2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

In undergraduate research projects that involve the application of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), the selection of an appropriate software package can be an important consideration. Commercial packages vary in both complexity and capabilities. Project goals can also differ, but if publication-level results are desired, then solution accuracy becomes critical. More complicated codes often yield more accurate solutions, yet they can also overwhelm undergraduates with an unmanageable number of options and level of complexity. In this paper, we explore the application of two commercially available CFD packages—SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation (SWFS) and Ansys Fluent—and compare them based on solution accuracy and ease of implementation by undergraduates. The scenario investigated involves the behavior of a Savonius vertical axis wind turbine for which experimental performance data are available. It was found that both SWFS and Ansys Fluent were able to accurately calculate the turbine power coefficient (CP) for lower tip speed ratios (TSRs). But past the peak CP, SWFS predicted higher CP values that were not supported by experimental data, while Ansys Fluent did not. Examination of the numerically predicted flow fields in this regime revealed relatively small but significant differences in blade pressure distribution and vortex intensity that led to higher predicted turbine torque and power by SWFS. This suggests that SWFS should be used with care when applied to such rotating machinery problems. Student ease of use was assessed qualitatively based on feedback and reflections from undergraduate researchers. The CFD application process was divided into five steps, and a structured evaluation considering task complexity, number of activities required, and setup time needed for each step revealed that SWFS was significantly easier for the students to use than Ansys Fluent. Student feedback also aligned with educational theories involving cognitive load and spiral curricula, leading to a proposed framework for integration of CFD into undergraduate mechanical engineering curricula.