3D Flow Modeling using FIDAP

In this session we will demonstrate how to use FIDAP to setup 3D flow models.

New features

• Use Projection to create a 3D region with FIGEN
• Use of Gambit primitive volumes
• Concept of domain decomposition for complex geometry

3D Flow in a channel with cylindrical obstruction

Here you can create your own model based on step-by-step instructions given in a handout. A workable FDREAD file, 3Dflow.FDREAD, is provided here only for your reference.

Alternatively, you can take the top-down approach using gambit primitive volumes. The journal file is given here, along with the FIDAP setup file.

Some useful skills

• Change to Isometric view: Graphics - Window-Change-Display-Direction: X Direction =1; Y Direction =1; Z Direction =1; Angle=0 - Accept
• Pick a Mesh Face to define entity name: Mesh Face - Mesh - In the Id field under SELECT OPTION, type in a number to select a mface
• Run FIDAP in the text mode: fidap -id 3Dflow -in 3Dflow.FDREAD -run presolv (or -run fidap) -new

3D flow through a serpentine channel

Here are the gambit input file and the FIDAP input file.

Final remarks:

• GAMBIT, FIDAP/FLUENT, and ANSYS can be used as a TOOL to gain physical insights of a problem
• Without some basic physical understanding of a problem, you may not be able to run the software packages correctly!!
• A solution from commercial package should be supported with physical interpretation of the problem under investigation.
• The quality of numerical solutions deteriorates with empirical modeling.
• FLUENT/FIDAP/ANSYS can be used to perform virtual experiments of a fluid flow problem.