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ANSYS AIM Beta Feature Documentation

ANSYS, Inc
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Release 17.2
August 2016

ANSYS, Inc. is certified to


ISO 9001:2008

Table of Contents

Table of Contents
1.
2.
3.
4.

Geometry or Mesh File Import...............................................................................................1


Fluent and CFX Case File Import............................................................................................3
Enhanced Interface Condition Location Display....................................................................4
Mesh Transfer from AIM to Fluent.........................................................................................6
4.1. Mesh Transfer from AIM to Fluent Using Part Mesh................................................................6
4.2. Mesh Transfer from AIM to Fluent Using Volume Mesh...........................................................9
5. Polymer Extrusion Advanced Settings.................................................................................12
5.1. Simplified Viscoelastic Fluid Model......................................................................................12
6. Additional Structural Boundary Conditions..........................................................................14
6.1. Acceleration......................................................................................................................14
6.1.1. Defining Acceleration by Directional Components....................................................14
6.1.2. Defining Acceleration by Magnitude and Direction...................................................14
6.1.3. Defining Acceleration Normal to a Face..................................................................15
6.2. Force Intensity..................................................................................................................15
6.2.1. Defining Force Intensity by Directional Components................................................15
6.2.2. Defining Force Intensity by Magnitude and Direction...............................................15
6.3. Traction............................................................................................................................16
6.3.1. Defining Traction by Directional Components..........................................................16
6.3.2. Defining Traction by Magnitude and Direction.........................................................16
6.4. Velocity............................................................................................................................16
6.4.1. Defining Velocity by Directional Components..........................................................17
6.4.2. Defining Velocity by Magnitude and Direction.........................................................17
6.4.3. Defining Velocity Normal to a Face.........................................................................17
7. Time Dependent Structural..................................................................................................18
7.1. Time-Dependent Structural Workflow..................................................................................18
8. Allow Physics Coupling to Shells..........................................................................................19
9. Scripting for Geometry Modeling.........................................................................................20
10. Reference Frame Motion....................................................................................................21
11. Display Annotation for Calculated Value Results...............................................................22
12. Result Export......................................................................................................................23
13. Copy Material Assignments from Other Simulation Processes..........................................24
14. Multiple Physics Regions for Solids....................................................................................25
15. Using Local Ranges for Multi-step Results.........................................................................26
16. Electromagnetics Frequency Response Simulations..........................................................28
16.1. Frequency Response Electromagnetics Simulation Process..................................................28
16.2. One-Way Thermal Coupling from an Electromagnetics Simulation with Eddy Effects to a
Thermal Simulation.............................................................................................................41
17. Time-Dependent Fluid Flow Simulations............................................................................43
17.1. Solving Time-Dependent Fluid Flow Simulations.................................................................43
17.1.1. Time-Dependent Flow Solution Methods...............................................................44
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Table of Contents
17.1.2. Initial Conditions for Time-Dependent Simulations.................................................45
17.2. Expressions.....................................................................................................................45
18. Solution-Dependent Expressions.......................................................................................46
19. EARSM Turbulence Models.................................................................................................47

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II

Copyright and Trademark Information

2016 SAS IP, Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use, distribution or duplication is prohibited.

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Beta Software Information

Beta Software Information


Disclaimer
Once enabled, beta features may remain active after they have been disabled, even if the text and graphical
interfaces for these features are no longer visible. ANSYS, Inc. recommends that you save a separate copy
of the project before activating any beta feature so that you can return to the project with only released
features.
Beta features have not been fully tested and validated.
ANSYS, Inc. may, at its discretion, fully release, change, or withdraw beta features in future revisions. It
makes no commitment to doing so on any particular schedule.
ANSYS, Inc. makes no commitment to resolve defects reported against beta features; however, your
feedback will help us improve the quality of the product.
Beta features are not subject to the ANSYS Class 3 error reporting system.
ANSYS, Inc. does not guarantee that input files used with beta features will run successfully from version
to version of the software, nor with the final released version of the feature(s). You may need to modify
the input files before running them on other versions.
To Enable Beta Features
Most beta features can be selectively turned on/off. There may be some that are not listed and these will
become available as soon as you enable Beta Options.
To turn on a beta feature:
1. Select Home > Tools > Options... to open the Options dialog box.
2. Select Appearance from the tree and scroll to the bottom of the Appearance panel to the Display
section.
3. Enable Beta Options to activate general beta features and click OK.
4. Click OK when you are prompted to restart AIM.
5. Select Home > Tools > Options... to open the Options dialog box.
6. Select AIM from the tree to display the Beta feature selection list.
7. Enable the beta feature(s) that you want and click OK.
8. Close AIM and relaunch to use the beta feature(s).

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1: Geometry or Mesh File Import


Prerequisites:
Enable Beta Options and select Mesh import from the Beta feature selection list. See Beta Software
Information on page 4 for steps on how to enable beta features.
After you have enabled the Mesh import beta feature, go to the Study page and select the Import
Geometry/Mesh template.

You will have the option to import mesh or geometry files from the following:

ABAQUS Input
ACIS
ACMO Input
ACP Input
ANSYS Result File
AutoCAD
Catia [V4]
Catia [V5]
Catia [V6]
CFX
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Geometry or Mesh File Import

CFX Input
Creo Elements/Direct Modeling
Creo Parametric
DesignModeler
Fluent Compressed Input
Fluent Input
FMDB
GAMBIT
ICEM Input
IGES
Inventor
JTOpen
Mechanical APDL Input
NASTRAN Bulk Data
NX
Parasolid
Rhino
SketchUp
Solid Edge

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2: Fluent and CFX Case File Import


Prerequisites:
Enable Beta Options and select Fluent and CFX case file import from the Beta feature selection
list. See Beta Software Information on page 4 for steps on how to enable beta features.
After you have enabled the Fluent and CFX case file import beta feature, go to the Study page and
select the Import Case File template.
You will have the option to import Fluent case files having a *.cas or *.cas.gz extension, or CFX files
having a *.def, *.res, or *.cfx extension.

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Enhanced Interface Condition Location Display

3: Enhanced Interface Condition Location Display


After enabling the Enhanced interface condition location display beta option, you will see different
hi-lighting and shading when applying Interface Conditions such as region interfaces or contacts.
Currently, when creating a region interface, the faces involved will be blue and red, respectively, with the
actual interface being purple. Below is an image of the current implementation in a gear train simulation.
You can see the faces of the gears involved as well as the purple area showing the parts of the gears actually
in contact.

With the beta option turned on, the faces involved will have blue and red hatching, respectively, with the
actual interface having blue and red hatching. Also, the bodies involved in the interface will be outlined in
blue and red, respectively. Below is an image of the beta implementation in a gear train simulation. You can
see the blue and red only hatched faces of the gears involved, the blue/red hatched area showing the parts
of the gears actually in contact, and the blue and red outline of the bodies involved.
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Enhanced Interface Condition Location Display

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Mesh Transfer from AIM to Fluent

4: Mesh Transfer from AIM to Fluent


You can transfer a mesh created in AIM to a Fluent system via the Workbench Project Tab.
To use this feature, select the Allow data transfer to Fluent beta option.
The following workflows walk you through the steps for:
Mesh Transfer from AIM to Fluent Using Part Mesh on page 6
Mesh Transfer from AIM to Fluent Using Volume Mesh on page 9

4.1. Mesh Transfer from AIM to Fluent Using Part Mesh


This procedure describes transferring a part mesh created in AIM to a Fluent system via the Workbench
Project tab. Here "part mesh" refers to the meshing method in AIM. This method meshes each part to
create both boundary and volume meshes. It is differentiated from the volume creation method that uses
a wrapper approach to mesh the volumes directly.
1. Import a geometry into AIM:
a) If using a template, select Define New Geometry from the Template panel.
b) Choose either Create Geometry or Import Geometry. If you choose Create Geometry or if
you choose Edit Geometry after importing, the Model Editor opens and you can make any modeling
modifications that are necessary.
c) You can also choose Import Geometry from the Template panel or from the Study panel.
2. Alternatively, from the AIM Study tab, click the Project tab to open the Workbenchproject page.
a) Add a geometry system on the project page, and create or import a geometry.
b) Drag the Geometry cell onto the Study system to import the geometry into AIM. The imported
geometry will appear as a new Data Import cell in the Study system.
c) Click the Study tab to view the Import task in AIM, and update.
3. If you did not use a template, create a part mesh in AIM by adding a Meshing task.
4. Go to the Project tab, where you will see a Study system with your AIM geometry and mesh.

