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Appendix B

CFX-Mesh

ANSYS Meshing
Application Introduction
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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Introduction

Training Manual

CFX-Mesh provides automated mesh generation


Unstructured triangular surface mesh generation
Volume mesh is created from the surface mesh
Tetrahedral/prismatic/pyramidal volume mesh generation
Extruded meshes can also be created
If quad faces exist on the extruded face due to inflation, hex elements
will be created for those quad elements

Advancing Front and Inflation (AFI)

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Element Types

Training Manual

Valid element types for the CFX-Solver include tetrahedra, prisms


(wedges), pyramids, and hexes

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Accessing CFX Mesh

Training Manual

1. Launch ANSYS Workbench


2. Double click on Mesh under component
systems.
3. This will create a Mesh component in the
Project Schematic area.
4. Right click on
select Import
Geometry and click on Browse to load a
previously created geometry or click New
Geometry to open DesignModeler and create
a new geometry.
5. Once the geometry is loaded
double click on
to open the
meshing application.

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Accessing CFX Mesh

Training Manual

In the Project environment go to Tools >


Options
Select Geometry Import
Select Analysis Type as 3D
Ensure Solid Bodies is chosen
Only solid bodies are relevant to CFX
Mesh
Check the Named Selection box to get
Design Modeler defined named selections
Set the filtering prefix (keep the Filtering
Prefixes box blank to import all named
selections regardless of prefix)

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Accessing CFX Mesh

Training Manual

Right-click on Mesh and Insert Method


Select the Body of interest
Now edit the method and choose CFX Mesh
Then right Click on resulting CFX-Mesh Method and Choose Edit in CFX-Mesh

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Accessing CFX Mesh

Training Manual

Note that the meshing environment is now modified

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Geometry Requirements

Training Manual

Geometry used for meshing in CFX-Mesh must consist of one or more Solid
Bodies
In CFX-Mesh, the body will have the units specified in DM
Surface Bodies and Line Bodies are not supported in CFX-Mesh
On import of certain file formats, Workbench will convert sets of surfaces which fully
enclose to a volume into Solid Bodies (see DM documentation for details)

Solid Bodies must not overlap each other


Where Solid Bodies in a multi-body part touch, they must have common faces
Bodies which are Frozen in DM will appear in CFX-Mesh and can be meshed
To exclude a Solid Body from meshing, you can either suppress/delete it in
DM, or suppress it in CFX-Mesh

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Geometry Requirements

Training Manual

Example 1:
When Solid Bodies in a multi-body part touch, they must have
common faces
If two bodies contact as shown, the face at the end of pipe is
not one of the faces of the cylinder, CFX-Mesh will fail in
generating mesh if the two bodies are in a single part
How to meet CFX-Mesh topology requirements?

wrong
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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Geometry Requirements

Training Manual

To make a common face between pipe and cylinder, the


cylinder needs to have the cylinder face that touches the pipe
split into two: one face is the circular face which matches the
end of the pipe, the other face is the remaining annular ring.
This can be done with an Imprint Face body operation in DM.

right
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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Geometry Requirements

Training Manual

Example 2:
When part of pipe intrudes into the cylinder, part of the side
surface is external to the cylinder, while the other part is
internal to it.
What should the two bodies look like if they are in a single
part?

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Geometry Requirements

Training Manual

Again, the rule to remember is that adjacent solid bodies in a


multi-body part must meet at shared faces
If two bodies contact as shown, where the side surface of the
pipe is a single face, it does not match up with cylindrical cutout in the bottom cylinder and CFX-Mesh will fail in
generating mesh.

Single Side Surface


Cylindrical
Cut-Out

wrong
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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Geometry Requirements

Training Manual

To make sure the pipe and cylinder meet at a shared face,


the pipe needs to have its side face segmented into the part
thats external to the bottom cylinder and the part thats
internal to it (via an Imprint Face body operation in DM).

External Side Surface

Internal Side Surface

Cylindrical
Cut-Out

right
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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Other Geometry Requirements

Training Manual

The CFX-Mesh Help provides many useful examples of what can and cannot
be handled in CFX-Mesh, and some ways around difficult geometries,
including:

Bodies Joined by a Common Face


Bodies Touching at a Face
Body with a Hole
Body with an Enclosed Body
Bodies with an Enclosed Body and a Hole
Body with an Enclosed Body Touching the Face
Non-Manifold Geometry
Closed Faces (ie. Cylinders)
Thin Surface Topology
Poorly Parameterized Surfaces
Degenerate Geometry

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Geometry Update

Training Manual

Geometry Update allows for quick modification of


geometry and mesh regeneration.
Updates geometry while retaining most or all CFXMesh settings.
Updates from CAD systems in plug-in mode is
faster and cleaner.
If importing in reader mode, then you must save
the new geometry into the appropriate file before
updating.
Most geometry updates work with the minimum
required modification to your mesh settings
Depends on the complexity of the changes made to
the geometry, the CAD format and the method of
import

Look at status symbols on each entity at the end of


the update. If there are problems, you should
correct them before regenerating the mesh.

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or

Right-click on Geometry in
Tree View
Status Symbols
Error
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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Geometry Checking

Training Manual

Geometry Checking checks for the presence of


certain undesirable features in faces and edges
which can cause poor mesh quality or failure of the
mesher.
Can be accessed from the Go menu, by rightclicking on Geometry in Tree View, or in the top right
toolbar.
Note: the lock symbol means the item must
remain.
Results of check can be viewed under Errors in Tree
View
If a Warning or Error refers to a specific curve or face,
it will be highlighted when selected
Last warning gives a summary of
the checks

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Geometry Checking

Training Manual

Failed check does not necessarily result in poor


mesh
Worth checking the mesh on any faces which failed
the checks
Doesnt check for ALL problems which can be
present, just a few specific problems:
Sliver Edge Checking
Sliver Face Checking
Parameterization Face Checking

Verify Options determine values which generate


errors

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Sliver Edge Checking

Training Manual

Looks for short edges in the geometry


Short edges can produce a mesh which is
over-refined in regions near the short
edges
To remove short edges, change the
default from NO to YES for Remove Short
Edges in Fix Options
You can change the tolerance used for the
check by using Verify Options

