What are the differences between various differencing and meshing schemes?
What are the basics of turbulence, heat transfer, and FSI modelling?
What are errors and uncertainties in CFD and how do you reduce them?


Get the answers to these questions and more with this industry-leading, code-independent e-learning course.

Introduction to Practical CFD

N​ew Revised Course for 2025

This course offers attendees fundamental knowledge on using CFD in real-life engineering applications. Adopting a straightforward and moderately technical approach, it outlines the CFD process and explains the advantages and challenges of employing CFD analysis in the simulation of complex flow phenomena, as well as the integration of CFD into the design process. Additionally, the course highlights best practices to minimize errors and uncertainties in CFD studies. While key governing equations will be introduced for illustrative purposes, they will not be explored in detail. The course strives to remain CFD software neutral, though examples from prominent and widely used software packages will be incorporated to enhance learning.

 

What questions will the course answer?

  • What is the role of CFD, and what is the CFD process?
  • What are the differences between various differencing schemes?
  • What are the challenges faced in the simulation of flows with turbulence, heat transfer, or fluid-structure interaction?
  • Are there different simulation strategies for different flow regimes?
  • How do you assess the accuracy of your numerical solutions?
  • What are the best practices in CFD simulations?

Who should attend?

  • engineers who are new to CFD simulation
  • engineers who need a refresher on CFD
  • managers working with CFD simulation engineers
The course is completely code independent.

This is a 6-session online training course, with each session lasting for approximately 2/2.5 hours, depending on homework submissions, questions & discussions.

You can attend the sessions live, and/or stream on demand. When you register you will get access to a dedicated course forum where you can contact the tutor with questions, submit homework, download pdfs of course notes and access all session recordings. To get the most out of the course, participation in forum discussions is encouraged.

Questions? Contact us on e-learning@nafems.org

Course Program

Note: This is a six week course. Each session represents one 2 hour* session each week. The length of each session can vary, depending on Q&A, homework responses, and other contributing factors.

Part 1 - Session 1

  • CFD Intro and Process Overview
  • Governing Principles
  • Simplified Model
  • Order of Accuracy

Part 1 - Session 2

  • CFD Role
  • Differencing Formulation
  • Major Formulation
  • Model & Physics Simplifications

Part 1 - Session 3

  • Details of CFD Process
  • Overview of Major Challenges in CFD

Part 2 - Session 1

  • Flow Classifications
  • Turbulence

Part 2 – Session 2

  • Pressure-Related Phenomena
  • Fluid-Structure Interaction

Part 2 – Session 3

  • Multiphase
  • Heat Transfer
  • CFD Accuracy & Best Practices

PSE

PSE Competencies addressed by this training course 

IDCompetence Statement
CFDco5Review the terms in the differential form of the governing equations for fluid flow and explain their physical significance.
CFDkn2State the Navier-Stokes equations.
CFDkn4List typical boundary conditions for incompressible and compressible flow boundaries.
CFDkn5State the principles of best practice in CFD.
CFDkn7List the main sources of error and uncertainty that may occur in a CFD calculation.
CFDkn8List and define the key terminology used in CFD applications.
CFDkn9Identify sources of archived experimental data for CFD validation.
CFDkn9List and define the range of common numerical grids found in CFD modelling.
CFDco2Compare and contrast the finite difference , finite volume and finite element discretisation methods.
CFDco9Explain the basis of common solution algorithms in steady flows.
CFDco11Discuss the issues and conditions of numerical stability in the numerical solution of unsteady flow problems.
CFDco12Review the issues associated with the estimation of total uncertainty in a flow simulation.
CFDco13Review the range of idealisations that are required in applying CFD methods.
CFDco14Review the pros and cons of gridding approaches commonly applied in CFD methods.
CFDap1Demonstrate the ability to examine a range of flow phenomenon and employ appropriate fluid modelling approaches.
CFDap3Demonstrate the ability to apply boundary conditions correctly for external and internal incompressible flow problems.
CFDap4Demonstrate the ability to select appropriate numerical grids for incompressible and compressible flow problems in complex geometries.
CFDap6Use best practice CFD methods to determine the steady state pressure and velocity distribution for incompressible laminar and turbulent internal flows using RANS approaches.
CFDap7Employ best practice guidelines for the validation of a CFD model.
CFDap8Demonstrate the ability to prepare a comprehensive report on a CFD analysis.
CFDsy1Formulate an analysis strategy identifying, geometry simplifications, physical modelling assumptions, boundary conditions, material properties for laminar and turbulent flow problems.
CFDsy3Formulate a plan to address the uncertainty in input data or modelling when using a CFD code for a design study.

This site uses cookies that enable us to make improvements, provide relevant content, and for analytics purposes. For more details, see our Cookie Policy. By clicking Accept, you consent to our use of cookies.