[Bldg-sim] CFD Software for Built Environment

[antixs antixs]

Paul,
Thanks for such detailed information! They are really helpful. Do you have
any experience with Airpak and Flovent? Heard that these two tools are
specially tailored for built environment.

Thanks again.

antixs

On Wed, Sep 10, 2008 at 4:39 PM, Paul Carey <Paul at zed-uk.com> wrote:

>  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:  paul at zed-uk.com
>
> http://www.zed-uk.com/
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>  ------------------------------
> *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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