Learning Openfoam Case Review

OpenFOAM Case Review

Level

Beginner to expert.

Audience

CFD engineers, CAE reviewers, and developers working with folder-based simulation artefacts.

Learning objectives

By the end, you can:

1. inspect an OpenFOAM-like case folder;
2. identify solver dictionaries, boundary-condition files, material files, and numerical settings when detected;
3. interpret inspection flags as review prompts; and
4. state what a qualified engineer still needs to verify.

Files used

• examples/openfoam_cavity_minimal
• Architecture: Adapters
• Safe Use Policy

Walkthrough

caereflex inspect-openfoam examples/openfoam_cavity_minimal --out openfoam_case.json
caereflex export agent-context openfoam_case.json --out openfoam_agent_context.json
caereflex export markdown openfoam_case.json --out openfoam_report.md

Review the outputs:

python -m json.tool openfoam_agent_context.json | head -80
sed -n '1,160p' openfoam_report.md

What to observe

• CaeReflex reads OpenFOAM-like text files; it does not run OpenFOAM.
• Dictionary and boundary-condition evidence can help structure review.
• Missing or partial evidence should be carried into the final summary.

Expected output and interpretation

A representative openfoam_agent_context.json from examples/openfoam_cavity_minimal should show the inspected dictionaries and initial fields:

{
  "case_name": "openfoam_cavity_minimal",
  "case_type": "openfoam",
  "source_files": [
    {"relative_path": "system/controlDict", "hash_status": "complete"},
    {"relative_path": "system/fvSchemes", "hash_status": "complete"},
    {"relative_path": "constant/polyMesh/boundary", "hash_status": "complete"},
    {"relative_path": "0/U", "hash_status": "complete"}
  ],
  "result_fields": [
    {"name": "p", "association": "volume", "trace": {"source_files": ["0/p"]}},
    {"name": "U", "association": "volume", "trace": {"source_files": ["0/U"]}}
  ],
  "inspection_warnings": []
}

Interpret the output as follows:

• Extracted evidence: dictionary paths, boundary-file paths, initial field names, hashes, and trace source files are read from examples/openfoam_cavity_minimal.
• Inferred context: the OpenFOAM classification and summary are based on folder structure and recognized file names; CaeReflex has not run a solver.
• Warnings: preserve every inspection_warnings item if present. No warnings in this tiny fixture does not imply numerical readiness or case quality.
• Provenance: the full JSON includes openfoam_inspection_started; exported agent context may summarize provenance through source_references.
• Unsafe claims to avoid: do not claim solver execution, convergence, Courant-number acceptability, mesh adequacy, turbulence-model suitability, physical correctness, certification, or design safety.

Beginner exercise

List three files from the case folder that CaeReflex inspected or referenced.

Practitioner exercise

Write a review note with three sections: detected evidence, inspection limitations, and human follow-up checks.

Expert extension

Inspect how the OpenFOAM adapter handles bounded scanning and safe text inspection. Propose one additional inspection flag that would improve review quality while staying read-only.

Assessment checklist

• The learner distinguishes file inspection from solver execution.
• The learner explains at least one detected setting or source file.
• The learner lists follow-up checks without saying CaeReflex validated the simulation.