Flat Plate Boundary Layer

Problem Specification
1. Create Geometry in GAMBIT
2. Mesh Geometry in GAMBIT
3. Specify Boundary Types in GAMBIT
4. Set Up Problem in FLUENT
5. Solve!
6. Analyze Results
7. Verify Results

Step 4: Set Up Problem in FLUENT

If you have skipped the previos mesh generation steps 1-3, you can download the mesh by right-clicking on this link. Save the file as plateBL.msh.

Launch FLUENT

Lab Apps > FLUENT 6.3.26

Select 2ddp (2D, double-precision version) from the list of options and click Run.

Import File

Main Menu > File > Read > Case...

Navigate to your working directory and select the plateBL.msh file. Click OK.

Check that the displayed information is consistent with our expectations.

Analyze Grid

First, we check the grid to make sure that there are no errors.

Main Menu > Grid > Check

Any errors in the grid would be reported at this time. Check the output and make sure that there are no errors reported.

Grid > Info > Size

How many cells and nodes does the grid have?

Display > Grid

Define Properties

Define > Models > Solver...

Use the default setting. Click OK.

Define > Models > Viscous

Select Laminar under Model.

viscous model

Click OK.

Define > Models > Energy

Use the default and click OK.

Define > Materials

Make sure air is selected under Fluid Materials. Set Density to 1.00 and Viscosity to 1e-4 so that we can get Re of 1e4.

Click Change/Create.

Define > Operating Conditions

Use the default value. Click OK.

operating condition

Define > Boundary Conditions

Set inlet to velocity-inlet boundary type. Then click Set... Set the velocity magnitude to 1 m/s. Set outlet to pressure-outlet boundary. Use gage pressure of 0 Pa. Use the default value of wall for the plate. Set the top to symmetry boundary type. Symmetry boundary condition means that the component normal to the wall is zero.

Go to Step 5: Solve!