Getting the most out of CFD, a short guide

Getting the most out of any engineering tool requires some knowledge of its limitations and capabilities. CFD is no different, but where it does differ from most tools is in the highly specialized knowledge and skill needed to harness its potential. As a result, ship designers and operators hire specialized CFD engineers, who often speak a different technical language. This creates a problem in communication and understanding between the two parties, which can lead a CFD project in the wrong direction, wasting time and money. In addition, otherwise useful engineering intuition can sometimes get us in trouble when it comes to accuracy of the CFD method. Here is a short guide for interpreting some aspects of a CFD project that often lead to misunderstandings and waste of resources.