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How to Start Using OpenFOAM

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Based on 84 ratings
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Cfd Baba

Note - CFD results always need to be validated with experimental data before blindly relying on them.

This course will take you through all the basics required in order to simulate simple CFD problems using OpenFOAM.

  • Geometry preparation will be covered using Salome.

  • Meshing will be covered using Salome.

  • Solving will be covered using OpenFOAM solvers.

  • Post-processing of results will be covered using Paraview.

  • All these software are available for free without any license costs.

Read more

Note - CFD results always need to be validated with experimental data before blindly relying on them.

This course will take you through all the basics required in order to simulate simple CFD problems using OpenFOAM.

  • Geometry preparation will be covered using Salome.

  • Meshing will be covered using Salome.

  • Solving will be covered using OpenFOAM solvers.

  • Post-processing of results will be covered using Paraview.

  • All these software are available for free without any license costs.

CFD helps to reduce the cost of products by saving time and money in prototype testing phase. Rapid prototype testings can be done by using CFD technology to predict the future behavior of the product. It enables us to foresee any shortcomings in the product and rectify them before the actual manufacturing phase of the product. This is a young technology and can grow substantially in near future.

You will be able to draw CAD models using the dimensions of any given geometry. Then you will understand how to mesh the geometry in Salome to get appropriate results. Mesh size plays an important role in deciding the accuracy of your results. Assumption of boundary conditions is another important aspect in any CFD simulation. Replication of real-life conditions must be correctly implemented in the CFD boundary conditions. Finally good post-processing of the results helps you to deliver your results successfully to the non-technical.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Turbulent external aerodynamics simulation using simplefoam
  • Forced convection heat transfer simulation using buoyantsimplefoam
  • Multiphase simulation using interfoam
  • Geometry preparation using salome
  • Meshing using salome
  • Setting correct boundary conditions in openfoam
  • Post-processing using paraview

Syllabus

You will learn to run your first CFD case in OpenFOAM using simpleFoam solver.
Introduction and Geometry Preparation in Salome
Creating Boundaries in Salome
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Covers geometry preparation, meshing, solving, and post-processing, which are essential steps in the CFD workflow
Emphasizes the use of CFD to reduce product costs by enabling rapid prototype testing and identifying shortcomings early in the design process
Uses OpenFOAM, Salome, and Paraview, which are all available for free, lowering the barrier to entry for those interested in learning CFD
Includes a section on using buoyantSimpleFoam solver for forced convection heat transfer simulation, expanding the scope beyond basic flow simulations
Requires learners to validate CFD results with experimental data, which is a crucial step for ensuring the reliability and accuracy of simulations
Focuses on Salome for geometry preparation and meshing, which may limit learners' exposure to other popular meshing tools used in the industry