5. Drag a Fluent system from the Component Systems list in the Workbench Toolbox onto the
Project Schematic. You must use the Fluent component system; you cannot use the Fluent (with
Fluent Meshing) component system or a Fluent analysis system.
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Mesh Transfer from AIM to Fluent


6. Drag the Meshing cell onto the Setup cell in the Fluent system. You will be prompted to pick the
correct type of mesh (part or volume mesh). The type you select must match the type of mesh you
specified in AIM, in this case, a part mesh.

7. Update the Meshing cell of the AIM Study in the Project Schematic.

8. Double-click the Setup cell to launch Fluent. You must run in parallel when you update for a part
mesh, either from the Workbench Properties view or from the Fluent startup dialog. You will see the
imported mesh in Fluent and can proceed with your Fluent analysis as you normally would.
If you created selection sets in AIM, you will see the sets in the Display panel in Fluent. If you name
the selection sets in AIM starting with any of the following boundary conditions, they will correctly
transfer to the appropriate boundary condition in Fluent. Anything else will transfer as a wall boundary
condition into Fluent.
axis
exhaust-fan
fan
fluid
inlet-vent
intake-fan
interface
interior
mass-flow-inlet
network
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Mesh Transfer from AIM to Fluent


network-end
outflow
outlet-vent
overset
periodic
porous-jump
pressure-far-field
pressure-inlet
pressure-outlet
radiator
rans-les-interface
solid
symmetry
velocity-inlet
wall
9. You can return to AIM to do additional work, such as to add inflation or other mesh controls.
10. Update the Study in AIM.
11. In the Project Schematic, you will need to update the Setup cell. Also, in Fluent, you will need to
update the project.
12. To connect a second geometry/mesh, import a second geometry in the Project Schematic and
transfer it to the Data Import cell. The regenerated mesh will be node-to-node conformal between
the connected parts.

Be aware that Skewness and Orthogonal Quality are different items in AIM and Fluent.
If you return to the AIM model to make changes after youve transferred it to Fluent, you can then
update the model in Fluent using the refresh feature to capture those changes from AIM.

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Mesh Transfer from AIM to Fluent

4.2. Mesh Transfer from AIM to Fluent Using Volume Mesh


This procedure describes transferring a mesh created in AIM with the volume creation method. This
method uses a wrapper approach to mesh the volumes rather than the standard meshing method that
meshes each part. Both methods produce both volume and boundary elements for use with Fluent.
1. Import a geometry into AIM:
a) If using a template, select Define New Geometry from the Template panel.
b) Choose either Create Geometry or Import Geometry. If you choose Create Geometry or if
you choose Edit Geometry after importing, the Model Editor opens and you can make any modeling
modifications that are necessary.
c) You can also choose Import Geometry from the Template panel or from the Study panel.
2. Alternatively, from the AIM Study tab, click the Project tab to open the Workbenchproject page.
a) Add a geometry system on the project page, and create or import a geometry.
b) Drag the Geometry cell onto the Study system to import the geometry into AIM. The imported
geometry will appear as a new Data Import cell in the Study system.
c) Click the Study tab to view the Import task in AIM, and update.
3. If you did not use a template, create a volume mesh in AIM using a volume creation task to extract
the volume before meshing.
4. Go to the Project tab, where you will see a Study system with your AIM geometry and mesh.
5. Drag a Fluent system from the Component Systems list in the Workbench Toolbox onto the
Project Schematic. You must use the Fluent component system; you cannot use the Fluent (with
Fluent Meshing) component system or a Fluent analysis system.
6. Drag the Meshing cell onto the Setup cell in the Fluent system. You will be prompted to pick the
correct type of mesh (part or volume mesh). The type you select must match the type of mesh you
specified in AIM, in this case, a volume mesh.

7. Update the Meshing cell of the AIM Study in the Project Schematic.

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Mesh Transfer from AIM to Fluent

8. Double-click the Setup cell to launch Fluent. You will see the imported mesh in Fluent and can proceed
with your Fluent analysis as you normally would.
If you created selection sets in AIM, you will see the sets in the Display panel in Fluent.
9. You can return to AIM to do additional work, such as to add inflation or other mesh controls.
10. Update the Study in AIM.
11. In the Project Schematic, you will need to update the Setup cell. Also, in Fluent, you will need to
update the project.
12. To connect a second geometry/mesh, you have two options:
a) Import a second geometry using the Project Schematic, transfer it to the Study cell, and repeat
steps 1-6 above. Because these bodies will be meshed separately, they will not be node-to-node
connected.

b) Import a second geometry in the Project Schematic and transfer it to the Data Import cell.
Then use Geometry Simplification properties in AIM to select the additional bodies. The regenerated
mesh will be node-to-node conformal between the connected parts.

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10

Mesh Transfer from AIM to Fluent

13. In the Project Schematic, you will see a second Meshing cell appear. Both Meshing cells in the
Study will have the same name. You can then drag this meshing cell onto the existing Setup cell in
your Fluent system, update, and continue your analysis.
Be aware that Skewness and Orthogonal Quality are different items in AIM and Fluent.
If you return to the AIM model to make changes after youve transferred it to Fluent, you can then
update the model in Fluent using the refresh feature to capture those changes from AIM.

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11

Polymer Extrusion Advanced Settings

5: Polymer Extrusion Advanced Settings


Enable Beta Options and select Polymer extrusion advanced from the Beta feature selection list.
See Beta Software Information on page 4 for steps on how to enable beta features.
The following addition is available as a beta feature for a polymer extrusion simulation.
Simplified viscoelastic fluid

5.1. Simplified Viscoelastic Fluid Model


When assigning a Material model for a generic polymer material in polymer extrusion simulations, use the
Simplified viscoelastic fluid option when predicting extrudate swelling, or when you would like a qualitative
prediction of the extrudate free surface.
Enhanced extrudate swelling in polymer extrusion flow is primarily due to the first normal stress difference.
Since this is typically a viscoelastic property, the simplified viscoelastic model is an extension of existing
Newtonian fluid models, in which a normal stress difference has been incorporated into the constituative
behavior. In other words, in simple shear flow along the first axis and with a shear rate , the total extra-stress
tensor is given by:
(5.1.1)

where,
= the shear stress component, which involves the shear rate dependent viscosity
. Several
algebraic relationships are available for describing the shear viscosity, such as: Constant viscosity,
Bird-Carreau law, Power law, Cross law, Modified Cross law, and Carreau-Yasuda law.
= the shear viscosity
= the first normal stress
= the normal viscosity
= the weighting coefficient
= the relaxation time function
= a viscoelastic variable that obeys a transport equation involving the relaxation time
. The equation is such that the solution
The normal viscosity
viscosity

, where

is recovered in simple steady shear flow.

is described by means of functions similar to those available for the shear


is replaced by

. In order to facilitate the setup of a flow simulation involving

the simplified viscoelastic model, identical dependences for


and
are considered by default.
However, it is important to note that different functions can be selected for the shear and normal viscosities.
For a simplified viscoelastic fluid model, you must provide:
The shear viscosity,
, using a Generalized Newtonian viscosity model. Typically, standard viscosity
data (shear viscosity vs. shear rate) should be used for identifying the shear viscosity function. In most
situations, shear thinning is experimentally observed, and algebraic relationships such as the power law,
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12

Polymer Extrusion Advanced Settings


the Bird-Carreau law, or the Cross law will be good candidates. However, you should consider a law that
exhibits a zero-shear plateau if you expect regions in which there is no deformation in the flow domain.
The First normal viscosity,
.
The Weighting coefficient, . Typically, the weighting coefficient will control the swelling intensity vs.
flow rate. A series of calculations should be performed to examine the development of extrudate vs. flow
rate. A comparison with experimental data on swelling should enable the selection of an appropriate
numerical value for the weighting coefficient using the Constant law field.
The Relaxation time function,
. The relaxation time function will control the development of the
extrudate diameter along the jet, and may also have an influence on the developed extrudate geometric
attributes. A Constant value can be selected for the relaxation time, or you may choose the Bird-Carreau
law or the Power law.

