How can you avoid common misconceptions about CFD?
One of the most common misconceptions about CFD is that it can replace or reduce the need for experimental testing. While CFD can complement and augment experimental data, it cannot substitute for it. CFD results need to be validated and calibrated with experimental data to ensure their accuracy and applicability. CFD can also have limitations and uncertainties due to the assumptions, simplifications, and approximations involved in the numerical methods and models. Therefore, you should always be critical and cautious when interpreting and presenting CFD results, and acknowledge the sources and margins of error.
Another common misconception about CFD is that it can solve any problem without any prior knowledge or experience. While CFD can handle a wide range of problems, it is not a black box that can give you the right answer without any input or guidance. CFD requires a clear definition of the problem, the objectives, and the expected outcomes. CFD also requires a good understanding of the relevant physics and phenomena that govern the fluid behavior. Without this knowledge, you may end up using inappropriate or inaccurate models, parameters, or methods that can lead to misleading or erroneous results.
A third common misconception about CFD is that it can be done quickly and easily with any software or hardware. While CFD software and hardware have become more accessible and user-friendly over the years, they are not foolproof or flawless. CFD software can have bugs, limitations, or inconsistencies that can affect the results or the usability. CFD hardware can have constraints, failures, or inefficiencies that can affect the performance or the reliability. Therefore, you should always be familiar and comfortable with the CFD software and hardware that you use, and check their functionality and compatibility regularly.