Computational fluid dynamics

Summary

Computational fluid dynamics, or CFD, is the branch of numerical analysis that computes approximate solutions of the equations of fluid flow. It replaces the Navier–Stokes or Euler equations by a finite system of algebraic equations, using finite difference, finite volume, finite element, spectral or particle methods. Its mathematical questions are stability, consistency, convergence and the correct capture of shocks, boundary layers and turbulence. It is used to design aircraft, cars, turbines and blood pumps, and to forecast the weather.