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13

Additional Structural Boundary Conditions

6: Additional Structural Boundary Conditions


This section discusses the additional beta structural boundary conditions:

Acceleration
Bolt Load
Force Intensity
Traction
Velocity

6.1. Acceleration
An acceleration constraint specifies that a portion of the model accelerates with an acceleration relative to
a stationary reference frame. You can define acceleration by directional components, as normal to a face,
or by magnitude and direction.
When defining an acceleration by directional components, you can define a local reference frame or select
the global reference frame. When defining acceleration as normal to a face, the acceleration direction is fixed
by the selected face. When you define acceleration by magnitude and direction, you specify the direction.

6.1.1. Defining Acceleration by Directional Components


Physics > Boundary Conditions > Acceleration
To specify an acceleration boundary condition on a vector defined by directional components:
1. Select the location for this boundary condition. Acceleration can be applied to any topology.
2. For Define by, select Directional components.
3. Specify the magnitude on one or more directions of the coordinate system in the X, Y, and Z fields.
Enter a constant or expression directly into the field; any expression must resolve to a constant.
Note that the Coordinate type shown is based on the reference frame.
4. Additionally, you can select or define a frame of reference under Reference frame if you want to
use a reference frame other than Global reference frame.

6.1.2. Defining Acceleration by Magnitude and Direction


Physics > Boundary Conditions > Acceleration
To specify an acceleration boundary condition on a vector defined by magnitude and direction:
1. Select the location for this boundary condition.
Acceleration can be applied to any topology.
2. For Define by, select Magnitude and direction.
3. For Magnitude, enter a constant or expression directly into the field; any expression must resolve
to a constant.
4. For Direction based on geometry selection, select a face or edge to determine the vector direction.

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Additional Structural Boundary Conditions


The direction geometry assignment defaults to the first location selected, but you can replace this
location.
If you want the direction to be opposite the vector for the selected location, click Reverse direction.

6.1.3. Defining Acceleration Normal to a Face


Physics > Boundary Conditions > Acceleration
To set an acceleration applied in the normal direction to a face:
1. Select a face as the location for this boundary condition.
2. For Define by, select Normal to boundary.
3. For Acceleration, enter a constant into the field.
You can also enter an expression that resolves to a constant.

6.2. Force Intensity


Force Intensity is a vector-based boundary condition which can be applied to an edge, either by defining a
magnitude and direction or by defining one to three components in a selected reference frame. This boundary
condition is basically a force applied per unit length.

6.2.1. Defining Force Intensity by Directional Components


Physics > Boundary Conditions > Force Intensity
To specify a force intensity boundary condition on a vector defined by directional components:
1. Select one or more edges as the Location for this boundary condition.
2. For Define by, select Directional components.
3. Specify the magnitude on one or more directions of the coordinate system in the X, Y, and Z fields.
Enter a constant or expression directly into the field; any expression must resolve to a constant.
Note that the Coordinate type shown is based on the reference frame.
4. Additionally, you can select or define a frame of reference under Reference frame if you want to
use a reference frame other than Global reference frame.

6.2.2. Defining Force Intensity by Magnitude and Direction


Physics > Boundary Conditions > Force Intensity
To specify a force intensity boundary condition on a vector using magnitude and direction:
1. Select one or more edges as the Location for this boundary condition.
2. For Define by, select Magnitude and direction.
3. For Magnitude, enter a constant or expression directly into the field; any expression must resolve
to a constant.
4. For Direction based on geometry selection, select a face or edge to determine the vector direction.

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15

Additional Structural Boundary Conditions


The direction geometry assignment defaults to the first location selected, but you can replace this
location.
If you want the direction to be opposite the vector for the selected location, click Reverse direction.

6.3. Traction
Traction is a vector-based boundary condition which can be applied to faces by defining a magnitude and
direction or by defining one to three components in a selected reference frame. This is a more general version
of Pressure boundary condition which can be applied in any direction. This boundary condition has units of
Pressure (Force/Area).

6.3.1. Defining Traction by Directional Components


Physics > Boundary Conditions > Traction
To specify a traction boundary condition on a vector defined by directional components:
1. Select one or more faces as the Location for this boundary condition.
2. For Define by, select Directional components.
3. Specify the magnitude on one or more directions of the coordinate system in the X, Y, and Z fields.
Enter a constant or expression directly into the field; any expression must resolve to a constant.
Note that the Coordinate type shown is based on the reference frame.
4. Additionally, you can select or define a frame of reference under Reference frame if you want to
use a reference frame other than Global reference frame.

6.3.2. Defining Traction by Magnitude and Direction


Physics > Boundary Conditions > Traction
To specify a traction boundary condition on a vector using magnitude and direction:
1. Select one or more faces as the Location for this boundary condition.
2. For Define by, select Magnitude and direction.
3. For Magnitude, enter a constant or expression directly into the field; any expression must resolve
to a constant.
4. For Direction based on geometry selection, select a face or edge to determine the vector direction.
The direction geometry assignment defaults to the first location selected, but you can replace this
location.
If you want the direction to be opposite the vector for the selected location, click Reverse direction.

6.4. Velocity
A velocity constraint specifies that a portion of the model moves with a velocity relative to its reference
frame. You can define a velocity on a vector defined by directional components, normal to a face, or by
magnitude and direction.

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Additional Structural Boundary Conditions


When defining a velocity by directional components, you define a local reference frame or select the global
reference frame to specify the velocity direction. When defining velocity as normal to a face, the velocity
direction is fixed by the selected face. When you define velocity by magnitude and direction, you specify the
direction.

6.4.1. Defining Velocity by Directional Components


Physics > Boundary Conditions > Velocity
To specify a velocity boundary condition on a vector defined by directional components:
1. Select the location for this boundary condition. Velocity can be applied to any topology.
2. For Define by, select Directional components.
3. Specify the magnitude on one or more directions of the coordinate system in the X, Y, and Z fields.
Enter a constant or expression directly into the field; any expression must resolve to a constant.
Note that the Coordinate type shown is based on the reference frame.
4. Additionally, you can select or define a frame of reference under Reference frame if you want to
use a reference frame other than Global reference frame.

6.4.2. Defining Velocity by Magnitude and Direction


Physics > Boundary Conditions > Velocity
To specify a velocity boundary condition on a vector defined by magnitude and direction:
1. Select the location for this boundary condition.
Velocity can be applied to any topology.
2. For Define by, select Magnitude and direction.
3. For Magnitude, enter a constant or expression directly into the field; any expression must resolve
to a constant.
4. For Direction based on geometry selection, select a face or edge to determine the vector direction.
The direction geometry assignment defaults to the first location selected, but you can replace this
location.
If you want the direction to be opposite the vector for the selected location, click Reverse direction.

