it work well? Is it possible to carry out parallel computing? Which are the main differences compared to the Linux version?

Many Thanks!

Hi Simoz,

Last question first, I tried installing OF in Windows, and it did not work. If you are familiar with Linux operating systems, that may be your best option. Here's a link describing some of the problems that you would face trying to install the Windows version. You may also want to have a closer look at this section of the forum in case somebody has already done it and found a workaround. Maybe I gave up too quickly on the Windows version.

Now regarding your first few questions, I am by no means an expert, but I am pretty sure what you describe can be modeled in OpenFOAM using one of these solvers, presumably the ones for buoyancy-driven flows. Though I guess the more geometric complexity and the more heat sources you add the more difficult it will become, especially if you go for compressible fluid options.

Regarding the importing of .stl files, I am not sure, but I know you can import a mesh from various meshing software, and most meshing software allow the import of .stl files. Given what you describe sounds like a complicated set of geometries, you would probably have to use a GUI based meshing tool and import the resulting mesh into OF anyway.

In general, a lot of this information can be found by searching the forum, so you can always try that.

Good luck!

Hi Christa,

Many thanks for your help!

OF in Windows: Recently OpenCFD released an official Windows version. It's worth a try, though it's still not really native (it's packaged in a Linux container AFAIK).

All of your simulation tasks can be carried out with OpenFOAM. Get ready for a steep learning curve though. Commercial codes do a lot more to ease you into the experience.

STL import works well, though again, OpenFOAM will not take your hand. It's up to you to generate a nice mesh. Square buildings are pretty easy, a realistic human body not so much.

Can you please point me to the official Windows version? I cannot find any mention of Windows in their website.

http://www.openfoam.com/news/openfoam-windows.php

(second news item on the main page, just sayin.. ;) )

Thanks! :)

And I was looking at this site :D

Dear all, please have a look at www.building-engineering.de site and download the GUI we developed for BIM (Building Information modelling ) CENTRIC airflow modelling for OpenFoam (window based)..... we can handle very complex building geometry. Should you need to contact me please feel free to do so.

My email address is Alex.lee@building-engineering.de.

We are based in Berlin and our office in Singapore has just started last month.