Computational Fluid Dynamics: Governing Equations and Numerical Techniques

This paper presents an overview of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) as a critical and widely used tool for the analysis of fluid flow phenomena across various engineering and scientific applications. CFD employs numerical methods and algorithms to solve and analyse the complex governing equations of fluid motion, enabling detailed insight into flow behaviour that is often difficult to obtain through experimental or analytical approaches alone. The paper highlights the significance of CFD as a powerful simulation tool and systematically examines the major stages involved in a CFD analysis, including problem definition, grid generation, solution of governing equations, and post-processing of results. Emphasis is placed on the fundamental principles underlying CFD, particularly the governing equations such as the Navier–Stokes equations, which constitute the mathematical foundation of fluid flow modelling. Additionally, discretization techniques, which form the backbone of CFD simulations, are discussed to illustrate how continuous equations are transformed into solvable numerical forms. The study further outlines the key advantages and limitations of CFD.