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Sliver Face Checking

Training Manual

Computes a ratio of perimeter length to area for


each face
Faces with a high sliver factor can result in a
poor quality surface mesh
You can change the limit used for the check by
using Verify Options
Default of 25 is usually sensible
Each face identified will be highlighted when the
individual warning message is selected

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Parameterization Face Checking

Training Manual

Provides guidance on the parameterization of the surfaces


Each potentially poorly parameterized surface will be highlighted when the
individual warning message is selected

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Virtual Topology

Training Manual

By Default CFX-Mesh resolves every edge using a minimum of 3 vertices and


meshes every face
Results is large mesh when there are many short edges and narrow faces in the
CAD data
May not require a fine mesh in these
areas for CFD
If proper mesh controls are not used in
these areas, the resulting mesh may
be of poor quality or the mesher might
fail
Virtual Topology allows users to
combine faces and edges into Virtual
Faces and Virtual Edges. Can be
added in CFX-Mesh or the Meshing
Application.
78 Surfaces
represent car body
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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Virtual Topology

Training Manual

CFX-Mesh only sees the combined Virtual Face or Virtual Edge


Mesher does not resolve the constituent faces or edges, giving higher quality
mesh with the required refinement
Does NOT modify the underlying CAD
Virtual topology will be discussed in more detail later

A single virtual
surface
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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Geometry Display

Training Manual

To change the appearance of your


geometry, left-click on Geometry in the
Tree View
Transparency (%)
100% means completely transparent
0% means completely opaque

Transparency can be very useful for


selecting hidden surfaces since
there isnt a wireframe view

Shine (%)
Controls how much light is reflected by
the faces of the mesh
0% gives lowest reflection and looks
matt
100% gives highest reflection and
looks very bright

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Composite 2D Regions

Training Manual

You can use 2D Regions to give


meaningful names to parts of the
geometry which may comprise many
faces
Composite Regions can be used for:
Specifying Locations in CFX-Mesh
Defining Boundary Conditions in CFXPre

Default and additional Regions available


To create a new Region, right-click on
Regions and choose Insert>Composite
2D Region

No primitive 2D Region can be assigned


to more than one Composite 2D Region

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Composite 2D Regions

Training Manual

Named Selections are imported from


DM as Composite Regions
Select Named Selection under Default
Geometry Options on the Project tab
before proceeding to CFX-Mesh.
Can be set as default option in the
Geometry Import options panel

Composite 2D Regions can be hidden!!


Removes the constituent faces from the
viewer
Hidden faces cannot be selected

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

2D Regions and Faces

Training Manual

Where two Solid Bodies meet at a


common face:
There is just one face present in the
geometry
There are two 2D Regions

Each meshing feature that requires you


to specify a location has its own rules
about 2D Regions on the same face
Ex. Face Spacing: Do not try to apply
different Face Spacings to 2D Regions
which are the two sides of a common face
(surface mesh is generated on the
common face, not 2D Regions)
Ex. Inflated Boundary: You can have
different settings for the two different 2D
Regions which make up a common face

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

2D Regions and Faces

Training Manual

Use attached Selection Rectangles to


select individual 2D Regions easily and
accurately
CFX-Mesh will not allow you to select
locations for meshing features which
break the rules given for each feature

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Saving the Volume Mesh

Training Manual

Two formats
.CMDB file
Contains mesh and mesh settings
Larger file which takes longer to
generate for large meshes
.GTM file
Suitable for import directly into CFXPRE

Access Options from the Tools Menu


The right panel will show various CFX
options.

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Saving the Volume Mesh

Training Manual

You may choose to write .cmdb or .gtm or both


User Defined location for .gtm will produce a dialog box to save choose a
location when you Generate the Volume Mesh

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Length Scales

Training Manual

The process of setting an element length scale for CFX-Mesh can be


viewed as a 3 step process
Default Body Spacing
Face Spacing
Other Mesh Controls (Point Spacing, Periodicity, Inflation, etc)

Smallest effecting length scale is chosen

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Face Spacing

Training Manual

Face Spacing can be set to one of 4 types:


Angular resolution - curvature sensitive, discussed next
Relative error - curvature sensitive, discussed next
Constant - constant length scale, overriding the Body Spacing (must be less than
Default Body Spacing)
Volume Spacing - uses the same spacing on the face as the Body Maximum
Spacing

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Face Spacing

Training Manual

Face spacings have a volumetric effect. The region over which they
act are determined by the following settings:
Radius of Influence: extent of the Face Spacing influence, after which it will
expand according to the Expansion Factor
Expansion Factor: rate of expansion of mesh scale from surface to interior

Location: Faces where the Face Spacing values will be applied


Can be selected from the Model View or Tree View Regions
Unnecessary for Default Face Spacing

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Curvature Sensitive Mesh

Training Manual

Angular Resolution [Degrees]


CFX-Mesh chooses edge length such
that the set angle is subtended at the
center of circle with radius equal to
smallest radius of curvature
Default is 30 degrees (recommended 5 to
60 degrees)

Relative Error [r/r]


Deviation of mesh from surface as a
fraction of local radius of curvature

Minimum edge length - lower bound on


length scale
Maximum edge length - upper bound on
length scale (default same as volume
background scale)
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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Curvature Sensitive Mesh

Training Manual

With surface curvature sensitive meshing

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Without surface curvature sensitive meshing

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Edge Spacing

Training Manual

Edge Spacing specifies the mesh


length scale on an edge (or edges)
and in the volume adjacent to the
selected edges
To create a new Edge Spacing, rightclick on Spacing and choose
Insert>Edge Spacing
Parameters and effect on mesh are
the same as with Face Spacing

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Edge Spacing

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Training Manual

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Mesh Controls

Training Manual

Mesh Controls are used to refine


the surface and volume mesh in
specific regions of your model
Location can be defined using any
point on the model or by specifying
coordinates
Can be located anywhere in the
3D space of model (inside,
outside or on the edge)

3 types of volumetric Controls are


available:
Point
Line
Triangle

Remember: Face Spacing also


available for volumetric control

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Point Spacing

Training Manual

Each of the 3 volumetric Controls


requires you to specify a Point
Spacing for the control at
appropriate points.
Any number of mesh controls can
reference the same point Spacing
Length Scale
For the mesh size where the Point
Spacing is applied
Must be less than Body Spacing
Max

