Backward-facing Step

Objectives

The objectives for this tutorial are as follows:

  • Create a two-dimensional mesh in OpenFOAM with cartesian2DMesh and check its quality,
  • Set material properties based on Reynolds-number,
  • Estimate the correct time step size based on Courant number,
  • Run a transient, incompressible simulation with pimpleFoam,
  • Perform a mesh dependency study,
  • Adapt the discretization schemes, and
  • Visualize the velocity field in ParaView.

Overview

This tutorial will describe how to pre-process, run and post-process a case involving a transient, isothermal, incompressible flow over a two-dimensional backward-facing step. The geometry is shown in the following figure with an inlet on the left, stationary walls on the top and bottom, and an outlet at the right. The flow will be solved using the OpenFOAM solver pimpleFoam the suitable for laminar and turbulent, isothermal, incompressible, transient flows.

Backward-facing step case geometry

Preparation

Before starting, perform the following steps for preparation:

  1. Download the archive 3_backward-step.zip from the Downloads folder on the OPAL course page.
  2. Extract the archive.
  3. Open a terminal, navigate to the newly created folder, and source OpenFOAM.

Table of contents

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