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10.3.1 Setting up the CFD model

The fluid CFD model for the simulation is built in Simerics-MP+ and saved in the same working directory as that of the *.gtm model. The fluid CFD model for the coupled co-simulation is built as shown below.

Computational Domain

The fluid domain for the simulation is extracted using a design software/modeler and saved as STL files. These STLs are imported into Simerics-MP+. Basic operations such as splitting, combining and renaming are performed, preserving the boundaries needed to form the interfaces with the GT-SUITE model.

Building the Mesh

Once the surfaces are prepared, the fluid domain is meshed using the General Mesher or the Template Mesher in Simerics-MP+. If there are multiple volumes, the interfaces are connected.

Setting up the Physics

The physics modules for the simulation, such as Flow, Turbulence, Heat, Multicomponent Mixing, etc. are added. The volume conditions and properties, such as the density, viscosity, conductivity are specified. Please note that the volume conditions and properties are not imported from GT-SUITE. The boundary conditions are specified, and the boundaries which are the interfaces to be coupled with GT-SUITE model are specified with appropriate settings as explained in Boundary/Interface settings.

Energy equation is always solved in GT-SUITE. When a Simerics-MP+ model does not involve Heat module, a reference temperature is sent to GT-SUITE at the boundaries.

Simulation settings

This section involves setting up the Time Definition for the CFD simulation. The simulation can either be a Steady State Simulation or Transient simulation.

GT-SUITE always runs a Transient simulation.

• If Simerics-MP+ simulation is set to Steady State Simulation, GT Coupling requires to set the timestep for GT-SUITE corresponding to each Simerics-MP+ iteration.
• If Simerics-MP+ simulation is set to Transient, the simulation runs for the shorter of the two total times specified in Simerics-MP+ and GT-SUITE. When the CFD Simulation Time is more than the GT-SUITE Simulation Time, the CFD simulation is stopped, when the Total Simulation Time in GT-SUITE is reached.