Editing Computational fluid dynamics (section)

{{short description|Analysis and solving of problems that involve fluid flows}}
{{more footnotes needed|date=September 2014}}

{{Computational physics}}

'''Computational fluid dynamics''' ('''CFD''') is a branch of [[fluid mechanics]] that uses [[numerical analysis]] and [[data structure]]s to analyze and solve problems that involve [[fluid dynamics|fluid flows]].  Computers are used to perform the calculations required to simulate the free-stream flow of the fluid, and the interaction of the fluid ([[liquid]]s and [[gas]]es) with surfaces defined by [[Boundary value problem#Boundary value conditions|boundary conditions]]. With high-speed [[supercomputer]]s, better solutions can be achieved, and are often required to solve the largest and most complex problems. Ongoing research yields software that improves the accuracy and speed of complex simulation scenarios such as [[transonic]] or [[turbulence|turbulent]] flows. Initial validation of such software is typically performed using experimental apparatus such as [[wind tunnel]]s.  In addition, previously performed [[Closed-form solution|analytical]] or [[Empirical research|empirical]] analysis of a particular problem can be used for comparison.  A final validation is often performed using full-scale testing, such as [[flight test]]s.

CFD is applied to a range of research and engineering problems in multiple fields of study and industries, including [[aerodynamics]] and aerospace analysis, [[hypersonics]], [[Numerical weather prediction|weather simulation]], natural science and [[environmental engineering]], industrial system design and analysis, [[biological engineering]], fluid flows and [[heat transfer]], [[engine]] and [[combustion]] analysis, and [[visual effects]] for film and games.