Comparing Open-Source and Commercial Software Solvers for Hagen-Poiseuille Flow
Paulina Rodriguez, George Washington University
Computational modeling is a valid source of evidence that can be used to inform engineering applications, but only when the software or code is precise, robust, and trustworthy. In an effort to generate reproducible and trustworthy computational evidence, we conducted a preliminary credibility analysis of laminar pipe flow comparing numerical predictions, using OpenFOAM and ANSYS CFX, with the analytic solution of Hagen-Poiseuille flow. We ran a transient flow simulation on unstructured hexagonal meshes for a second order numerical scheme and compared both solvers to the analytical solution at the end of a fully developed pipe. In addition, we created and utilized a computational modeling infrastructure based on reproducibility to support pre-processing, development, and post-processing. Even in simple cases errors exist making it necessary to conduct credibility activities supported by transparent reproducibility practices to fully understand the implications of using computational evidence. These practices encourage trustworthiness in using computational evidence for applications with a high potential for making a meaningful impact, such as for biomedical applications.
Abstract Author(s): Paulina Rodriguez, Anastasiia Sarmakeeva, Lorena Barba