6.4.3. Defining Velocity Normal to a Face


Physics > Boundary Conditions > Velocity
To set a velocity applied in the normal direction to a face:
1. Select a face as the location for this boundary condition.
2. For Define by, select Normal to boundary.
3. For Velocity, enter a constant into the field.
You can also enter an expression that resolves to a constant.

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Time Dependent Structural

7: Time Dependent Structural


Prerequisites: Enable Beta Options and select Time dependent structural from the Beta feature
selection list. See Beta Software Information on page 4 for steps on how to enable beta features.
A time-dependent structural analysis is used to determine the dynamic response of a structure under the
action of any structural loads. You can use it to determine the time-varying displacements, strains, stresses,
and forces in a structure as it responds to any transient loads. The time scale of the loading is such that the
inertia or damping effects are considered to be important. If the inertia and damping effects are not important,
you might be able to use a static analysis instead.
A time-dependent structural analysis can be either linear or nonlinear. You can perform a time-dependent
analysis on a flexible structure.

7.1. Time-Dependent Structural Workflow


To run a time-dependent structural simulation:
1. Set up a structural simulation and select the structural template. Then, on the Physics Solution
panel, select a Calculation type of Time Dependent.
Or, set up a structural simulation, import your geometry, and set up meshing as you typically would.
Then set a Calculation type of Time Dependent.
2. For Duration, specify the end time for the calculation.
3. When defining your structural loads and constraints, you can use constants, a function of time, or a
table of time. You can view a chart of the data by selecting Show chart.
For example, specify an expression of 0.1 [m] + 2 [m s^-1] * Time for your Displacement or
an expression of 100 [N] * sin(45 [degree s^-1] * Time) for your Force.
4. After you solve, you can visualize your results at every point in the analysis by moving the slider or
entering a time value.
After you solve, you can visualize your results at every point in the analysis by moving the slider or
entering a time value. Time history data is available for all result types. In the case of multiple calculated
values, time history data is provided for each value. For example, a contour result will have calculated
minimum and maximum values. For a calculated value, time history data is specific to that calculated
value and is available on the Value property.

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8: Allow Physics Coupling to Shells


Prerequisites:
Enable Beta Options and select Allow physics coupling to shells from the Beta feature selection
list. See Beta Software Information on page 4 for steps on how to enable beta features.
When this beta feature is enabled, a shell body (or bodies) can be selected as the Target location in the
physics coupling interface for the transfer of force data.
For force transfers its important to be aware of the mapping tolerance, which is determined by the size of
the mesh elements on both the source and target locations. If the gap between the source location and the
target location is larger than the mapping tolerance, data will not be transferred. When using shell bodies,
this gap is the distance from the source mesh to the midplane of the shell body.
There are two ways to ensure the gap and mapping tolerances do not prevent the force data transfer to
occur:
1. In both the fluid and structural Mesh tasks, set a mesh element size on the source surface that is
approximately the same size as the gap. This will be large enough to create a tolerance larger than the
gap between the source surface and the shell body. The size of the mesh elements on the source (the
surface sending force data) dictates the tolerance used in the mapping algorithm.
2. In the model editing (accessed through the Geometry task if model editing was enabled) or in another
external geometry editing software, modify your geometry to reduce the gap between the source surface
and the shell body. You can modify either the fluid body or the shell body. To move the shell body you
must change the location of its midplane, as the shell bodys Thickness and the Thickness distribution
(where a thickness offset can be defined) have no effect on the gap, mapping tolerance, or data transfer.
The settings for Thickness and Thickness distribution are setting in Shell Thickness, which is only
available in the Geometry task if model editing is not enabled.
To verify that the force data transfer occurred and that the mapping tolerances were not smaller than the
gap between the source and target, solve the Physics task and review the physics coupling transcript. If a
large percentage of the target receives data of zero (in the transcript, Zero Value [%]), then there may
be issues with the gap and mapping tolerance.
Note the following restrictions with physics coupling and shells:
Shell bodies are not supported in a fluid or electromagnetic simulation, and so cannot be used as a source
location in the physics coupling interface.
Shell bodies cannot be used for the target location of a transfer of temperature or heat rate data.

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Scripting for Geometry Modeling

9: Scripting for Geometry Modeling


You can execute many Geometry Modeling operations via Python scripts. To do so, you must first enable
Beta Options in ANSYS AIM and select Modeling scripting capabilities from the Beta feature selection
list. See Beta Software Information on page 4 for steps on how to enable beta features.
You can execute modeling script commands by using either the SpaceClaim script editor or ANSYS AIM's
standard Python script execution capabilities:
To use the SpaceClaim script editor: from within the Geometry Modeler, navigate to Model > Show Script
Editor. For more information about the SpaceClaim script editor, refer to Customizing SpaceClaim >
Scripting in the SpaceClaim Help. You can access the SpaceClaim Help from within the Geometry Modeler
by clicking the question mark in the upper right-hand area of the window.
To use ANSYS AIM's standard capabilities: from within ANSYS AIM, navigate to either File > Scripting
> Open Command Window or File > Scripting > Run Script File....
When you execute modeling script commands using ANSYS AIM's standard capabilities, the commands must
be preceded by the text with ModelingTransaction("label"): and indented, where label is required
and identifies the set of commands in SpaceClaim's undo/redo list. For example:
with ModelingTransaction("CreateCylinder"):
CylinderBody.Create(
Point.Create(0,0,0),
Point.Create(0.01,0,0),
Point.Create(0.01,0,0.005))
You can paste SpaceClaim commands directly into ANSYS AIM's command window after entering with
ModelingTransaction("label"): into the window, but the commands will not be executed until you
press Enter. If you paste a sequence of several commands, you may need to press Enter twice (once to
complete your last command, and once on a blank line to execute the sequence).
Modeling script commands are documented in <drive>:\Program Files\ANSYS
Inc\v172\scdm\SpaceClaim.Api.V16\API_Scripting_Class_Library.chm, where <drive> is
your installation drive.
Note: Individual command and ModelingTransaction syntaxes may change when this scripting capability
becomes fully supported in a future release. Scripts created with the beta syntaxes may not be forward
compatible.

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10: Reference Frame Motion


Prerequisites:
Enable Beta Options and select Reference frame motion from the Beta feature selection list. See
Beta Software Information on page 4 for steps on how to enable beta features.
Although you have access to this beta feature, we do not recommend its use at this time.

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Display Annotation for Calculated Value Results

11: Display Annotation for Calculated Value Results


Prerequisites:
Enable Beta Options and select Display annotation for Calculated Value results from the Beta
feature selection list. See Beta Software Information on page 4 for steps on how to enable beta
features.
To display a calculated value in the graphics window:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Specify the function or expression you want to evaluate in the Results > Calculated Value panel.
View the evaluated result of your calculated value in the graphics window at the specified location.
Click and drag the value anywhere in the graphics window as needed.
Click the value in the graphics window to access the Calculated Value property panel where you
can modify your settings if needed.

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12: Result Export


Prerequisites:
Enable Beta Options and select Result export from the Beta feature selection list. See Beta Software
Information on page 4 for steps on how to enable beta features.
Once you have a solution, you can use your results to process numerical and graphical visualizations of
your simulation. You can use the data from the Results task to verify your solution and, if required, refine
parameters to improve your simulation physics. You can also export the results of your contour and vector
plots to a CSV file, which may then be used for analysis.
To export results data:
1. Display your contour or vector plots.
2. In the graphics window, right click the mouse button and select Export to CSV File.
A file will be created and saved in <project
name>_files\dp0\Study\AIM\physics<n>\<result object label>.csv

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Copy Material Assignments from Other Simulation Processes

13: Copy Material Assignments from Other Simulation


Processes
Prerequisites:
Enable Beta Options and select Copy Material Assignments from other Simulation Processes
from the Beta feature selection list. See Beta Software Information on page 4 for steps on how to
enable beta features.
When you create a new Physics Solution task from a Geometry task that already has a single Physics
Solution task connected to it, any material assignments from the previous Physics Solution task are copied
to the new one automatically.
You can copy one or more material assignments from any Physics Solution task that shares the same
Geometry connection:
Right-click and select Add > Physics Modeling > Copy from.