Radius of Influence
Radial extent of the fixed local
length scale influence

Expansion Factor
Geometric rate of increase of
local element length scale beyond
radius
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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Point Control

Training Manual

Point Control controls the mesh


spacing in a spherical region
Point
Select either a vertex from the
model or coordinates

Spacing
Select a Point Spacing which
defines the attributes for the
Point Control (Length Scale,
Radius of Influence and
Expansion Factor)

Figure to right shows a Point


Control on a 1m cube with:
Length Scale=0.05m
Radius of Influence=0.2m
Expansion Factor=1.2

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Line Control

Training Manual

Line Control controls the mesh spacing


in a region defined by a cylindrical
volume between 2 spheres
Point
Select either a vertex from the model or
coordinates for both Points

Spacing Definitions
Uniform requires only one Spacing
Non Uniform requires a Spacing for
each end

Spacing
Select a Point Spacing which defines
the attributes for the Line Control
(Length Scale, Radius of Influence and
Expansion Factor)

Figure to right shows a Line Control on


a 1m cube with:
Length Scale=0.05m
Radius of Influence=0.2m
Expansion Factor=1.2
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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Triangle Control

Training Manual

Triangle Control controls the mesh


spacing in a region defined by a prismatic
volume between 3 spheres
Point
Select either a vertex from the model or
coordinates for all 3 Points

Spacing Definitions
Uniform requires only one Spacing
Non Uniform requires a Spacing for each
corner of the triangle

Spacing
Select a Point Spacing which defines the
attributes for the Triangle Control (Length
Scale, Radius of Influence and
Expansion Factor)

Figure to right shows a Triangle Control


on a 1m cube with:
Length Scale=0.05m
Radius of Influence=0.2m
Expansion Factor=1.2
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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Periodicity

Training Manual

Using Periodicity allows you to generate identical meshes for faces that will
be specified as part of a periodic boundary condition in ANSYS CFX
The CFX Solver makes more accurate calculations when meshes
on periodic pairs are identical (one-to-one)
Periodicity can be either Translation by a fixed vector or Rotation
Rules/Limitations:
Each face in the Location 1 face list must map to an equivalent face in the Location
2 face list
Multiple faces can be selected for each of Location 1 and Location 2, provided each
face in the Location 1 face list maps onto a face in the Location 2 face list using the
specified transformation
Inflation cannot be applied to a face which is part of a Periodic Pair

See the documentation for further details on Periodicity

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Periodic Pairs

Training Manual

Periodic Pairs create identical meshes


on the 2 locations selected
Location
Select face(s) either directly from the
Model View or select a Composite 2D
Region from the Tree View
All faces selected must be on the
external boundary of the model and
must not be included in an Inflated
Boundary

Periodic Type
Rotational requires 2 points to define
an axis, and possibly an Angle of
Rotation
Points can be either a vertex from
the model or coordinates
Translational requires no further input

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Inflation

Training Manual

Inflation is the generation of prismatic element layers by inflating triangular


surface elements
Purpose:
Prism elements more effectively and efficiently captures
boundary layer effects
Node density near the wall is increased
Velocity profile is captured by the prism layer
Tetrahedral elements efficiently fill the volume region

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Inflation

Training Manual

You can control the number,


thickness and expansion rate of
inflation layers
You can inflate from any surface
or boundary condition, except
those included in a Periodic Pair
Inflation layers can be viewed
within CFX-Mesh

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Inflation

Training Manual

Number of Inflated Layers


If First Layer Thickness Option is used, this is a
maximum number of layers
If Total Thickness Option is used, this is the
actual number of layers (unless layers are removed
to improve mesh quality)

Expansion Factor
Each layer, moving away from the face, is one
Expansion Factor thicker than the previous.

Number of Spreading Iterations


Advanced quality control, see documentation
for details

Minimum Internal Angle


Advanced quality control, see documentation
for details

Inflation Option
Total Thickness
First Layer Thickness
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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Inflation Option - Total Thickness

Training Manual

Total Thickness
The total thickness of the inflation is
controlled by the:
Thickness Multiplier
Local element edge length
Determined by Face Spacing and
Controls
Maximum Thickness
Set individually for each Inflated
Boundary
Creates a less smooth transition from the
inflated prism mesh elements to the
tetrahedral mesh elements
The number of inflated layers is more
constant, and you have some control over
height of layers on face-by face basis

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Inflation Option - Total Thickness

Training Manual

Process used for creating the layers of prisms when using the Total
Thickness option is given below:
CFX-Mesh calculates the total thickness of the inflation layers as follows:
Multiply the Thickness Multiplier by the local element edge length
Where this is less than the specified Maximum Thickness, then this gives the
total thickness of the layers
Where this is greater than the specified maximum Thickness, then the
Maximum Thickness is taken to be the total thickness of the layers
Use the specified Number of Inflated Layers and Expansion Factor to calculate the
height of each layer, given the total thickness that has just been calculated

Inflation thickness will not be constant over the inflated edge if the element
edge length changes in the region of the inflation layer

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Inflation Option - First Layer Thickness

Training Manual

First Layer Thickness


Does not control the overall height of
the inflation layers
Prisms based on First Prism Height or
y+, Expansion Factor and Number of
Inflated Layers
Creates smoother transition from
inflated prism mesh elements to the
tetrahedral mesh elements
First Prism Height must be less than
the Max Spacing under Body Spacing
You should examine the mesh to
visualize the extent of the inflation and
the quality of the transition from
prisms to tetrahedral elements

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Inflation Option - First Layer Thickness

Training Manual

Define First Layer


By y+
Computes First
Prism Height
based on user
inputs
Desired y+, Flow
Reynolds Number
and Reference
Length

y = Ly+ 80 Re(-13/14)
First Prism Height = Reference Length * (Desired) y + * 80 * Reynolds Number(-13/14)

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Inflation Option Extended Layer Growth

Training Manual

Process used for creating the layers of prisms when using the First Layer
Thickness option is given below
Put a single layer of prisms against the faces of the inflated boundary,
of a height equal to the First Prism Height

Extended Layer Growth = No

Extended Layer Growth = Yes

Check the aspect ratio of the prisms

If height < base length, add


another layer of prisms of height
(Previous Height) X (Expansion
Factor)

If height < base length, add


another layer of prisms of
height (Previous Height) X
(Expansion Factor)

