Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a process to mathematically solve for fluid flow. Physical properties of the fluid, governing laws of fluid flow, and physical geometry are programmed into a computer for analysis. Fluid flow may be either over a body such as an airplane in flight, or through a vessel such as a pipe or artery. Unlike previous methods that did not utilize computers, complex geometry may be analyzed. However, more advanced models require a longer amount of time to solve and sometimes require a supercomputer.
There are a variety of different methods that can be used to solve CFD problems. One of these is a finite element method. The process is similar to finite element analysis (FEA) used to analyze solids, but the equations to evaluate the system are different. Like FEA, CFD uses graphical images to show flow. Also as in FEA, care should be taken when evaluating the model results, because a model is a lower order approximation to a real system. Validation of the CFD results with a physical experiment also is useful.
