The flow field of a 15 stage axial compressor is analyzed using a 3-D Navier-Stokes CFD tool. The compressor under investigation is a prototype engine, first compressor version before optimization of the Siemens V84.3A family. The paper describes steady state and transient flow simulations of the entire 15 stages compressor in one computation (not piece by piece). The simulation includes tip gaps, mass bleeds, hub leakage flows, and ranges from single passage to full 360 degrees analysis. The work is divided into two companion papers. The second paper, “CFD Analysis of a 15 Stage Axial Compressor Part II: Results” describes the application of the methods in Part I to the entire 15 stage compressor (Belamri et al, 2005). The flow in the compressor is modeled first with one blade passage per component (periodicity assumed, an interface pitch change model employed). Steady state and transient models are compared. In a second series of computations, all blade passages in 360 degrees are modeled, (no periodicity or pitch change assumptions required), for portions of the compressor. The various simulation approaches are compared to each other, and to experimental data. Good agreement between predictions and experimental results, both in the details of the flow field and the integral prediction of operating range of the compressor, were found.© 2005 ASME