vamseeachanta OpenFOAM Analysis Workflow
Run CFD analyses end-to-end: define → mesh → solve → validate → report. Reference skill (
openfoam) has dict syntax; this skill has the workflow.
Quick Start
# 1. Define analysis in YAML
cp references/analysis-templates/current-drag.yaml my-analysis.yaml
# Edit: geometry, flow conditions, mesh parameters
# 2. Run analysis
bash scripts/openfoam-analysis/run-analysis.sh my-analysis.yaml
# 3. Generate calculation report
uv run --no-project python scripts/openfoam-analysis/generate-calc-yaml.py my-analysis.yaml
uv run --no-project python scripts/reporting/generate-calc-report.py my-analysis-calc.yaml
Workflow Stages
This skill maps to the calculation-methodology 6-phase structure:
| Stage | Calc-Methodology Phase | Micro-skill | Key Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phase 1: Problem Definition | stage-01-problem-definition.md |
Analysis YAML with scope, objective, acceptance criteria |
| 2 | Phase 2-3: Inputs + Method | stage-02-case-setup.md |
OpenFOAM case directory with all dicts |
| 3 | — (CFD-specific) | stage-03-meshing.md |
Validated mesh (checkMesh PASS) |
| 4 | Phase 4: Computation | stage-04-execution.md |
Converged solution + logs |
| 5 | Phase 5: Validation | stage-05-post-processing.md |
Extracted results + validation checks |
| 6 | Phase 6: Reporting | stage-06-reporting.md |
calculation-report YAML → HTML |
Analysis Templates
Pre-configured templates in references/analysis-templates/:
| Template | Solver | Physics | Marine Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
current-drag.yaml |
simpleFoam | Steady RANS k-omega SST | Drag on subsea structures |
wave-loading.yaml |
interFoam | VOF + waves2Foam | Wave forces on fixed platforms |
cavity-benchmark.yaml |
icoFoam | Laminar transient | Validation benchmark |
dambreak-benchmark.yaml |
interFoam | VOF laminar | Validation benchmark |
Environment
# Source before any OpenFOAM operation (script handles this automatically)
source /usr/lib/openfoam/openfoam2312/etc/bashrc 2>/dev/null || true
Key learning: OpenFOAM bashrc has unbound variables — never use set -u in scripts.
Tutorials with 0.orig/ require cp -r 0.orig 0 before running.
Script Reference
| Script | Purpose |
|---|---|
run-analysis.sh |
Orchestrate full analysis from YAML config |
check-convergence.py |
Parse solver log, detect divergence, plot residuals |
extract-results.py |
Extract forces, pressures, free surface from results |
generate-calc-yaml.py |
Convert analysis results to calculation-report YAML |
run-openfoam-tutorials.sh |
Run benchmark tutorials for validation |
Convergence Criteria
| Field | Target (steady) | Target (transient) | Divergence threshold |
|---|---|---|---|
| p | initial < 1e-4 | final < tolerance | initial > 1e+6 |
| U | initial < 1e-4 | final < tolerance | initial > 1e+6 |
| k, omega | initial < 1e-4 | final < tolerance | initial > 1e+6 |
| Continuity (local) | < 1e-4 | < 1e-4 | > 1e-1 |
Integration with Calculation Methodology
Every CFD analysis produces a calculation YAML with these sections:
metadata:
title: "Current Drag on Subsea Manifold"
standard: "DNV-RP-C205 Environmental Conditions and Environmental Loads"
inputs:
- {name: "Current velocity", symbol: "U_c", value: 1.2, unit: "m/s", source: "Metocean report"}
- {name: "Water depth", symbol: "d", value: 85, unit: "m"}
- {name: "Structure diameter", symbol: "D", value: 2.5, unit: "m"}
methodology:
description: "CFD analysis using OpenFOAM simpleFoam with k-omega SST turbulence model"
standard: "DNV-RP-C205 §6 Current Loads"
equations:
- {id: "eq1", name: "Drag force", latex: "F_D = \\frac{1}{2} \\rho C_D A U^2"}
- {id: "eq2", name: "Reynolds number", latex: "Re = \\frac{U D}{\\nu}"}
outputs:
- {name: "Drag coefficient", symbol: "C_D", value: null, unit: "-", pass_fail: true, limit: "<2.0"}
- {name: "Drag force", symbol: "F_D", value: null, unit: "kN"}
assumptions:
- "Steady-state flow (no wave-current interaction)"
- "Smooth surface (no marine growth)"
references:
- "DNV-RP-C205:2021 Environmental Conditions and Environmental Loads"
- "OpenFOAM v2312 ESI Group"
The generate-calc-yaml.py script populates value: null fields from OpenFOAM results.
Mesh Quality Gates
Analysis will not proceed to solver execution if mesh fails these checks:
| Metric | Pass | Fail |
|---|---|---|
| Non-orthogonality max | < 70 | ≥ 70 |
| Skewness | < 4 | ≥ 4 |
| Aspect ratio | < 100 | ≥ 100 |
| Negative volumes | 0 | > 0 |
Error Handling
Each stage validates before passing to the next. On failure:
- Diagnostic YAML written to
<case>/diagnostics.yaml - Exit code propagated (non-zero = failure)
- Partial results preserved for debugging
Refer to openfoam skill §4 (Failure Diagnosis) for root cause analysis.