Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a critical simulation tool for sustainability. By integrating CFD into the broader energy-simulation workflow, we can make more informed decisions and illustrate these issues for our clients. The key is to understand how CFD results translate into real-world metrics in terms of thermal comfort and energy. And, ultimately how the value of each strategy compares to other high-performance investment opportunities. This case-study class focuses on one simple example: using CFD to compare finned-tube perimeter heat to radiant ceiling panels in a typical private office. Our class outlines not only the specific steps of the CFD modeling process, but also how this process fits into the overall energy-performance optimization trajectory for the project.

The effective use of Autodesk Simulation CFD for Turbomachinery applications requires fundamental knowledge of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and the software simulation use. Proficiency in these areas will ultimately help to improve both the design process and product performance. In this class, the fundamentals of the CFD process and its impact on Turbomachinery designs will be introduced to establish the initial foundation of simulation skills. A practical exercise of a simple centrifugal pump will then be used to put these skills into actual practice. The progression of a typical CFD simulation starts from the CAD model, the meshed model, to solving and convergence, and finally results visualization. During this workflow, best practices and pitfalls of CFD in Turbomachinery modeling will be discussed. Finally, the powerful post-processing tools of Autodesk CFD will be exposed to interpret Turbomachinery results and make decisions for modifying the design.

The interoperability between Autodesk Revit and Autodesk CFD can be challenging in a number of areas. Most Revit design models typically contain a high level of detail for construction, gaps in geometry, clashes, and other unresolved conflicts that can create issues when imported to the CFD environment. In this session, participants will learn how to develop and maintain a Revit model for geometry creation suitable for Autodesk CFD analysis using industry best-practices, and review examples of the type of Revit geometry that can be repurposed and what should be replaced. The session will also present methods of leveraging Revit's powerful data, visualization, coordination, and documentation functionality to enhance CFD development, design coordination, data management, and reporting.

This class will walk users through the process of using Simulation CFD software for architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) applications using Revit software. We will cover tips, tricks, effective practices, and an efficient process of implementing Simulation CFD software for AEC applications. We will guide attendees through the complete process of implementing Simulation CFD software for AEC applications (external wind loading, passive cooling, ventilation layout); this includes geometry idealization / Revit software computer-aided design optimization for simulation, model setup, and results interpretation.

Dive into computational fluid dynamics. In this session, you'll learn how to make complex fluid studies simple using Autodesk CFD software. Explore the step-by-step process to setting up the simple and complex analysis using Autodesk CFD. See how to set up your unique studies, manage your materials, and understand how and when to use boundary and initial conditions and advanced solve tools. Dive into complex setups, including electronics cooling, steady state versus transient studies, and fluid mixing.

An efficient CFD Analysis process should take into account the quality of the information being fed to the software. This is of particular importance when it comes to geometry. Adequate meshing is crucial not only for the convergence of a solution but also for the quality an ease of interpretation of results. This hand-on lab will demonstrate the practical implications of managing large Revit models from multiple sources and having to integrate them a single mesh for analysis. We will start by creating some geometry in Autodesk Revit and walk through the steps of simplifying and refining that geometry for successful meshing in CFD. We will be using the Import/Export capabilities of Autodesk Revit and CFD before finally setting up a simple design study to validate the imported geometry. This class will feature an iterative approach used for modeling a project in Costa Rica as a case study. Going from basic geometry and then expanding into a more realistic scenario.

This class will cover the use of Autodesk CFD software as a design analysis tool for fire and smoke simulation in buildings. We will examine how fire contaminant and smoke generation is modeled, and take you through the procedures and techniques necessary to obtain an efficient solution. You will learn how to identify design risk from the results visualization of smoke and temperature from the simulation. We will show you how to evaluate smoke-free height, tenable temperature, and smoke visibility to meet life-safety goals. Based on the Autodesk CFD results, you will understand how you can gain insight into behavior of smoke from fire, and make good design decisions to minimize smoke hazards. We will also highlight benefits and limitations of smoke simulation in relation to real-world fire scenarios. Finally, you will be able to relate the procedures and techniques described here for large spaces such as atria, convention centers, shopping malls, exhibition halls, airport terminals, and sports arenas.

In this class, we will cover applications of Autodesk CFD Simulation software for sustainable design in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. You will learn how Autodesk CFD is used in the AEC design process. We will cover case studies involving the following: energy-efficient ventilation design for a large sports stadium facility; indoor thermal comfort using energy-efficient displacement ventilation for a large convention center foyer occupied by people; wind-loading analysis to simulate wind pressure and resultant structural loading on an airport façade and roof; and optimization of storm-water roof-drainage design using free surface flow. You will learn how the air flow and thermal simulations capabilities of Autodesk CFD are used to demonstrate performance for sustainable design.

Placeholder for an instructional demo regarding the workflow of associativity and updating designs from Inventor software to Autodesk CFD software.

Have you heard about Simulation CFD software? Do you want to see how easy it is to get started? Would you like to play with a new software system? Come on down to the hands-on lab. Pick which scenario you want to explore, whether it is electronics cooling, airflow in a room, or wind loading on a structure. Choose what type of results you are interested in. Explore and learn.

