The Complete Introduction to OpenFOAM

Learn CFD through Solid Mechanics with OpenFOAM and the FOAM-Extend Solid Mechanics library

Created by: Philip Baldock
Physics Grad, Programmer and Illustrator

What Will I Learn?

• Understand the basic requirements of OpenFOAM computational modelling
• Be able to take any tutorial file in OpenFOAM, set the case up for yourself and use geometries and boundaries of your choosing. Though we can't cover the majority of solvers, you should be in a position to explore particular solvers for yourself and learn on your own.
• Create meshes and set up boundaries/initial conditions compatible with OpenFOAM
• Be able to use the FOAM-Extend solid mechanics solver library.
• Understand the foundations of steady/time dependent Linear Elasticity, Thermal Conduction, Friction and Plasticity for use in Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing engineering applications

Requirements

• Basic geometry and engineering skills
• A passion for science and engineering
• CFD is at its core a way to solve calculus problems without actually doing calculus - an understanding of what differential equations mean is highly beneficial but you don't need to be able to solve them on a blackboard.
• A Linux installation or emulation is not essential but greatly simplifies use of OpenFOAM and hence this course uses the terminal extensively. That said, no prior Linux experience is necessary, all Bash scripting is supplied in course.

Target audience

• Beginner engineers looking to learn the full power of computational modelling but frustrated with the mostly incomprehensible material available online.
• Researchers and professionals looking for a simple and tractable introduction to getting OpenFOAM to work.