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14: Multiple Physics Regions for Solids


Prerequisites: Enable Beta Options and select Multiple physics regions for solids from the Beta
feature selection list. See Beta Software Information on page 4 for steps on how to enable beta features.
You can efficiently set up multiple physics regions with one or more physics types defined in each region,
rather than activating all physics types for a single region. As a result, the computation complexity of the
problem is reduced.
You can independently control the physics options such as numerical integration type for a set of bodies.
With this feature activated, the locations for physics options default to AllBodies().

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25

Using Local Ranges for Multi-step Results

15: Using Local Ranges for Multi-step Results


When viewing transient and multi-step results, by default the legend's range will always show the minimum
(blue) and maximum (red) over the entire solution, which means that the legend's range may not match the
maximum and minimum shown in the data panel for a particular step, and the plot color will be based on
the legend's range rather than the range given in the data panel.
Enabling the beta option Using local ranges for multi-step results will display the same values in the legend
as in the data panel, thereby over-riding the default behavior. Displaying local values is useful when solving
over many steps and where the range of values are narrow at each step. Under default conditions, there
would be little variation in the plot because of the narrow range; a local range more clearly demonstrates
variation in the current step.
To ensure that animations display correctly, the contour legend will always show over the full range determined
from all time points or stepseven when paused.

A side-by-side comparison of a temperature contour display demonstrating the AIM default behavior (left)
and the beta feature behavior (right).

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Using Local Ranges for Multi-step Results

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27

Electromagnetics Frequency Response Simulations

16: Electromagnetics Frequency Response Simulations


A frequency response (eddy current) electromagnetics simulation can now be solved in AIM. The Magnetics
template sets up the required tasks and settings, including physics region with physics type of
Electromagnetics. Simulation results can be displayed using Contour and Vector plots.
The following workflows walk you through the steps for:
a frequency response (eddy current) electromagnetics simulation, and
a coupled electromagnetics simulation, where the ohmic loss (heat generation) is transferred from an
electromagnetics simulation to a thermal simulation.

16.1. Frequency Response Electromagnetics Simulation Process


Prerequisites:
Beta Options are enabled, and Magnetic frequency response is selected in the Beta feature
selection. See Beta Software Information for the steps to enable beta features.
This procedure describes how to set up and solve a frequency response (eddy current) electromagnetics
problem using a template.
Recommended Workflow for a Frequency Response Electromagnetics Simulation
The general workflow for setting up and solving a frequency response (eddy current) magnetics simulation
is:
1. Import the model geometry.
2. Select calculation type, specify problem region, specify either a single frequency value or a frequency
sweep (range of frequency values).
3. Define material properties for model objects.
4. Assign electromagnetics conditions.
5. If needed, manually control eddy effect/ core loss settings.
6. If needed, use skin depth resolution to achieve finer mesh for regions where you expect eddy current
to have a skin depth that is small relative to the depth of the object (typically less than 1/8th).
7. Set solver options and simulate.
8. Add results plots.
Frequency Response Electromagnetics Example Problem
The following example demonstrates the recommended workflow for setting up a frequency response
(eddy current) electromagnetics simulation. In this example, there is a multiple-body induction furnace
consisting of a glass crucible surrounded by seven copper coils and a set of stainless steel cooling channels
filled with fresh water. A planar sheet body cuts through each coil and is used for assigning terminal and
winding electromagnetic conditions that energize the coil with a high-frequency sinusoidal current. The
high-frequency magnetic field produced by the winding induces eddy currents inside the material contained
in the crucible, thus heating the material. Enclosing the induction furnace model is a region of vacuum.

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Electromagnetics Frequency Response Simulations

1. In the Study panel, click on the Magnetics simulation process template to open the Magnetics
Template panel.

2. Select the Frequency response (Beta) calculation type.


By default, Compute impedance results is selected, which automatically adds an impedance Matrix
results task. You can also choose to have force and torque results computations automatically added.
A one-way coupling task for Solid heating due to electromagnetic effects can also be added.

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Electromagnetics Frequency Response Simulations

3. Click Create Simulation Process, which opens a File Open dialog to select a geometry file.
4. Locate and open the geometry file. The geometry used in this example is shown below.

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Electromagnetics Frequency Response Simulations

The Workflow view shows the frequency response magnetics workflow.

5. For the Physics task, begin by selecting a frequency specification.


a) Select Single value to use a specific Frequency for the adaptive meshing solution.

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Electromagnetics Frequency Response Simulations


b) Select Range to display additional settings for specifying a frequency sweep range of values. The
total number of values in the sweep range must be less than 30000. Range settings include:
Start frequency, which must be greater than zero (0).
End frequency, which must be greater than the start frequency.
Distribution type:
If you want to...

then choose...

Generate frequency values of equal step size


within the sweep range

Linear, and specify a value or expression for


the Frequency step size for values between
the start and end frequencies.

Generate frequency values logarithmically


spaced within the sweep range

Logarithmic, and specify a value or expression


for the number of Frequencies per decade
between the start and end frequencies.

For Frequency for adaptive meshing, you can accept the default Program controlled to
use the maximum frequency in the sweep range for computing the adaptive meshing solution;
or select User defined, which enables you to specify any frequency in the sweep range.
6. Assign materials to the model objects. In the example, Vacuum is assigned to the rectangular box
region surrounding the induction furnace; inox (stainless steel)is assigned to the hollow cooling
channels; fresh water is assigned to the volumes filling the cooling channels; Copper is assigned
to the coils; and glass is assigned to the crucible.
The Isotropic Electrical Conductivity, Isotropic Relative Permeability, Isotropic Relative
Permittivity, and Isotropic Magnetic Loss Tangent material property values can be defined as
frequency-dependent using tables, where the property is tabulated as a function of frequency.
a)
With the body selection filter enabled (
), click on the body in your model. Shift-click to select
multiple objects. In the image below, the crucible has been selected.

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Electromagnetics Frequency Response Simulations


b) Right-click and select Add > Physics Modeling > Material Assignments. Under Material, select
a material.
c) Repeat until all material assignments have been made
7. When finished assigning materials, re-select the cylindrical region of air surrounding the model, then
right-click and select Hide Body to allow access to the enclosed model.
8.
At the top of the screen, select Zoom to fit (
) to have a better view of the model.
Three Electromagnetic Conditions are available for a frequency response electromagnetics simulation.
For the example project, a Terminal condition is assigned to each of the seven coils. A Winding condition
is added that includes all of the terminals in a conduction path. The Terminal and Winding conditions provide
the excitation current that generates a high-frequency magnetic field inducing eddy currents inside the
crucibles contents to heat them. Core Loss and Eddy Effect computations are automatically included and
enabled. In addition to the electromagnetic conditions used in the example, depending on the use case, an
Insulating condition can be used to model very thin sheets of perfectly insulating material between touching
conductors.
Magnetic Force Computation and Torque ComputationPhysics Options can be added to calculate the
forces acting on associated objects. (These computation options are added automatically if Compute force
and/or Compute torque were selected on the Magnetics Template panel.)
9. Assign a Terminal electromagnetic condition to the sheet object in each of the seven coils.
Each Terminal condition specifies the total current in a conduction path. A conduction path may be
contained completely within the problem region as is the case in the example, or it may touch the
edges of the problem region. A terminal can be assigned to a surface of a geometry object, or to a
sheet object that intersects a solid geometry object such as each of the coils in the example. For
terminals assigned to a surface, a conduction path requires one In surface terminal and one Out
surface terminal. For terminals assigned to a sheet object such as those in the example, a conduction
path requires one terminal. The current direction in that conduction path is the polarity of the internal
terminal.
a) Rotate the model as needed to access each coil.
b)
With the body selection filter enabled (
), click on the planar sheet body inside a coil of the
example model to select it.

c) Right-click and select Add > Electromagnetic Conditions > Terminal to assign the condition.

