Chapter 15: Computational Fluid

Dynamics

Eric G. Paterson
Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering
The Pennsylvania State University

Spring 2005

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 Introduction

Practice of engineering and science has been

dramatically altered by the development of
Scientific computing
Mathematics of numerical analysis
The Internet

Computational Fluid Dynamics is based upon the

logic of applied mathematics
provides tools to unlock previously unsolved problems
is used in nearly all fields of science and engineering
Aerodynamics, acoustics, bio-systems, cosmology, geology,
heat transfer, hydrodynamics, river hydraulics, etc

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 Introduction

We are in the midst of a new Scientific Revolution

as significant as that of the 16th and 17th
centuries when Galilean methods of systematic
experiments and observation supplanted the
logic-based methods of Aristotelian physics

Modern tools, i.e., computational mechanics, are

enabling scientists and engineers to return to
logic-based methods for discovery and invention,
research and development, and analysis and
design

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 Introduction
Scientific method
Aristotle (384-322 BCE)
Greek philosopher, student of Plato
Logic and reasoning was the chief instrument of
scientific investigation; Posterior Analytics
To possess scientific knowledge, we need to know the
cause of which we observe
Through their senses humans encounter facts or data
Through inductive means, principles created which will
explain the data
Then, from the principles, work back down to the facts
Example: Demonstration of the fact (Demonstratio quia)
The planets do not twinkle
What does not twinkle is near the earth
Therefore the planets are near the earth
Knowledge of Aristotles work lost to Europe during Dark Ages. Preserved by
Mesopotamian (modern day Iraq) libraries.
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 Introduction
Scientific method
Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)
Formulated the basic law of falling bodies, which he
verified by careful measurements.
He constructed a telescope with which he studied lunar
craters, and discovered four moons revolving around
Jupiter.
Observation-based experimental methods: required
instruments & tools ; e.g., telescope, clocks.
Scientific Revolution took place in the sixteenth and
seventeenth centuries, its first victories involved the
overthrow of Aristotelian physics

Convicted of heresy by Catholic Church for belief that the Earth rotates round the sun.
In 1992, 350 years after Galileo's death, Pope John Paul II admitted that errors had
been made by the theological advisors in the case of Galileo.
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 Introduction
Mathematics
Isaac Newton (1643 1727)
Laid the foundation (along with
Leibniz) for differential and integral
calculus
It has been claimed that the Principia
is the greatest work in the history of
the physical sciences.
Book I: general dynamics from a
mathematical standpoint
Book II: treatise on fluid mechanics
Book III: devoted to astronomical and
physical problems. Newton addressed
and resolved a number of issues
including the motions of comets and
the influence of gravitation.
For the first time, he demonstrated
that the same laws of motion and
gravitation ruled everywhere under a
single mathematical law.

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 Introduction
Fluid Mechanics
Faces of Fluid Mechanics : some of the
greatest minds of history have tried to
solve the mysteries of fluid mechanics

Archimede Da Newto Leibn Eul

s Vinci n iz er

Bernou Navier Stokes Reynolds Prandtl

ME33 : lli
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 Introduction
Fluid Mechanics
From mid-1800s to 1960s, research in fluid mechanics
focused upon
Analytical methods (Primary focus of ME33)
Exact solution to Navier-Stokes equations (~80 known for simple
problems, e.g., laminar pipe flow)
Approximate methods, e.g., Ideal flow, Boundary layer theory
Experimental methods
Scale models: wind tunnels, water tunnels, towing-tanks, flumes,...
Measurement techniques: pitot probes; hot-wire probes;
anemometers; laser-doppler velocimetry; particle-image
velocimetry
Most man-made systems (e.g., airplane) engineered using build-
and-test iteration.
1950s present : rise of computational fluid dynamics
(CFD)

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 Introduction
History of computing

Mastodons of computing, 1945-1960

Early computer engineers thought that only a few dozen computers
required worldwide
Applications: cryptography (code breaking), fluid dynamics, artillery
firing tables, atomic weapons
ENIAC, or Electronic Numerical Integrator Analyzor and Computer, was
developed by the Ballistics Research Laboratory in Maryland and was
built at the University of Pennsylvania's Moore School of Electrical
Engineering and completed in November 1945

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 Introduction
High-performance computing
Top 500 computers in the world compiled: www.top500.org
Computers located at major centers connected to researchers via
Internet

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 Outline

CFD Process
Model Equations
Discretization
Grid Generation
Boundary Conditions
Solve
Post-Processing
Uncertainty Assessment
Examples (note to instructors: this section has been removed. When I
taught ME33 at PSU, I showed examples of my personal research)
Conclusions
FLOWLAB
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 Model Equations

Most commercial CFD codes solve the

continuity, Navier-Stokes, and energy equations
Coupled, non-linear, partial differential equations
For example, incompressible form
u v w
0
x y z
u u u u 1 p 2u 2u 2u
u v w 2 2
t x y z x x 2
y z
v v v v 1 p 2 v 2 v 2 v
u v w 2 2
t x y z y x 2
y z
w w w w 1 p 2 w 2 w 2 w
u v w 2 2
t x y z z x 2
y z
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 Discretization
Grid Generation
Flow field must be treated as a discrete set of
points (or volumes) where the governing
equations are solved.
Many types of grid generation: type is usually
related to capability of flow solver.
Structured grids
Unstructured grids
Hybrid grids: some portions of flow field are
structured (viscous regions) and others are
unstructured
Overset (Chimera) grids