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Reviews summary

Practical introduction to openfoam workflow

According to learners, this course provides a solid introduction to the OpenFOAM ecosystem, covering geometry and meshing with Salome, simulation with OpenFOAM solvers, and post-processing with Paraview. Students found the step-by-step examples practical for running basic CFD cases using free, open-source software. While it serves as a good starting point for beginners seeking hands-on experience, some learners noted challenges with software installation and suggested having some prior technical background is helpful. Overall, it's seen as a valuable resource for getting initial practical experience with this powerful suite of tools.
Focuses on foundational concepts.
"It gives a good overview but doesn't go into much depth on advanced topics or complex physics."
"This is truly a 'start using' course, covering the essentials needed to run simple cases."
"Felt like it covered the essential workflow without getting bogged down in theory, which suited me."
"Don't expect to become an expert, but you will learn the fundamental steps."
Best for those with some technical knowledge.
"Definitely helps if you have some prior understanding of CFD concepts or are comfortable with command lines."
"While titled 'How to Start...', it assumes a certain level of technical or Linux familiarity."
"Beginners with absolutely no background in engineering or scripting might find it challenging."
"Having some basic fluid mechanics knowledge is beneficial."
Well-organized progression through topics.
"The course flows logically from geometry creation to post-processing for different case types."
"I liked how the modules were structured to follow the typical CFD simulation pipeline."
"Following the steps for each example case was easy and made sense."
"The progression from simple to slightly more complex cases was well-planned."
Uses readily available open-source software.
"The fact that it uses all free software is a huge advantage."
"Perfect for getting started without needing expensive licenses."
"Using Salome, OpenFOAM, and Paraview allowed me to practice immediately."
"It's great that the whole toolchain is open-source and accessible."
Provides a foundational understanding.
"A good place to start if you are new to OpenFOAM and its associated tools."
"Gave me the confidence to run my first simulations using a complex software like OpenFOAM."
"Provides the necessary basics to begin experimenting with OpenFOAM on simple cases."
"Successfully got me up and running with the fundamental workflow."
Introduces Salome, OpenFOAM, and Paraview.
"Great to see Salome, OpenFOAM, and Paraview covered together in one course."
"Getting exposed to Salome for meshing was a big plus for me."
"I appreciated learning how to integrate these three open-source tools for a full CFD pipeline."
"The course successfully introduces the basic functionalities of each software."
Practical guide to the basic workflow.
"I found the step-by-step instructions very helpful for setting up my first cases."
"The practical examples guiding through the process from geometry to post-processing were the most valuable part."
"It takes you through the whole process clearly and sequentially."
"Following along with the demos made learning the workflow easy."
Setting up the software can be difficult.
"Struggled quite a bit with the software installation, especially getting OpenFOAM running correctly on my system."
"Getting Salome and OpenFOAM to work together on my specific operating system was not straightforward."
"The installation process isn't covered in enough detail for absolute beginners, which was frustrating."
"Encountered errors during setup that required external troubleshooting."

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 How to Start Using OpenFOAM with these activities:
Review Fluid Mechanics Fundamentals
Reinforce your understanding of fluid mechanics principles, which are essential for comprehending CFD simulations in OpenFOAM.
Browse courses on Fluid Mechanics
Show steps
  • Review key concepts like viscosity, pressure, and flow rate.
  • Solve basic fluid mechanics problems.
  • Familiarize yourself with different flow regimes.
Study 'OpenFOAM User Guide'
Become intimately familiar with the OpenFOAM software by studying the official user guide.
View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon
Show steps
  • Download the latest version of the OpenFOAM User Guide.
  • Read the chapters relevant to your simulations.
  • Refer to the guide when you encounter problems.
Read 'The Finite Volume Method in Computational Fluid Dynamics'
Gain a deeper understanding of the numerical methods used in OpenFOAM by studying this comprehensive book on the finite volume method.
View The Finite Volume Method in Computational Fluid... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the chapters on discretization schemes and boundary conditions.
  • Work through the example problems in the book.
  • Relate the concepts to the OpenFOAM solvers you are using.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Follow OpenFOAM Tutorials on Cavity Flow
Practice setting up and running a simple CFD simulation using OpenFOAM's built-in tutorials to solidify your understanding of the software's workflow.
Show steps
  • Download the OpenFOAM tutorial cases.
  • Follow the step-by-step instructions for the cavity flow case.
  • Modify the tutorial case to explore different parameters.
Document Your OpenFOAM Simulations
Improve your understanding and retention by documenting your OpenFOAM simulations, including the setup, results, and conclusions.
Show steps
  • Create a template for documenting your simulations.
  • Document the geometry, mesh, and solver settings.
  • Include images and plots of the results.
  • Write a summary of your findings.
Simulate Flow Around a Cylinder
Apply your OpenFOAM skills to a practical problem by simulating the flow around a cylinder and analyzing the results.
Show steps
  • Create the geometry of a cylinder in Salome.
  • Mesh the geometry in Salome.
  • Set up the OpenFOAM case using the simpleFoam solver.
  • Run the simulation and post-process the results in ParaView.
Contribute to the OpenFOAM Community
Deepen your understanding of OpenFOAM by contributing to the open-source community, such as reporting bugs, writing documentation, or contributing code.
Show steps
  • Join the OpenFOAM mailing list or forum.
  • Identify a bug or feature request.
  • Submit a bug report or contribute code to the project.

