How to Start Using OpenFOAM

Name: How to Start Using OpenFOAM
Rating: 4.4 (94 reviews)

Start simulating CFD cases in OpenFOAM from scratch!

Created byCfd Baba

Last updated 11/2022

English

English [Auto],

What you'll learn

Turbulent External Aerodynamics Simulation using simpleFoam
Forced Convection Heat Transfer Simulation using buoyantSimpleFoam
Multiphase Simulation using interFoam
Geometry Preparation Using Salome
Meshing Using Salome
Setting Correct Boundary Conditions in OpenFOAM
Post-processing Using Paraview

Course content

3 sections • 35 lectures • 1h 28m total length

Introduction and Geometry Preparation in Salome5:31
Import the airplane step file into Salome, create a 2d rectangular fluid domain in the xy plane, translate by one meter, and subtract the airplane.
Creating Boundaries in Salome1:46
Define the simulation boundaries in Salome for an OpenFOAM airflow over an airplane by creating an edge group and naming edges inlet, top, bottom, outlet, and plane.
Creating and Refining Mesh in Salome3:52
Learn to create a Salome mesh, refine globally and along airplane edges with local sizing, and extrude the 2D surface into a 3D mesh for OpenFOAM.
Extruding Mesh in Salome for 2D Simulation2:48
Exporting Mesh from Salome in .unv Format0:37
Setting up OpenFOAM Case Structure for Flow Over Airplane1:32
Copy the open form case structure from tutorials, paste it into your project, and import the mesh to access zero, constant, system folders for initial boundary conditions and setup.
Importing the Mesh in OpenFOAM2:12
Navigate to the flow over airplane folder in the Ubuntu terminal using cd and tab completion, then import the mesh in OpenFOAM from the unv file.
Visualization of Mesh and Boundaries in Paraview2:20
Demonstrates visualizing the mesh and boundaries in ParaView by importing geometry, identifying inlet and outlet, and inspecting default faces and top and bottom walls for OpenFOAM simulations.
Setting up Correct Boundary Types in constant Folder1:47
Setting up Initial Boundary Conditions in 0 Folder3:55
Setting up the controlDict in system Folder1:08
Set up the controlDict in the system folder to run simpleFoam from start 0 to end 500 with 700 iterations, delta t 1, and write every ten timestamps.
Post-processing of Results in Paraview4:23
Explore post-processing results in OpenFOAM using Paraview to visualize velocity and pressure contours, navigate iterations, and use last frame, refresh, and rescale tools.

Introduction and Geometry Preparation in Salome4:46
Model a 3D CFD geometry in salome by creating a 1 m sphere, extruding a surrounding enclosure, and using boolean subtraction to form a cavity wall for symmetric wake flow.
Creating Boundaries in Salome1:40
Select faces, create groups, and assign boundary names such as inlet, outlet, sphere, symmetry, and wind tunnel walls to define OpenFOAM boundary conditions in Salome.
Creating 3D Mesh in Salome2:04
Exporting 3D Mesh from Salome in .unv Format1:33
Create face groups for boundary conditions in Salome, assign to nodes, then export the mesh as mesh.unv in a new folder named flow over heart sphere for OpenFOAM workflows.
Setting up OpenFOAM Case Structure for Cold Flow Over Hot Sphere0:55
Copy the OpenFOAM case structure from the tutorials folder into your project, copy the heat transfer circuit board cooling folders, rename the zero folder as required, and import the mesh.
Importing the Mesh in OpenFOAM1:48
Visualization of Mesh and Boundaries in Paraview1:29
Setting up Correct Boundary Types in constant Folder2:05
Setting up Initial Boundary Conditions in 0 Folder9:05
OpenFOAM guide: set boundary conditions in the zero folder by copying patch names and applying zero gradient at the outlet, no-slip walls, symmetry, and fixed value for inlet and sphere.
Setting up Files in constant and system Folder1:07
Set gravity in the g file under constant to -9.81 in the z direction, then configure 600 iterations in system control dict with the simple form solver for heat transfer.
Setting up controlDict and Launching the Simulation1:13
Post-processing of Results in Paraview4:46

Introduction and Importing Geometry File in Salome1:46
Learn to set up a multiphase tank filling and emptying case in open foam using the inter form solver, starting by importing and matching geometry in salome.
Creating Boundaries in Salome1:38
Create and name boundary groups in Salome for a 2d OpenFOAM setup, marking inlet, outlet, atmosphere, and walls, using edge selection, hiding steps, and applying the groups.
Creating and Refining Mesh in Salome1:53
Create a uniform, very fine mesh in Salome by setting element size to 0.006, computing, and fitting the geometry, then group geometry, and extrude the mesh for export to OpenFOAM.
Extruding Mesh in Salome for 2D Simulation and Exporting Mesh1:31
Setting up interFoam Case Structure for Tank Filling Simulation1:13
Learn to set up an interFoam tank filling simulation by importing a mesh, copying four case files from the water channel tutorial, and opening the case to view results.
Importing the Mesh in OpenFOAM1:48
Navigate to the case folder on the drive and import the mesh in OpenFOAM using the terminal. Verify the import by the printed confirmation and view the mesh.
Visualization of Mesh and Boundaries in Paraview1:19
Open OpenFOAM, import the mesh, and view it with edges to reveal inlet, outlet, and atmosphere boundaries; set empty boundary conditions for a 2D simulation.
Setting up Initial Boundary Conditions in 0 Folder4:33
Set boundary types in constant/polyMesh and zero folder, assigning inlet, outlet, atmosphere, and default faces with patch, wall, and empty conditions, plus an inlet velocity of 0.1 m/s along x.
Setting up Files in constant and system Folder1:35
Delete unused turbulence files and other unnecessary files in constant and system folders for laminar runs. Set gravity to the negative y direction and keep water and air transport properties.
Setting up controlDict and Launching the Simulation4:01
Post-processing of Results in Paraview2:56
Visualize post-processing of OpenFOAM results in ParaView by animating tank filling and emptying, where alpha values distinguish water from air regions, with a 0.1 m/s inlet velocity and outlet flow.

Requirements

Enthusiasm to learn OpenFOAM

Description

Note - CFD results always need to be validated with experimental data before blindly relying on them.

This course will take you through all the basics required in order to simulate simple CFD problems using OpenFOAM.

Geometry preparation will be covered using Salome.
Meshing will be covered using Salome.
Solving will be covered using OpenFOAM solvers.
Post-processing of results will be covered using Paraview.
All these software are available for free without any license costs.

CFD helps to reduce the cost of products by saving time and money in prototype testing phase. Rapid prototype testings can be done by using CFD technology to predict the future behavior of the product. It enables us to foresee any shortcomings in the product and rectify them before the actual manufacturing phase of the product. This is a young technology and can grow substantially in near future.

You will be able to draw CAD models using the dimensions of any given geometry. Then you will understand how to mesh the geometry in Salome to get appropriate results. Mesh size plays an important role in deciding the accuracy of your results. Assumption of boundary conditions is another important aspect in any CFD simulation. Replication of real-life conditions must be correctly implemented in the CFD boundary conditions. Finally good post-processing of the results helps you to deliver your results successfully to the non-technical.

Who this course is for:

Bachelors Students
Masters Students
Professionals

How to Start Using OpenFOAM

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Simulation of External Flow over Airplane using simpleFoam12 lectures • 32min

Simulation of Heat Transfer Between Cold Air and Hot Sphere12 lectures • 33min

Multiphase Simulation of Filling and Emptying a Tank using interFoam11 lectures • 24min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: