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Dr Aidan Wimshurst

This course will show you the skills that are used by the top Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) engineers to separate themselves from the beginners. You will learn how to carry out a mesh sensitivity study correctly using Richardson Extrapolation. This is a technique that is recommended by the Journal of Fluids Engineering and is often not taught in engineering classes. You will also learn how to choose the right RANS turbulence model (k - epsilon, k - omega SST) and how to get the most out of your contour plots and line graphs. These skills will help you produce professional looking journal papers, conference papers, PhD and Masters theses and technical reports, that are significantly better than other scientists and engineers. Worked examples are provided throughout the course, with python code, MATLAB code and Excel spreadsheets provided (you can use whichever language you feel more comfortable with. The MATLAB code and python code is identical). By the end of the course you will be confident and ready to apply the skills in your own CFD calculations. The lessons in this course can be applied to any CFD code, so it does not matter what CFD code you use (Fluent, CFX, OpenFOAM etc.)

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • How to carry out mesh sensitivity studies correctly using richardson extrapolation
  • How to choose the best rans turbulence model
  • How to find experimental measurements that you can use to validate your cfd
  • How to use contour plots correctly
  • How to use line plots and zoom boxes to enhance your cfd results

Syllabus

A quick introduction before starting the course

In this lecture, a brief introduction to the course is provided. You will have an overview of the course content and what you will be studying in Section 1 and Section 2.

Read more

Throughout the course a number of suggested exercises are provided to help enhance your understanding of the course material. In this lecture the format of the suggested exercises is provided, along with a PDF for the exercise solutions. 

A brief announcement of recent improvements to the course.

Know the difference between verification and validation and be able to carry out a mesh sensitivity study to calculate the discretisation error in the mesh.

By the end of this lecture you will know the difference between verification and validation. You will also be able to use Richardson Extrapolation to calculate the discretisation error in a mesh sensitivity study.

In this lecture the solution to exercise 1 is discussed.

By the end of this lecture you will have a basic understanding of how to test the effect of discrete parameters (like choice of turbulence model) and continuous parameters on the CFD solution.

In this lecture the solution to exercise 2 is discussed.

By the end of this lecture you will have three useful libraries that you can use to browse for experimental data.

In this lecture the solution to exercise 3 is discussed.

Learn useful techniques and skills for presenting contour plots, line plots and results tables.

By the end of this lecture you will have learned several different techniques that you can use to improve your contour plots including: choice of colour map, restricting the contour range, contour labels and zoom boxes.

In this lecture the solution to exercise 4 is discussed.

In this lecture the solution to exercise 5 is discussed.

In this lecture the solution to exercise 6 is discussed.

By the end of this lecture you will have learned a variety of techniques for improving your line plots including: shaded areas, zoom boxes and the difference between line segments and curve fits.

By the end of this lecture you will know how to format tables for academic journals and conference papers.

In this lecture the solution to exercise 7 is discussed.

In this lecture, the solution to exercise 8 is discussed.

In this lecture the solution to exercise 9 is discussed.

Confirm that you have understood the key concepts in the course.

A short quiz to test your understanding of the course material

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for Professionals with these activities:
Review Fluid Mechanics Fundamentals
Reinforce your understanding of fundamental fluid mechanics concepts to better grasp the complexities of CFD.
Browse courses on Navier-Stokes Equations
Show steps
  • Review key concepts from your fluid mechanics textbook.
  • Work through example problems related to fluid flow and pressure.
  • Identify areas where your understanding is weak and focus your review.
Read 'Practical Guide to Verification and Validation'
Deepen your understanding of verification and validation techniques, essential for ensuring the reliability of CFD results.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of the book.
  • Read the chapters related to error estimation and uncertainty quantification.
  • Apply the V&V techniques discussed in the book to your own CFD simulations.
Mesh Refinement Exercises
Practice mesh refinement techniques to improve the accuracy and efficiency of your CFD simulations.
Show steps
  • Create a simple CFD model.
  • Refine the mesh in different regions of the model.
  • Compare the results obtained with different mesh resolutions.
  • Analyze the effect of mesh refinement on the accuracy and computational cost.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Explore Advanced Turbulence Modeling Tutorials
Refine your skills in turbulence modeling by following advanced tutorials and examples.
Show steps
  • Search for tutorials on advanced turbulence models (e.g., LES, DES).
  • Follow the tutorials to implement and test these models in your CFD software.
  • Compare the results obtained with different turbulence models.
CFD Simulation Report
Solidify your understanding of CFD by creating a comprehensive report documenting a simulation project.
Show steps
  • Choose a relevant CFD problem to simulate.
  • Set up the simulation in your chosen CFD software.
  • Run the simulation and analyze the results.
  • Write a report summarizing your findings, including mesh sensitivity study and turbulence model selection.
Study 'Turbulence Modeling for CFD'
Gain a deeper understanding of turbulence modeling techniques and their application in CFD.
View Solutions Manual on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of the book.
  • Read the chapters related to RANS and LES models.
  • Compare the different turbulence models discussed in the book.
Contribute to an OpenFOAM Project
Enhance your CFD skills by contributing to an open-source project using OpenFOAM.
Show steps
  • Find an OpenFOAM project that interests you.
  • Identify a bug or feature that you can contribute to.
  • Submit a patch or pull request with your changes.
  • Participate in the project's community and learn from other developers.