Career center

Learners who complete How to Start Using OpenFOAM will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Computational Fluid Dynamics Engineer
A Computational Fluid Dynamics Engineer uses software to simulate fluid flow and heat transfer, predicting how a design will perform in real-world conditions. This course helps you become proficient in using OpenFOAM, a crucial skill for any Computational Fluid Dynamics Engineer. The course thoroughly covers geometry preparation and meshing using Salome, employing OpenFOAM solvers, and post-processing results with Paraview. These are essential skills for setting up and running CFD simulations. Setting correct boundary conditions in OpenFOAM and understanding the case structure are also covered. You may find the sections on turbulent external aerodynamics simulation using simpleFoam, forced convection heat transfer using buoyantSimpleFoam, and multiphase simulation using interFoam particularly beneficial. A strong understanding of these topics enhances your capabilities as a Computational Fluid Dynamics Engineer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Computational Fluid Dynamics Engineer
Simulation Engineer
A Simulation Engineer uses computer models to simulate physical systems and predict their behavior. This course provides a strong foundation in using OpenFOAM for computational fluid dynamics simulations. The course thoroughly covers geometry preparation and meshing using Salome, solving with OpenFOAM solvers, and post-processing results with Paraview. In addition, this course covers how to set correct boundary conditions in OpenFOAM, which is crucial for accurate simulations. Pay close attention to the sections on turbulent external aerodynamics simulation using simpleFoam, forced convection heat transfer simulation using buoyantSimpleFoam, and multiphase simulation using interFoam. Solid competence in these areas will greatly improve your abilities as a simulation engineer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Simulation Engineer
CFD Consultant
A CFD Consultant advises clients on how to use computational fluid dynamics to solve engineering problems. This course helps you to become a proficient user of OpenFOAM, allowing for effective consulting services. The course thoroughly covers geometry preparation and meshing using Salome, solving with OpenFOAM solvers, and post-processing results with Paraview. Setting correct boundary conditions in OpenFOAM is also covered, which is an essential skill for any CFD consultant. You should pay close attention to the sections on turbulent external aerodynamics simulation using simpleFoam, forced convection heat transfer simulation using buoyantSimpleFoam, and multiphase simulation using interFoam. A strong understanding of these topics will greatly enhance your capabilities as a CFD consultant.
See salaries and explore the career path for CFD Consultant
Fluid Mechanics Engineer
A Fluid Mechanics Engineer specializes in the study and application of fluid behavior. This course provides a solid foundation in using OpenFOAM for computational fluid dynamics. This course can help with geometry preparation and meshing using Salome, employing OpenFOAM solvers, and post-processing results with Paraview. The course also covers how to set correct boundary conditions in OpenFOAM, crucial for precise simulations. Pay close attention to the sections on turbulent external aerodynamics simulation using simpleFoam, forced convection heat transfer simulation using buoyantSimpleFoam, and multiphase simulation using interFoam.
See salaries and explore the career path for Fluid Mechanics Engineer
Thermal Engineer
Thermal Engineers specialize in the design and analysis of thermal systems. This course may be useful for thermal engineers who apply computational fluid dynamics to analyze heat transfer and fluid flow in thermal systems. This course helps in geometry preparation and meshing using Salome to create accurate models for thermal simulations. The course teaches you how to use OpenFOAM solvers to simulate heat transfer and fluid flow. Furthermore, the course covers post-processing results with Paraview for visualization. Thermal engineers find the skills taught in the modules on forced convection heat transfer simulation using buoyantSimpleFoam particularly valuable.
See salaries and explore the career path for Thermal Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical Engineers design, develop, and test mechanical devices and systems. This course helps mechanical engineers to use computational fluid dynamics to simulate fluid dynamics within mechanical systems. The course guides learners through geometry preparation using Salome, meshing using Salome, setup using OpenFOAM solvers, and post-processing using Paraview. This course may be helpful for mechanical engineers who want to use CFD to optimize designs, improve efficiency, and solve complex engineering problems. Turbulent external aerodynamics simulation using simpleFoam, forced convection heat transfer simulation using buoyantSimpleFoam, and multiphase simulation using interFoam will all be useful modules. A solid grasp of these concepts enhances your expertise as a mechanical engineer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Mechanical Engineer
Product Development Engineer
Product Development Engineers are responsible for designing and improving products. This course may be useful for utilizing computational fluid dynamics to optimize product designs. The course will help with geometry preparation and meshing using Salome that will help you create accurate models for simulation. The course guides learners on how to use OpenFOAM solvers to simulate fluid flow and heat transfer, improving product performance and efficiency. Furthermore, the course covers post-processing results with Paraview to help with visualization, and a product development engineer benefits from the skills taught in the modules on turbulent external aerodynamics simulation using simpleFoam and forced convection heat transfer simulation using buoyantSimpleFoam.
See salaries and explore the career path for Product Development Engineer
Energy Engineer
