Express Introductory Training in ANSYS Fluent

Lecture 1
Introduction to the CFD Methodology

Dimitrios Sofialidis
Technical Manager, SimTec Ltd.
Mechanical Engineer, PhD

PRACE Autumn School 2013 - Industry Oriented HPC Simulations, September 21-27,
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Ljubljana, Slovenia

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 Lecture 1
Introduction to the CFD Methodology
14.5 Release

Introduction to ANSYS
Fluent
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 Introduction
Lecture Theme:
All CFD simulations follow the same key stages. This lecture will explain
how to go from the original planning stage to analyzing the end results.

Learning Aims:
You will learn:
The basics of what CFD is and how it works.
The different steps involved in a successful CFD project.

Learning Objectives:
When you begin your own CFD project, you will know what each of the
steps requires and be able to plan accordingly.

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 What is CFD?

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is the science of predicting fluid flow, heat and
mass transfer, chemical reactions, and related phenomena.
To predict these phenomena, CFD solves equations for conservation of mass,
momentum, energy etc., with a numerical manner on a computer.

CFD is used in all stages of the engineering process:

• Conceptual studies of new designs.
• Detailed product development.
• Optimization.
• Troubleshooting.
• Redesign.

CFD analysis complements testing and experimentation by reducing total effort and
cost required for experimentation and data acquisition.

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 How Does CFD Work?
ANSYS CFD solvers are based on the finite volume method.
Control
• Domain is discretized into a finite set of control volumes. Volume*

• General conservation (transport) equations for mass, momentum, energy,

species, etc. are solved on this set of control volumes.

Unsteady Convection Diffusion Generation Equation f

Continuity 1
X momentum u
• Partial differential equations are discretized into a system of algebraic equations. Y momentum v
Z momentum w
• All algebraic equations are then solved numerically to render the solution field. Energy h

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 Step 1. Define Your Modeling Goals
What results are you looking for (i.e. pressure drop, mass flow rate), and how will
they be used?

What are your modeling options?

– What simplifying assumptions can you make (i.e. symmetry, periodicity)?
– What simplifying assumptions do you have to make?
– What physical models will need to be included in your analysis?

What degree of accuracy is required?

How quickly do you need the results?

Is CFD an appropriate tool?

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 Step 2. Identify the Domain You Will Model
How will you isolate a piece of the complete
physical system?

Where will the computational domain begin

and end?
• Do you have boundary condition information at
these boundaries?
• Can the boundary condition types
Domain of Interest
accommodate that information? as Part of a Larger
• Can you extend the domain to a point where System (not modeled).
reasonable data exists?

Domain of interest
Can it be simplified or approximated as a 2D isolated and meshed
or axi–symmetric problem? for CFD simulation.

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 Step 3. Create a Solid Model of the Domain
How will you obtain a model of the fluid region?
• Make use of existing CAD models?
• Extract the fluid region from a solid part?
• Create from scratch?

Can you simplify the geometry?

• Remove unnecessary features that would complicate Original CAD Part.
meshing (fillets, bolts…)?
• Make use of symmetry or periodicity?
– Are both the flow and boundary conditions symmetric /
periodic?

Do you need to split (artificially) the model so that

boundary conditions or domains can be created? Extracted
Fluid Region.

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 Step 4. Design and Create the Mesh
What degree of mesh resolution is required in each
region of the domain?
• Can you predict regions of high gradients?
– The mesh must resolve geometric features of interest and capture
gradients of concern, e.g. velocity, pressure, temperature gradients.
• Will you use adaption to add resolution?

What type of mesh is most appropriate?

• How complex is the geometry?
• Can you use a quad/hex mesh or is a tri/tet or hybrid mesh suitable?
• Are non–conformal interfaces needed?

Do you have sufficient computer resources?

• How many cells/nodes are required?
• How many physical models will be used?

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 Step 5: Set Up the Solver
For a given problem, you will need to:
• Define material properties:
– Fluid.
– Solid.
– Mixture.
• Select appropriate physical models:
For complex problems solving a
– Turbulence, combustion, multiphase, etc.
simplified or 2D problem will provide
valuable experience with the models • Prescribe operating conditions (optional in many cases).
and solver settings for your problem
in a short amount of time. • Prescribe boundary conditions at all boundary zones.
• Provide initial values or a previous solution.
• Set up solver controls.
• Set up convergence monitors.

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 Step 6: Compute the Solution
The discretized conservation equations are solved
iteratively until convergence.
Convergence is reached when:
• Changes in solution variables from one iteration
to the next are negligible.
– Residuals provide a mechanism to help
monitor this trend.
• Overall property conservation is achieved.
– Imbalances measure global conservation.
• Quantities of interest (e.g. drag, pressure drop) have reached
steady values.
– Monitor points track quantities of interest.

The accuracy of a converged solution is dependent upon:

A converged and mesh– • Appropriateness and accuracy of physical models.
independent solution on a well–
• Assumptions made.
posed problem will provide useful
engineering results! • Mesh resolution and independence.
• Numerical errors.

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 Step 7: Examine the Results
Examine the results to review solution and extract
useful data.
• Visualization Tools can be used to answer such questions
as:
– What is the overall flow pattern?
– Is there separation?
– Where do shocks, shear layers, etc. form?
– Are key flow features being resolved?

• Numerical Reporting Tools can be used to calculate

quantitative results:
– Forces and Moments.
– Average heat transfer coefficients.
Examine results to ensure correct physical – Surface and Volume integrated quantities.
behavior and conservation of mass energy and – Flux Balances.
other conserved quantities. High residuals may be
caused by just a few poor quality cells.

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 Step 8: Consider Revisions to the Model
Are the physical models appropriate?
• Is the flow turbulent?
• Is the flow unsteady?
• Are there compressibility effects?
• Are there 3D effects?

Are the boundary conditions correct?

• Is the computational domain large enough?
• Are boundary conditions appropriate?
• Are boundary values reasonable?
High residuals may be caused
by just a few poor quality cells. Is the mesh adequate?
• Can the mesh be refined to improve results?
• Does the solution change significantly with a refined mesh, or
is the solution mesh independent?
• Does the mesh resolution of the geometry need to be
increased?
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 Summary and Conclusions
Summary:
All CFD simulations are approached using the steps 1. Define Your Modeling
just described. Goals.
2. Identify the Domain
Remember to first think about what the aims of the You Will Model.
simulation are, prior to creating the geometry and mesh. 3. Create a Solid Model of
the Domain.
Make sure the appropriate physical models are applied in 4. Design and Create the
the solver, and that the simulation is fully converged. Mesh.
5. Set Up the Solver.
Scrutinize the results, you may need to rework some of 6. Compute the Solution.
the earlier steps in light of the flow field obtained. 7. Examine the Results.
8. Consider Revisions to
the Model.

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