Career center

Learners who complete Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for Professionals will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Computational Fluid Dynamics Engineer
As a Computational Fluid Dynamics Engineer, you will use simulation software to model fluid flows and heat transfer. This course directly addresses skills needed to excel in this role. The course teaches how to carry out mesh sensitivity studies correctly using Richardson Extrapolation, a technique recommended by the Journal of Fluids Engineering. Furthermore, the course provides guidance on choosing the right RANS turbulence model and effectively presenting your findings through contour plots and line graphs. Taking the 'Computational Fluid Dynamics for Professionals' course helps build a foundation for producing professional-looking journal papers, conference papers, theses, and technical reports demanded by the role.
CFD Consultant
As a CFD Consultant, you will leverage your expertise in Computational Fluid Dynamics to assist companies with their engineering challenges. This course will be useful by providing you with the skills needed to stand out from other consultants. The course teaches how to carry out mesh sensitivity studies correctly using Richardson Extrapolation, a technique recommended by the Journal of Fluids Engineering. Furthermore, the course provides guidance on choosing the right RANS turbulence model and effectively presenting your findings through contour plots and line graphs. With the 'Computational Fluid Dynamics for Professionals' course, you will have the opportunity to become a top-notch consultant.
Automotive Engineer
As an Automotive Engineer, you will be deeply involved in designing and developing vehicles. This course will be very useful for enhancing your ability to use Computational Fluid Dynamics in automotive design. For example, you can use the models for aerodynamic performance or thermal management. The course will help you conduct mesh sensitivity studies using Richardson Extrapolation and select appropriate RANS turbulence models. Additionally, the course teaches how to effectively present simulation results. These skills are directly applicable to improving vehicle designs and performance.
Professor
As a Professor, you play a pivotal role in educating and mentoring the next generation of engineers and scientists. This course will be useful by improving your knowledge of Computational Fluid Dynamics, especially if you are teaching a course on the subject. The course teaches how to carry out mesh sensitivity studies correctly using Richardson Extrapolation, a technique recommended by the Journal of Fluids Engineering. Furthermore, the course provides guidance on choosing the right RANS turbulence model and effectively presenting your findings through contour plots and line graphs. With the 'Computational Fluid Dynamics for Professionals' course, you will have the opportunity to enrich your lectures and provide students with essential skills.
Environmental Engineer
As an Environmental Engineer, you will work to protect the environment and human health through the design of solutions to environmental problems. This course may be particularly useful by enhancing your ability to model and analyze fluid flow in environmental systems using Computational Fluid Dynamics. If you take this course, you will learn practical skills such as conducting mesh sensitivity studies using Richardson Extrapolation and selecting appropriate RANS turbulence models. The course also emphasizes the use of contour plots and line graphs to present findings. This course is a great way to help environmental engineers improve their CFD skills to create more sustainable solutions.
Product Development Engineer
As a Product Development Engineer, you will be involved in the full life cycle of a product. This course will be extremely useful by enhancing your ability to use Computational Fluid Dynamics in product design and optimization. You can use the models for thermal management, fluid handling, or aerodynamic performance. The course will help you conduct mesh sensitivity studies using Richardson Extrapolation and select appropriate RANS turbulence models to improve your designs. Additionally, the course teaches how to effectively present simulation results, which you can use to communicate ideas to other engineers, management, and customers.
Energy Engineer
As an Energy Engineer, you will work with technologies and systems for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable practices. This course may be useful by developing your ability to analyze and optimize fluid flow in energy systems using Computational Fluid Dynamics. The course provides practical skills such as conducting mesh sensitivity studies using Richardson Extrapolation and selecting appropriate RANS turbulence models. You will then be able to present effectively simulation results through contour plots and line graphs. The hands-on approach with Python, MATLAB, and Excel examples makes the course particularly valuable for energy engineers looking to improve their CFD proficiency.
Aerospace Engineer
As an Aerospace Engineer, you will design, develop, and test aircraft and spacecraft. This course may be useful as it provides targeted training in Computational Fluid Dynamics, a vital tool in aerospace engineering. The skills you will gain by taking this course, such as performing mesh sensitivity studies using Richardson Extrapolation and choosing the best RANS turbulence model, are invaluable for simulating airflow around aircraft and optimizing aerodynamic designs. The course's focus on generating professional quality reports and presentations is also relevant, as aerospace engineers routinely communicate their findings to colleagues and stakeholders.
