Basics of Grid and Discretization of Governing PDEs — Lesson 2

This lesson covers the concept of grid generation and discretization in computational fluid dynamics (CFD). It explains the steps involved in performing CFD simulations, including problem definition, choice of governing equations, and pre-processing steps like grid generation. The lesson also delves into the methods of solving governing partial differential equations, such as the finite difference method. It further discusses the importance of stability and accuracy in numerical schemes. The lesson also explains the process of discretizing a domain, the concept of structured and unstructured grids, and the transformation from physical space to computational space. It concludes with the application of these concepts in solving Laplace equations.

Video Highlights

01:09 - Discussion on the pre-processing step in CFD simulations, including grid generation and domain discretization.
06:44 - Explanation of the transformation from physical space to computational space in finite difference calculations.
15:14 - Discussion on the application of finite difference discretization to different types of partial differential equations.
23:26 - Explanation of the iterative procedure used to solve the Laplace equation using finite difference discretization.
32:54 - Conclusion of the lecture with a summary of the topics covered.

Key Takeaways

- Grid generation is the process of discretizing a domain into a finite number of points or control volumes.
- The choice of governing equations involves different levels of approximation of reality.
- The finite difference method is used to approximate the governing partial differential equations.
- The accuracy and stability of numerical schemes are crucial in computational fluid dynamics.
- The transformation from physical space to computational space is often required in finite difference methods.
- The process of discretization involves the use of Taylor series to approximate each derivative in the form of an algebraic expression.
- The concept of structured and unstructured grids is essential in handling complex geometries in grid generation.