Tracking the Ice Layer

In an ice-accretion simulation, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ calculates the thickness of solidified film (ice) at every time-step. At the start of the next time-step, the solid film thickness increment is passed to the mesh morpher so that it can deform the surface of the airfoil to match the film thickness. The solidified film mass is then removed from the simulation.

To set the properties for removing the solidified film:

  1. Expand the Continua > Physics 1 > Models > Fluid Film > Fluid Film Phases > Film Phase > Models node.
  2. Set the following properties:
    Node Property Setting
    Flow Model Maximum Film Thickness 1.0E-5 m
    Solidified Film Removal Solid Time-step Factor 10

    The Solid Time-step Factor allows you to decrease the time that is required to run the simulation. A Solid Time-step Factor of 10 allows ice to form 10 times faster in the simulation.

    The ice accumulation, visible as deformation of the wing shape, corresponds to an exposure time given by the product of the Solid Time-step Factor and the simulated physical time.

Finally, assign the fluid film phase models to the shell region, Foil shell:
  1. Select the Regions > Foil shell node and set Continuum to Film Phase.
  2. Save the simulation.