Two Way Coupling

Analysis > Mesh Motion > Two Way Coupling

A two-way coupled simulation requires both solvers to be run in tandem and exchange data at each time step. SimLab supports the following:
  • AcuSolve - OptiStruct Two Way Coupled Simulation
  • AcuSolve - MotionSolve Two Way Coupled Simulation

Description

  • AcuSolve-OptiStruct two-way coupling can be used where there is large structural deformation and the material has non-linear material properties. This type of simulation is expensive and more accurate when compared with the P-FSI technology that is also available in SimLab. P-FSI is recommended for small structural deformations and linear material properties.

  • AcuSolve-MotionSolve two-way coupling can be used where there are multiple rigid bodies in a flow solution and the objective is to compute the motion of the rigid body due to the effect of fluid flow. AcuSolve solution will be setup in SimLab and MotionSolve model must be set up in MotionView.

This panel takes inputs for setting up a two-way coupled simulation. The inputs to this panel are separated into 2 sections.
  • The first section named Coupling Parameters specifies communication parameters for coupling the Flow solution with an external solid/structural solution.
  • The second section named Fluid-Solid Interaction specifies the fluid surface that interacts with the solid/structural surface from external code.

Coupling Parameters

  • Coupling type

    The type of coupling needs to be selected. For AcuSolve-OptiStruct simulation, type of Structural must be selected. For AcuSolve-MotionSolve simulation, type of Rigid Body must be selected.

  • Host machine

    The name of the machine on which OptiStruct/MotionSolve will be running. If both AcuSolve and OptiStruct/MotionSolve are running on the same machine, then localhost can be used.

  • Port number

    This is the socket port for communication with OptiStruct/MotionSolve.

  • Scale inputs to external code

    A multiplier function can be created and used for scaling the computed forces, moments, and heat fluxes from AcuSolve before sending them to OptiStruct/MotionSolve. If none, no scaling is performed.

Fluid-Solid Interaction

  • Select faces

    Specifies the fluid faces that interacts with a solid/structural surface from OptiStruct/MotionSolve.

  • Coupling direction
    This option defines the coupling direction for the selected faces.
    • Both - Exchanges information with the external code object in both directions. AcuSolve sends loading to the external code and the external code sends displacements back to AcuSolve.
    • To External Code - AcuSolve sends loading information to the external code, but no displacement information is returned.
    • From External Code - AcuSolve does not send loading information to the external code, but displacement information is provided to AcuSolve at each step.
  • Advanced Options

    • Velocity coupling type
      Specifies the type of velocity boundary condition.
      • Wall - Fluid follows the solid (no-slip wall).
      • Slip - Fluid slips on the solid.
    • Temperature coupling type
      Specifies the type of temperature boundary condition.
      • None - No fluid temperature boundary condition (adiabatic).
      • Tied - Fluid temperature same as solid wall.
    • Mesh coupling type
      Specifies the type of mesh displacement boundary condition.
      • Tied - Fluid mesh is fixed to surface.
      • Slip - Fluid mesh slides on the solid.
    • Gap factor

      Specifies the Nondimensional (with respect to the length of an element face) maximum gap allowed for two element faces to be in contact. No maximum if zero.

    • Gap

      Specifies the dimensional maximum gap allowed for two element faces to be in contact. No maximum if zero.