Big Things in CFD
- Mentor Graphics has appended five new ones to their list of CFD Myths. I won’t spoil the surprise for you but will cite Myth #8: Experts Are Needed To Get Accurate CFD Simulation Results. [I recommend that you download, read, and start a discussion.]
- CIMdata published their simulation and analysis market report in which they illustrate that the S&A market grew by 7.1% from 2012 to 2013 ($4 billion to $4.3 billion) and project compound annual growth of 7.7% leading to a market size of $6.2 billion in 2018. The report can be purchased here for $3,000.
- Remember the CFD 2030 Vision Study and its estimate of an exascale computer’s power requirements? In a letter to the editor of Aviation Week magazine, a reader proposes powering this machine with a dedicated, modular, nuclear reactor. [Booyah!](Registration required.)
Using geometry from CT scans, this modeling of blood flow with CFD is one example of computational medicine. See associated text for link. Image from International Science Grid This Week.
Software
- See how to generate a hex mesh for a cyclonic separator using Fantastic Mesh Modeler.
- Distene released MeshGems 1.3.
- An attempt to illustrate how mesh generation works.
- Hanley Innovations now offers “just-in-time pricing” for their CFD solver at $295/mo.
- Is SolidWorks Flow Simulation really the best tool for thermal analyses?
- Introducing IHFOAM 2.0 – based on OpenFOAM, intended for “coastal, offshore and hydraulic engineering processes.”
Spider Man vs. Venom. Because mesh. Click for source.
Turbulence
- To understand turbulence we need the intuitive perspective of art. [Factoid: Werner Heisenberg’s – Nobel prize winner for quantum mechanics – doctoral thesis was on turbulence.]
- On a related topic, FYFD‘s Nicole Sharp authored The Beautiful Unpredictability of Coffee, Clouds, and Fire.
“CFD is perhaps the most colourful technique used in engineering,” is one quote from this article about CFD for a triathalon bicycle. 72% of the drag comes from what? Think before clicking the image for the article. Image from New Scientist.
Applications
- Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin make the case for computational mechanics (including CFD) in medicine. Coverage from Int’l Science Grid This Week and the Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences at UT.
- Google’s Little Box Challenge offers a prize of $1 million if you can build a kW scale power inverter with a power density of at least 50 W per cubic inch and make it about the size of a tablet computer. You must register by 30 September 2014 and submit your design by 22 July 2015. [This obviously isn’t CFD but it is one million dollars.]
- To read about a CFD simulation of a Ruby Throated Hummingbird you’ll have to register with the Royal Society.
- Read about the evolution of data center airflow management: introduction of CFD tools.
- FEV is using CFD to reduce an engine’s CO2 emissions.
- DeWalt uses FloEFD to help keep power tools cool. See image below. [Requires registration with Mentor Graphics.]
The effect of cooling fins (below) on the temperature of a hammer housing. Image from Mentor Graphics.
Space versus Place – The Grid in Painting (Again)
Another artist expanding upon use of the grid in abstract painting is Bill Mazziotti. By combining the grid with his organic elements of scraping the canvas and overpainting he creates a stabilized tension.
Grid-based paintings by Bill Mazziotti. Image from Donald S. Kolberg Sculpture and Painting.
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I didn’t download Mentor’s marketing white paper, but in regards to “Myth #8: Experts Are Needed To Get Accurate CFD Simulation Results” (I’m guessing what’s its about) one needs to distinguish between accuracy in regards to how accurately the results represent the mathematical model and how accurately the results represent real world values. Most should be able to throw grid points at a problem (assuming one has the resources) and achieve accurate representation of the mathematical model. So, is Mentor Graphics saying it is a Myth that Wind Tunnels are still required?
Hi Martin:
I interpret Myth #8 as saying that you don’t need to be a PhD CFD solver developer with 20 years of experience to get accurate CFD results. I agree in the sense that all you need is a competent user. And no, I inferred nothing about wind tunnels.
BTW, here is a little “exchange” of posts between Boris Marovic (Industry Manager at Mentor Graphics) and I. https://www.linkedin.com/groupAnswers?viewQuestionAndAnswers=&discussionID=111866885&gid=66032&commentID=5877319448540512256&trk=view_disc&fromEmail=&ut=2N5qD-7aiHF6k1 This is the “Computational Fluid Dynamics Group” at LinkedIn. When all was said and done, I gather he did not understand what’s implied when one uses a “pure” immersed boundary condition.
This might me a better link to the discussion:
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/Hi-can-anybody-explain-me-66032.S.111866885?trk=groups_search_item_list-0-b-ttl&goback=.gna_66032
The nice part about being and “expert” in CFD is that one can traverse through all the smoke and mirrors. I also felt that Boris’s attitude was poor. Granted, some would say that I sometimes don’t bring out the best in people!