FLUENT Learning Modules

List of learning modules

These tutorials progress from simple to more complex. If you are unfamiliar with FLUENT, please begin with the first module.

Modules from Vanderbilt University

The following modules explore additional topics, and have been developed by our partners at Vanderbilt University.

Computational Combustion modules

These modules use Chemkin IV (for laminar flames) and Fluent (for turbulent flames). They provide instruction in the use of the software and also provide insights into the physics and chemistry involved. The focus is on: the thermochemistry and kinetics of ideal gas mixtures; laminar premixed and nonpremixed flames; and turbulent non-premixed flames.

About the FLUENT learning modules

These modules lead the user through the steps involved in solving a selected set of case studies in CFD. The software packages used are FLUENT for solving the governing equations and GAMBIT for preprocessing (geometry/meshing). We not only provide the solution steps but also the rationale behind them. It is worthwhile for the user to understand the underlying concepts as she goes through the tutorials in order to be able to correctly apply FLUENT to other problems. The user would be ill-served by clicking through the tutorials in zombie-mode. Each tutorial is followed by problems which are geared towards strengthening and reinforcing the knowledge and understanding gained in the tutorials. Working through the problem sets is an intrinsic part of the learning process and shouldn't be skipped.

These tutorials have been developed by the Swanson Engineering Simulation Program in the Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Cornell University. The Swanson Engineering Simulation Program has been established with the goal of integrating computer-based simulations into the mechanical engineering curriculum. The development of these tutorials is being supported by a Faculty Innovation in Teaching award from Cornell University.

What is FLUENT

FLUENT is a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software package to simulate fluid flow problems. It uses the finite-volume method to solve the governing equations for a fluid. It provides the capability to use different physical models such as incompressible or compressible, inviscid or viscous, laminar or turbulent, etc. Geometry and grid generation is done using GAMBIT which is the preprocessor bundled with FLUENT.

How to use these modules

These tutorials are designed to be used online and run side-by-side with the FLUENT software. After you launch the web tutorials and FLUENT, you will have to drag the browser window to the width of the largest image (about 350 pixels). To make best use of screen real estate, move the windows around and resize them so that you approximate this screen arrangement.

System and software requirements

• System: Any system that can run GAMBIT, FLUENT, and a web browser.
• Screen: Resolution should be at least 1280 x 1024 pixels for optimal viewing. A 17" monitor or larger is recommended.
• GAMBIT version 2.0. These tutorials were created using GAMBIT 2.0.
• FLUENT version 6.0. These tutorials were created using FLUENT 6.0.
• Web Browser: These tutorials work best in 5.0 or higher versions of Internet Explorer and Netscape because style sheet support is needed. These tutorials can be used with Netscape 4.x but may not render correctly.

Choose a tutorial by selecting from the list at the top of this page

Conventions used

Each tutorial begins with a problem specification. A solution can be obtained by following these nine steps:
1. Create Geometry in GAMBIT
2. Mesh Geometry in GAMBIT
3. Set Boundary Types in GAMBIT
4. Set Up Problem in FLUENT
5. Solve!
6. Analyze Results
7. Refine Mesh
These steps appear at the top of each page of the tutorial with the current step highlighted in red.

GAMBIT and FLUENT uses cascading menus which are represented as follows:

Main Menu > File > Export > Mesh...

This means that in the Main Menu, click on File. Then, in the File menu that comes up, click on Export and so on.

Names of windows are in italics.

Items and options appearing within menus and dialog boxes are purple, italic, and bold.

Text and numbers that need to be entered are indicated in monospace font.