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Electromagnetics Frequency Response Simulations

d) In the Terminal panel, enter the Number of conductors being modeled. For the example, each
coil consists of 1 (one) conductor.
Note: The number of conductors must be set to 1 if the design is to be used with thermal coupling
to represent a solid conductor. Losses for a stranded conductor cannot be computed directly.
Checking Reverse polarity, reverses the direction of current flow (indicated by the arrow) in the
coil winding. Clicking Show conduction path shows the conduction path of this terminal on the
model.
Note: A conduction path must be calculated before it can be shown. If the design is not ready to
be solved, or the conduction path is not calculated, the Show conduction path button is disabled
(greyed out).
e) Repeat the above steps for each of the remaining coils.
10. Add a Winding electromagnetic condition to include one or more terminals on one or multiple
conduction paths.
A Winding is not assignable to geometry objects. It is recommended that terminals on the same
conduction path be included in the same winding.
a) Right-click on any object in the model and select Add > Electromagnetic Conditions > Winding
to assign the condition.
b) In the Winding panel, select the terminal(s) to be included (all seven in the example).
c) If two or more terminals are selected, check Connected in parallel if the terminals are connected
in parallel. If Connected in parallel is checked, the Number of branches option is available
with the default value 1. This setting is not selected in this example.
d) Specify the Operating current magnitude for the winding.
e) Specify the Phase angle for the current in the winding.
When a solid material used to form the core of devices such as inductors and transformers is subjected to
a changing magnetic field, such as that resulting from a sinusoidal current flowing through the devices
winding(s), some of the power that would otherwise be transferred through the device is dissipated as heat.
Core loss computations are used to calculate these losses for electromagnetics frequency response designs.
A program-controlled Core Loss computation is automatically included for frequency response (eddy current)
designs.
11. In the Physics panel, under Physics Options, click on Core Loss Computation to open its panel
in which you can select an option for how core loss computation is applied. The default is Program
controlled, which automatically selects all solid objects in the design whose material properties include
core loss, or you can explicitly choose from the following:
User defined, which enables you to select the objects you want to include in the core loss
computation.
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Electromagnetics Frequency Response Simulations


Note: The objects you select must have core loss material properties defined.
Off, which instructs the solver not to perform calculations for core loss.
Note: Turning off this computation (when its effects are estimated to be negligible) can save
significant computing resources. Core losses increase with frequency, and vary with the core loss
properties of the material.
Program-controlled Eddy Effect and associated Displacement current computations are automatically
included for eddy current designs. Eddy effect refers to current flow (eddy currents) induced in conductors
by a time-varying magnetic field ; while displacement current refers to currents due to a time-varying electric
field. The effects of these currents on the solution tend to be more significant at higher frequencies.
12. In the Physics panel, under Physics Options, click on Eddy Effect Computation to open its panel
in which you can select options for how eddy effect and displacement current computations are applied.
a) Select an option for how Eddy effect computation is applied. Eddy effect computation must only
include conductors. The default is Program controlled, which automatically selects all conductors
for the computation, or you can explicitly choose from the following:
User defined, which enables you to select the conductors you want to include.
Off, which instructs the solver not to perform eddy current calculations.
b) Select an option for how Displacement current computation is applied. The default is Program
controlled, which automatically selects all conductors for the computation, or you can explicitly
choose from the following:
User defined, which enables you to select the objects you want to include.
Note: Conductors selected for Displacement current computation must also be selected
for Eddy effect computation. You can choose to apply Displacement current computation
alone for non-conductors you select.
Off, which instructs the solver not to perform displacement current calculations.
13. Optionally, add a Force Computation to calculate the magnetic force on the assigned object. (A
Force computation is added automatically if Compute force was selected on the Magnetics
Template.) Depending on the use case, multiple magnetic force computations can be used.
a)
With the body selection filter enabled (
), click on the object on which to apply the magnetic
force.
b) Right-click and select Add > Physics Options > Force Computation to assign the computation.
c) Select Virtual or Lorentz as the Force type.
d) Select the appropriate coordinate system Reference frame for calculating the force from the
pull-down list. Global Reference Frame is the default. Changing the reference frame does not
require resolving the design.
14. Optionally, add a Torque Computation to calculate the torque on the assigned object. (A Torque
computation is added automatically if Compute torque was selected on the Magnetics Template.)
Depending on the use case, multiple torque computations can be used.
a)
With the body selection filter enabled (
), click on the object (such as the armature in the
example) on which to apply the torque.
b) Right-click and select Add > Physics Options > Torque Computation to assign the computation.
c) Select Virtual or Lorentz as the Torque type.
d) Select the appropriate coordinate system Reference frame for calculating the torque from the
pull-down list. Global Reference Frame is the default.
Changing the Reference frame requires resolving the design.
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Electromagnetics Frequency Response Simulations


e) Select the Axis of rotation for the torque calculation, and select either Positive or Negative to
specify the Axis direction.
Changing the Axis direction requires resolving the design.
15. Optionally, on the Physics Options panel. check Compute inductance to instruct the solver to
compute the inductance matrix for the model, representing the magnetic flux linkage between current
loops. (Compute inductance is enabled by default by selecting Compute inductance on the
Magnetics Template.)
16. Assign an Insulating condition if needed for the use case. (An insulating condition is not required in
the example.)
An Insulating electromagnetics condition is used to model very thin sheets of perfectly Insulating
material between touching conductors. Current cannot cross an insulating boundary.
a) Select the desired face or body object.
b) Right-click and select Add > Electromagnetic Conditions > Insulating to assign the boundary.
There are no additional settings for an insulating boundary.
After material assignments, electromagnetics conditions and physics options settings have been made,
options for the magnetics solver can be set, and the simulation problem solved.
17. On the Physics panel, click on Solver Options to open the Solver Options panel.
18. Click on Solver Settings to open the Solver Settings panel. On the Solver Settings panel, you
can:
a) Adjust the Solution performance tuning slider. The Solution performance tuning slider
controls the number of adaptive passes made by the solver to arrive at a solution. Setting the slider
to Speed reduces the number of adaptive passes made by the solver, and reduces the simulation
time, but also reduces the accuracy of the solution. Conversely, moving the slider to Accuracy
increases the number of adaptive passes, and increases the simulation time, while increasing the
accuracy of the solution.
b) The Maximum passes option allows you to select either Program controlled (the default
setting), or User defined to display the Maximum adaptive passes field where you can enter
the desired number of adaptive passes for the solver.
c) Adjust the Curved surface meshing slider, which determines the degree of curved surface mesh
refinement applied to the initial mesh. The finer the setting, the better the mesh approximates
curved surfaces, and the longer it takes to generate the initial mesh.
19. Optionally, you can apply Skin Depth Resolution controls for the solver. Skin depth resolution
settings allow you to generate a mesh that's denser for selected locations near the surface of conductors,
where eddy current effects are more significant, thus avoiding the need to generate a very large,
dense mesh for all surfaces. Depending on the use case, multiple skin depth resolutions can be added.
Note: If more than one skin depth resolution is specified, their locations cannot overlap.
a) Select one or more faces, then right-click and select Add > Solver Options > Skin Depth
Resolution to assign the faces to the Surface location.
b) Set the Resolution slider to one of the three settings to control the initial mesh resolution for the
selected location. In general, the finer the setting, the denser the initial mesh will be, and the more
accurate the solution, but at the expense of increased computation time.
20. Return to the Solver Options panel and click on Set Launch Controls.
21. On the Launch Controls panel, enter the Number of processors to be used for the simulation
process.
22. After reviewing your settings, return to the Physics panel and click on Solve Physics.
The electromagnetics solver uses adaptive meshing technology to converge on a solution. For adaptive
meshing, the solver generates an initial mesh, then computes the electromagnetic fields that exist
inside the model based on the assigned conditions (excitations). The solver uses the current finite
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Electromagnetics Frequency Response Simulations


