As the utility of CFD software is increasing throughout various industries and applications, getting the best results from simulations is paramount. Not only can this help in attaining maximum accuracy for various simulations, but it can also reduce computational costs in large industries such as motorsport, aircraft manufacturing, etc.

That being said, increasing the accuracy of your CFD simulations is not as easy as it sounds. These simulations are quite complex and involve various factors such as meshing, convergence, etc., that need to work together for optimal simulations. However, we have covered some of the ways in which you can improve your CFD simulations’ accuracy.

5 Ways To Improve the Accuracy of Your CFD Simulations

1. Create a High-Quality Mesh

CFD meshing refers to the process of applying a numerical grid to the simulation body and surrounding boundary. This process is used to create the mesh for simulations, which is an essential factor when it comes to accuracy. Thus, the first thing you need to focus on for improved precision is creating a high-quality mesh.

Besides being the primary requirement, meshing can be completed in various methods and manners to produce different types of geometrical mesh points. Thus, when performing CFD simulations, it is your responsibility to decide on the most compatible and optimal factors such as mesh density and geometry to ensure accurate simulations.

2. Analyze Results

A common mistake that many people still forget is analyzing the results after completing a simulation. Such analysis is essential for finding out what went wrong in an inaccurate simulation or, in the case of an accurate one, what you did correctly.

This analysis is quite complex and large as CFD simulations produce immense amounts of data. It consists of parameters such as friction, heat, gas concentration, fluidity, etc., that make up the simulations. Thus, segregating and analyzing relevant information can help make your future simulations more accurate.

Read more: How to Utilize Computational Fluid Dynamics for Practical Applications

3. Use Simplified and Clean Geometry

Having a simplified and clean geometry in your simulations can make a massive difference in the mesh quality and overall accuracy. This is because a clean geometry with no defects will make it much easier for the software to differentiate between individual aspects and complete the simulation.

Moreover, this also helps in ensuring that your mesh is able to attain a high level of fineness while keeping computational costs low.

4. Select the Correct Model

CFD models are used in simulations to create realistic interactions between liquids and gases based on many pre-defined criteria. They are an essential part of performing accurate CFD simulations as models are essential for various aspects, such as tracking the flow of solids in a simulation.

Due to this, when you are performing your own CFD simulation, choosing the correct model is a crucial step to attaining accuracy. This involves analyzing the primary objective and related factors of your simulations, such as the requirement of friction coefficients to ascertain which model works best. Following this, you can decide on one of the most compatible models which will help you obtain optimal accuracy.

5. Check the Convergence 

When performing a CFD simulation, checking the convergence to the correct residual level is important for reaching accurate results. These residuals define how close the current iteration is to the final solution for the given problem. This is done in accordance with the defined mesh and boundary conditions for the simulation.

Thus, having the correct residual level ensures that you are able to assess how far you are from the final solution and how many more iterations are needed. Depending on the required accuracy, you can stick to a residual level of E-04 or higher.

Conclusion

Utilizing these methods, you can improve the accuracy of your CFD simulations noticeably. This will not only help you increase the efficiency of results, but it can also reduce computation costs for overall simulations.

However, each simulation is different, and some methods may work better in specific situations. So, be sure to utilize the tips and tricks that work best for your specific requirements and simulations.

Although, analyzing and customizing your CFD simulation for improved accuracy can be pretty difficult. This is because managing the various dynamic factors is not an easy task for more extensive simulations. So, we at Mechartes can help you out.

We offer specialized services such as CFD Modelling and Flow distribution for various industries and applications. Just contact us, and we can help you improve the accuracy of your CFD simulations professionally.