Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is a specialized discipline within fluid dynamics that employs numerical methods to replicate real flows through the solution of governing equations, with a primary focus on the well-established Navier-Stokes equations in Newtonian fluid dynamics. Despite the familiarity of these equations for over 150 years, ongoing research is dedicated to refining reduced forms, particularly in addressing the turbulent closure problem within the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations. In areas such as complex fluids, chemically reacting flows, and two-phase flows, theoretical development falls. Experimental methods play a vital role in validating and exploring approximations to the governing equations, presenting cost-effective alternatives to testing on full scale. The complexity of the governing equations makes analytical solutions impractical in the majority of applications. Computational techniques step in by replacing these equations with systems of algebraic equations, thereby facilitating solutions through computer simulations. CFD emerges as a potentially more cost-effective avenue for testing fluid flow systems, providing alternatives to expensive experimental setups. Additionally, it enables the exploration of conditions that pose challenges or are impossible to measure experimentally, thereby broadening the scope of fluid dynamics research beyond the limitations of traditional experimental and analytic approaches.