Using FEATool Multiphysics software for CFD Education

Abstract

Numerical simulations of two-dimensional viscous and inviscid flows with FEATool Multiphysics package are presented. Three examples under consideration are as follows: 1) the laminar compressible flow over a backward facing step, 2) the inviscid supersonic flow over a bump in a channel, 3) the heating of an incompressible laminar flow by a hot cylinder.  Results of the simulations are in good agreement with those obtained with the commercial software ANSYS-18.2 CFX. The considered examples show the suitability and convenience of FEATool for educational purposes, as well as high accuracy of flow simulation in certain cases, e.g., in the case of inviscid supersonic flow. At the same time, the package needs improvements in setting boundary conditions at inflow and outflow boundaries for the opportunity of computation of wider variety flows, for example, transonic ones. Also, an asset would be the incorporation of up-to-date turbulence models for computation of viscous flows at high Reynolds numbers.