Essentials of Fluid Mechanics for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

Course Overview

Fluid mechanics is the study of fluids (gases and liquids) either in motion or at rest and it is divided to two main disciplines: fluid statics (fluids at rest) and fluid dynamics (fluid in motion). There are three major but complimentary branches making up the field of fluid dynamics: theoretical (analytical), experimental, and computational fluid dynamics.

In recent years, due to advances in digital computing hardware and software, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has become an invaluable tool for design and analysis of complicated engineering systems involving fluid motion. These fluid motions are often and further complicated due to presence of turbulence, heat and mass transfer, phase change, movement of boundaries, etc. CFD is highly interdisciplinary and is the fusion of three major and distinct disciplines of engineering (fluid dynamics), applied mathematics, and computer science. The increase in development of commercial CFD software has significantly reduced the need for typical end-users to possess a deep knowledge of mathematics and computer science while making CFD more accessible to new users. Furthermore, as in the past, CFD will continue to be considered for problems that are far more challenging and complex than past applications and its use will grow in industrial arenas not traditionally known for their fluid problems.

• A full set of notes in PDF format will be available for download. Each session is presented live and is available for review via a streamable recording.

• Personal passwords are provided to allow you to access e-learning backup material via our special bulletin board. Reading lists, homework submissions, supplementary data are all stored as files on the bulletin board.

• Interaction via the bulletin board is strongly encouraged to obtain the most from the e-learning class. Typically the board runs for 4 weeks after the last live class sessions, giving you plenty of time to catch up with homework, review and ask questions.

• Note: homework is purely voluntary!

Course Process and Details

• This course is completely code independent. No software is required.
  
• This course provides an overview of the essential principles of fluid dynamics for practical application of CFD for real-life engineering problems.
  
• This course introduces and discusses the fundamentals of fluid dynamics to help understand the physical principles behind CFD for correct and effective use of CFD.
  
• Governing principles and definitions make up the core of this course. Important fluid dynamics concepts, phenomena, and simple case studies are also presented to shed light on how to tackle real life and challenging flow problems.
  
• Case studies may include CFD simulation examples, but strong effort is made for the course to be CFD software neutral.

• Interaction is encouraged throughout the course. Students are welcome to send in problems from industry and these will be discussed as time permits.
  
• Full notes are provided for the students, together with personal passwords for e-learning backup material, bulletin board access, etc.
  
• Students will join the audio portion of the meetings by utilizing the VoIP (i.e. headset connected to the computer via headphone and microphone jacks) or by calling into a standard toll line. If you are interested in additional pricing to call-in using a toll-free line, please send an email to: e-learning@nafems.org .

Who Should Attend?

The target audience for this course would include the new generation of CFD analysts as well as the managers interested in use of CFD who may have limited exposure to fluid dynamics or are in the need of a fluid dynamics refresher as it relates to CFD.

E-learning classes are ideal for companies with a group of engineers requiring training. E-learning classes can be provided to suit your needs and timescale. Contact us to discuss your requirements.

Course Program

Note:This is a four-week course. Each session represents one 2-hour session each week.

Session 1

• Fluid dynamics as a discipline: Definition & Challenges
• Complementary approaches to fluid dynamics
• Classifications of fluid flows
• Governing Theory
• Questions and answers
• Multiple-choice quiz

Session 2

• Fluid properties
• Non-dimensionalization
• Dimensional analysis, Similarity, & important non-dimensional numbers
• Important fluid dynamics concepts and phenomena
• Introduction to CFD
• Questions and answers
• Multiple-choice quiz

Session 3

• Understanding Turbulence
• Turbulence Energy cascade
• Turbulence intensity, kinetic energy and dissipation
• Turbulent stresses
• Effects on mixing and transport
• Turbulence Simulation & Modeling
• Questions and answers
• Multiple-choice quiz

Session 4

• Flows with heat transfer
• Internal flows
• External flows
• Flow machinery
• Some Other important fluid problems
• Case study examples (e.g., pipe, valve, nozzle, cylinder,…)
• Questions and answers
• Multiple-choice quiz

Feedback from former e-Learning students:

"This course did everything right. From organization to presentation to interaction, this is a good model for what online training should be."

B.T.

"Super! Doesn't get better than this. Good idea to start having e-Learning courses."

R.P.

"I'm really happy not to pay a big fraction of my annual training budget to airlines and hotels. A BIG plus to e-learning."

V.G.

Special Notes:

Four-Week Online Training Course - one 2-hour session per week

Telephony surcharges may apply for attendees who are located outside of North America, South America and Europe. These surcharges are related to individuals who join the audio portion of the web-meeting by calling in to the provided toll/toll-free teleconferencing lines. We have made a VoIP option available so anyone attending the class can join using a headset (headphones w/ microphone) connected to the computer. There is no associated surcharge to utilize the VoIP option, and is actually encouraged to ensure NAFEMS is able to keep the e-Learning course fees as low as possible. Please send an email to the e-Learning coordinator (e-learning @ nafems.org ) to determine if these surcharges may apply to your specific case.

Just as with a live face-to-face training course, each registration only covers one person. If you plan to register a large group (10+), please send an email to e-learning @ nafems.org in advance for group discounts.

Upcoming Presentations