Example of Using Particle Track Data

When a track file is read into a simulation, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ creates field functions for each of the scalar and vector variables that was chosen in the Track File model.

For example, if scalar variables Parcel Index, Particle Count, and Particle Surface Area were selected for the Scalars property of the node of the Track File model, the corresponding field functions Track: Parcel Index, Track: Particle Count and Track: Particle Surface Area would appear when the track file is created. These functions become available in appropriate scalar and vector function selectors throughout the simulation.

As an example of using particle track data, suppose that it was necessary to plot the distribution of parcels crossing the plane section that is shown below.

The steps that are required to obtain such a plot are as follows:

Define a derived part that is based on the particle tracks in to obtain a discrete set of points.
Create an XY Plot and set its Part property to the newly created derived part.
Choose appropriate particle track variables for the X and Y scalar functions.

Defining a Derived Part Based on Particle Tracks

In this example, the steps for creating a plane section are:

Make an appropriate scene visible in the Graphics window. Right-click the Derived Parts node and choose New Part > Section > Plane....
In the Create Section dialog, remove the default region from the selector in the Input Parts group box, and replace it with the particle tracks object belonging to a Lagrangian phase. More than one particle tracks object could be selected if available.
Set the other properties of the plane section as desired.
A completed dialog is shown below.
Click Create to create the plane section.
Rename the newly created derived part node if desired. In this example, the node is called Track-based section.

Creating an XY Plot with a Part Based on Particle Tracks

Right-click the Plots node and choose New Plot > XY Plot from the pop-up menu.
Select the newly created plot node (XY Plot 1 in this example) and, in the Properties window, click to the right of the Parts property so that the Select Objects dialog appears.
In the Select Objects dialog, move the plane section that was created previously to the Selected list and click OK.
The properties of the XY Plot 1 node shows the selection in the Parts property.

Selecting X and Y Functions Based on Particle Tracks

The X axis of the plot is set to show the X coordinates of particles crossing through the plane, and the Y axis of the plot shows the Y coordinates. In this way, a cross-sectional distribution of particle positions is obtained.

Select the Plots > XY Plot 1 > X Type node and, in the Properties window, set the Type property to Scalar.
The child node is changed to Scalar instead of Position.
Select the X Type > Scalar node and, in the Properties window, set the Scalar property to Track > Position > Laboratory > X.
Select the Plots > XY Plot 1 > Y Types node and, in the Properties window, activate Smooth Values.
This step is necessary, since particle tracks do not store cell center values.
Select the Y Types > Scalar node and, in the Properties window, set Scalar to Track > Position > Laboratory > Y.

The final plot is shown below. Chart properties have been set so that both axes have the same dimensions and scale.

Other parcel and particle quantities could be plotted in a similar way, provided they are available from the track file.