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Overview

Use of simulations as part of design process is increasingly becoming a standard practice in industry and research mainly because it leads to efficient design in lesser time. Due to same reason CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) is rapidly becoming an integral part of product development cycle. When CFD was newly invented it was just part of research laboratories. Now since the growth of commercial CFD software and more powerful computing resources, CFD is part of every design team in industry. The most critical obstacle toward learning CFD is the fundamental knowledge and high level of expertise in software usage. LearnCAx already provides a CFD course based on software ANSYS Fluent. On the similar lines this course is designed to teach you CFD analysis using software ANSYS CFX.

The learning stages remain the same while using CFX. First you will learn fundamental theory related to CFD. Then you will learn how to generate mesh using software ICEM CFD. After that you will learn how to conduct CFD analysis using software CFX. When you use CFX software suite for any CFD simulation you need to use three different software tools. These are CFX Pre, CFX Solve and CFD post. CFX Pre is used for CFD model preparation, CFX Solve is used for CFD calculations and CFD post is used for extracting results. This course will teach you all the simulations steps involved in all these three software. You will also learn how to create your own customized functions and variable in order to make the modeling process efficient. 

Recommended background

A science background is recommended for this course. One should be familiar with basic physics concepts like scalars, vectors, pressure, velocity, forces etc. The course will start with a review of fundamental concepts of fluid dynamics and heat transfer. So you do not need any pre-requisite for this course other than having an interest in CFD. No specific educational degree is necessary to take this course. CFD analysis is based on fundamental equations of fluid dynamics and heat transfer; hence participants from mechanical, chemical, civil and petroleum fields find themselves more comfortable than other background. They will also benefit more than participants from other background. 

"The early you start more the benefit". CFD is fast becoming a popular simulation based design tool in industry. Our course participants are from academic background as well as industry professionals. But if you are a student in an undergraduate science degree this is the best time to start learning CFD. The early you start, more are the benefits. 

Your Learning

By the end of this course you will gain expertise in conducting CFD using ANSYS CFX and ICEM CFD. Apart from software skills our objective of this course is also to make you understand how CFD is used as a design tool. Below will be your learning in this course:

  • You will have better understanding of fluid dynamics and heat transfer. 
  • You will clearly understand the concept of CFD.
  • You will be able to define or conceptualize a CFD problem.
  • You will learn how to conduct mesh generation for CFD using ICEM CFD.
  • You will learn how to conduct CFD simulation using ANSYS CFX.
  • You will learn how to use CFD results for making design decisions.
  • You will be inspired to pursue CFD as a professional or academic field of your choice.

The course mainly contains video lessons based on fundamental theory and software skills. Apart from video lessons, the course also contains other components like software demos, assignments, and project. The course is delivered based on a concept of ‘learning lessons accompanied with live mentoring sessions’. Initial sections of the course contain fundamental lessons, middle part is based on mesh generation skills using ANSYS ICEM CFD and end part of the course is based on CFD simulation using ANSYS CFX. Based on the content of the video lessons and accompanied assignments, projects you can expect to complete the course in 6 to 7 weeks. 

Course Format

The course mainly contains video lessons. The duration of each lesson varies from few minutes for some lessons to 40 minutes for some lessons. For short software demos the duration is very small and for detailed theory lessons or software knowledge lessons the duration is large. The course also contains other content like tests, assignments, and project. 

The course is delivered based on a concept of ‘online learning using video lessons accompanied with live mentoring’. 

Below are features or elements of our training process:

Video lessons : The course consists of video lessons on various topics of theory and software knowledge. You can gain knowledge and software skills by watching these video lessons any number of times.

Video tutorials: Video tutorials will also be provided to you as part of the course. These video tutorials are sample CFD problems which explain or demonstrate how to conduct CFD simulation of common industrial problems using the software ANSYS CFX.

Software Demos : The course also consists of software demos. These short videos explain some tools or operations of software so that you can watch and practice on your own. 