element solution to estimate the regions of the problem domain where the exact solution has a strong
error. The mesh in these regions is then refined, after which the solver generates another solution
using the refined mesh. The solver recomputes the error, and the iterative process (solve error
analysis adaptive refinement) repeats until the maximum number of adaptive passes is completed
or the solution converges.
23. Select the Transcript view to see information on the solution process such as the adaptive passes
for the simulation process, and whether or not the solution converged.
24. Select the Solution Monitors view to see a Chart showing convergence data.
Once you have a solution, you can use Results to process graphical and numerical visualizations of your
simulation physics. You can add a new results object by right-clicking in the graphics viewer and selecting
the appropriate option under Add > Results.
For magnetics frequency response (eddy current) simulations you can:
Graphically analyze the distribution of solution variables on a surface or volume using Vector and Contour
objects.
Perform a range of quantitative calculations to obtain single value results using the Calculated Value
object. Predefined AC Force Magnitude, DC Force Magnitude, and Torque calculated value objects
are available if the related Force Computation and Torque Computation physics options were added
to the design.
Obtain results for matrix calculations using the Matrix object.
You can use the data from the Results task to verify your solution, and, if required, refine parameters under
the Geometry and/or Physics tasks to improve the solution results. Once you have added and defined results
objects, click Evaluate Results. The available result types for frequency response simulations vary with
the physics options settings.

Matrix is present if Compute inductance is enabled on the Physics Options panel.


Predefined AC Force Magnitude and DC Force Magnitude Calculated Value results choices are present
if one or more Force Computation physics options were defined. Similarly, a predefined Torque Calculated
Value results choice is present if one or more Torque Computation physics options were defined.
Contour, Vector, and Calculated Value results choices are always available.
25. To evaluate matrix results. select Matrix to open the Matrix panel.
a) Select the desired Type of data from the drop-down list.
Resistance calculations, which represent the ohmic losses in windings.
Inductance calculations, representing the magnetic flux linkage between current loops in
windings.
Inductive coupling coefficient values between windings.

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Electromagnetics Frequency Response Simulations


b) Select the Frequency of interest. Matrix results for frequency response magnetics designs vary
with frequency.
c) Click Evaluate to display the calculated matrix Result Data. Inductance values are expressed in
Henries (H). Resistance values are expressed in Ohms (). The inductive coupling coefficient will
be 1 if coupling is 100%. Results for the selected Type at the chosen Frequency will be computed
and displayed.
26. To create a new single-value result for frequency response simulations:
a) In the graphics viewer, right-click and select Add > Results > Calculated Value. You can also
select predefined AC Force Magnitude, DC Force Magnitude, and Torque calculated value
results if force and torque computations were added as Physics Options in the Physics task.
b) Specify the Method, Location, Function, Frequency, and Variable information. (For frequency
response simulations, the Method is Function calculator. And the Function is Value.)
When selecting a Variable to evaluate, note that all components of the computed DC Force
Magnitude (DCForce.x, DCForce.y, DCForce.z and DCForce.mag) are real numbers and can be
evaluated directly. For AC Force Magnitude, ACForce.mag is a real number, and can be evaluated
directly; but ACForce.x, ACForce.y and ACForce.z are complex numbers and cannot be evaluated
as-is. To extract a real number for these variables, you can apply any of the following operators:
real, imag, phase, or mag.
c) To display the single value results, click Evaluate on the panel. An example is shown below.

The electromagnetics solver solution output for frequency response magnetics simulations supports both
Contour and Vector plots.
27. For Contour plots, in the Results panel, select Add > Contour.
a) Select a face, body or plane as the Location of the Contour to be plotted.
b) In the Variable drop-down list, select the desired variable to be plotted.
c) Select a Frequency from the drop-down menu. Results for the selected variable at the chosen
frequency and Phase angle will be plotted.
d) Because the computed field values are complex numbers, the Phase angle you specify determines
the particular time or point in the period of the chosen Frequency used to create the plot.
e) Click Evaluate to compute the result.
The first image below shows Current Density Magnitude J plotted for the example glass crucible.
The second image shows the Ohmic Loss (heat loss) in the crucible.
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Electromagnetics Frequency Response Simulations

Note: Heat generation data output from a frequency response electromagnetics problem solution
can also be coupled to a thermal simulation.
The maximum and minimum calculated values are displayed in the Summary section, such as the
one for Ohmic Loss shown below.

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Electromagnetics Frequency Response Simulations

28. For Vector plots, in the Results panel, select Add > Vector.
a) Select a face, body or plane as the Location of the Vector to be plotted.
b) Select a Frequency from the drop-down menu. Results for the selected variable at the chosen
frequency and Phase angle will be plotted.
c) Because the computed field values are complex numbers, the Phase angle you specify determines
the particular time or point in the period of the chosen Frequency used to create the plot.
d) Click Evaluate to compute the result.
The images below show the Current Density J vector plot for the example coils, and the Magnetic
Flux Density B vector plot for the crucible.

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Electromagnetics Frequency Response Simulations

The maximum and minimum calculated values of vector magnitude are displayed in the Summary
section, such as the one shown below.

16.2. One-Way Thermal Coupling from an Electromagnetics Simulation


with Eddy Effects to a Thermal Simulation
Electromagnetics simulations with eddy effects can participate in one-way thermal couplings, as indicated
by the Frequency Response (FR) calculation type shown in this table:
Table 16.2.1. Physics Regions that can receive or send data
Physics
Type(s) in
the same
Physics
Region:

(Face Locations)

(Body Locations)

Electromagnetics

(Body Locations)

SS**, FR

When setting up your simulation:

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Electromagnetics Frequency Response Simulations


1. Set up the Physics Solution task for the electromagnetics simulation from which you want to transfer heat
rate data. The electromagnetics simulation must have:
a terminal with the Number of conductors set to 1,
a winding, and
may have eddy effects or core losses activated on one or more bodies if the Calculation Type is set to
Frequency Response. If eddy effects or core losses are not activated, the Ohmic Loss is the
electromagnetic variable transferred for heat rate. If eddy effects or core losses are activated, then
Total Loss is the electromagnetic variable transferred for heat rate.
2. Set up the Physics Solution task that is receiving the heat rate data. Make sure that the physic region's
physics type includes Thermal.
For a complete description of transferring heat rate data and the full process, see 4.7.4.4 Transfer Heat
Rate Data using the Physics Coupling Interface in the AIM Documentation.

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17: Time-Dependent Fluid Flow Simulations


In ANSYS AIM, you can solve the conservation equations in a time-dependent manner to simulate a wide
variety of time-dependent phenomena, such as:
vortex shedding and other time-periodic phenomena
compressible filling and emptying problems
transient heat conduction
Enabling time dependence is sometimes useful when attempting to solve steady-state problems that tend
toward instability (for example, natural convection problems in which the Rayleigh number is close to the
transition region). It is possible in many cases to reach a steady-state solution by integrating the
time-dependent equations.

