Java-based educational two-dimensional unstructured compressible Navier–Stokes solver

Abstract

A Java-based platform for investigations into two-dimensional viscous air flow has been developed with the goal of introducing students to the beauty of fluid dynamics simulations. The graphical user interface is simple to use, allowing the student to select the geometry, Mach number, angle of attack and the scalar variable to be visualized. The underlying computational fluid dynamics solver uses a robust and stable unstructured finite volume algorithm to solve the laminar Navier–Stokes equations, ensuring the success of most simulations from extremely low Mach number to hypersonic speeds and allowing for a wide variety of simulations beyond simple airfoils. Since the simulations converge rapidly and the visualized solutions are constantly being updated, this new interactive CFD platform should become an excellent tool for science education about air flow.