Free and Online Resources
Quite a lot of sophisticated research-grade tools are available as Open-source software. However, these can be complex, difficult to use and generally have a steep learning curve. Listed below are both simple to use and more complex tools which you can use in your own research.
Links to Resources
Simple Tools
An online Compressible Aerodynamics Calculator is available from Virginia Tech which allows you to perform both isentropic and shockwave calculations:
Compressible Aerodynamics Calculator (vt.edu)
A straightforward (relatively – as these things go!) Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) programme called “Flowsquare” is available here:
Flowsquare | The free, handy, integrated, Computational Fluid Dynamics software,
Complex research grade tools
Several powerful Open-source CFD packages are available – be warned though, like much Open-source code, the documentation is variable and the packages can be complex and difficult to run. The two most popular of these are probably OpenFoam (the most popular) and SU2:
Student available software
If you are a university or college student there are often cheap or free downloads available through your university of useful commercial software (which is normally extremely expensive). However, you do need to read the licence detail for these carefully, one of the conditions is usually that the software is only to be used for non-profit purposes like training or projects. Useful software which may be available through your institution might include:
Mathlab – A very powerful and multipurpose maths modelling package with many plugins and addons which is very widely used in education, industry and research:
ANSYS – A multi-simulation tool which can do fluid mechanics (as well as thermal, electrical and mechanical simulations). Some of our CFD simulations use part of the ANSYS called “Fluent”. ANSYS is powerful and industry standard – and although not simple to use, it is easier than the Open-source alternatives:
CAD and general – Many of the popular CAD packages, not only allow you to draw items, but have various simulation elements also built into them. They also allow you to prepare files for 3D printing or CNC machining. The three most popular are:
*Note that there are also many free or open-source CAD packages available too.