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 Structured Grids

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 Structured Overset Grids
Submarine Surface Ship Appendages

Moving Control Surfaces Artificial Heart Chamber

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 Unstructured Grids

Structured-Unstructured Nozzle Grid

Branches in Human Lung

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 Discretization
Algebraic equations
To solve NSE, we must convert governing PDEs to algebraic
equations
Finite difference methods (FDM)
Each term in NSE approximated using Taylor series, e.g.,

U U i 1 U i
O x
x x
2U U i 1 2U i U i 1

2
O x
x 2 x
2

Finite volume methods (FVM)

Use CV form of NSE equations on each grid cell ! ME 33 students already
know the fundamentals !
Most popular approach, especially for commercial codes

Finite element methods (FEM)

Solve PDEs by replacing continuous functions by piecewise approximations
defined on polygons, which are referred to as elements. Similar to FDM.

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 Boundary Conditions

Typical conditions
Wall
No-slip (u = v = w = 0)
Slip (tangential stress = 0, normal velocity = 0)
With specified suction or blowing
With specified temperature or heat flux
Inflow
Outflow
Interface Condition, e.g., Air-water free surface
Symmetry and Periodicity
Usually set through the use of a graphical user
interface (GUI) click & set
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 Solve
Run CFD code on
computer
2D and small 3D simulations
can be run on desktop
computers (e.g., FlowLab)
Unsteady 3D simulations still
require large parallel
computers
Monitor Residuals
Defined two ways
Change in flow variables
between iterations
Error in discrete algebraic
equation

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 Uncertainty Assessment

Process of estimating errors due to numerics

and modeling
Numerical errors
Iterative non-convergence: monitor residuals
Spatial errors: grid studies and Richardson extrapolation
Temporal errors: time-step studies and Richardson
extrapolation
Modeling errors (Turbulence modeling, multi-phase
physics, closure of viscous stress tensor for non-
Newtonian fluids)
Only way to assess is through comparison with benchmark
data which includes EFD uncertainty assessment.

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 Conclusions

Capabilities of Current Technology

Complex real-world problems solved using Scientific
Computing
Commercial software available for certain problems
Simulation-based design (i.e., logic-based) is being realized.
Ability to study problems that are either expensive, too small,
too large, or too dangerous to study in laboratory
Very small : nano- and micro-fluidics
Very large : cosmology (study of the origin, current state, and
future of our Universe)
Expensive : engineering prototypes (ships, aircraft)
Dangerous : explosions, response to weapons of mass
destruction

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 Conclusions

Limitations of Current Technology

For fluid mechanics, many problems not adequately
described by Navier-Stokes equations or are beyond
current generation computers.
Turbulence
Multi-phase physics: solid-gas (pollution, soot), liquid-gas
(bubbles, cavitation); solid-liquid (sediment transport)
Combustion and chemical reactions
Non-Newtonian fluids (blood; polymers)
Similar modeling challenges in other branches of
engineering and the sciences

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 Conclusions

Because of limitations, need for experimental

research is great
However, focus has changed
From
Research based solely upon experimental observations
Build and test (although this is still done)
To
High-fidelity measurements in support of validation and
building new computational models.
Currently, the best approach to solving
engineering problems often uses simulation and
experimentation

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 FlowLab

FlowLab (http://www.flowlab.fluent.com/)
Educational software that uses the power of flow visualization
through CFD to teach basic fluid mechanics principles in the
engineering classroom.
Runs Fluent's general purpose CFD code, FLUENT, and pre-
processor, GAMBIT, in the background, with a user-friendly,
student-specific graphical user interface (GUI) on its front end.
Based on ready-to-use exercises, FlowLab eliminates the long
learning curve associated with general fluid flow modeling
packages, making it easy to deploy as part of the
undergraduate or masters-level curriculum.
Templates for Problems 15-26 15-88 in Cengel and Cimbala.

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 FlowLab

Templates are
Nearly self-guided
Designed to teach specific lessons
Effect of grid resolution
Effect of domain size
Flow physics and sensitivity to parameters, e.g., diffuser
angle, airfoil angle of attack, etc.
GUI for post-processing is easy to learn
Contours
Streamlines
Vector Plots

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 FlowLab

Step 1: Select template from startup

menu (Example: Creep Domain template)

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 FlowLab

Step 2:
Read
problem
overview

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 FlowLab

Step 3:
Select R/L
ratio (size
of bump
to domain
size)
Click
Create
Geometry

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 FlowLab

Step 4:
Create
Mesh

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 FlowLab

Step 5: Solve,
monitor
residuals
Select printer
friendly colors
to turn off black
background

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 FlowLab
Step 6: Post-
process
Compute CD
Plot velocity
profile

Repeat process
with new R/L ratio
to learn how
domain size
impacts solution

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