Hi
I'm a beginner in CFD simulations. I have a complex geometry and I want to approximately visualize the airflow passing through this geometry.
I don't need the simulation to be fully accurate, I just want to get some idea on how the geometry is working and I prefer to work with a software which is user friendly and easy to use to get such rough results.
Which software do you suggest me to use?
Hi Kiana Mousavi,
COMSOL Multiphysics is very user-friendly software, but it is based on the FEM and this makes modelling of fluid flows more difficult although there are already some new approaches implemented to improve it. Ansys-fluent is not so easy to start with, it will take you much longer for that. I would recommend Flow3D for your task.
Best regards,
Antoni Artinov
Thank you Amir Reza Ansari Dezfoli , Venkata Somi Reddy Janga , Antoni Artinov !
I had a quick look at COMSOL and Ansys, both are fine but I'm looking for more of a simpler simulation, e.g. Autodesk FlowDesign, which is super easy to use and gives an idea about the design.
My mentor told me Autodesk used to have such software for very rough initial simulations a few years ago but I couldn't find anything.
For now, I will look more into Flow3D as Antoni Artinov said.
If you have any more options in mind, I appreciate it if you let me know.
Thanks!
Unfortunately, I cannot access academic Flow3D because my university is not in the US or Canada.
Do you have any other suggestions?
I always use Ansys Fluent to simulate fluid dynamics and heat transfer problems. If you like, I can help you to simulate your problems. Just send me the geometry drawing.
I suggest Matlab : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnnXl7ryBMI
https://www.mathworks.com/products/connections/product_detail/quickersim-cfd-toolbox.html
Nazaruddin Sinaga Thanks, I prefer to do it myself. If no other option works, I have to go to Ansys. But it seems too much for an intuitive simulation.
Muhammad Ali Thanks, but as far as I know, I cannot import my geometry into Matlab.
Altair-Accusolve is simpler and is based on FEM, You can run rough simulations as it is not that sensitive to mesh as in the case of FVM.
Venkata Somi Reddy Janga Thank you! I just checked it and it seems to have a user friendly interface and intuitive approach. I hope I can make it work. Thanks again
Hi,
By my view FloEFD is a good CFD software, which is free for student
"FloEFD™ for Solid Edge® Student Edition comes with the full set of simulation capabilities without any model size or individual solver performance restrictions."
You can download here (they will send you in email the details for installation):
https://www.mentor.com/company/higher_ed/floefd-solid-edge-student-edition
It has a good tutorial and validation cases!
For the use of FloEFD you should have a Solid Edges Student software (which is also free):
https://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/plmapp/education/solid-edge/en_us/free-software/student
BR,
Csabi
Kiana Mousavi The software is ANSYS. I used it to simulate the performance of pump and it worked well.
Kiana Mousavi .
I must say I am not a big supporter of the utilisation of CFD codes 'just for visualisation what it may possibly look like'. The whole concept is so complicated and beautiful at the same time, that deserves some appreciation. On the other hand, I understand that most of the people just want to see 'some Colorful Fluid Dynamics results', so here is my recommendation:
The most accessible software to use of inexperienced engineer is the one provided together with SolidWorks - I think it is available for students freely.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=solidworks+flow+simulation
The whole process of geometry specification, meshing and then solving the NS equations is super straightforward, and easy to click-through, without much thinking.
Next level is with ANSYS - CFX. It is one of the best-developed software available on the market, and suitable for plenty of applications - ranging from academic theoretical considerations to industrial product development.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ansys+cfx+flow+simulation
It, unfortunately, requires some understanding and knowledge of meshing software (although Ansys Meshing provided is now super smooth and robust).
I hope that helps.
Kind regards,
Dr A. Szymański
Dear Artur,
The SolidWorks Flw Sinulation is not free. The school/university have to buy an Academic edition the SW F.S. in this case available in the university's local network.
If the univ. buy subscription too, there is as many seats for home use like it is in the local network.
And for complicating it... There is two SolidWorks student packages, SW Student Standard (or in the old name it's the SW Student Design Kit), and the SW Student Premium (which was the SW Student Engineering Kit). The first is just the CAD (standard edition) tha last one is CAD+Simulations (Premium package from FEA, CFD, Inj.Molding).
Other hands, the SolidWorks Flow Sinulation is a licenced product, powred by Mentor Graphics. If we called Mentor Graphics' FloEFD it's free for student (and everything is the same, capability, UI, tutorial, validation cases...). The only difference is that, it use Solid Edge for the CAD environment. (For more details see my early post)
Best,
Csabi
STARCCM+ would be very easy for this purpose, if you can obtain the access.
In my view, FLOW-3D V11.2 is a good CFD software. which is free to used. Also it is quite a user-friendly software.
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