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Interacting with CAE Software
Simcenter STAR-CCM+ can interact with a wide range of other computer-aided engineering (CAE) software. This interaction includes import/export of mesh and solution data as well as coupling capabilities for multiphysics simulations.
FMU Co-Simulation
Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allows you to import Functional Mock-up Unit (FMU) models for co-simulation. An FMU is a time-dependent model, typically representing a dynamic network, that is written according to the Functional Mock-up Interface (FMI) standard. The FMI standard is a software-independent standard that provides an interface for coupling simulation software.
FMI Co-Simulation Models Reference
In the physics continua, FMI co-simulation models enable coupling between Simcenter STAR-CCM+ and an imported FMI library.

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Interacting with CAE Software
Simcenter STAR-CCM+ can interact with a wide range of other computer-aided engineering (CAE) software. This interaction includes import/export of mesh and solution data as well as coupling capabilities for multiphysics simulations.
- File Import and Export
  Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allows you to import mesh and solution data from other CAE packages using files. You can also export such data from Simcenter STAR-CCM+ for use in external software.
- File-Based Coupling (through Imported CAE Model)
  File-based coupling is a method used to couple Simcenter STAR-CCM+ with another CAE code via external files stored in the computer memory.
- Rotor Blade Aeroelasticity
  Rotor Blade Aeroelasticity (RBA) simulations model the aerodynamic performance of elastic rotor blades using displacement and twist data from external files. You can create these data files in multi-body dynamics software such as RCAS, CAMRAD-II, DYMORE, and FLIGHTLAB. Typical RBA applications include urban air vehicle rotors, wind turbines, and helicopter rotors.
- Simcenter STAR-CCM+ to Simcenter STAR-CCM+ Co-Simulation
  Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allows you to couple two running simulations together in a co-simulation analysis. The Simcenter STAR-CCM+ to Simcenter STAR-CCM+ co-simulation capability targets analyses involving conjugate heat transfer (CHT), fluid-structure interaction (FSI), and exchange of any scalar or vector fields across the coupled boundaries or regions.
- Simcenter Nastran Co-Simulation
  For fluid-structure interaction (FSI) analyses, you can couple Simcenter STAR-CCM+ and Simcenter Nastran in a co-simulation analysis.
- Simcenter Amesim Co-Simulation
  Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allows for two-way co-simulation with Simcenter Amesim, which is used for modeling dynamic systems.
- FMU Co-Simulation
  Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allows you to import Functional Mock-up Unit (FMU) models for co-simulation. An FMU is a time-dependent model, typically representing a dynamic network, that is written according to the Functional Mock-up Interface (FMI) standard. The FMI standard is a software-independent standard that provides an interface for coupling simulation software.
  - Activating FMU Co-Simulation Models
    Prepare the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ simulation and add the physics models that enable co-simulation with FMU.
  - Importing the FMI Library and Defining a Co-Simulation Link
    To couple Simcenter STAR-CCM+ with an FMU model, you import the .fmu archive containing the FMI library in the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ simulation and connect to the FMU through a co-simulation link.
  - Specifying the Scalar Values Exchanged with the FMU
    The FMU model exposes the scalar variables that are available for exchange in the co-simulation. These variables can represent input, output, parameter, or local variables, as defined by their causality.
  - FMI Co-Simulation Models Reference
    In the physics continua, FMI co-simulation models enable coupling between Simcenter STAR-CCM+ and an imported FMI library.
    - FMI Library Reference
      When importing an FMI library, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ adds a library node under User Libraries. Only the [Imported Library] node has editable properties—its child nodes provide a way of displaying the details of the FMU model in Simcenter STAR-CCM+.
    - FMU Link Reference
      In Simcenter STAR-CCM+, you specify the settings for co-simulation in a link node under the External Links node.
- Abaqus Co-Simulation
  The co-simulation technique can be used to solve complex fluid-structure interaction (FSI) problems by coupling Abaqus and Simcenter STAR-CCM+. Mechanical and/or thermal fields can be exchanged across the fluid-structure interface.
- GT-SUITE Co-Simulation
  Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allows for two-way co-simulation with GT-SUITE, a multiphysics simulation tool from Gamma Technologies. GT-SUITE provides a modeling framework for the design and analysis of engineering systems, such as engines, vehicles, and thermal-hydraulic networks.
- Reacting Channel Coupling
  The Reacting Channel Coupling feature provides the ability for exchange of data between three-dimensional Simcenter STAR-CCM+ and the one-dimensional Plug Flow Reactor which uses the CVODE solver. You can use the Reacting Channel co-simulation model in Simcenter STAR-CCM+ to solve reacting flow simulations in tubular heat exchangers with channels that are long and thin.
- Generic Launcher
  Simcenter STAR-CCM+ provides a generic launcher for external applications that allows you to launch any application or file at a specified time interval during a simulation.
- Co-Simulation API
  Simcenter STAR-CCM+ provides an Application Programming Interface (API) that allows you to write partner code that exchanges data with a running Simcenter STAR-CCM+ simulation. As the partner code can be part of any other application that supports linking to a flat C library, the co-simulation API extends the range of co-simulation scenarios possible with Simcenter STAR-CCM+.
- Data Mappers
  In Simcenter STAR-CCM+, data mappers allow you to interpolate field data available either on a source mesh or on a source table to a target mesh representation, so that the mapped fields can be used for applying boundary or volume conditions on the target mesh.
- Coordinate Cell Clustering
  Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allows you to group mesh cells into clusters, based on their position with respect to a specified coordinate system, and provides a field index for querying values based on cluster. You can create threshold reports based on these clusters of cells.

FMI Co-Simulation Models Reference

In the physics continua, FMI co-simulation models enable coupling between Simcenter STAR-CCM+ and an imported FMI library.

Internal Physics Continuum

The internal physics continuum represents the physics that are solved in the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ simulation. This continuum contains the FMI co-simulation model, which enables co-simulation with an FMU.


Model Name	FMI
Provided By	[physics continuum] > Models > Co-Simulation Models
Example Node Path	Continua > Physics 1 > Models > FMI
Requires	Physics Models: Space: Three Dimensional Time: Implicit Unsteady, Explicit Unsteady, or PISO Unsteady. Material: any Optional Models: Co-Simulation
Activates	Boundary Inputs	`External Code Coupling Specification`. See Boundary Settings.
	Other Nodes	External Links

External Physics Continuum

The external physics continuum represents the FMU model.


Model Name	FMI
Provided By	[physics continuum] > Models > Coupling Models
Example Node Path	Continua > Physics 2 > Models > FMI
Requires	Physics Models: Optional Models: External Continuum External Continuum: External Application Space: Network Time: Implicit Unsteady, Explicit Unsteady, or PISO Unsteady.
Activates	Other Nodes	External Links > Link 1 . See FMU Link Reference.

Boundary Settings

Available for boundaries of type: Outlet, Mass Flow Inlet, Pressure Outlet, Velocity Inlet, Stagnation Inlet, and Wall.

External Code Coupling Specification: Allows you to assign the boundary to a co-simulation zone for coupling. During the co-simulation, the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ boundary exchanges data with the corresponding coupled surface in the partner simulation, according to the co-simulation zone specifications.

Region Settings

Available for all regions, including shells.

External Code Coupling Specification: Allows you to assign the region to a co-simulation zone for coupling. During the co-simulation, the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ region exchanges data with the partner simulation, according to the co-simulation zone specifications.