Foundations of Computational Fluid Dynamics

Simulating fluid flow is critical for modern engineering, from designing aerodynamic vehicles to optimizing industrial thermal systems. This course provides a clear, step-by-step pathway into Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), translating complex mathematical equations into practical numerical algorithms. You will build a solid theoretical foundation and learn how to structure fluid flow simulations systematically. By completing this written course, you will transition from understanding basic physics to formulating and solving fluid dynamics problems using modern numerical techniques. You will gain the confidence to analyze simulation setups, select appropriate boundary conditions, and interpret numerical results with engineering accuracy. What you'll learn: - Understand the foundational governing equations of fluid flow, including the Navier-Stokes equations. - Apply discretization techniques such as Finite Difference and Finite Volume methods to transport equations. - Configure boundary conditions and grid generation parameters for stable and accurate simulations. - Analyze numerical stability, convergence criteria, and consistency in CFD solvers. - Explore modern simulation workflows, including error estimation and basic mesh independence studies. This course begins with essential fluid mechanics terminology and mathematical definitions, gradually moving into discretization strategies, pressure-velocity coupling, and solver algorithms. Through structured text explanations and step-by-step derivations, you will gain a clear overview of how commercial and open-source CFD codes operate under the hood. This course is designed for engineering students, researchers, and practicing professionals who are new to numerical fluid simulations. No prior experience with CFD software is required, though a basic understanding of fluid mechanics and calculus is helpful. Start reading today to unlock the mathematical and numerical principles behind fluid simulation.