Software solutions
Open source technologies are powerful because they allow for a high degree of collaboration and community involvement
Aircraft designers have been using open source and free software for more than a decade to improve safety and reduce costs. Open source software is not subject to the same scrutiny as commercial software when it comes to safety issues, so it can be used in aircraft design with few restrictions. Inexpensive, good-quality software is also available for download, which helps keep costs down. aircraft designers who use open source and free software are able to focus on their designs rather than on the software they are using. This makes them more efficient
Aerodynamics
OpenFOAM
OpenFOAM is a computational software application for fluid dynamics analysis such as thermodynamic analysis, running on Linux, macOS and Windows. Some key features of the computer-aided OpenFOAM engineering software include turbulence, thermophysics and transport modeling, as well as multiphase flow simulations.
Xfoil
XFOIL is an interactive program for the design and analysis of subsonic isolated airfoils.
It consists of a collection of menu-driven routines which perform various useful functions.
XFLR5
XFLR5 is an analysis tool for airfoils, wings and planes operating at low Reynolds Numbers. It includes:
XFoil's Direct and Inverse analysis capabilities
Wing design and analysis capabilities based on the Lifiting Line Theory, on the Vortex Lattice Method, and on a 3D Panel Method
JavaFoil
JavaFoil is a free program that enables you to perform airfoil analysis. the program takes a set of airfoil coordinates, it calculates the local, inviscid flow velocity along the surface of the airfoil for any desired angle of attack. It also solves a set of differential equations to find the various boundary layer parameters.
Structural Analysis
CalculiX
CalculiX is able to do linear and non-linear calculations, for static, dynamic, and thermal problems. The solver operates on an Abaqus input file (.inp), which means it can be used with different pre-processors that support this format. The program includes its own graphical preprocessor.
CalculiX is designed to run on Unix platforms like Linux and Irix computers but also on MS-Windows. CalculiX was developed by engineers from MTU Aero Engines, Munich, Germany, to assist them in designing machinery such as jet turbines. The software is currently released to the public on the terms of the GPL version 2.
Elmer FEM
Elmer FEM is an open source simulation software solution developed by a consortium of the CSC - IT Center for Science in Finland. It takes a new step towards improving computer-aided engineering (CAE) systems by providing users with the ability to perform finite element analysis (FEA) or perform complex simulations of systems that support this functionality. The software also supports computational fluid dynamics (CFD), which allows users to perform complex multiphysical simulations to solve various problems related to thermal, fluid and electromagnetic impacts.
Ftool
Quick and transparent structural analysis. Ftool allows for quick structural prototyping through nigh-instantaneous and transparent structural analysis, easing an efficient interpretation of a models structural behavior.
EasyCiv
EasyCiv is a free online structural analysis software for desktop, mobile and tablet. Using Chrome browser, you can now build, analyse, save, load and print your 3D structures on your various kind of platform. The EasyCiv app is automatically get updated to the latest version when connecting to Internet.
CAD
FreeCAD
FreeCAD is a general purpose feature-based, parametric 3D modeler for CAD, MCAD, CAx, CAE and PLM, aimed directly at mechanical engineering and product design but also fits a wider range of uses in engineering, such as architecture or other engineering specialties. It is 100% Open Source and extremely modular, allowing for very advanced extension and customization.
Mathematics
SMath Studio
SMath Studio is a program for calculating mathematical expressions and graphical functions. Working with the programming interface is similar to working with a plain sheet of paper, as all mathematical expressions in it are written not in a line in text, but in a graphical, human-friendly form (by analogy with the Mathcad system).
Operating Systems
CAELinux
CAELinux is a distribution focused on Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE). Designed with a purpose for students and faculty, the distribution is loaded with open source software that can be used to model everything from animal organs to aerodynamic profiles.