Course Assignments : After certain software learning is complete you will be provided with assignments. These assignments will be industrial level mesh generation or CFD solution problems which you will have to do on your own using skills acquired in the course. You will be provided with all the necessary input files for the assignments. Once you complete these assignments you will have to submit them to us for evaluation. 

Course project : At the end of the course you will be assigned a course project. This project will be a complete CFD problem from start to end. You will be provided with the problem statement and input files. Using your acquired skills of the software ICEM CFD and CFX you will conduct this CFD project and present a CFD project report by the end of your course. Our mentors will evaluate your report and provide you suggestions or additional mentoring based on your performance in the project. 

Mentoring :  Along with our course content we also provide mentoring for the participants in this course. The mentoring is provided to resolve any of your doubts or question related to the course learning. There are two types of mentoring:

  1. Unlimited mentoring through email : During the course you may have queries or doubts about the course content. To resolve those queries our mentors will interact with you using email. You can ask your queries through email and our mentors will provide you with specific answers to help resolve your queries. 
  2. Limited hours of live mentoring : In this our mentors will conduct a live mentoring session with you every week for an hour. So total you get 6 hours of live mentoring as part of the course. These live mentoring sessions will be sought of Q & A sessions to resolve any of your doubts related to the course learning. You can directly ask your questions to our mentor. 

Please note that mentoring through email and live session is meant to resolve your queries related to learning through the course. This mentoring does not cover any queries which are not related to the course or for any of your other CFD related queries. For such queries we recommend to you our other learning services. Information of such learning services can be found on course page. 

Certification : At the end of the course based on your performance and our evaluation you will be granted a certification from LearnCAx for successful completion of the course. 

Course Material : At the end of the course LearnCAx will send you course material in the form of course lesson notes for your future reference. 

Course Syllabus

The course is divided into 22 lessons and additional content like assignment and project. Each lesson has a specific objective and is designed to satisfy the needs of subsequent lesson. It is recommended that you do not move to the next lesson until all the concepts in the lesson are well understood.

Video Lessons :

Lesson 1: Study of Fluid flows

Have you ever observed common fluid flow phenomenon around you? Have you ever wondered about the physics behind such fluid flows? Whether they can be described by using mathematics and who discovered such mathematical equations of fluid flows? Fluid flow is present everywhere. The aim of this lesson is to show you how every phenomenon around us involves fluid flow. The lesson will present a discussion on the three fundamental methods used to study fluid flow. In the end you will also understand where simulation finds its place as tool to study fluid flow and allied phenomenon. 

Lesson 2: Introduction to CFD 

Assuming that most of the participants are new to the topic of CFD, the first lesson is designed as an introduction to CFD. CFD is a distinct field of simulation sciences which is based on physics and mathematical equations. Hence our first lesson is designed in order to provide you a complete understanding of overall concept of CFD. This lesson provides the basics of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) without going into details of the mathematics or numerical algorithms. By the end of this lesson you will have a clear understanding of CFD and terms like Design, Modeling, Simulation, and CFD. You will also realize that CFD is very interesting and highly useful design tool.

Lesson 3: CFD Equations and Numerical Solution 

We believe that every participant of our course, who uses CFD software, should also be aware of what is happening behind the software. Behind the software there are physics equations solved using numerical methods. This lesson is design in a way that you will get a basic understanding of the generalized CFD equations and the numerical methods that are used to solve these equations. The objective of this lesson is to refresh the knowledge of mathematical equations which govern fluid flow and heat transfer and also to provide an overview of the additional equations that are solved in CFD. By the end of this lesson you will be familiar with Navier Stokes equations and the difference between exact and numerical solution of differential Equations.

Lesson 4: Fundamentals of Finite Volume method

One of the most commonly used algorithms to convert the partial differential equation to algebraic equations is the Finite Volume Method. Hence it is critical to understand the finite volume method. In this lesson we will see how the Navier Stokes equations are converted into mathematical formulations using the finite volume methods. This lesson would explain how to convert the integral form of conservation equations into linear algebraic equations, using Finite Volume Method. By the end of this lesson you will have a clear understanding of the Finite Volume Method.

