CFD ASSIGNMENT 1

OpenFOAM

FAHAD ABDULLAH
175929
Problem Statement:

Simulate a lid driven cavity for obtaining streamlines, pressure and vorticity curves using a
defined mesh.

Pre-processing:

Meshing:

I used a refined mesh that was dense on the vertices of the tank. For achieving it the lid was
divided into four blocks for better visualizing and altering the “blockMeshDic” the refined
mesh was achieved.
The mesh was refined because of the vortices being on the vertices of the model and a
refined mesh was needed to account for it. Also, the accuracy of the results would increase.
“simpleGrading” was used to achieve the mesh as follows:
blocks
( hex (0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7) (40 40 1) simpleGrading (((0.5 0.5 4)
(0.5 0.5 0.25))
((0.5 0.5 4)
(0.5 0.5 0.25))
1)

Velocity of the lid:

The file “U” in the initial conditions folder “0” was used for the velocity. The value was set to
default.

Simulation:

After meshing and applying the boundary conditions, the following commands were used in
order:
blockMesh, checkMesh, icoFoam, paraFoam
Post-Processing:

Pressure Gradient:

The pressure gradient is maximum at the top right edge and least edge. The lid is moving at
the surface in the +x direction so the edge at the top right has the maximum pressure
because coming along with the lid is being opposed by the face, while the pressure is
minimum the top left because the leaves the edge when the lid starts moving.

Streamlines:

Streamlines define the flow path of the particles. There is spinning as shown in the fig below.
Due to no slip condition, the fluid moves with the lid and the velocity is also maximum the
top surface. As the fluid hits the right wall, the fluid changes the direction. Fluids being non-
rigid doesn’t move in the opposite direction of motion rather its like a collision of particles
that scatter around in the specific region which creates spinning. The opposite phenomenon
takes place at the left wall. The fluid leaves the left edge and creates a low pressure causing
the fluid inside the tank to move towards the left edge .
Vorticity:

Vorticity is defined as a vector field that describes the local spinning of the fluid. Vorticity
can be seen at the edges at the right and left one. Due to high pressure and velocity changes
being maximum at it, the fluid rotates at these edges.