With the use of computational fluid dynamics, we can analyze fluid behavior in aerodynamics, heat transfer, hydrodynamics, and more. Computational fluid dynamics provides a powerful mathematical model to generate computer simulations of fluid flow without the need for expensive physical testing.
CFD Services
- Steady State
- Internal/External Flow
- Incompressible/Compressible Flow
- Turbulent Flow
- Heat Transfer
- Convective Cooling
- Pressure Drop
- Electronic Cooling
- Structural Wind Loads
Aerodynamics
Prior to computational fluid dynamics in order to understand a body’s aerodynamic performance, one would need to create a scale model of the body and then use a wind tunnel to analyze its performance or apply mathematical calculations with a large amount of assumptions which required large safety factors that added significant costs. This was costly and made iterating on the design challenging, limiting the aerodynamic design and optimization capabilities.
Computational fluid dynamics completely changed industries related to aerodynamics. With computer simulations generated by computational fluid dynamics we can create a model, analyze it for aerodynamics and then iterate on the design with insights from the analysis. Computational fluid dynamics accelerates the aerodynamic design and optimization process and makes iterating on a design affordable.
Computational fluid dynamics can be applied to not only validate and optimize aircraft, automobiles, and other products for aerodynamics, but it can also be applied to better understand wind loading on structures such as high rise buildings, wind turbines, and bridges. This can be critical for buildings with geometrical irregularities, dense urban areas where wind loads can be complicated due to surrounding structures, and for structures where wind load requirements can add significant costs in reinforcement. With an understanding of accurate wind loads, the structural system of a building can be optimized and the potential for failure due to missing a critical wind load scenario can be averted.
We implement today’s most advanced computational fluid dynamics software along with highly trained engineers to generate accurate models for design validation and optimization using a data-driven iteration process so that your products and designs are more competitive in today’s market.
Example Applications
- Aircraft
- Automobiles
- Wind Turbines
- Turbines
- Structures – Bridges & Buildings
- Rockets & Spacecraft
- Carbon Capture
Heat Transfer
Fluids are frequently used for heat transfer whether through the use of fans, heatsinks or liquids. Fans use convection to carry heat away from components by increasing the flow rate of air and therefore the number of particles that can accept energy to cool a component. Heatsinks have a high amount of surface area exposed to air which significantly increases convective cooling. Liquid cooling offers even greater heat transfer and cooling properties and is used in many applications where cooling requirements are demanding such as electronic packaging, motor/generators, heat exchangers and de-icing systems.
Whenever fluids are involved with heat transfer a coupled fluid-solid computational fluid dynamics analysis is used ย to ensure the convection portion of the energy balance is calculated accurately.ย Regular finite element analysis is capable of accurately simulating conduction, and radiation heat transfer. Only computational fluid dynamics has the ability to calculate the flow conditions within complex geometry to accurately simulate convection heat transfer. The coupled fluid-solid computational fluid dynamics combines these analysis capabilities into a single computer model.
Coupled fluid-solid computational fluid dynamics analyses have the capability to generate an accurate heat transfer model and guide the design iteration process ย without the need for creating an expensive physical prototype. Because materials thermally expand and do it at different rates, temperate change and thermal gradients create forces within and between components of a structural system.ย ย On the structural side of engineering, we call this the thermal load and it must be included to fully understand the durability of many systems.ย A coupled fluid-solid computational fluid dynamics is commonly used to calculate the thermal load.
Example Applications
- Electronics
- Engines
- Turbines
- Rocket Valves
- Cooling Systems
- Power Plants
- Spacecraft
Hydrodynamics
Whether you’re looking to reduce head loss in a pipeline or drag on a ship to improve fuel economy, having a strong understanding of hydrodynamic performance is critical when making design improvements. With the use of computational fluid dynamics, we can generate particle tracking models to determine velocity, pressure, drag, laminar vs turbulent flow, and more.
Computational fluid dynamics applies Navier-Stokes equations to large and complicated models in order to simulate fluid characteristics. With the results generated from the computational fluid dynamics model we can determine design changes to improve performance and affordably iterate on the design without the need of creating expensive physical models.
We use computational fluid dynamics as a cost-effective way to validate and optimize hydrodynamic designs prior to the need for expensive physical testing.
Example Applications
- Watercraft
- Submarines
- Pipelines
- Water management
Building Wind Loads
All buildings are subject to wind loads which can be substantial and are the controlling horizontal load for most buildings outside of seismic regions. Computational fluid dynamics helps expedite the design process of larger and unique architectural buildings by enabling an engineer to simulate the wind loads on a complex structure and incorporate neighboring building effects on wind such as turbulence, vortex formation and more.
Multi-physics analysis which combines finite element analysis and computational fluid dynamics also enables an engineer to consider non-linear second order effects due to wind loads that occur in structures which experience significant deflections. We are also able to analyze the structure for vibrational loading in the event of vortexes or turbulence. Using multi-physics we can also check to see if the structure is at risk of vibrating at its resonance frequency which can lead to a sudden intensification of vibrations causing failure as is the case with the Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapse.
Example Applications
- Bridge Design
- High-Rise Design
Icing
Icing analyses are used to predict where and if ice will tend to build up on an aircraft or other structure.
Aircraft depend upon the shape of their wings to develop lift with a minimum of drag. Freezing rain or suspend water particles can accumulate rapidly on an aircraft changing the wings shape, adding weight and increasing drag with catastrophic consequences. As a result, icing conditions are avoided whenever possible. However, some aircraft are expected to operate regardless of conditions and all aircraft have the potential for some exposure. For these aircraft, understanding where ice will tend to build up is critical for the design of heating and other anti-ice systems.
The icing analysis combines computational fluid dynamics with a specialized particle tracking algorithm. Using this software we can analyze for airflow, droplet size, and ice accretion, and de-icing heat loads.
Aircraft designed to tolerate icing have heating elements or expandable bladders located where ice builds ups. These devices are too expensive to place everywhere. As a result, an icing analysis is highly desired to gain insight as to where to locate the anti-ice components.
Example Applications
- Aircraft
Multiphysics
Many products and designs need the combination of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in order to provide accurate models. We use multiphysics analysis to simulate multiple physical phenomena to provide accurate models.
Example Applications
- Coupled Fluid-Solid Heat Transfer
- Fluid-Solid Interaction (fluid loads)
- Wind Structural Loading
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Engineering Toolbox
We maintain the following computational fluid dynamics (CFD) engineering software and employ a team of trained engineers who are experts in the use of the software in order to deliver exceptional results on your project.
- ANSYS Fluent
- ANSYS CFX
- LSDYNA
- SolidWorks Flow Simulation (FLOWORKS)
- TECPLOT 360
- LEWICE 3D
Other Engineering Services
Learn more about our wide range of engineering services that can help make your project a success!
Contact us today to speak to an experienced engineer or for a free quote!
Made in the USA – Computational Fluid Dynamic models are built, run, analyzed, and reports written in our offices by ASR’s USA-based engineers.