Lesson 5: Fundamental Concepts of Meshing

What is mesh generation? Have you heard the term pre-processing? The aim of this lesson is to introduce you to fundamental concept of meshing. You will learn what is grid or mesh generation. Then you will understand a grid cell and different cell types. Ever wondered what are the different methods of mesh generation? This lesson will also provide you with an overview of different grid generation methods. You will also get a first look of the software ICEM CFD in this lesson. By the end of this lesson you will be familiar with all the fundamental concepts of grid generation process. 

Lesson 6: Introduction to GUI of ICEM CFD

This lesson is your first introduction to meshing process. When you perform CFD using ANSYS CFD suite the meshing process is done using ICEM CFD. The objective of this lesson to provide you a clear understanding of the concept of mesh generation and why mesh is required. The lesson will also familiarize you with the overall process of mesh generation within ICEM CFD software. By the end of this lesson you will have a clear understanding of ICEM CFD functions and its capabilities. Detailed operations will be taught in further lessons. 

Lesson 7: Geometry creation in ICEM CFD

For every CFD simulation we require a CAD model to create virtual CFD environment. We have to either generate CAD model in ICEM CFD or import it from third party software. Also many repair operations are needed to be performed on the imported CAD model as it is not ready for CFD. By the end of this lesson you will be able to create and import geometries in ICEM CFD. You will also know all skills to make geometry ready for CFD. 

Lesson 8: Hexahedral meshing in ICEM CFD

This lesson will introduce you to the most commonly used and preferred mesh type –Structured Hexahedral meshing. The objective of this lesson is to teach you all the skills required to generate a structured hexahedral mesh using multi-block method in ICEM CFD. By the end of this lesson you will have a clear understanding of mesh or grid generation process and also you will acquire all skills to decide a blocking topology and create hexahedral mesh for different levels of geometric complexity.

Lesson 9: Shell meshing in ICEM CFD

The objective of this lesson is to train you in surface meshing which is also called as the shell mesh. Many times we need to use shell mesh type for 2D cross section or as an input for 3D volume mesh. Although this lesson covers all types of shell meshing, the prime focus will be more on surface cell sizing and triangular element meshing using patch independent method. This lesson will teach you how to generate shell mesh in ICEM.

Lesson 10: Volume meshing process – Tetrahedral meshing in ICEM CFD

This lesson will focus on tetrahedral mesh type. It will teach you the entire process of tetrahedral mesh generation using ICEM CFD. It is not always possible to generate hexahedral mesh for complex shapes of geometries in CFD. Hence you need to know how to generate tetrahedral mesh. By the end of this lesson you will be comfortable to generate mesh for complex CFD models which cannot be handled by hexahedral mesh. 

Lesson 11: Volume meshing process – Prism meshing in ICEM CFD

Another important aspect of mesh generation and perhaps the most advanced, is prism mesh generation. Accurate numerical simulation of most physical phenomenon in fluids depends on capturing boundary effects by using prism mesh near surfaces. The lesson will provide you complete knowledge of how to resolve boundary layer flows using prism mesh type in ICEM CFD. 

Lesson 12: ANSYS CFX GUI and Workflow

The objective of this lesson is to make you comfortable with the Graphic User Interface (GUI) and workflow of the software ANSYS CFX. Before starting to use any software you should be well familiar with the user interface, various mouse options and clicks as well panel locations and buttons. This lesson will provide you with all the knowledge required to handle CFX software user interface. By the end of this lesson you will be able to carry out basic tasks while using ANSYS CFX and also navigate through the User Interface of ANSYS CFX.

