The open source CFD toolbox
OpenFOAM®: Open source CFD

OpenFOAM is a free, open source CFD software package released free and open-source under the GNU General Public License. It has a large user base across most areas of engineering and science, from both commercial and academic organisations. OpenFOAM has an extensive range of features to solve anything from complex fluid flows involving chemical reactions, turbulence and heat transfer, to solid dynamics and electromagnetics.

Models are implemented using an equation syntax that closely follows the mathematical notation, e.g. to evolve the P-1 radiation model:

$\div \left( \Gamma \grad G \right) - a G = -4 \epsilon \sigma T^4 - E$

the following code is used:

// Solve G transport equation
solve
(
fvm::laplacian(gamma, G_)
- fvm::Sp(a_, G_)
==
- 4.0*(e_*physicoChemical::sigma*pow4(T_)) - E_
);

Many applications are supplied ready-to-use with the code together with a tutorial suite to showcase the functionality. As an open-source tool, users are able to see the inner workings of the algorithms and models, providing a robust platform for future developments and collaborative research.

# Navigating OpenFOAM

OpenFOAM comprises four main directories:

• src: the core OpenFOAM libraries
• applications: solvers and utilities
• tutorials: test-cases that demonstrate a wide-range of OpenFOAM functionality
• doc: documentation