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Introduction to CFD

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<p>Using abacus to computers, we have certainly come a long way. It’s been more than two hundred thousand years since the first Homo sapiens sapiens appeared on this mother earth. Life is never been faster than that of previous century. Man learned to fly. Then man learned to fly smarter. CFD certainly has played its part in it. </p>
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===What is CFD?===
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<p>[[Fluid dynamics | Fluid dynamics]] is a field of engineering which studies physical laws governing flow of fluids under various conditions. An extensive amount of effort has gone into understanding the governing laws and the nature of fluids themselves, resulting in a complex yet theoretically strong field of research.</p>
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<p>[[Fluid dynamics | Fluid dynamics]] is a field of science which studies the physical laws governing the flow of fluids under various conditions. Great effort has gone into understanding the governing laws and the nature of fluids themselves, resulting in a complex yet theoretically strong field of research.</p>
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Computational Fluid Dynamics or CFD as its popularly known as is simulations of flows with the help of computers. CFD involves solution of governing laws of fluid dynamics [[Numerical methods | numerically]. The complex set of partial differential equations are solved on a geometrical problem divided into small volumes, commonly known as [[Mesh generation | mesh (or grid)]]. </p>
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Computational Fluid Dynamics or CFD as it is popularly known, is used to generate flow simulations with the help of computers. CFD involves the solution of the governing laws of fluid dynamics [[Numerical methods | numerically]]. The complex set of partial differential equations are solved on in geometrical domain divided into small volumes, commonly known as a [[Meshing | mesh (or grid)]]. </p>
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CFD has enabled us to see the world as never before. It was never before possible to see what its like to be in a furnace. It was never before possible to see how our blood flows in our arteries and veins. It was never before we saw a possibility of a walk into computational never land. CFD enables analysts to simulate and understand fluid flows without the help of instruments for measuring various flow variable at desired locations. </p>
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CFD has enabled us to understand the world in new ways. We can now see what it is like to be in a furnace, model how blood flows through our arteries and veins and even create virtual worlds. CFD enables analysts to simulate and understand fluid flows without the help of instruments for measuring various flow variables at desired locations. </p>
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<p>There are various reasons why CFD is becoming popular, some of which are: </p>
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===Where CFD scores===
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There are various reasons why CFD is becoming popular, some of which are:
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* CFD allows numerical simulation of fluid flows. Results of these simulations are available for study even after the anaylis is over. This is a big advantage over, say, wind tunnel testing where analysts have a shorter duration to perform flow measurements.
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* CFD allows numerical simulation of fluid flows, results for which are available for study even after the analysis is over. This is a big advantage over, say, wind tunnel testing where analysts have a shorter duration to perform flow measurements.
* CFD allows observation of flow properties without disturbing the flow itself, which is not always possible with conventional measuring instruments.
* CFD allows observation of flow properties without disturbing the flow itself, which is not always possible with conventional measuring instruments.
* CFD allows observation of flow properties at locations which may not be accessible to (or harmful for) measuring instruments. For example, inside a combustion chamber, or between turbine blades.
* CFD allows observation of flow properties at locations which may not be accessible to (or harmful for) measuring instruments. For example, inside a combustion chamber, or between turbine blades.
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* CFD can be used as a qualitative tool for discarding (or narrowing down the choices between) various designs. Designers and analysts can study different prototypes numerically and decide to experimentally test only the ones which show promise by numerical simulation.
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* CFD can be used as a qualitative tool for discarding (or narrowing down the choices between), various designs. Designers and analysts can study prototypes numerically, and then test by experimentation only those which show promise.
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<p>At the same time, there are some shortcomings of CFD. The following is a summary of what CFD is not.</p>
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===What CFD is not===
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* CFD is not yet at the level where it can be blindly used by designers or analysts without working knowledge of numerics involved.
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* CFD is not yet at the level where it can be blindly used by designers or analysts without a working knowledge of numerics involved.
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* Despite the increasing speed of computation available, CFD has not yet matured to a level where it can be used for real time computations. Numerical analyses require significant time to be set up and performed.
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* Despite the increasing speed of computation available, CFD has not yet matured to a level where it can be used for real time computation. Numerical analyses require significant time to be set up and performed.
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* CFD is still an aid to other analysis and experimental tools like wind tunnel testing and is used in conjunction with them.
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* CFD is still an aid to other analysis and experimental tools like wind tunnel testing, and is used in conjunction with them.

Latest revision as of 06:50, 8 January 2013

What is CFD?

Fluid dynamics is a field of science which studies the physical laws governing the flow of fluids under various conditions. Great effort has gone into understanding the governing laws and the nature of fluids themselves, resulting in a complex yet theoretically strong field of research.

Computational Fluid Dynamics or CFD as it is popularly known, is used to generate flow simulations with the help of computers. CFD involves the solution of the governing laws of fluid dynamics numerically. The complex set of partial differential equations are solved on in geometrical domain divided into small volumes, commonly known as a mesh (or grid).

CFD has enabled us to understand the world in new ways. We can now see what it is like to be in a furnace, model how blood flows through our arteries and veins and even create virtual worlds. CFD enables analysts to simulate and understand fluid flows without the help of instruments for measuring various flow variables at desired locations.

Where CFD scores

There are various reasons why CFD is becoming popular, some of which are:

  • CFD allows numerical simulation of fluid flows, results for which are available for study even after the analysis is over. This is a big advantage over, say, wind tunnel testing where analysts have a shorter duration to perform flow measurements.
  • CFD allows observation of flow properties without disturbing the flow itself, which is not always possible with conventional measuring instruments.
  • CFD allows observation of flow properties at locations which may not be accessible to (or harmful for) measuring instruments. For example, inside a combustion chamber, or between turbine blades.
  • CFD can be used as a qualitative tool for discarding (or narrowing down the choices between), various designs. Designers and analysts can study prototypes numerically, and then test by experimentation only those which show promise.

What CFD is not

  • CFD is not yet at the level where it can be blindly used by designers or analysts without a working knowledge of numerics involved.
  • Despite the increasing speed of computation available, CFD has not yet matured to a level where it can be used for real time computation. Numerical analyses require significant time to be set up and performed.
  • CFD is still an aid to other analysis and experimental tools like wind tunnel testing, and is used in conjunction with them.
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