Lesson 13: CFD Workflow Demonstration using CFX

The aim of this lesson is to demonstrate you the entire workflow followed when conducting CFD analysis using CFX software. The demonstration is based on CFD simulation of flow over circular cylinder. By the end of this lesson you will be able to conceptualize your own CFD problem in CFX and also plan simulation setup stages on your own.  

Lesson 14: Domain Conditions in CFX

The software used for model prepare when using CFX suite is CFX Pre. In CFX Pre, the physics modeling is based on concept of domains. A real world fluid flow phenomenon is converting into a CFD model by using the concept of domain. Domains are regions of space in which the equations of fluid flow or heat transfer are solved. This lesson will teach you how to conceptualize CFD domain and provide all user inputs in order to model physics inside domain.  

Lesson 15: Boundary Conditions in CFX

Boundary conditions are the most important part of CFD simulation setup. The objective of this lesson is to train you in order to decide how to provide sensible and accurate boundary conditions to a CFD problem. Boundary conditions are nothing but transfer of information from real life scenario to a virtual CFD model at the boundaries of the CFD environment. By the end of this lesson you will able to extract information from real life scenarios and transfer it to different boundary condition types in a CFD model within ANSYS CFX Pre.

Lesson 16: Interface, Source, and Additional Variables

There may be scenarios where you will need to connect multiple CFD domains. In some situations you will also need to model power or heat storing components. Also in some cases you will need to create your own variables for CFD calculation. This lesson will teach you feature of CFX Pre software using which you can perform these advanced tasks. 

Lesson 17: Solver mathematics and setup

CFX Solve is a CFD solver. Which means it will use a meshed geometry and CFD equation along with user inputs to produce solution of these equations by using various algorithms and models. The objective of this lesson is to teach you how to provide different inputs to the software to solve a CFD problem. By the end of this lesson you will be familiar with overall procedure for implementing any CFD project in ANSYS CFX.

Lesson 18: CFX Solver Manager

When you perform CFD analysis using CFX software suite, you use separate software for computing solution. This is known as CFX solver manager. This lesson will teach you all aspects of solver manager, right from how to launch it till how to provide all user inputs required for calculating and exporting CFD results file from solver manager. 

Lesson 19: Results and Post processing after CFX simulation

The aim of this lesson is to teach you how to judge the quality of CFD results and represent them in a realistic and informative manner. You will learn how to extract CFD results using the software CFD Post. This is the separate post processing environment available when analyzing results obtained from CFX Solve. By the end of this lesson you will also learn to extract CFD results and apply them to improve design. 

Lesson 20: CFX Expression Language

Many times for extracting design relevant data from CFD results, the inbuilt functions or variables are not sufficient. In such cases the user has to create their own expressions or functions and represent them in the CFD model. In CFX you can do this by using the feature CFX Expression Language. This lesson will teach you how to use CFX expression language (CEL) create your own variable expressions and use them as plotting or reporting variables at different locations. 

Lesson 21: CFX Command language

An interesting feature of CFX software is the CFX command language. Using this you can design your own customize workflow or task and avoid repetitive use of GUI when performing complex simulations. Experienced users of software find this feature highly useful. This lesson will provide you a quick overview of the CFX command language. In this lesson you will learn how to bypass the CFX GUI and modify solution inputs using CCL in an efficient manner. 

Lesson 22: Transient Simulations in CFX

If you look around yourself you will find that many phenomenon in nature and in industry are time dependent phenomena. Simple phenomenon like a falling droplet of water is also a time dependent phenomenon. In industry also applications like tank filling or mixing physics are time dependent. But for design as well as during simulation we are most of the times interested in steady state operation. But this is not always correct or feasible. In this lesson you will learn how to carry out CFD simulation of transient phenomenon in CFX. 

Practice Tutorials :

Tutorial 1: Effect of guide vanes on duct flow in Low turbulence

This practice tutorial will show you the steps involved in setting up a simulation in CFX. The CFD problem is based on simulation of flow through a duct bend. CFD is used to analyze the effect of guide vanes on the flow and heat transfer. The flow is characterized to be low turbulence and the tutorial will showcase flow simulation with and without guide vanes. 