If height base length, stop adding


prisms
Repeat until aspect ratio for all the prisms
1 or until the Number of Inflated Layers
is reached
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Check the aspect ratio of the


prisms

B-53

If height base length keep


adding layers of unit aspect
ratio until the Number of
Inflated Layers is reached
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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Inflation Option Extended Layer Growth

Training Manual

Number of Inflated layers = 25

Extended Layer Growth = Yes

Extended Layer Growth = No


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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Inflation Option Layer Smoothing

Training Manual

Available when using First Layer


Thickness option
Allows prisms to grow out
normal to the surface, i.e.
orthogonal to the surface
Layer normals and heights are
then progressively smoothed,
during the creation of each layer
Maximizes the number of layers
obtained
Result in longer mesh
generation times
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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Inflation Option Layer Smoothing

Training Manual

Prism growth is orthogonal

Layer by Layer Smoothing = No

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Layer by Layer Smoothing = Yes

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Inflated Boundary

Training Manual

Creation of an Inflated Boundary is how you


specify which faces you want Inflation to apply
to
Location
Select face(s) either directly from the Model View
or select a Composite 2D Region from the Tree
View
A face cannot be in more than one Inflated
Boundary, or in both an Inflated Boundary and a
Periodic Pair

Maximum Thickness
The Maximum Thickness for the whole inflation
layer, when Inflation Option is set to Total
Thickness
Not used if Inflation Option is set to First Layer
Thickness

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Stretch

Training Manual

Stretch can be used to expand or contract the mesh elements in a particular


direction
The geometry is expanded by the specified factors, meshing takes place, then the
geometry is contracted back to its original size
The max and min stretches allowed are 0.2 and 5 (factors below 0.6 are not
recommended)

Before Stretching

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Stretch in X = 1.0

Stretch in X = 0.5

Stretch in Y = 1.0

Stretch in Y = 3.0

Stretch in Z = 2.0

Stretch in Z = 1.0

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Combined Mesh Control and Stretch

Training Manual

The effective influence of a Mesh Control, which is treated as a spherical


mesh control while meshing takes place, will NOT be modified to elliptical
Therefore, a Point Control will appear to influence an elliptical region when
the mesh is examined

y
z

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Proximity

Training Manual

Proximity settings control


automatic refinement of the
mesh when edges or faces are
near to other edges or faces,
but not connected
Edge proximity
ON by default
Adjusts mesh based on
mesh size on neighboring
edges
Surface proximity
OFF by default
Adjusts mesh based on gap
between neighboring
surfaces
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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Edge Proximity

Training Manual

Edge Proximity is used to automatically


modify mesh elements in regions where
curves are in close proximity
Bounding curves of surface sense nearby
curves and increase mesh density locally
Only available when Delaunay Surface
Mesher is used (meshers discussed soon)

Edge Proximity OFF

Edge Proximity OFF


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Edge Proximity ON
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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Surface Proximity

Training Manual

Surface Proximity is used to


automatically reduce the mesh size in
regions where surfaces are in close
proximity and the original mesh does
not resolve the gap sufficiently
Number of Elements Across Gap
Recommend at least 4
Generates higher quality prismatic
and tetrahedral elements in the gap
region

Maximum Number of Passes


Number of times the surface mesher
will run to try to meet the Number of
Elements Across Gap

Available for both Delaunay and


Advancing Front Surface Meshers
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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Options Global Mesh Scaling

Training Manual

Allows easy scaling of each length scale for


the mesh, except those applied to Face
Spacings
Decreasing this factor decreases mesh
length scales and increases number of
elements
Does not affect anything other than mesh
length scales (i.e. Radius of Influence is not
affected)
Stretch affects all lengths (including Radius
of Influence)
Global Mesh Scaling factor is only applied
during meshing
Display of size of Controls will show the size
as if the factor is 1
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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Options Surface Meshing

Training Manual

Both methods are well recognized


and have established track
records
Both mesh individual surfaces
Delaunay (default)
works on closed surfaces
Delaunay mesh quality is not good
on poorly parameterized surfaces

Advancing Front
produces higher quality elements
at boundaries
traditionally slower than Delaunay
cannot mesh closed surfaces

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Options Meshing Strategy

Training Manual

Advancing Front and Inflation 3D


Includes Inflation
Quickly generates a mesh with
tetrahedra, prisms and pyramids with
low memory usage
New elements created from
advancing front of triangles
Creates tetrahedral elements by
point (node) placement
Identify exposed faces which now
form the new front

Extruded 2D Mesh
See next two slides

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Extruded Meshes

Training Manual

When Extruded 2D Mesh is selected,


the user is prompted to define the
Extruded Periodic Pair
Pick the two sets of faces from the model
view or the object tree
You can also select composite 2D regions
from the Tree View

Select the Periodic Type Translational


or Rotational
If there are no vertices on the selected
faces, you will be asked for a translation
distance or a rotation angle

Extruded meshes in CFX-Mesh are not as


flexible as those that the Swept Mesher
can generate
The difference in the Periodic Pair must be
a simple translation or rotation
However, the source and target faces can
consist of multiple (matching) faces
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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Extruded Meshes

Training Manual

Extrusion Options
2D Extrusion Option
Full = extrude through the full extent of the
geometry
Partial = thickness of elements determined
automatically such that element quality is
high. Will not necessarily fill geometry for a
given number of layers

Number of Layers
Distribution
distribution of element heights along the
extrusion can be uniform or biased
Expansion Factor
Set the growth rate for the thickness of
elements in non-uniform extrusion
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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Options Volume Meshing

Training Manual

This option is only available with the


Advancing Front and Inflation 3D
meshing strategy
Advancing Front options is default
Runs as a single process on a single
CPU

Parallel Advancing Front


Multiple processes (multiple CPUs) on the same or different machines
Faster mesh generation for large models
Overcomes memory limitations of a single processor / machine, especially on 32
bit system
Have at least 500,000 tetrahedral elements per partition. Do not run small models
in parallel.
Uses the CFX-Parallel (Solver) licenses if available. Else can be separately
licensed.

