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FEST-3D

fest3d.github.io

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Visit fest3d.github.io
Spec score 8.6 #11 of 89 in Physics Simulation Software

What it is

FEST-3D is a Fortran 90 finite-volume computational fluid dynamics solver for Navier–Stokes flow problems on structured grids, developed for aerodynamics. It handles incompressible and compressible flows, including inviscid, laminar, transitional and turbulent cases. Users can select among flux schemes, reconstruction methods, time-integration options, turbulence models and transition models. MPI distributes computations across processors on one or more machines. The solver is free and open source under the GNU General Public License version 3.0, with source available from GitHub. Its installation script supports Ubuntu/Debian, CentOS and macOS, while manual installation instructions cover Linux. Building requires a Fortran compiler, an MPI library, CMake and Make. Tutorials in a separate repository address verification cases such as a smooth bump, lid-driven cavity, flat plates and an airfoil. FEST-3D writes VTK or Tecplot output for separate visualization tools. Grid generation and post-processing are outside the solver, and the project notes its halt/stop condition does not work with MPI.

Spec sheet

Purpose
FEST-3D is a Fortran 90 finite-volume solver for Navier–Stokes equations on structured grids, developed for aerodynamic flow problems.Read 5 Oct 2026 · fest3d.github.io
Intended users
The project describes its team as students from the Department of Aerospace Engineering at IIT Madras, and its tutorials are provided for learning and verification.Read 4 Oct 2026 · fest3d.github.io
Support
The homepage lists [email protected] as the project contact email.Read 4 Oct 2026 · fest3d.github.io
Headquarters
Chennai, IndiaRead 19 Oct 2026 · fest3d.github.io
3D visuals
YesRead 24 Sep 2026 · fest3d.github.io
Assessment tools
NoRead 24 Sep 2026 · fest3d.github.io
Authoring tools
YesRead 24 Sep 2026 · fest3d.github.io
Data export
YesRead 24 Sep 2026 · fest3d.github.io
Delivery mode
desktopRead 24 Sep 2026 · fest3d.github.io
Dependencies
The documented dependencies include a Fortran compiler, an MPI library, CMake, Make and Python NumPy.Read 5 Oct 2026 · fest3d.github.io
Downloads
The solver source is available from GitHub, while tutorials are in a separate repository included as a submodule.Read 5 Oct 2026 · fest3d.github.io
Flow models
The documentation lists SA, SST, SST2003 and k-kL turbulence models, plus Gamma LCTM2015 and SA-BC transition models.Read 5 Oct 2026 · fest3d.github.io
Flow types
The solver handles incompressible or compressible, and inviscid, laminar, transitional, or turbulent flow problems on structured grids.Read 5 Oct 2026 · fest3d.github.io
Grid generation
Grid generation is separate from the solver and must be handled independently; the documentation suggests writing a grid-generation program or using software such as Pointwise for complicated geometries.Read 4 Oct 2026 · fest3d.github.io
Grid generation limit
Grid generation is handled separately from the solver; the documentation suggests writing grid-generation code or using Pointwise for complicated geometries.Read 5 Oct 2026 · fest3d.github.io
Installation platforms
The installation script supports Ubuntu/Debian, CentOS, and macOS; manual installation instructions are provided for Linux platforms.Read 4 Oct 2026 · fest3d.github.io
Intended audience
The team describes FEST-3D as an aerodynamic flow solver and provides tutorials for cases including a wedge, smooth bump, lid-driven cavity, flat plates and an airfoil.Read 5 Oct 2026 · fest3d.github.io
Known issue
The project notes that the halt/stop condition does not work with MPI.Read 5 Oct 2026 · fest3d.github.io
Lesson library
YesRead 24 Sep 2026 · fest3d.github.io
Notable limitations
The homepage reports that the halt/stop condition does not work on MPI and turbulent simulations cannot run on Windows Subsystem for Linux because of outdated OS and libraries.Read 4 Oct 2026 · fest3d.github.io
Numerical methods
Available options include AUSM-family and SLAU flux schemes, MUSCL, PPM and WENO spatial reconstruction, and explicit and implicit time integration.Read 5 Oct 2026 · fest3d.github.io
Numerical schemes
It offers multiple inviscid flux, higher-order face reconstruction, time-integration, turbulence, and transition model options.Read 4 Oct 2026 · fest3d.github.io
Offline access
YesRead 24 Sep 2026 · fest3d.github.io
Open source
FEST-3D is available under the GNU General Public License version 3.0.Read 4 Oct 2026 · fest3d.github.io
Parallel computing
FEST-3D uses MPI to distribute computation across processors on one or more machines.Read 4 Oct 2026 · fest3d.github.io
Solver structure
FEST-3D is a modular, multiblock solver and supports computations distributed across processors using MPI.Read 5 Oct 2026 · fest3d.github.io
Support contact
The project lists [email protected] as its contact email.Read 5 Oct 2026 · fest3d.github.io
Supported installation platforms
The installation script is provided for Ubuntu (Debian), CentOS and macOS; manual installation instructions are provided for Linux.Read 5 Oct 2026 · fest3d.github.io
Tutorials
Provided verification tutorials cover ramp and smooth-bump flows, a lid-driven cavity, flat-plate flows, and a transonic RAE-2822 airfoil.Read 4 Oct 2026 · fest3d.github.io
Visualization
The solver writes VTK or Tecplot output, and the documentation names VisIt, ParaView, and Tecplot as tools for visualizing results.Read 4 Oct 2026 · fest3d.github.io
Visualization integrations
The solver can output VTK or Tecplot files for viewing with tools such as VisIt, ParaView or Tecplot; post-processing is outside the solver.Read 5 Oct 2026 · fest3d.github.io

Plans and prices

Free and open source Free GNU General Public License v3.0 Read 5 Oct 2026 · fest3d.github.io

Every FEST-3D plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free under the GNU General Public License version 3.0
  • Supports compressible and incompressible flow problems
  • MPI distributes computation across processors
  • Includes tutorials for several verification cases
  • Writes VTK or Tecplot output

Limits

  • Grid generation is separate from the solver
  • Building requires a Fortran compiler, MPI, CMake and Make
  • The halt/stop condition does not work with MPI
  • Turbulent simulations cannot run on Windows Subsystem for Linux

Who it suits

FEST-3D suits users working on aerodynamic flow simulations who can build and run a Fortran and MPI application. Its verification tutorials may also suit learners exploring computational fluid dynamics.

Verdict

FEST-3D describes its flow models, numerical options, dependencies and output formats. Users need separate grid-generation and visualization workflows, and the documented MPI halt/stop limitation is worth noting.

Where Specifiction places it

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