Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis, an important part of CFD engineering, uses computer simulations to analyze the flow of liquids and gases in and around an object. Because it helps engineers to understand and improve the performance of fluid-flow systems, CFD analysis is used in a wide range of aerodynamic and hydrodynamic applications in many branches of engineering, including aerospace, automotive, and mechanical.

While not a complete substitute for conventional (physical) testing of fluid dynamics, CFD analysis offers several important benefits. It can reveal in detail various phenomena of fluid flows that are difficult or impossible to measure experimentally, such as predicting the flow of air around a newly designed aircraft. CFD analysis also saves time and reduces cost, making it easier for engineers to optimize a design by testing multiple variations of it.

A CFD analysis is generally conducted in three stages: preprocessing, solving, and postprocessing. The preprocessing stage involves modeling the geometry of the object that the fluid flows around and defining the parameters of the CFD simulation, including assumptions about the type of flow involved. During solving, the simulation is conducted by using a computer to solve a series of mathematical equations. In postprocessing, the generated data is analyzed and interpreted to evaluate the results of the simulation.

Computational Fluid Dynamics / CFD Engineering / CFD Simulation