The FEATool Multiphysics™ Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) multi-solver/simulation toolbox has been updated to version 1.17, with enhancements focusing on advanced physics modes, enhanced user interface, and improved performance and capabilities for aerodynamics simulations.
The new release features improvements to turbulent and compressible flow simulations, adding support for these flow regimes to both the OpenFOAM and SU2 Code solver interfaces. Moreover, a dedicated OpenFOAM scripting and programming interface (API) has been introduced, as well as improved performance and responsiveness of the easy-to-use toolbox Graphical User Interface (GUI).
Compressible Supersonic Flow Simulations
A new physics mode for compressible flows for turbulent and high Mach number flow regimes has been introduced. This physics mode is supported by both the SU2 and OpenFOAM CFD solvers, and enables users to model flows and applications involving high-speed trans-sonic and super-sonic airflows with shock waves and boundary layers, such as in high Ma aerodynamic, rocket, and also space applications.
In order to quickly get started with compressible flow modeling a new tutorial benchmark model for supersonic flow past a prism has also been made available.
In addition the existing compressible flow mode for the inviscid Euler equations, is naturally still available with support for all solvers, including full multi-physics applications and built-in and FEniCS FEA solvers.
OpenFOAM Solver UI Enhancements
FEATool Multiphysics, the easiest and fastest way to get started with OpenFOAM and CFD simulations!
OpenFOAM Simulations with Conjugate Heat Transfer
In addition to now fully supporting compressible flows as described previously, the easy OpenFOAM GUI and CFD solver interface has also been extended to support natural and forced convection with conjugate heat transfer and geometries featuring multiple domains with the chtMultiRegionFoam and buoyantBoussinesqFoam solver applications. This can for example be applicable to complex multi-physics simulations involving heat transfer and chemical reactions, such as found in heat exchangers, reactors, and battery simulations.
In connection with this addition, new model examples and tutorials related to heat exchangers and heat transfer have been introduced and extended, offering users a broader range of applications within industries such as automotive, energy, and process engineering, where thermal effects significantly impact system performance. With these new tutorial examples, users can quickly get up to speed with complex heat transfer simulations to efficiently analyze various design scenarios, leading to more optimized systems.
OpenFOAM API Interface for MATLAB
The OpenFOAM CFD solver API has now been fully made open and available to all users, meaning that users can programmatically set up, define, manage, and run OpenFOAM CFD simulations directly from MATLAB CLI interface and user defined m-file scripts. This also includes importing and exporting external OpenFOAM dictionaries, data, and simulation results.
The new API uniquely enables advanced users to use the flexibility and ease-of-use of MATLAB scripting, and controlling every aspect of OpenFOAM and advanced fluid dynamics simulations, which has not been possible to this extent until now.
SU2 Code Solver Interface Enhancements
The SU2 CFD solver interface has also been upgraded to support compressible high Ma number and turbulent flows (in addition to inviscid compressible flow as before). These upgrades provide users with a more versatile tool-set, enabling simulations for various engineering systems involving supersonic airflow and shock waves.
Uniquely, being able to effortlessly use and run multiple solvers with the same GUI and model setup allow users to perform advanced CFD validation and comparison studies, ensuring accuracy and quickly deliver optimal results.
Lastly, FEATool version 1.17 also features improvements for enhanced user interface (GUI) performance and responsiveness to enable smoother and more efficient simulation workflows. These improvements enables users to quickly and seamlessly move between models, scripts, and results, allowing them to efficiently evaluate different design options or optimize existing systems.
Please see the FEATool Multiphysics Changelog and the improved and updated toolbox documentation for a detailed list of changes and new features.
CFDTool™ Fluid Dynamics Simulation Toolbox
In addition to the updates to the FEATool Multiphysics toolbox described above, the simplified sister toolbox CFDTool has also been updated to version 1.10, streamlining the user interface (GUI) to mirror the FEATool UI, making switching between the toolboxes easier and natural.
CFDTool is a simplified version of the FEATool toolbox only featuring physics modes and functionality for fluid mechanics and heat transfer simulations. Fore more advanced, multi-physics simulations, and MATLAB m-file scripting the FEATool Multiphysics toolbox is recommended.
Benefits for Researchers and Engineers
Accurate and Efficient Simulations: FEATool Multiphysics 1.17 delivers highly accurate and efficient simulations, enabling engineers to optimize designs, reduce development time, and improve product performance.
Expanded Application Areas: The new features and enhancements broaden the range of applications for FEATool, making it suitable for a variety of industries, including aerospace, automotive, energy, and process engineering.
Increased Productivity: The improved user interface and streamlined workflows enhance productivity and allow engineers to focus on their simulations rather than technical complexities.
Availability and Download
The physics simulation toolboxes FEATool Multiphysics™ 1.17 and CFDTool™ 1.10 are available right now both as stand-alone desktop apps, and also as MATLAB toolbox Add-Ons, with fully interactive GUI and cross-platform support for the Microsoft Windows, Linux, and MacOS operating systems. The toolboxes can be downloaded directly from https://featool.com/download or https://cfdtool.com/download (or installed with one-click from the MATLAB Add-Ons Toolbar).
If you use FEATool Multiphysics and/or CFDTool and find it useful in your work or studies please do share your models, modeling experience, and consider recommending the toolboxes to your colleagues and coworkers.
About Precise Simulation
Precise Simulation, founded in 2012, is a small and niche software developer dedicated to developing state-of-the-art and easy-to-use simulation software for product design, virtual prototyping, and research in both industry and academia.
Please visit the linked page for a list of users and references using or recommending the software.
The FEATool Multiphysics™ and CFDTool™ toolboxes are fully integrated simulation software platforms for creating virtual 3D models and simulation applications based on physical phenomena. A unique feature is the ability to account for coupled physics phenomena, and seamlessly integrate with many types of multi-physics solvers such as OpenFOAM, FEniCS, SU2 Code, and more.
FEATool Multiphysics is a complete simulation platform for fluid flow, heat transfer, structural, electromagnetics acoustics, and chemical engineering applications. Built-in interfaces and APIs enable the integration of FEATool with MATLAB, physics solvers, Computer Aided Design (CAD), and Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) tools. Simulation experts rely on FEATool Multiphysics to design and develop physics based models and deliver accurate and speedy results to their teams, manufacturing departments, test laboratories, and users worldwide.
Please get in touch if you have questions about the toolboxes, or might be interested in consulting and custom simulation solutions.