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Options Volume Meshing

Training Manual

Set the Number of Partitions along the X,Y


and Z coordinates
Divides the geometry based on the number
of partitions along each coordinate
Each partition is meshed independently and
then combined
Combined mesh will be same as that
generated by a single process

Parallel Meshing can be:

Local Parallel, on the same machine


Distributed Parallel, on different machines
Distributed Parallel requires a Hosts List
Refer to CFX-Mesh Help for details on
setup and limitations of Distributed Parallel
Meshing

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Mesh Preview

Training Manual

Allows you to look at the mesh


on a particular face or faces
before creating the entire
surface or volume mesh
Select face(s) for Preview
Group either directly from the
Model View or select a
Composite 2D Region from the
Tree View
Can choose whether to
generate mesh on selected
faces or all at once
Can view only surface mesh in
CFX-Mesh, volume mesh may
be viewed in CFX-Post

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Mesh Preview Display

Training Manual

Mesh Render Mode


Wire on Face Mesh shows the mesh faces
and the mesh lines
Solid Face shows the mesh faces
Wire Mesh shows just the mesh lines

Display Mesh

Controls how much light is


reflected by the faces of the mesh
0% gives lowest reflection and looks
matt
100% gives highest reflection and looks
very bright

Mesh Before Inflation


Mesh After Inflation
Inflated Front shows triangles across
the top of the inflated elements
Inflated Mesh shows the inflation layers
only

Face Color Mode


Body shows mesh the same colour as
body
Uniform allows you to pick a color
Rainbow shows the mesh on each face
in a different colour, as different as
possible

Transparency (%)
100% means completely transparent
0% means completely opaque

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Shine (%)

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Mesh Statistics

Training Manual

Mesh Statistics
Shows Number of Quads and
Triangles (Surface Elements) in the
Preview Group

Warning Messages or Errors


Non-fatal warning messages or errors
will be shown under the Errors item in
the Tree View
Fatal errors produce a pop-up message
and are also shown under Errors
Clicking on an Error or Warning
highlights the related face or
element if appropriate

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Volume Mesh

Training Manual

Generate Volume Mesh


Once mesh is set up, you can generate the
Volume Mesh
The Volume Mesh is written to the GTM file for
import into CFX-Pre GTM file automatically
written when volume mesh is generated
Contains all the mesh and region information
Uses double-precision coordinates
Not viewable in CFX-Mesh, use CFX-Post
Can be repeated after any change to the mesh
settings

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Stopping Mesh Generation

Training Manual

To abort surface mesh or volume mesh


generation, use the Interrupt or Halt
Current Processing button
This button is active only during mesh
generation and geometry verification
Limitation: Interrupt takes effect only when underlying process exchanges
data with user interface
In some circumstances the mesh process may go on for a long time without
exchanging data with the user interface
In these cases, if you want to terminate the process immediately, you can use
Task Manager (Windows) or kill command (Unix) to end the following processes.
(Use with care)
srfmsh_wb.exe
nsurf3d_wb.exe
inflate_wb.exe
nvol3d.exe
nvol2d_wb.exe
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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Virtual Topology

Training Manual

By Default CFX-Mesh resolves every edge using a minimum of 3 vertices and meshes every face
Results in a large mesh when there are many short edges and narrow faces in the CAD data

Virtual Topology allows users to combine faces and edges into Virtual Faces and
Virtual Edges
CFX-Mesh only sees the combined Virtual Face or Virtual Edge

A single virtual
surface

78 Surfaces
represent car body
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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Creating Virtual Topology

Training Manual

Creating Virtual Topology:


Virtual Topology includes Virtual Face and Virtual Edge
Virtual Topology can be created either automatically or manually
Virtual Topology can be created in CFX-Mesh or in the Meshing Application

Automatic Virtual Topology Creation:


CFX-Mesh automatically detect candidate edges and faces that could be merged based on
geometric parameters such as contact angle between faces, relative areas of faces, aspect ratios
and shared boundary ratio
Once these candidates have been detected, virtual edges and faces are created automatically
Where possible, external edges of Virtual Faces will be automatically merged together to form
Virtual Edges

Manual Virtual Topology Creation:


User manually create Virtual Topology by inserting Virtual Faces or Virtual Edges
In the Virtual Face creation, user can turn on and off the option of automatic merging possible
external edges of Virtual Faces to from Virtual Edges

Manual Virtual Topology


creation
Automatic Virtual Topology creation
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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Automatic Virtual Topology

Training Manual

Automatic Virtual Topology creation:


User controls for this feature are very simple

Automatic Merge Strategy controls the aggressiveness of


the automatic Virtual Topology algorithm. The Low option
merges the worst faces and edges in the model, while the
High option attempts to merge much more of the geometry.

Select Virtual Topology in the


Tree View. Controls are available
in the Details View

Automatic Merge Option defines whether the automatic


Virtual Topology operation should be applied to the whole
model (the default) or whether it should only apply to a
selection of faces.
The face selection can be defined by selecting the faces
directly from the graphics window or by selecting a Region
name in the tree view.

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Virtual Topology Example

Training Manual

Automatic Virtual Topology example:


Create a Virtual Face which includes 3 faces at the top
Several ways of doing this automatically

Method 1: Generate Virtual Topology on Entire Model


Select Automatic merge Option as Entire Model

Right Click on Virtual Topology in the Model Tree and select


Generate Virtual Topology on Entire Model

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Virtual Topology Example

Training Manual

Method 2: Generate Virtual Topology on Selected Set

Select Automatic Merge Option as Selected Set

Select three top faces and apply


Right Click on Virtual Topology in the Model Tree and
select Generate Virtual Topology on Selected Set

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Virtual Topology Example

Training Manual

Method 3: Generate Virtual Topology on on a control (Composite 2D region,


inflated boundary, etc)
Create a Composite 2D Region which contains 3 faces at the top
Right Click on the created Composite 2D Region
Select Simplify Location using Virtual Topology

Virtual Edges
Virtual Face

Final results for these three


methods are the same One
virtual face and two virtual
edges will be created.

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Virtual Face Example

Training Manual

Manually creating a Virtual Face:

Right Click on Virtual Topology in the Model Tree and Insert a Virtual Face
Select the required faces from the graphics window and Apply
Can select Composite 2D regions as well
Selected faces must be adjacent

Virtual Face example:

Fine mesh due to sliver


surface
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Mesh on Virtual Face


Select 3 faces
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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Virtual Edges

Training Manual

Virtual Face
Where possible, CFX-Mesh will automatically merge external edges to form Virtual Edges.
This behavior can be turned off from the Options panel

Single Edge
Mesh with auto
generation of Virtual
Edge turned off.