17.1. Solving Time-Dependent Fluid Flow Simulations


Physics > Solver Options > Solution Controls
Prerequisites:
Enable Beta Options and select Time-dependent fluid flow from the Beta feature selection list.
See Beta Software Information on page 4 for steps on how to enable beta features.
To run a time-dependent simulation, navigate to the Physics panel and select Time-dependent as the
Calculation type.
Most of the setup is similar to a steady-state calculation. Any steps that are specific to a time-dependent
calculation are detailed below.
In the Solution Controls panel
1. Under Calculation Control > Transient Control, select the Time Stepping Method. Time stepping
is used to track the progress of real time during the simulation.
Automatic is the default and it chooses a time step size from various relevant physical timescales
for the problem, including advection, diffusion, buoyancy, and compressibility. Each physical time
scale is estimated by dividing a geometrical length scale by an estimate of the velocity scale relevant
for that process. The automatic time step size is then calculated as a fraction (1/50) of the smallest
of these physical timescales.
Timestep Scaling Factor: Since the automatic timescale calculation is somewhat heuristic, you
may adjust it using this scaling factor.
Length scale calculation method: The length scale calculation used in the automatic time step
size calculation can be tricky for the solver to estimate. The default Conservative approach sets
the length scale to the cube root of the geometry volume. This works well for many situations,
particularly internal flows. In some cases (such as a 2D geometry modeled as a thin 3D geometry)
this estimate can give an excessively small time step size, and the Aggressive approach (which
sets the length scale to the maximum extent) may be better. Alternatively, if you know a relevant
length scale (e.g., chord length for an external aerodynamic calculation), use the User specified
length scale option.

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Time-Dependent Fluid Flow Simulations


Time periodic allows you to specify the Period and the Time steps per period, and the solver
will use those values to compute the time step size. This option is useful if there is a large-scale
transient oscillation of known frequency.
User specified allows you to directly specify the Time step size.
2. You can set the time step size to adapt based on the transient truncation error. The time-dependent
calculation starts using the Time Stepping Method, and the time step size for each step is controlled
to keep the truncation error close to a specified tolerance. If the truncation error for a time step
exceeds the tolerance, that time step may be repeated with a smaller time step size. You may choose
this by selecting Truncation error under Adaptive Time Stepping. The time step controller involves
a number of settings, and the default settings are appropriate for most cases.
Option

Description

Error tolerance

The target normalized truncation error tolerance.


A time step may be repeated with a smaller time
step size if the truncation error exceeds this value.
The default of 0.001 is acceptable for many cases.
A smaller value will result in a smaller time step
size, higher transient accuracy, and a longer
computation time.

Safety factor

The time step size controller adjusts the time step


size for the next time step to be the safety factor
times the error tolerance.

Minimum/Maximum time step size

The upper and lower limits for the time step size.

Number of fixed time steps

The number of time steps using the time step size


determined by the Time Stepping Method which
are performed before adaptive time stepping
begins.

Minimum/Maximum change factor

Limits the rate at which the time step size may


change.

3. Under Simulation Termination, you can end the calculation by either specifying an End time or
by entering the Number of time steps.
4. Under Iteration Control, enter the Maximum/Minimum number of iterations per time step
you would like the solver to run through. The maximum number of iterations per time step may not
always be reached if the residual target level is achieved first.
5.
In the Physics panel, click Solve Physics (
) to update the Physics Solution task and generate a
solution.

17.1.1. Time-Dependent Flow Solution Methods


Physics > Solver Options > Numerical Controls
For time-dependent simulations, the governing equations must be discretized in both space and time.
The spatial discretization for the time-dependent equations is identical to the steady-state case. Temporal
discretization involves discretizing the transient term in the differential equations.
The default settings under Temporal Discretization in the Numerical Controls panel are adequate
and do not typically need to be modified. However, information about each of the settings is provided
should you need to modify them.
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Time-Dependent Fluid Flow Simulations


1. Keep the default settings or select the Transient Scheme that best defines the discretization algorithm
for the transient term.
Option

Details

First Order Backward Euler

An implicit time-stepping scheme that is first-order


accurate. Although it may be useful for initial
studies, its use is not recommended for production
runs.

Second Order Backward Euler

An implicit time-stepping scheme that is


second-order accurate. It is applicable for constant
and variable time step sizes. This scheme is
recommended for most transient runs.

2. Choose between Iterative and Non iterative for the Time Advancement Method.
Option

Details

Iterative (default)

Iterations within the time step continue until the


equations reach their convergence target or the
maximum number of iterations is met. The
iterations ensure that all inter-equation couplings
are resolved, leading to a robust method,
particularly for large time step sizes.

Non iterative

A single iteration per time step is performed, which


significantly speeds up transient simulations.
However, the splitting error which results from
not fully resolving inter-equation couplings means
that the method may be less robust, particularly
for large time step sizes. In addition, it is not
applicable for some types of physics, such as
high-speed compressible flow. Two noniterative
methods are available: the Fractional step
method (faster), and PISO (can be more
beneficial with complex physics).

17.1.2. Initial Conditions for Time-Dependent Simulations


Depending on what information you are looking for in the time-dependent simulation, initial conditions may
need to be specifically provided. For instance, if you would like to capture startup transient behavior from
known initial conditions, you need to specify those initial conditions. On the other hand, if you are interested
in longer-term transient behavior such as resolving a periodic-in-time solution, then the initial conditions are
less important. By default, ANSYS AIM assumes you are interested in the first type of simulation, and requires
explicit initial conditions. If you are interested in the second type of simulation, you may change to Automatic
initial conditions instead.

17.2. Expressions
For steady state simulations, a standard feature of ANSYS AIM is to allow you to set Position dependent
expressions for both boundary and initial conditions in a fluid physics task. The same is true for transient
simulations, in which case expressions can also be a function of Time and TimeStep. These variables may
also be used when defining initial conditions, and the solver will substitute a zero value for them.
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Solution-Dependent Expressions

18: Solution-Dependent Expressions


Enable Beta Options and select Solution-dependent expressions from the Beta feature selection
list. See Beta Software Information on page 4 for steps on how to enable beta features.
Solution field dependent expressions can be used to set boundary conditions. Expressions can depend directly
on the field variables as well as Quantity functions (Average, Minimum, Maximum, etc.):
Field variables are referenced using the standard naming syntax also used for post processing.
Quantity functions are called using the syntax <function_name>(<argument1>, <argument2>, ...) where
the arguments can be variables, locations, and other options depending on the specific function. Quantity
functions return single values.
Known Issues and Limitations
Some properties such as Mass Flow or Heat Flow through a boundary are single valued. An expression
for these properties can depend on field values, but the result must be reduced to a single value by, for
example, using a Quantity function. An error message will appear if the expression does not evaluate to
a single valued result.
Depending on what variables are used in your expression, the solver may not be able to evaluate the
expression. This is due to the availability of data in the solver at run time. If this happens then the physics
task update will fail and you may see an error message in the fluids solver transcript.
In general, Quantity functions will work in solution-dependent expressions when explicit initial conditions
are defined. Errors are likely to occur when automatic initial conditions are used with solution-dependent
expressions.

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19: EARSM Turbulence Models


Prerequisites:
Enable Beta Options from the
down to access Beta Options.

> Tools > Options > Appearance menu. You will need to scroll

In addition to the Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) turbulence models that are available under
Physics Options > Turbulence Model > RANS Model, you also have access to the following turbulence
models:
EARSM Rumsey Gatski k-omega BSL
EARSM Wallin Johansson k-omega BSL
The EARSM models are a slightly less robust extension of the k-omega BSL model and are applicable to
secondary flows, such as corner flows.

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