CFD Engineering
CFD Engineering(Computational fluid dynamics engineering) is the study of fluid flows using the techniques of numerical analysis and computer programming. CFD engineering is often used early in the design process for aircraft, spacecraft, jet turbines, combustors, and atmospheric dispersion. When used in lieu of the build and test process, significant cost savings can be realized. Wind tunnels and scale tests are extremely expensive both in terms of man power and energy usage. Performing CFD simulations of physical phenomena in software, to refine final designs, before physical testing is undertaken also increases the rate at which novel ideas can be explored.
Beyond simply simulating fluid flows, computational design methods incorporating CFD solutions have the capability to explore design automation. That is, the software itself can design a particular object (airfoil, combustor, rotor blade, etc.) to optimize a certain characteristic without the intervention of the engineer. This often suggests non-intuitive, well-performing designs which can then act as the basis for further design refinement and exploration.