SU2 is a computational framework for solving partial differential equations and performing physics-based design optimisation. Its principal applications are computational fluid dynamics, aerodynamics and the analysis of engineering systems where simulation results guide design decisions.
Researchers and engineers use SU2 to predict how fluids move around objects and through internal passages. Examples include airflow over wings, flow through ducts, aerodynamic drag and the performance of turbomachinery components.
The framework combines physical simulation with numerical methods for calculating how a chosen performance measure responds to changes in a design. This makes it particularly useful for problems where researchers want not only to predict flow behaviour but also to improve a geometry.
SU2 works with unstructured computational meshes and supports a range of physical models and boundary conditions. Its modular numerical infrastructure allows applications beyond conventional aerodynamic analysis, including coupled physical processes.
The software also provides methods for gradient-based optimisation. Adjoint calculations can evaluate the sensitivity of design objectives to large numbers of parameters without requiring an independent flow simulation for every parameter.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Finite-volume solvers for computational fluid dynamics.
- Inviscid and viscous compressible flow calculations.
- Incompressible flow modelling.
- Turbulence models for aerodynamic simulations.
- Unstructured mesh support for complex geometries.
- Steady and unsteady flow calculations.
- Continuous and discrete adjoint methods.
- Gradient calculations for design sensitivity analysis.
- Aerodynamic shape optimisation workflows.
- Free-form deformation of computational geometries.
- Mesh deformation and movement capabilities.
- Configurable boundary conditions and numerical schemes.
- Parallel execution for large simulation cases.
- Interfaces for automation and numerical optimisation.
- Cross-platform support – runs on Linux and macOS.
Website: github.com/su2code/SU2
Support:
Developer: Members of the SU2 Foundation
License: GNU Lesser General Public License v2.1
SU2 is written in C++. Learn C++ with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
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