Project model
Geometry, properties, load cases, boundaries and target quantities are derived from the engineering decision and documented.
Methods & validation
Methods and quality assurance.
Model setup, numerical checks, reference cases and comparison with measurements are planned around the engineering task.
Verification steps
Verification steps for numerical models.
Numerical checks
Mesh, convergence, balance quantities and sensitivities are checked in proportion to the risk and decision.
Benchmark reproduction
A standardized case checks a specific model and solver configuration against a published target value.
Measurement correlation
Only a documented comparison with suitable measurements evaluates predictive quality for the specific physical application.
FEA benchmarks
NAFEMS reference cases through two meshing paths.
The table presents four reference cases calculated with CalculiX and meshes generated in Gmsh or Netgen.
| Case | Quantity | Reference | Gmsh + CalculiX | Netgen + CalculiX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAFEMS LE1 | σyy | 92.7 MPa | 91.248 MPa (−1.566%) | 92.943 MPa (+0.262%) |
| NAFEMS LE2 | two stress values | 60.0 / 60.0 MPa | 60.97 / 62.49 MPa (+1.62 / +4.15%) | 59.47 / 62.64 MPa (−0.88 / +4.40%) |
| NAFEMS LE3 | x displacement | 185 mm | 185.66 mm (+0.36%) | 184.51 mm (−0.27%) |
| NAFEMS LE4 | meridional / hoop stress | −50.0 / +50.0 MPa | −50.202 / +50.337 MPa (+0.40 / +0.67%) | −51.584 / +48.469 MPa (+3.17 / −3.06%) |
Aerodynamic comparison case
NACA 0012 with XFOIL: comparison, not a CFD benchmark.
The published case compares lift, drag and pressure trends for a NACA 0012 airfoil. Because it contains no numerical error table or unambiguous experimental-series citation, we deliberately label it an XFOIL comparison case.
- Reynolds number
- 6 × 10⁶
- Mach number
- 0.15
- Air density
- 1.225 kg/m³
- Dynamic viscosity
- 1.80 × 10⁻⁵ kg/(m·s)
Selected toolchain
Software and computational tools.
Solver, meshing path and post-processing are selected for the physics, available data and required level of detail.
OpenFOAM
CFD solver ecosystem for flow and heat-transfer models
CalculiX
Solver for structural and thermal finite-element models
Gmsh & Netgen
Meshing and preprocessing for selected computational models
ParaView
Quantitative post-processing and visualization of result fields
XFOIL
2-D airfoil analysis within the method’s assumptions
Linux & Python
Automation, reproducibility and variant execution
Project standard
What a traceable handover contains.
- 01Engineering question, model boundary and decision criterion
- 02Geometry version, data sources and units
- 03Material models, boundary conditions and load cases
- 04Mesh and solution strategy with relevant quality checks
- 05Result quantities, variants, sensitivities and residual risks
- 06Clear separation of simulation, benchmark and measurement evidence
Methods proportional to risk