Best Practice for Analysing Mesh Sensitivity in Drone Airflow Simulation

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1

Project:

Hi everyone,

I’m currently running a mesh sensitivity analysis for a CFD simulation of airflow around a drone. I’ve created four different meshes, ranging from coarse to fine, and completed simulations for each.

I came across this helpful article from SimScale:
:backhand_index_pointing_right: Mesh Sensitivity Study for CFD Simulations | Knowledge Base | SimScale
It suggests comparing the pressure drop (ΔP) values or looking at simulation convergence as a way to assess mesh independence.

However, I’m wondering if there are any best practices or recommendations from the community on how to visualise or quantitatively compare the results across meshes. Specifically:

What is the best output variable to use when comparing mesh sensitivity in drone airflow simulations (e.g., ΔP, lift/drag coefficients, force on components, etc.)?

Is there a preferred way to plot these comparisons?

Are there additional criteria you would suggest besides convergence and ΔP?

I’d really appreciate any insights or examples of how others have approached this.

Thanks in advance!

3

Hi @ceckert, thanks for posting

To be completely honest I’m not that familiar with drone applications specifically. However, you should always run the sensitivity study considering the parameter of interest. If all of the listed above are of interest, then you should take all into account when performing the study.

This article covers a standard procedure:

have you checked it out already?

Cheers
Igor