Energy Engineers work to improve energy efficiency and develop new energy technologies. This course helps energy engineers use computational fluid dynamics to simulate and optimize energy systems. The course covers geometry preparation and meshing using Salome, employing OpenFOAM solvers, and post-processing results with Paraview. This course may be useful for energy engineers who want to use CFD to design more efficient systems. The modules on forced convection heat transfer simulation using buoyantSimpleFoam and multiphase simulation using interFoam are particularly useful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Energy Engineer
Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Engineer
Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Engineers design and maintain indoor climate control systems. This course may be useful as it can help you leverage computational fluid dynamics to simulate and optimize HVAC systems. This course can help in geometry preparation and meshing using Salome to create accurate models for HVAC system components. Furthermore, the course teaches you how to use OpenFOAM solvers to simulate airflow and heat transfer within buildings. The course covers post-processing results with Paraview for visualization. The modules on forced convection heat transfer simulation using buoyantSimpleFoam help to improve your capabilities as a Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning engineer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Engineer
Automotive Engineer
Automotive Engineers are involved in the design, development, manufacture, and testing of vehicles and their components. This course may be useful for automotive engineers interested in computational fluid dynamics for aerodynamic analysis or thermal management of engine components. This course helps with geometry preparation and meshing using Salome to create detailed vehicle models. The course will give learners the ability to use OpenFOAM solvers to simulate airflow and heat transfer, optimizing vehicle performance and efficiency. The course covers post-processing results with Paraview for visualization and analysis. Automotive engineers can benefit from the skills taught in the modules on turbulent external aerodynamics simulation using simpleFoam and forced convection heat transfer simulation using buoyantSimpleFoam.
See salaries and explore the career path for Automotive Engineer
Research and Development Engineer
Research and Development Engineers innovate and improve existing products or processes. This course may be useful for research and development engineers who want to use computational fluid dynamics to test new designs and optimize performance. The course will teach you how to use OpenFOAM solvers to simulate fluid flow and heat transfer. The course covers post-processing results with Paraview for visualization and analysis. Research and development engineers in various fields benefit from the skills taught in the modules on turbulent external aerodynamics simulation using simpleFoam, forced convection heat transfer simulation using buoyantSimpleFoam, and multiphase simulation using interFoam.
See salaries and explore the career path for Research and Development Engineer
Aerospace Engineer
Aerospace Engineers design, develop, and test aircraft and spacecraft. This course may be useful for aerospace engineers interested in using computational fluid dynamics to simulate airflow around aircraft. Specific modules, such as geometry preparation using Salome and meshing using Salome, provide a foundation for creating accurate models for simulation. Furthermore, the course covers how to set correct boundary conditions in OpenFOAM, a necessity when modeling real-world scenarios for flight. The course’s focus on post-processing using Paraview will help you to effectively communicate simulation results, allowing you to foresee shortcomings in product design and rectify them before the actual manufacturing phase of the product.
See salaries and explore the career path for Aerospace Engineer
Fire Protection Engineer
Fire Protection Engineers design systems to prevent and mitigate the effects of fires. This course may be useful for fire protection engineers interested in using computational fluid dynamics to simulate fire behavior and smoke propagation. The course helps with geometry preparation and meshing using Salome to create models of buildings and fire scenarios. The course teaches how to use OpenFOAM solvers to simulate heat transfer, fluid flow, and combustion. The course covers how to post-process results with Paraview for visualization. Fire protection engineers find the skills taught in the modules on forced convection heat transfer simulation using buoyantSimpleFoam and multiphase simulation using interFoam particularly important.
See salaries and explore the career path for Fire Protection Engineer
Civil Engineer
Civil Engineers design, construct, and maintain infrastructure projects. This course can help civil engineers apply computational fluid dynamics to simulate fluid flow around structures or through hydraulic systems. The course will help with geometry preparation and meshing using Salome to create accurate models for infrastructure components, and the course teaches how to use OpenFOAM solvers to simulate water flow or wind effects on buildings. Additionally, the course covers post-processing results with Paraview for visualization and analysis. The modules on turbulent external aerodynamics simulation using simpleFoam and multiphase simulation using interFoam will be useful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Engineer
Research Scientist
Research Scientists conduct experiments and analyze data to further scientific knowledge. This course may be useful for research scientists who use computational fluid dynamics in their research. Modules such as geometry preparation and meshing using Salome are important when constructing accurate models, and the course covers how to set correct boundary conditions in OpenFOAM, enabling the simulation of real-world conditions. Post-processing using Paraview helps with the visualization and interpretation of simulation results. A research scientist benefits from the modules on turbulent external aerodynamics simulation using simpleFoam, forced convection heat transfer simulation using buoyantSimpleFoam, and multiphase simulation using interFoam.
See salaries and explore the career path for Research Scientist

