[Bldg-sim] CFD Software for Built Environment

[Paul Carey]

Antixs
 
I think this depends largely on your budget and proficiency.
 
If you want to go full on with CFD, then I'd suggest Fluent
(http://www.fluent.com/) everyday.  It is very widely used and well trusted
tool.  ICEM is a good meshing tool, but we like Pointwise and Gridgen for
it's meshing simplicity.
 
Other than that, I know CCM+ from CD-Adapco (http://www.cd-adapco.com/) is
very good too.  Makes the job quite easy.  These tools are very expensive
though.
 
If you want the same sort of capability and are willing to use mainly text
input then I'd suggest OpenFoam (http://www.openfoam.org) - a very powerful
open source CFD tool.  You could use something like pointwise to mesh it,
output a fluent case file and then openfoam has it's own fluent case file
converter program which you could use to then convert it and process it.
You'd probably need a decent post processor too, but clearly then you are
only paying for those programs as openfoam itself is free.    If you can do
it all by text then you wouldn't need to pay anything at all.  It will
require you to use Linux though.  I saw a pre-compiled bootable live CD
distro of this recently which was quite impressive so it allows you to check
it out just by inserting CD into computer and booting to it.  The link for
that is:  http://www.caelinux.com/CMS/
 
 
Of the cheaper and possibly more usable programs for quick built environment
analysis.  Cham Pheonics (http://www.cham.co.uk/)  is good value for money.
It's Flair add on is pretty simple to use.  I'd still personally get a good
CAD program to make sure your geometry is spot on before importing it, but
then it would do the job well.  A lot of companies use it becasue of it's
relative simplicity and good price.
 
Another which is aimed at non-CFD experts is DesignBuilder CFD
(http://www.designbuilder.co.uk/).  It is in beta test stage and looks
promising.  It'll be great for simple stuff.  Wouln't recommend anything
that uses just cartesian grids for complex jobs, but for the large majority
of jobs it will suit, especially if it's internal room flows, etc.  Should
be quite competitive on the price too.
 
Hope that helps.
Regards
Paul
 
Dr Paul Carey
Director

Zero Energy Design Ltd
10A Portland Place
2-22 Mottram Road
Stalybridge
SK15 3AD
UK

T:  +44 0161 3386200
F:  +44 0161 3031281
M:  +44 0789 4098012
E:   <blocked::mailto:paul at zed-uk.com> paul at zed-uk.com

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From: bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org
[mailto:bldg-sim-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of antixs antixs
Sent: 10 September 2008 05:13
To: bldg-sim at lists.onebuilding.org
Subject: [Bldg-sim] CFD Software for Built Environment


Hi all,
 
Just wonder what CFD softwares are popularly used for analyzing built
environemnt in architect/MEP consulting firms? Also which one is relatively
eaiser to use?
 
Many thanks.

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