Tutorial 2: Effect of guide vanes on duct flow in High turbulence

This practice tutorial will show you the steps involved in setting up a simulation in CFX. The CFD problem is based on simulation of flow through a duct bend. CFD is used to analyze the effect of guide vanes on the flow and heat transfer. The flow in this case is characterized to be high turbulence and the tutorial will showcase flow simulation with and without guide vanes.

Video Tutorials :

Tutorial 1: Geometry cleanup in ICEM CFD

The objective of this tutorial is to demonstrate you various geometry repair operations in ICEM CFD. The tutorial is based on geometry cleanup of a control valve model. You can practice different geometry repair tools by watching this tutorial. 

Tutorial 2: Hexahedral meshing in ICEM CFD

Objective of this video tutorial is to demonstrate you the hexahedral mesh generation process in ICEM CFD. You can learn various techniques of hexahedral mesh generation process including blocking by watching this tutorial. 

Tutorial 3: Tetrahedral meshing in ICEM CFD

The aim of this tutorial is to teach you the tetrahedral meshing process using ICEM CFD. An example of electronic cabinet CFD model is used for demonstrating tetrahedral mesh type. By watching this tutorial you can learn the process of tetrahedral mesh generation.

Course Test :

Test 1: ICEM CFD Geometry Creation

The objective of this is test to refresh and check your learning on geometry creation and repairing tools in ANSYS ICEM CFD. This test contains a total of 16 multiple choice type questions. The maximum time duration allotted for this test is 20 minutes. This will help you in approaching a geometry for CAD clean-up or repair.

Test 2: ICEM CFD Blocking Topology

The objective of this test is to provoke your thought on blocking topologies or strategies for geometries. Three 2D geometries are shown and you need to sketch a blocking topology for those geometries and upload the file. You don’t have to consider ICEM CFD options for this test. This will help you in approaching geometry for multi-block structured hexahedral mesh generation. 

Test 3: ICEM CFD Hexa Meshing

The objective of is this test to refresh and check your learning on ‘multi-block structured hexahedral mesh’ generation method and tools in ANSYS ICEM CFD. This test contains a total of 10 multiple choice type questions. This can be an open-software test. You can open ANSYS ICEM CFD and make use of it to answer the test. But the maximum time duration allotted for this test is 20 minutes. We suggest you to take this test only after you complete the lesson-7 i.e., ‘Hexahedral meshing in ICEM CFD’ of this course.

Course Assignments :

Assignment 1: Mesh generation 2D profile geometry

The objective of this assignment is to provide you software practice opportunity to generate mesh for 2D geometry. Our mentors will be available to help resolve your queries related to assignment. By the end of this assignment you will become comfortable in using ICEM CFD for generating 2D mesh.

Assignment 2: Mesh generation for Heat exchanger geometry

The objective of this assignment is to provide you software practice opportunity to generate volume mesh for a CFD model. The assignment is based on sample tube in tube geometry. Our mentors will be available to help resolve your queries related to assignment. By the end of this assignment you will become comfortable in using ICEM CFD for generating volume mesh. 

Assignment 3: Mesh generation for Catalytic converter geometry

The objective of this assignment is to provide you software practice opportunity and gain confidence and expertise in the entire mesh generation process in ICEM CFD. The complexity level of this assignment is high as you will need to think from CFD physics point of view as well while generating mesh. The assignment is based on Catalytic convertor geometry. Our mentors will be available to help resolve your queries related to assignment. 

Course Project :

CFD modeling of turbulence flow through nozzle geometry

This is the course project used for final evaluation. In this project you will perform a complete CFD analysis from start to end. The project will involve a mesh generation task and a simulation task. The CFD problem is based on modeling turbulent flow through nozzle geometry. You will practice various CFD analysis operations in ICEM and CFX like mesh type selection, mesh generation, mesh refinement, solution setup and result extraction in this project. Your evaluation will be based on final report you submit on the CFD results of this project. 

