Data Tree Description

The Data Tree contains several sub-categories.

Global

The items in the Global Tree define the parameters that are applied to the entire problem domain. This section includes various sub-sections and summarizes the sub-sections and their functions.
Problem Description
Specifies analysis type and equations to be solved in the problem.
Radiation Parameters
Specifies global radiation algorithms and parameters.
Solar Radiation Parameters
Specifies global solar radiation algorithms and parameters.
External Code Parameters
Specifies communication parameters for coupling with an external solid/structural code.
Particle Trace Code Parameters
Specifies communication parameters for coupling with AcuTrace (particle tracing module of AcuSolve).
Auto Solution Strategy
Automatically creates a solution strategy by issuing all the other commands in this section.
Advanced Solution Strategy
Specifies advanced features of solution strategy such as time sequence, time integration and linear solver parameters.
User Global Data
Defines and initializes globally accessible data.
Multiplier function
Specifies a scalar multiplier function to scale values of other commands and parameters at run time.
Material Model
Specifies the properties of the materials to be used in the problem.
Surface Tension Model
Specifies surface tension model for free surfaces.
Contact Angle Model
Specifies a contact model for free surfaces with surface tension.
Emissivity Model
Specifies an emissivity model for the radiation equation.
Solar Radiation Model
Specifies a solar radiation model.
Body Force
Specifies a collection of volumetric body force terms such as gravity.
Reference Frame
Specifies a reference frame for element sets and boundary conditions.
Flexible Body
Specifies a solid body for Fluid-Structure Interaction.
Mesh Motion
Specifies mesh motion of the nodes.
Output
Specifies the nodal data output that is required for post-processing.
Nodal Initial Conditions
Specifies the initialization of nodal values at the start of simulation.
Global Mesh Attributes
Specifies the mesh size parameters globally.
Mesh Process Attributes
Specifies advanced meshing process parameters.
Zone Mesh Attributes
Specifies definition of zones for a refined mesh.

Overall, parameters that are independent of the geometry and mesh of the problem are specified in this section.

Model

Model is the section where parameters specific to the geometry and mesh of a problem are defined. Model has the following sub-sections.
  • Volumes: This section gives the list of all of the volumes that are available. All of the elements belonging to a particular volume are grouped into a single element set. All of the elements in an element set have the same material model and body force.
  • Surfaces: The subsection Surfaces lists all of the surfaces available in which the boundary conditions are specified.

Periodic Boundary Conditions

Periodic boundary conditions are a set of boundary conditions that are often used to simulate a large system by modeling a small part that is representative of the actual model.

Periodicity can be set between surfaces using AcuConsole.

  1. To create a new periodic condition, right-click Periodics in the Data Tree and select New.
    Periodic 1 is created.
  2. Right-click Periodic 1 > Define to open the Periodic BC Dialog.
    The Define option is highlighted only when the visible entity is set to Geometry. Therefore you must set the periodicity before meshing the model.

In the Periodic BC Dialog, you need to specify the two sides to which the periodicity needs to be applied, the type of periodicity and the distance or angle between those sides.

  1. Select the two sides of the periodic condition in one of the following ways.
    • Type in the name of the surfaces in the box next to Side 1 and Side 2 and press Enter.
    • Select the surface from the drop down list next to Side1 and Side2.
    • Click the eye icon. A Periodic pick model dialog opens. Select the surface and click OK.

Two different types of periodicity can be set, Translational and Rotational.

  • Translational: If Translational is selected, the X-Offset, Y-Offset and Z-Offset options are available. The distance between the surfaces selected as Side 1 and Side 2 has to be specified. You must be careful while specifying this value as it is not just the distance. For example if the X-coordinates of Side 1 is 0.0 m and Side 2 is 5.0 m then the X-Offset will be 5.0m. If Side 1 and Side 2 are reversed then the X-Offset value should be -5.0 m.
  • Rotational: If Type is set to Rotational, the axis of rotation and the angle between the sides has to be specified. The axis of rotation can be set by specifying the X, Y & Z coordinates of Point 1 and Point 2. The angle between the surfaces has to be specified in the box next to Angle.

  1. Use Type drop down list to set the periodicity.
  2. Select the Tolerance.
    By default the Tolerance value is set to 0.001. The Offset values or the angle specified must be within this value of tolerance. One can also adjust this value based on the accuracy required.

Mesh Extrusions

Mesh extrusion is a powerful feature that allows the generation of structured mesh in the entire volume or only on the surface.

This technology extrudes the mesh on one surface to the other surface and can also be used with other meshing features. Extrusions can be created in both 2D and 3D.
  1. To create a new mesh extrusion, right-click Mesh Extrusions > New.
    Mesh Extrusion 1 is created.
  2. Right-click on Mesh Extrusion 1 to see the available options.
  3. To define the extrusion options, click Define.
    The Mesh Extrusion Dialog opens.

The mesh on Side 1 will be extruded onto Side 2. Therefore the order of surfaces selected is important.

  1. Select the extrusion surfaces using one of the following methods.
    • Type the name of the surface in the box next to Side 1 and Side 2.
    • Select the surface using the drop down lists.
    • Click the eye icon and select the desired surface in the modeling window.

The Swap button next to Swap Sides is used for interchanging the Side 1 and Side 2 surfaces.

  1. Select the swap option using one of the following methods.
    • Number of Layers: Specify the number of layers and the type of elements.
    • Layer height: Specify the Height of Layers and the type of elements.
    The type of element can be selected from the Extrusion options drop down. Selecting mixed elements provides mixed elements and All tets provide tetrahedral elements. The Extruded surface option provides extrusion elements only on the surfaces. All the volume elements are generated based on the global or volume mesh parameters.