Learn how to capitalize on Revit data in Fusion 360 software to optimize for Autodesk CFD.

For high-performance HVAC systems such as radiant heating and cooling, underfloor air distribution (UFAD), and natural ventilation and hybrid systems that use both natural and mechanical conditioning of a building, it is critical to understand how the air flows and the surrounding environment impacts the occupants' comfort while still being able to balance energy savings. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models are key to understanding this balance. This class will teach you how to prepare an Autodesk® Revit® 2013 model and import into Autodesk® Simulation CFD 360 software. From there, you will learn how to quickly create wind-driven models of the airflow around the exterior of a building. You will also learn how to create buoyancy-driven steady-state models to understand the airflow and surface temperatures to provide design recommendations to increase thermal comfort. You will leave this class with the skills to use your CFD model to optimize your building and achieve energy savings for your high-performance HVAC system.

Autodesk CFD software from Autodesk, Inc., provides computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and thermal simulation tools to help you make great products. Using Autodesk CFD software, you can predict product performance, optimize designs, and validate product behavior before manufacturing. The question then arises: "Where do I start?" Attend this class and you will learn the basics of Autodesk CFD software and how it can improve your design process.

Implementing new technologies in your company is always a challenge. Everything from getting approvals, licensing, training, testing and failing are just a part of the process. Once you get it right, then you need to document your findings and train your staff. In this case study you will learn about some of the business and technical challenges of a CFD implementation project in Costa Rica’s largest MEP Design Firm. After a brief introduction to CFD, we will cover how to get support from management, how to get appropriate training, documentation and other resources to help you get started. Finally, we will explore some of the difficulties encountered in implementing CFD and the strategies adopted to overcome them. This class will feature a real world forced ventilation example for basements as a case study.

In this session, we’ll explain how computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and generative design were used to reduce and optimize a maternal health ward in Sierra Leone, Africa. We will illustrate how one nonprofit firm is using this technology to design energy-efficient health centers for underserved communities. This session will show how we utilized generative design and CFD to perform building-performance analysis. We’ll present a case study in which CFD analysis was used to target and locate prime locations for louvers and vents to promote a completely passive strategy. We’ll explain how we optimized daylighting for a more sustainable building with an unreliable power supply and reduced operating costs. These strategies are crucial for health care centers in developing countries, where resources are limited and maximizing the environment is a necessity.

Ready—Conceptualize, Set—Design, Go—Simulate. Learn how to transition from Alias software to Inventor software and finally Simulation CFD software. Change happens, so when it does how does this workflow get affected?

In this class, we will present the use of Autodesk CFD for a new building project with a goal for net-zero energy compliance. The building and construction industries are responsible for about 40% of the global energy use and about 30% of the global carbon emissions, contributing to climate change. Energy-optimized building design is one of the green building principles that, by 2030, could reduce the carbon footprint and achieve reduction of building-related emissions by 50%—and deliver net-zero buildings by 2050. In an endeavor to design energy-efficient buildings, adoption of new technologies for enhancing indoor environment quality, thermal quality, and lighting quality are imperative. And implementation of such technologies needs validation for performance. Modeling and simulation software such as Autodesk CFD could be used to estimate the performance of the built environment and compare different design decisions in order to realize the opportunity to reduce energy consumption and, therefore, carbon emissions.

Autodesk CFD software is a great simulation tool for solving practical problems of MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) design for commercial buildings. In this class, you will see simulation strategies and techniques as applied to MEP design analysis to achieve better designs. We will share our experience of actual projects where Autodesk CFD has been used to zero in on effective ventilation in a diesel generator room; to gain insight to arrive at desirable smoke exhaust design for life safety in a public space; to improve design layout of a basement car park for acceptable ventilation; and to troubleshoot water leakage in an airport roof by rainwater flow simulation. You will learn how airflow and thermal simulations from Autodesk CFD are used to demonstrate the performance of MEP design. You will understand how results visualization and extraction tools are useful for spotting design issues and fixing them cost-effectively. We will also highlight advantages, best practices, and limitations while using Autodesk CFD for the MEP design process.

Wind Analysis is very common, but the dynamic effects are often overlooked. In this class, we will conduct a Transient CFD analysis on a vertical plate (cantilevered highway sign), and obtain the forces. These transient forces will be subsequently be used as input to a dynamic FE analysis, which will be used to predict the Fatigue Life of the structure itself. Finally, the results will be compared to a simplified “steady-state static analysis”. Attendees will learn about the CFD-FEA coupling capabilities in Autodesk and be shown the workflow in detail. Additionally, discussion will revolve around transient/dynamic FE analysis, tips & tricks, common pitfalls, and best practices.

The NBBJ healthcare practice is currently using Simulation CFD 360 software to study patient comfort in healthcare design. This class will show examples of the work, and we will examine analysis of the results of this work. We will examine in-depth studies of natural ventilation, infection control, and patient comfort, and we will discuss methods and results. We will also look at additional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies to investigate the use of Simulation CFD 360 software in the study of energy-saving concepts as they relate to healthcare design and the design of other Sustainable Design Solutions.