Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is another part of Computer Aided Engineering (CAE). CFD is a computer simulation technique used in engineering analysis and design applications.
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is also one of the branches of fluid mechanics that uses numerical methods and algorithms to solve and analyse problems that involve fluid flows and heat transfer.
Small PCs to super computers are used to perform the millions of calculations required to simulate the interaction of fluids and gases with the complex surfaces used in engineering as well as solving for heat transfer (conduction, convection and radiation) and particulate phases with chemical reactions and/or combustion.
However, even with simplified equations and high-speed supercomputers, only approximate solutions can be achieved in many cases. Computational Fluid Dynamics software packages that can accurately, quickly and robustly simulate complex scenarios such as supersonic or turbulent flows, reactions, multi-phase are an ongoing area of research. Validation of such codes is often performed using a wind tunnel or experimental studies.
Similar to Finite Element Analysis (FEA) engineering modelling the CFD computation has three phases:
- Pre-processing – defining the computational fluid dynamics model including geometry and the physics environmental factors and boundary conditions.
- Analysis – solution of discretised transport equations using Computational Fluid Dynamics techniques.
- Post-processing – of results (using visualisation tools).