1. I do not know what CFD is? How should I decide whether to take this course or not? 

Many of our participants do not know about CFD before they start the course. If you are from science background or if you are from any of the fields of mechanical, chemical, petroleum, or civil engineering field then learning CFD can benefit you in many ways. In order to know more about CFD please use “Ask a Question” link on course page and our mentors and representative will contact you to explain CFD and its application.

2. When can I start the course and how much time is needed to complete the course?

The course is available all the time. To start this course you need to buy the course. After this our executive will contact you and guide you through further process in order to activate your course. The course usually gets activated within 1 to 2 working days once all processing is completed. Considering difficulty level, understanding capacity and necessary extra reading and assignments to be done; on an average, we expect this course to be finished in 6 to 7 weeks.

3. Why is it important to learn CFD skills? Why is CFD becoming popular in industry?

CFD has become an important tool in design process in product and process industry across industry domain. The importance of simulation is increasing rapidly as it results in better product in shorter design cycle. Also the end cost of product is reduced because of use of simulations and CFD forms an important part of simulation based product development. Hence the use of CFD in industry and research has increased and will keep on growing. Due to same reason, it becomes beneficial to acquire CFD skills. 

4. How difficult is this course?

This course is intensive in terms of knowledge, training and practice involved. But it is not a difficult course. You do not need any prerequisite knowledge to join the course. An interest in CFD and willingness to study and practice is certainly required. 

5. I have few queries related to work I am doing. Can I contact you? 

As the course is designed for beginners, so you might have specific questions. Feel free to ask those questions using the link “Ask a Question” given on course page.

6. I am a student in undergraduate degree. Is it too soon to learn CFD? Will I understand it?

No. It is not too soon. In fact this is the right time to get involved in CFD related learning. The earlier you gain knowledge of CFD, the better it is for you. You can conduct research in CFD in your academic life as well as this will open up many career opportunities related to CFD. 

7. What are ANSYS CFX and ANSYS ICEM CFD?

ANSYS, Inc. is an engineering simulation software developer. ANSYS CFX software is CFD software from ANSYS which has broad physical modeling capabilities needed to model flow, turbulence, heat transfer, and reactions for industrial applications. ANSYS CFX is widely used in industry for many CFD based design applications. ICEM CFD is mesh generation software from ANSYS. 

8. Why is this course based on ANSYS CFX and ANSYS ICEM CFD? 

ANSYS ICEM CFD and ANSYS CFX are among the most popular and widely used CFD tools in industry and academia. Due to this it is beneficial to learn these products as in most of the industries and research facilities you will be exposed to projects related to these software tools. Also they are highly robust, validated and efficient tools for conducting CFD analysis.

9. Does your course provide access to software for practice?

No. Participants have to arrange for their own access to software for practice. 

10. Do you provide certification?

Yes. After successful completion of the course we provide certification to participants. 

11. Is it possible to learn software using online learning?

Yes. Online learning has already been established as one of leading methods for cost effective and flexible software learning. 

12. I am weak in fundamentals of fluid dynamics or forgotten them. Can I take this course?

Our course content will help you review your fundamental knowledge about fluid dynamics. Also our course mentors will guide you on methods to strengthen your knowledge of fluid dynamics. So this is not a problem while you take the course. 

13. How will I ever use CFD if I am a student?

Currently many student in undergraduate or post graduate degrees use CFD as a tool for their research activity. If you are in a field where CFD simulation has applications you may use CFD for any of your research activity. 

14. I am a professional and work in a field not related to CFD. But I am interested in CFD. Can I take this course?

Yes. Certainly you can take the course. Our mentors will help you make your learning smooth even if you have to take up this course along with your profession which is not related to CFD. Acquiring CFD analysis skills will certainly add value to your skill set along with you current profession.