Hands-On CFD Analysis Using Open-Source Tools

Accelerate Your Research Workflow by Integrating FreeCAD, Gmsh, OpenFOAM, ParaView, and Cloud Computing

What you'll learn
- Develop a high-level understanding of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
- Understand major stages of a typical CFD workflow—from problem definition and geometry creation to meshing, simulation setup, and post-processing
- Create simple CAD models using FreeCAD for use in CFD simulations.
- Generate high-quality computational meshes using GMSH
- Configure and run CFD simulations using OpenFOAM, including defining boundary conditions, solver settings, and physical models.
- Perform post-processing and visualize CFD results using ParaView and OpenFOAM's built-in tools to extract meaningful insights.
- Execute CFD simulations on Amazon Web Services (AWS) to leverage cloud computing for scalable performance.

Requirements
- No programming experience required – All necessary tools and steps will be explained and demonstrated during the course.
- Basic engineering-level calculus – Familiarity with concepts like integration, differentiation, and vector operations (e.g., divergence) is recommended for understanding the underlying physics.
- Fundamental understanding of fluid mechanics – A basic conceptual grasp of the Navier–Stokes equations and their role in governing fluid flow will help contextualize the simulations.
- Computer requirements – A personal computer with a minimum of 8 GB RAM and a dual-core processor is recommended for running tools smoothly.

Description
This course provides a practical introduction to a complete open-source simulation workflow designed to empower researchers and engineers in computational modeling and analysis. Participants will learn how to use FreeCAD for creating detailed, parametric 3D models; Gmsh for generating high-quality, customizable meshes essential for accurate simulations; OpenFOAM for setting up and executing a basic computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation; and ParaView for visualizing, analyzing, and interpreting simulation results. Rather than focusing in-depth on any single tool, the purpose of this course is to provide a broad overview of an integrated workflow, demonstrating how these tools can be combined effectively from start to finish. As a practical example, we will perform a CFD simulation of flow past a cube entirely from scratch — starting with CAD modeling in FreeCAD, then mesh generation with Gmsh, followed by solving the flow problem in OpenFOAM. Additionally, we will introduce Docker to facilitate reproducible installation and deployment of OpenFOAM on remote servers or different computing environments, ensuring portability and ease of use. Finally, participants will visualize the results in ParaView and perform fundamental engineering analyses such as lift and drag computations. Through a mix of lectures and guided exercises, students will develop foundational skills in CFD workflow management and reproducibility, preparing them to tackle real-world engineering and scientific challenges efficiently. This course is ideal for graduate students, researchers, and professionals across STEM disciplines seeking to integrate powerful open-source simulation tools with modern cloud and container technologies to accelerate their research.

Who this course is for:
- Students new to CFD who are looking for a beginner-friendly, hands-on introduction using open-source tools.
- Learners facing licensing barriers with commercial CFD software and seeking free, accessible alternatives.
- Researchers and professionals who want to perform end-to-end CFD analysis but lack access to a complete suite of tools for geometry creation, meshing, simulation, and post-processing.
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