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Virtual Edge Example

Training Manual

Creating a Virtual Edge:


Right Click on Virtual Topology in the Model Tree and Insert a Virtual Edge
Select the required edges from the graphics window and Apply
Selected edges must be adjacent

Virtual Edge example:


Mesh with Virtual Edge

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Virtual Topology Restrictions

Training Manual

Limited to developable surfaces


A developable surface has the property that it can be made out of sheet metal
A virtual surface can be created for a group of surfaces that can be unfolded or unrolled
into a flat plane

Virtual Faces cannot form a closed region


All six sides of a cube cannot be combined into a Virtual Face

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Appendix B: CFX-Mesh

Virtual Topology Rules

Training Manual

Virtual Topology Rules:


Constituent faces of a Virtual Faces will not be available for selection. You can only
select the Virtual Face.
Should consider boundary conditions requirements before defining Virtual
Faces
Look for the status symbols of features in the Model Tree after creating or deleting
virtual entities.
Some features may become invalid or may require verification
Virtual Topology definitions are persistent for geometry updates
If a location or CAD face does not exist after geometry update, the virtual entity
will become invalid
You can add more faces/edges to an existing Virtual Face or Virtual Edge
You can include an existing Virtual Face or Edge in a new Virtual Face or Edge

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Workshop B.1
Aircraft Engine-Airframe

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WS B.1: Aircraft Engine-Airframe

Goals

Training Manual

This workshop will take you through the process of importing an aircraft
engine and airframe model prepared in DesignModeler, setting the mesh
spacings, and generating a surface mesh for a CFD analysis. You will return
to this workshop later (Workshop A.4) and add virtual topology.
Goals:
Import the DM model file.
Define 2D regions for boundary conditions.
Define mesh spacings

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WS B.1: Aircraft Engine-Airframe

Opening the Geometry File

Training Manual

1. Copy the file Aircraft_Engine-Airframe.agdb to


your working directory
2. Launch ANSYS Workbench
3. Double click on Mesh under component
systems.
4. This will create a Mesh component in the
Project Schematic area.
5. Right click on
and Import
Geometry and click on Browse.
6. Locate and open the file Aircraft_EngineAirframe.agdb.
7. Once the geometry is loaded
double click on
to open the
meshing application.

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Imported Geometry

Training Manual

Only half the model will


be meshed to take
advantage of the
symmetry in the flow
field

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WS B.1: Aircraft Engine-Airframe

Choosing the CFX-Mesh Method

Training Manual

8. Right-click on Mesh and select Insert Method


Select the body
Change the Method to CFX-Mesh

9. Right-click on the method in the tree and select


Edit Mesh in CFX-Mesh

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Creating Composite Regions

Training Manual

Now create composite 2D regions:


10.Right-click on Regions in the Tree View and Insert a Composite 2D Region
called Symmetry on the upper- Y surface
11.Create the remaining 2D Region's as shown in the right figure
Symmetry

Inlet

Bottom

Top
Right
Outlet

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WS B.1: Aircraft Engine-Airframe

Hiding Composite Regions

Training Manual

Now hide the newly created 2D Regions:


12. Under Tree View > Regions, right click on Symmetry
and select Hide
13. Similarly hide all other 2D Regions except the Default
2D Region. You can do them all at once.
Note: Hiding the external boundaries makes it easier to see
the aircraft surfaces and also makes it easier to pick the
surfaces of the aircraft

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WS B.1: Aircraft Engine-Airframe

Setting Global Spacings

Training Manual

Set the Default Body Spacing:


14. Under Tree View > Mesh > Spacing,
select Default Body Spacing and set
Maximum Spacing to 0.08 [m]
Set the Default Face Spacing:
15. Under Tree View > Mesh > Spacing,
select Default Face Spacing and set
the parameters as shown
Generate surface mesh:
16. Under Tree View >Preview, right click
on Default Preview Group and select
Generate Surface Meshes

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WS B.1: Aircraft Engine-Airframe

Surface Mesh Preview

Training Manual

17. Review the surface mesh

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WS B.1: Aircraft Engine-Airframe

CAD Model Issues

Training Manual

The CAD model has many narrow surfaces which are not significant to the flow
analysis
The CAD model has many short edges because of the way the surfaces are
constructed
By default CFX-Mesh, resolves these narrow surfaces and short edges, resulting in
unnecessary mesh refinement and poor quality elements
We will revisit this geometry in Workshop B.4 and create virtual faces and virtual
edges to remove the unnecessary narrow faces and edges, thereby by reducing the
mesh size and improving quality

18. For now, save the CFX-Mesh database (File > Save Project)

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Workshop B.2
Static Mixer: Basic Settings,
Mesh Controls and Inflation

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WS B.2: Static Mixer: Basic Settings, Mesh Controls and Inflation

Goals

Training Manual

This workshop will take you through the process of meshing a Static Mixer
geometry with CFX-Mesh. Line mesh controls and inflation
layers will be added to better refine the mesh
The basic steps involved in this workshop are:

1. Start a new instance of the ANSYS Meshing Application and open the
geometry file to be meshed

2. Set the Mesh Method to CFX-Mesh and edit the Method

3. Define any desired composite regions

4. Set global mesh spacings (Body Spacing and Face Spacing)

5. Preview the initial surface mesh

6. Define Point Spacings and Line Mesh Controls

7. Define Inflation Boundaries

8. Generate the Volume Mesh and save the meshing database

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WS B.2: Static Mixer: Basic Settings, Mesh Controls and Inflation

Starting the Meshing Application

Training Manual

1. Copy the file staticmixer.agdb to your


working directory
2. Launch ANSYS Workbench
3. Double click on Mesh under component
systems.
4. This will create a Mesh component in the
Project Schematic area.
5. Right click on
and Import
Geometry and click on Browse.
6. Locate and open the file staticmixer.agdb.
7. Once the geometry is loaded double click
on
to open the meshing
application.

