So, what is this set of equations that can completely describe how a fluid flows and where do they come from? Before answering the former question, let’s discuss the latter.Ĭonsider a 2D box having a fixed volume in space.
Studying the dynamics of fluids flows on a computer using such an approach is commonly termed as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).
While the set of equations that describe fluid flow are not analytically solvable (yet) for any arbitrary set of conditions, their outputs can certainly be computed if you have a powerful enough computer. However, with the advent of increased computing power, there emerged a third approach to answer these questions - the numerical approach. Another method involves writing a set of equations that can describe fluid flow, applying a set of simplifying assumptions and conditions, performing some mathematical magic, and deriving a governing equation which - after you plug in it the right values - can provide you with the capability to predict the dynamics of the flow. One way to go about answering these questions involves performing experiments in the lab with actual fluids and studying properties of their flow using various imaging instruments. Can we understand anything about the fluid flow in these cases? Can we predict how a fluid would move under certain conditions? And more importantly, can we prevent future coffee splashes? Your first thought after looking at the coffee on your ruined keyboard may not be “How interesting!” but on the other hand, the serene yet dynamic nature of the flow of water from a cliff can certainly evoke a sense of wonder. Introductionįluid flow can be observed in many natural phenomena, from a soothing waterfall to an exasperating coffee splash on your computer keyboard. If you are already familiar with the theory and mathematics behind fluid mechanics and want to go through the code, you can skip to section 5 of this article. Lorena Barba and “A guide to writing your first CFD solver” by Prof. This code has been written with the help of two incredibly informative references - “12 Steps to Navier Stokes” by Prof.
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