SwRI: System-Level Computational Fluid Dynamics. SwRi has advanced CFD tools to solve problems of operational conditions, states of large-scale engineered and natural systems

	Simulation of explosive detonation in an urban center surrounded by four rigid buildings

Advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling and simulation tools have been developed, enhanced, and applied by Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) staff  to solve clients' problems for more than 20 years. In particular, the staff uses these computational tools to solve problems related to the operational conditions and states of large-scale engineered and natural systems.

CFD Capabilities

SwRI maintains and utilizes a suite of CFD software codes and computer resources to support modeling and simulation projects of widely different sizes and scopes to solve a broad spectrum of large-scale system problems such as:

	Global circulation simulations for Earth (top) and Mars (bottom); contours display temperature fields at 300 km for Earth and 49 km for Mars

• Large-scale system design and analysis

• Explosive hazard analysis in and around complex structures

• Hydraulic transient analysis in complex pipeline networks

• External aerodynamic analysis for complete structures

• Atmospheric dynamics for Earth and Mars

• Airflow distribution in multiroom buildings and hangars

• Chemical hazard and biohazard assessment in multiroom buildings and urban environments

• Fluid-structure interaction with six-degrees-of-freedom dynamics

• Simulation of fate and transport in atmospheric and regional subsurface environments

Simulation of airflow distribution in a paint hangar showing airflow streamline ribbons (top) and contours of velocity magnitude (bottom)

Aerodynamic simulation of a high-speed train showing contours of surface pressure

The Engineering Dynamics Department staff have the expertise to develop, enhance, and apply CFD codes to existing or new classes of problems that clients may need to address and can accomplish this within the client's cost and schedule constraints.

Simulation of explosive detonation in a hardened structure showing results for the actual structure (left) and results for an experimental facility with a structure designed to collect biological samples (right). Video: Windows Media or QuickTime.

An integrated approach using physical experiments, numerical simulations, and analytical methods is routinely employed to investigate and solve complex nonlinear fluid flow and heat transfer problems.

	Curvilinear grid system used in the six-degrees-of-freedom simulation of twin rockets

SwRI is a member organization of Internet2.

For more information about system-level computational fluid dynamics capabilities at SwRI or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Christopher Freitas, Ph.D., P.E., at cfreitas@swri.org or (210) 522-2137.