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WS B.2: Static Mixer: Basic Settings, Mesh Controls and Inflation

Meshing Options Form

Training Manual

8. When the Meshing Application


comes up, go to the Meshing
Options Panel which appears at
the right of the screen
Set the Physics Preference to CFD
Set the Mesh Method to CFXMesh
Make sure that Set Meshing
Defaults toggle is enabled
Click OK

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WS B.2: Static Mixer: Basic Settings, Mesh Controls and Inflation

CFX-Mesh

Training Manual

9. Note that the model is now displayed in the CFX meshing environment.

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WS B.2: Static Mixer: Basic Settings, Mesh Controls and Inflation

Making the Model Transparent

Training Manual

10. In CFX-Mesh, click on the Geometry entry in the Tree View.


11. In the Details View and move the Transparency slider to 50% to make the
model partially transparent
This makes it easier to see hidden faces in the model

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WS B.2: Static Mixer: Basic Settings, Mesh Controls and Inflation

Defining Composite Region in1

Training Manual

12. Right-click on Regions in the Tree View and select Insert Composite Region
Create a Composite Region named in1 at the side pipe inlet as shown

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Defining Composite Region in2

Training Manual

13. Create a Composite Region named in2 at the other side pipe inlet as shown

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Defining Composite Region out

Training Manual

14. Create a Composite Region named out at the bottom pipe outlet as shown

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WS B.2: Static Mixer: Basic Settings, Mesh Controls and Inflation

Setting the Global Body Spacing

Training Manual

15. Click on the + sign next to the Spacing entry in the Tree
View to expand it
16. Set the Default Body Spacing to 0.20 m
Note the mesh size preview icon in the viewport

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WS B.2: Static Mixer: Basic Settings, Mesh Controls and Inflation

Setting the Global Face Spacing

Training Manual

17. Set the Default Face Spacing Option to Angular Resolution with a setting of 18
18. Set the Minimum Edge Length to 0.015 m and the Maximum to 0.20 m
Again note the mesh size preview icon

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WS B.2: Static Mixer: Basic Settings, Mesh Controls and Inflation

Initial Mesh Preview

Training Manual

19. Click on the + sign next to Preview in the Tree


View to expand it
20. Right-click on the Default Preview Group and
select Generate Surface Meshes

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WS B.2: Static Mixer: Basic Settings, Mesh Controls and Inflation

Generating a Volume Mesh

Training Manual

The initial mesh is rather coarse for CFD purposes


although it illustrates the basics steps involved in
generating a tetrahedral mesh.

21. Right-click the Mesh entry in the Tree View and select
Generate Volume Mesh

CFX-Mesh will create the volume mesh


The information panel at the bottom right will display the
node and element count for the mesh

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WS B.2: Static Mixer: Basic Settings, Mesh Controls and Inflation

Mesh Refinement

Training Manual

The first part of this tutorial resulted in a rather coarse mesh with no
resolution of the boundary layer near walls
Although a better quality mesh for CFD purposes could be generated by
defining finer global mesh spacings, the global mesh spacings will be left as
they are
Instead, a mesh control will be defined to refine the mesh in the area of the
two pipe inlets. Also, an inflation layer will be added to the all walls in the
geometry to better resolve the boundary layer

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WS B.2: Static Mixer: Basic Settings, Mesh Controls and Inflation

Mesh Control: Point Spacing

Training Manual

22. In the tree view right click on Controls under


the Mesh listing and Insert a Point Spacing
23. In the Details View for the Point Spacing
enter the following:
Length Scale = 0.1
Radius of Influence = 0.5
Expansion Factor = 1.2

This defines a point spacing which describes


the element size and the region of influence
over which it will be applied

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Line Control 1
Training Manual

24. Right-click on Controls in the Tree View, and


select Insert > Line Control
25. In the Details View for the Line Control, click
on Cancel in the box next to the first Point.
Right-click the red bar in the box next to the
first Point and select Edit in the pop-up menu
26. In the white text box, clear None and type in
1,-3,-1
You can hit Enter from the keyboard or click in
the model view to finish
Units are entered automatically

27. Similarly set the coordinates of the second


Point to 1,-1,-1
28. Leave the Option as Uniform
29. Click in the empty Spacing box and select
Point Spacing 1 from the Tree View and then
click Apply
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WS B.2: Static Mixer: Basic Settings, Mesh Controls and Inflation

Line Control 2 and Inflation

Training Manual

30. In the Tree View, right-click on Controls


under the Mesh listing and Insert
another Line Control
31. For Line Control 2:

Enter 1, 3 ,1 for the first Point


Enter 1, 1 , 1 for the second Point
Select Point Spacing 1 as the Spacing

32. In the Tree View right-click on Inflation


and Insert an Inflated Boundary
33. In the Details View for Inflated
Boundary 1, click in the Location box
marked None, select Default 2D Region
from the Tree View as the Location and
click Apply
This will inflate from all walls in the
model

34. Set the Maximum Thickness for the


inflated boundary to 0.2 m
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WS B.2: Static Mixer: Basic Settings, Mesh Controls and Inflation

Mesh Preview for Refined Mesh

Training Manual

35. Right-click on Preview > Default


Preview Group and select
Generate This Surface Mesh

Notice the finer mesh in the


two side pipes

You can modify the Length


Scale of Point Spacing 1 to
refine the mesh further

Also note the quad faces on


the faces normal to the
inflated boundary

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WS B.2: Static Mixer: Basic Settings, Mesh Controls and Inflation

Final Volume Mesh

Training Manual

You are now ready to create and save


the volume mesh:
36.Select Tools > Options > CFX-Mesh
Options
Check that Volume Mesh Output is
set to Add to CMDB File
Click OK

37.Click on the Generate Volume Mesh


icon on the task bar
38.When the process finishes, save your
CFX-Mesh database (File > Save)
The volume mesh is now stored in the
Meshing Application cmdb file
Note the change in the node and
element count in the Information
window and the addition of prisms
from inflation
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Workshop B.3
Extruded Mesh

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WS B.3: Extruded Mesh

Goals

Training Manual

This workshop will take you through the process of meshing a simple
box geometry with an extruded 2D mesh. The Full extrusion option
will be demonstrated.
The basic steps involved in this workshop are:

1. Start a new instance of the ANSYS Meshing Application and open the
geometry file to be meshed

2. Set the Mesh Method to CFX-Mesh and edit the Method

3. In CFX-Mesh, change the mesh options to Extruded 2D Mesh and set the
extrusion options

4. Define the faces for the 2D periodic pair

5. Set global mesh spacings (Body Spacing and Face Spacing)

6. Define an inflation layer on the side walls

7. Preview the surface mesh

8. Generate the Volume Mesh and save the meshing database

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WS B.3: Extruded Mesh

Starting the Meshing Application

Training Manual

1. Copy the file box.agdb to your working


directory
2. Launch ANSYS Workbench
3. Double click on Mesh under component
systems.
4. This will create a Mesh component in the
Project Schematic area.
5. Right click on
and Import
Geometry and click on Browse.
6. Locate and open the file box.agdb.
7. Once the geometry is loaded double click
on
to open the meshing
application.

