Computational Fluid Dynamics with OpenFOAM for Beginners

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is a powerful tool for analyzing fluid flow, heat transfer, and physical systems, but starting with command-line tools can feel overwhelming. This course breaks down the complexities of OpenFOAM, guiding you step-by-step through the core concepts and practical workflows of simulation. By reading this course, you will transition from a complete novice to confidently setting up and executing your own fluid flow simulations. You will understand how to prepare geometry, generate meshes, define boundary conditions, and extract meaningful data from your results. What you'll learn: Understand the fundamental principles of computational fluid dynamics and governing equations; Configure simulation directories and case structures within the OpenFOAM environment; Generate structured meshes using blockMesh and explore modern meshing workflows; Define boundary and initial conditions for laminar and turbulent fluid flows; Run solvers and monitor simulation convergence using text-based log files; Extract and analyze simulation data using modern post-processing techniques and basic Python script automation. The course begins with essential fluid dynamics terminology and OpenFOAM directory structures. You will then progress through step-by-step written tutorials covering mesh generation, solver execution, and basic automation for consistent simulation setups. This text-only course is designed for engineering students, researchers, and hobbyists new to CFD, with no prior experience in OpenFOAM or command-line simulation tools required. Start your journey into computational fluid dynamics and learn to run your first simulation today.