Mechanical Engineer
As a Mechanical Engineer, your work involves the design, development, and manufacturing of mechanical systems. This course may be useful as it can enhance your ability to analyze and optimize fluid flow in various mechanical systems using Computational Fluid Dynamics. The course provides practical skills such as conducting mesh sensitivity studies using Richardson Extrapolation and selecting appropriate RANS turbulence models. The course also teaches the effective presentation of simulation results through contour plots and line graphs. The hands-on approach with Python, MATLAB, and Excel examples makes the course particularly useful for mechanical engineers looking to improve their CFD proficiency.
Research Scientist
As a Research Scientist, you will conduct experiments and develop models to advance scientific knowledge. This course may be useful, especially if your research involves fluid dynamics. You will learn how to conduct mesh sensitivity studies using Richardson Extrapolation, select the best RANS turbulence model, and present your results clearly using contour plots and line graphs. These skills are vital for validating your models, understanding the limitations of your simulations, and communicating your findings to the scientific community. The focus on producing high-quality reports and publications also aligns with the standards expected of research scientists.
Civil Engineer
As a Civil Engineer, you will design, construct, and maintain the built environment. This course will be most useful if your projects involve fluid dynamics, such as hydraulic structures or environmental flows. By taking this course, you will enhance your ability to use Computational Fluid Dynamics for modeling and analysis. The course emphasizes how to conduct mesh sensitivity studies using Richardson Extrapolation and select appropriate RANS turbulence models. The course also teaches how to effectively present simulation results. These skills are valuable for ensuring the safety and efficiency of civil engineering projects.
Engineering Technician
As an Engineering Technician, your work involves providing support to engineers working on a variety of projects. This course may be useful for improving your ability to assist with Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations. If you take this course, you will be able to learn practical skills such as conducting mesh sensitivity studies using Richardson Extrapolation and selecting appropriate RANS turbulence models. The course also teaches how to present simulation results effectively using contour plots and line graphs. While performing your engineering work, these skills are very useful for conducting higher quality work.
Engineering Manager
As an Engineering Manager you will lead teams of engineers and oversee the development of engineering projects. This course may be useful for your role by gaining a deeper understanding of Computational Fluid Dynamics. The course delves into how to conduct mesh sensitivity studies using Richardson Extrapolation and select appropriate RANS turbulence models. It also emphasizes the use of contour plots and line graphs to present findings. By taking this course, you will be be able to lead your teams more thoughtfully and be able to make more informed decisions.
Data Scientist
As a Data Scientist, you will analyze large datasets to extract insights and inform decision-making. While this course may not seem directly related, it may be useful if you are working with data related to fluid dynamics simulations or experiments. This course helps you understand the underlying principles of CFD and the factors that affect simulation accuracy. It also helps you communicate your findings effectively through visualizations and reports. The course emphasizes how to use contour plots and line graphs, which are helpful for presenting complex data in a clear and concise manner.
Data Analyst
As a Data Analyst, your role would be to interpret complex numerical information, and present it in an accessible fashion, to stakeholders. While this course may not seem directly related, it may be useful if you are working with data related to fluid dynamics simulations or experiments. This course introduces ways to visualize the data, and methods to ensure your results are presented in a clear and concise manner. The course emphasizes how to use contour plots and line graphs, which are helpful for presenting complex data in a clear and concise manner.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for Professionals.
Provides a comprehensive guide to verification and validation techniques in scientific computing, which are crucial for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of CFD simulations. It covers topics such as error estimation, uncertainty quantification, and best practices for V&V. This book valuable resource for understanding the theoretical foundations of V&V and applying them to practical CFD problems. It expands on the course's coverage of mesh sensitivity studies and turbulence model selection.
Provides a detailed overview of turbulence modeling techniques used in CFD. It covers a wide range of models, from RANS to LES, and discusses their strengths and weaknesses. This book is particularly useful for understanding the theoretical foundations of turbulence modeling and selecting the appropriate model for a given application. It provides additional depth to the course's coverage of RANS models.

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