Particle-Based Fluid Simulation: Cooling Down with Virtual Water Applications

Published on September 15, 2025 · 6 min read

Accurate simulation of water plays a crucial role in many fluid dynamics applications across various industries - whether it's in automotive engineering for vehicle water management applications, civil engineering for analyzing breaking dam and wave phenomena, the white goods industry for appliances like dishwashers, or process engineering for cleaning and packaging operations.
However, with soaring temperatures in Germany over the past few months it seemed like the perfect time to cool things down virtually by creating a few summer-themed water simulations.

So, in this short article, we’ll take a look at a series of fun, water-inspired simulations that bring fluid motion to life. From crystal-clear pool ripples, cascading fountains, and waves, to energetic splashes and sprays, each simulation captures a different aspect of water in motion, all powered by particle-based fluid dynamics.

These simulations were performed using PreonLab’s implicit Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) approach, a mesh-free method that models the water as millions of interacting particles. Using PreonLab, it’s possible not only to simulate the interaction of water as a single-phase with static solids, but also to model its interaction with other Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids, dynamic rigid bodies, and even deformable solids. It’s a solution that offers engineers, designers, and creatives a powerful tool for simulating real-world fluid behavior, while also providing eye-catching visuals.

Virtual Cool-Down Simulations

A Digital Cool-Down with Water

Virtual Cool-Down Simulations

Below is a selection of some of our favorite water-themed simulations, the perfect virtual inspiration to help battle the heat this summer:

Video 1 shows a still pool disturbed by a ball falling from above it due to gravity, resulting in a splash and subsequent ripples.

Video 1: Falling Sphere Simulation

Video 2 showcases a captivating splash that is created as a Splash Coaster crashes into water. The simulation uses rigid body dynamics to simulate the breaking of the coaster due to the impact.

Video 2: Splash Coaster Simulation

Video 3 is a beach-inspired simulation involving a floating duck, that is carried along by rolling waves. The simulation couples the rigid body solver with wave generation in PreonLab.

Video 3: Floating Duck and Rolling Waves Simulation

Video 4 shows water from a breaking dam flowing over an elastic object. By modeling Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) between the water and the elastic object, it is possible to simulate the deformation of the object due to the rushing water.

Video 4: Dam-Break on Elastic Logo Simulation

Video 5 shows a flowing fountain, where the arcs and water jets are simulated by keyframing area sources to emit water at different locations. The simulation also includes a continuously increasing unsteady airflow that causes the water crown to oscillate strongly during the latter half of the simulation.

Video 5: Fountain in Unsteady-Airflow Simulation

In video 6, a super soaker splashes water on a wall that is covered by a viscous mud-like fluid, to clear it away. The simulation demonstrates the multiphase interaction between water and a non-Newtonian fluid.

Video 6: Mud-Wall Cleaning Simulation

And finally, video 7 shows (although not strictly water!) black currant juice being poured into a glass to sit back and enjoy on a warm summer day!

Video 7: Pouring Black-Currant Juice into a Drinking Glass Simulation

A Digital Cool-Down with Water

Whether you’re an engineer, designer, student, or simulation enthusiast, we hope this collection offers a refreshing pause from the everyday with an intersection of physics, technology, and a bit of fun, all centered around something as simple and essential as water.
While we can’t change the temperature outside, hopefully these virtual showcases can provide some inspiration to cool down over the last few weeks of summer this year.

To explore the possibilities of particle-based simulation with PreonLab for your engineering needs, check out some of the most common use cases here: Use Cases | FIFTY2

Acknowledgements:

Video 2: Co-created with Jing Tai Tune
Video 3: Wave setup thanks to Michel Make
Video 4: Diogo Lopes

All dear colleagues at FIFTY2 Technology GmbH.

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Virtual Cool-Down Simulations

A Digital Cool-Down with Water

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