Launching Simcenter Nastran for Co-Simulation

Specify the details for launching Simcenter Nastran, including the location of the Simcenter Nastran executable and input file.

Simcenter Nastran couples with Simcenter STAR-CCM+ through the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ co-simulation API. To launch Simcenter Nastran for co-simulation, you require two executables—starapi and SimcenterMP, which are distributed with Simcenter STAR-CCM+ and Simcenter Nastran, respectively.

starapi launches the API server; SimcenterMP launches Simcenter Nastran and manages the communciation with the API server. The Simcenter Nastran executable and input files are provided as arguments of SimcenterMP.

For convenience, you can instruct Simcenter STAR-CCM+ to launch the Simcenter Nastran solver automatically when the co-simulation starts. With this method, you only specify the location of the Simcenter Nastran executable and input file, and Simcenter STAR-CCM+ automatically constructs the full launch command. For information on the launch command, see Simcenter Nastran Launch Command Reference.

Before you specify the launch settings, make sure that the Simcenter Nastran input file is ready for co-simulation with Simcenter STAR-CCM+. In the input file:
  • Define a co-simulation region that includes the solid surfaces that couple with Simcenter STAR-CCM+.
  • For the Simcenter Nastran solver, set Solution Type to SOL 401 STAR-CCM+ Co-simulation.

For a step-by-step example, refer to the Simcenter Nastran Co-Simulation: Disc Valve tutorial.

To launch Simcenter Nastran from Simcenter STAR-CCM+:

  1. Expand the relevant External Links > [Link 1] > Conditions node and set the following properties:
    Node Property Setting
    Simcenter Nastran Version Version

    Select the version of Simcenter Nastran that you are running.

    The available options include the recommended versions (see the External Packages Support section of the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ Release Notes), as well as a Custom option.

    For more information, see Simcenter Nastran Link Reference.
    Launch Partner Option Option Launch Application

    This setting instructs Simcenter STAR-CCM+ to launch the Simcenter Nastran solver automatically when the co-simulation starts.

  2. Select the [Link 1] > Values node and set the following properties:
    Node Property Setting
    Simcenter Nastran Input File Simcenter Nastran Input File Specify the absolute path and name of the Simcenter Nastran input file (.dat). You can type the full path and name manually, or you can click and navigate to the file using the file selection dialog.
    Simcenter Nastran Executable Simcenter Nastran Executable Specify the absolute path and name of the Simcenter Nastran executable. You can type the full path manually, or you can click and navigate to the executable using the file selection dialog. The default location is [NASTRAN_INSTALL_DIR]/bin/nastran
    SimcenterMP Options SimcenterMP options

    Specify any additional arguments for the SimcenterMP command (see Simcenter Nastran Launch Command Reference). To exchange wall shear stress, type --wallshear on.

    Alternatively, you can launch Simcenter Nastran independently from Simcenter STAR-CCM+. In this case, type the full command manually. For more information, see Launch Partner Option and Simcenter Nastran Launch Command Reference.
In a co-simulation with Simcenter Nastran, Simcenter Nastran always runs first, while Simcenter STAR-CCM+ waits for initial data. To specify the concurrency mode:
  1. Expand the relevant External Links > [Link 1] > Conditions > Concurrency Option node and set Option to Lag.
  2. To run the co-simulation, click (Run).