Computational fluid dynamics simulation is extensively used in the modeling of fluid flows including thermal management studies. Fluid Dynamics engineer role on 3DEXPERIENCE platform includes a native application ‘ Fluid model creation’, that enables users to dive into the depths of virtually representing the fluid flows without undue complexities of the model setup.
In fluid dynamics analysis, a fluid domain describes the 3D space in which you want to analyze fluid flow. It is a finite volume consisting of one or more fluid regions. The Fluid Model Creation app enables you to create and manage the fluid domain in the Fluid Dynamics Engineer role.
The fluid domain, fluid region, and openings can be set up using the Model Setup option or Fluid domain option available in the Fluid model creation app. These can be accessed via the Assistant Panel or the Action bar as shown below.
The Model Setup option is a streamlined method for performing most or all the actions that you need to specify the modeling components for a simulation. This option also allows for common model definitions at the global assembly level. The model setup option is suitable for simulations with solid geometry and no surface definitions. If your model includes shells, surface definitions, or orphan meshes imported from other simulation models, this option is not recommended.
With the Model Setup option, you can define any or all the following features of the model such as the type of flow study, i.e., internal or external flow, the location of fluid domain, thermal effects due to heat transfer through solid parts, the fluid material and global mesh density. When you specify these modeling properties as part of the model setup, you can also edit any of the properties individually afterward.
If the model for flow analysis includes shells, surface definitions, or orphan meshes, you should specify the fluid domain, fluid sections, and material assignment in separate actions.
A fluid domain can be set up where boundaries are defined entirely by the structural parts in your simulation. Alternatively, you can define a fluid domain based on a part’s geometry and other features, such as bounding boxes, planes, or subregions of your structural parts. The latter method also requires you to specify the openings that are part of the fluid domain. The fluid regions (which you bound using parts, exterior geometries, and openings) are the volumes in which the fluid flows.
When setting up the Fluid region, you select an internal or external surface as the region. The direction of the glyph indicates the location of the fluid volume. The fluid region glyph can be later used as a reference in places where extracted fluid volume needs to be an input.
For an internal analysis, you can select a face on the surface that encloses the cavity that fills with fluid during the simulation; for example, the inner wall of a pipe. A group of previously selected surfaces can be also used in the definition. If the model has separate fluid volumes, this needs to be repeated to define a fluid region for each volume. Of course, multiple fluid sections will have to be defined when there are multiple fluid regions each containing a different fluid.
A flow simulation model with one fluid domain for an internal analysis is shown below.
For an external analysis, you select a surface over which you want the fluid or gas to flow.
A Model Initialization option can be used to automatically mesh and create solid section properties for all parts in the analysis where heat transfer effects are included. This offers a shortcut method rather than creating mesh and solid sections separately.
After the fluid regions are defined using either the Model Setup or Fluid Domain option, flow openings need to be defined.
An opening is a face that bounds a fluid region, such as a closed loop of edges or a series of edges connected to a bounding plane or axis of symmetry. It represents the location through which the fluid enters or leaves the fluid domain.
However, the user does not have to specify if the opening serves as an inlet or outlet port to the fluid domain.
Different boundary conditions can be defined at the openings for the fluid flow analysis using the Fluid Scenario creation app.
In summary, the Fluid Model Creation app lets you set up a fluid model (FEM Rep) for analysis, all-inclusive of fluid domain definition, materials, and mesh settings.
Whether it’s optimizing product design for efficient aerodynamic performance fluid flow systems or thermal management in data centers, understanding fluid behavior is essential. The Fluid model creation App on 3DEXPERIENCE simplifies this process, allowing engineers and designers to focus on product innovation rather than complex setups.
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