The essential introduction to modern, open source CFD, powered by OpenFOAM.  An accelerated learning experience, enabling you to do successful CFD with confidence.

An introduction to CFD with OpenFOAM from the leaders in CFD training, Chris Greenshields and Aidan Wimshurst.

Essential CFD | OpenFOAM Training |  Course Modules (2.5 days)

Fluid Dynamics/Physical Modelling

  • Initial conditions: field files and time directories, internal and boundary fields, dimensional units
  • Boundary conditions: overview, common conditions, entrainment, useful outlets and inlets, time-varying
  • Introduction to turbulence: what it is, scales and mixing, Reynolds number, turbulent closure, k-epsilon model
  • Turbulence modelling essentials: industry-standard modelling, initialisation, boundary layers, wall functions

Numerical Solution / Computing

  • Linux terminal: environment configuration, running applications, TAB completion, important commands
  • Numerical solution: discrete equations, matrix solvers (Gauss-Seidel, CG, GAMG), residuals, convergence
  • Parallel running: domain decomposition, running MPI, processing data, collated/uncollated file formats
  • Discretization: the fvSchemes directory; schemes for diffusion, advection and gradients; accuracy/boundedness
  • Algorithms: pressure-velocity coupling with SIMPLE/PIMPLE, recommended settings

Geometry and Meshing

  • Geometry generation: generating geometry with FreeCAD, triangulated surface export
  • Introduction to meshes: meshing strategy, blockMesh quick start, boundary types, patch groups
  • snappyHexMesh introduction: surface patching, automated meshing with snappyHexMeshConfig
  • snappyHexMesh enhancements: assessing mesh quality, layer insertion, cell refinement introduction
  • snappyHexMesh refinement: tri-surface manipulation, surface refinement, region refinement, more on layers

Data Analysis

  • Visualization introduction: running ParaView, visualizing geometry, mesh, fields and velocity vectors
  • Data formats: OpenFOAM format, tri-surface formats, VTK conversion, other formats
  • Graphs and surfaces: quick automated graphs, sampling, customised graph data, cutting planes, patch surfaces
  • Objective measures: using probes, force coefficients, residuals, monitoring graphically, other measures

See the OpenFOAM Training Schedule and Book

… for the Essential CFD, Applied CFD, Principles of CFD & Programming CFD courses.

Schedule/Book

Who Should Attend

Target Audience

  • People new to OpenFOAM and/or new to CFD
  • Existing users with limited training/education in modern CFD
  • Users looking to develop competency in all areas of CFD
  • Users looking to simplify OpenFOAM use

Pre-requisites

  • A science/engineering/mathematics background is beneficial
  • Familiarity with Linux is an advantage
  • Working through the OpenFOAM Linux Guide is strongly encouraged

Profound knowledge of the instructor

 

The primary strength was the profound knowledge of the instructor. Thank you. The most important feature was using templates to start a user case.

C.B., BAW Germany

Questions answered immediately and clearly

 

The course provided clear information about the inner workings of OpenFOAM with training of case keywords with the underlying algorithms. Any questions were answered immediately and very clearly.

T.F., Actiflow BV, Netherlands

Very comprehensive

 

The courses were very comprehensive. The best part was the insight of instructor regarding choice of sources and recommended settings.

R.G., DNV USA

Step-by-step instructions

 

The primary strength was tips and step-by-step instructions; the most important feature was the use of templates.

M.F., Arup Germany

Worth every penny

 

It is worth every penny! I took the courses, then started to use OpenFOAM, and it allowed us not to have to buy a couple of extra licenses… so we save thousands of dollars!

M.R., Mabe, Mexico

Further Details

Competence in CFD with OpenFOAM

  • This course has been designed over 6 months, drawing on 2000 hours OpenFOAM training experience.
  • It enables competency: the confidence to repeatedly carry out CFD analysis to a defined standard.
  • Confidence = not freezing at the keyboard.
  • Repeatedly = delivering a good solution, and another…
  • Defined standard = understand what a good solution is and delivering solutions in a timely manner.
  • It addresses the challenges of CFD analysis through a modular curriculum.

Accelerated Learning

Learning CFD through Experience

  • The training involves learning through experience.
  • We use representative cases spanning a range of scientific disciplines and industries.
  • E.g. car, propeller, exhaust, static mixer, cyclone, electronic components, weir.
  • CFD solutions are built in small, digestible steps with periods of reflection to reinforce new concepts.
  • This reflects real CFD practice, where trouble-free, complex simulations cannot usually be set up in “one go”.