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WS B.3: Extruded Mesh

Meshing Options Form

Training Manual

8. When the Meshing Application


comes up, go to the Meshing
Options Panel which appears at
the right of the screen
Set the Physics Preference to CFD
Set the Mesh Method to CFXMesh
Make sure that Set Meshing
Defaults toggle is enabled
Click OK

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WS B.3: Extruded Mesh

CFX-Mesh

Training Manual

9. The model is now displayed in the CFX meshing environment.


10. Note that there are two faces on either end of the bar. As is, this would not
be a general sweepable body in the Meshing Application Swept Mesher.

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WS B.3: Extruded Mesh

Mesh Options

Training Manual

11. Click on the Options entry under Mesh in


the Tree View
12. In the Details View, set the Meshing
Strategy Option to Extruded 2D Mesh
13. Leave the 2D Extrusion Option set to Full
14. Change the Number of Layers to 50 with
a Uniform distribution

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WS B.3: Extruded Mesh

Extruded Periodic Pair

Training Manual

Note the addition of an Extruded


Periodic Pair in the Tree View. This
entry has a red X next to it since the
faces which comprise it have yet to
be defined.

15.Click on the Extruded Periodic


Pair entry in the Tree View
16.In the Details View, select the
two faces at the high Z end of
the box and click Apply in the
Location 1 entry box
17.Similarly select the two faces at
the other side of the box and
click Apply in the Location 2
entry box

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WS B.3: Extruded Mesh

Setting the Global Body Spacing

Training Manual

18. Click on the + sign next to the Spacing entry in the


Tree View to expand it
19. Set the Default Body Spacing to 0.10 in
Note the mesh size preview icon in the viewport

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WS B.3: Extruded Mesh

Setting the Global Face Spacing

Training Manual

20. Set the Default Face Spacing Option to Constant with a setting of 0.10 in

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WS B.3: Extruded Mesh

Initial Mesh Preview

Training Manual

21. Select Preview > Default Preview Group >


Generate Surface Meshes
Note the extrusion in the length direction

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WS B.3: Extruded Mesh

Adding Inflation

Training Manual

22. In the Tree View right-click on Inflation


and Insert > Inflated Boundary
23. In the Details View for Inflated Boundary
1, select the four sides of the box from
the viewport and click Apply in the
Location box.
This will inflate the mesh from the four
sides.

24. Set the Maximum Thickness to 0.20 in

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WS B.3: Extruded Mesh

Final Mesh Preview

Training Manual

25. Right-click on the Default Preview Group and select Generate Surface Meshes
Since there are now quad faces on the ends from the inflated layer, a combination of
hex and prism elements will be generated when the mesh is extruded

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WS B.3: Extruded Mesh

Final Volume Mesh

Training Manual

You are now ready to create and


save the volume mesh:
26. Click on the Generate Volume Mesh
icon on the task bar
27. When the process finishes, save
your CFX-Mesh database (File >
Save).
The volume mesh is now stored in
the Meshing Application cmdb file
Note that the Mesh Information
Window shows that the volume
mesh contains a combination of
hexahedral (extruded quads) and
prismatic (extruded tris) elements

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Workshop B.4
Virtual Topology for Geometry
and Mesh

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WS B.4: Virtual Topology for Geometry and Mesh

Goals

Training Manual

This workshop will take you through the process of using virtual topology to
create a better quality mesh for the aircraft engine geometry imported in
Workshop B.1
Goals:
Use Automatic Virtual Topology to improve mesh quality

1. Open the CFX-Mesh database that you saved at the end of Workshop B.1

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WS B.4: Virtual Topology for Geometry and Mesh

CAD Issues and Virtual Topology

Training Manual

The CAD model has many narrow surfaces which are not significant to
the flow analysis
CAD model has many short edges because of the way the surfaces
are constructed
By default CFX-Mesh, resolves these narrow surfaces and short
edges, resulting in unnecessary mesh refinement and poor quality
elements
We will create virtual faces and virtual edges to remove the
unnecessary narrow faces and edges, thereby by reducing the mesh
size and improving quality
The automatic method of creating virtual topology will be
demonstrated in the workshop

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WS B.4: Virtual Topology for Geometry and Mesh

Initial Surface Mesh (Before VT)

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WS B.4: Virtual Topology for Geometry and Mesh

Automatic Virtual Topology

Training Manual

2. Select Virtual Topology in the Tree


View
Set the Automatic Merge Strategy to
Low
Set the Automatic Merge Option to
Entire Model

3. Right-click on Virtual Topology and


select Generate Virtual Topology on
the Entire Model

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WS B.4: Virtual Topology for Geometry and Mesh

Viewing Virtual Faces

Training Manual

You should see that a number of virtual faces and


edges have been created
These appear in the Tree View below the Virtual
Topology object
You can click on the various virtual faces and
edges. They are color coded so that different
faces and edges appear differently.
The leading and trailing edge of the wing are
areas of interest for CFD. You will find that they
have been grouped into virtual faces which is not
desirable

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Deleting Virtual Faces

Training Manual

4. Find any virtual faces which include the wing leading edge faces and delete them
These are Virtual Face 8 and Virtual Face 11

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WS B.4: Virtual Topology for Geometry and Mesh

Deleting Virtual Faces

Training Manual

5. Find the virtual face which include the wing trailing edge and delete it
This is Virtual Face 7

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WS B.4: Virtual Topology for Geometry and Mesh

Preview Surface Mesh with VT

Training Manual

6. Regenerate the surface mesh to see the effect of adding virtual topology

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WS B.4: Virtual Topology for Geometry and Mesh

Creating the Volume Mesh

Training Manual

You could further modify the mesh by creating virtual faces and edges in
selected areas manually to further improve the mesh quality
7. Generate the volume mesh and save the CFX-Mesh database

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