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 How to Start Using OpenFOAM.
Cover image
The Finite Volume Method in Computational Fluid...
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the finite volume method, which is the numerical method used by OpenFOAM. It explains the theoretical foundations and practical implementation details. This book is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions. Reading this book will give you a deeper understanding of how OpenFOAM works and how to interpret the results.
The Finite Volume Method in Computational Fluid...
Paperback
$$$
Cover image
Putting Knowledge to Work
Save
This is the official user guide for OpenFOAM. It provides detailed information on all aspects of the software, including installation, usage, and troubleshooting. It valuable reference for both beginners and experienced users. is more valuable as a current reference than as additional reading.
Putting Knowledge to Work
Paperback
Check
Putting Knowledge to Work
Kindle Edition
Check

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Rating
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Effort
1.5 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
Cfd Baba
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Covers geometry preparation, meshing, solving, and post-processing, which are essential steps in the CFD workflow
Emphasizes the use of CFD to reduce product costs by enabling rapid prototype testing and identifying shortcomings early in the design process
Uses OpenFOAM, Salome, and Paraview, which are all available for free, lowering the barrier to entry for those interested in learning CFD
Includes a section on using buoyantSimpleFoam solver for forced convection heat transfer simulation, expanding the scope beyond basic flow simulations
Requires learners to validate CFD results with experimental data, which is a crucial step for ensuring the reliability and accuracy of simulations
Focuses on Salome for geometry preparation and meshing, which may limit learners' exposure to other popular meshing tools used in the industry
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