CFD and potential flow software

[Vinassman]

Dear all,

I am looking for open source / freeware for CFD and potential flow, do you have any reference? It can be for either Linux or Windows, it's ok.

I know there is numerous of CFD software but i have to admit i am a bit lost...

Range of application will be slow vessel (Fn below 0.200) with low L/B ratio (around 4).

Thanks in advance. Cheers

[klaas]

try openfoam

[sottorf]

you are fortunate that your problem Fn<0.2 is is good speed range for application of CFD methods. I agree with Klaas that if you want to go for a full RANS solver then OpenFoam is you best bet. I saw a recent study comparing the results of different RANS codes and OpenFOAM came out best. See picture.

Regarding panel codes, I know the Institute fuer Schiffbau, Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg (TUHH), have a very good panel code. You could try talking to them. Not sure if they would give it out.

The only other option I have for you is Autowing, vortex lattice code. It was originally developed for high speed ships but the last version has a non-linear free surface boundary condition incorporated.

You might be better off posting this question on one of the dedicated CFD forums.

[CWTeebs]

Autowing may be inadequate/inappropriate for the OP's seakeeping analysis.

[sottorf]

Originally Posted by CWTeebs

Autowing may be inadequate/inappropriate for the OP's seakeeping analysis.

yes correct. Autowing will only handle steady state conditions.

[CWTeebs]

Don't get me wrong though, it looks interesting nevertheless (I'd not heard of it before, so thanks for sharing).

[Vinassman]

Thanks all for your good suggestion. Regarding OpenFoam, is there any free GUI?

[daiquiri]

Originally Posted by Vinassman

Thanks all for your good suggestion. Regarding OpenFoam, is there any free GUI?

GUI, pre and post-processing etc. - all in one package: http://www.ods-engineering.com/

[CWTeebs]

Unfortunately that is not free. The site forces you to create an account to download anything, and at the bottom of the download page it says: "Note: ODS Studio is currently only available through commercial subscription in order to support further development. To obtain a commercial license please contact us for a quote."

Would have been nice if it'd stated that up front.

Anyway, you might want to look into CAELinux, which includes OpenFOAM, a simple wizard to get you started creating your own OpenFOAM simulations, and a suite of other tools for CAD, FEA, etc. There's some tutorials on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/results?searc....0.F1DDF6jhRFE

[Vinassman]

Dear CWTeebs,

Thanks for the information, I will have a look at CAE Linux, sounds good!

Cheers.

[quequen]

newbie question, sorry: from the attached picture, wich one is the OpenFOAM one? And what should we see there that makes the difference? (they look all the same for me )

[sottorf]

Originally Posted by quequen

newbie question, sorry: from the attached picture, wich one is the OpenFOAM one? And what should we see there that makes the difference? (they look all the same for me )

OpenFoam is the colour image. On the opposite side is actual measurements. If you look closely at the wave contours you will see that the other codes do not reproduces the wave patterns as accurately as openFoam does.

[quequen]

OpenFoam is the colour image. On the opposite side is actual measurements. If you look closely at the wave contours you will see that the other codes do not reproduces the wave patterns as accurately as openFoam does.

Thanks, now I see. I guess level curves are related to LOA...