Solid Stress

Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allows you to model the response of a solid continuum to applied loads, including mechanical loads and thermal loads that result from changes in the solid temperature.

The Solid Stress model computes the displacement of the solid structure using the finite element method and then calculates the corresponding stresses and strains. The fundamentals of Solid Mechanics and the finite element implementation in Simcenter STAR-CCM+ are presented in the Solid Mechanics section of the Theory Guide.

Additional models target specific applications, such as nonlinear geometry, thermal expansion, and Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI). In thermal strain and FSI simulations, you can use the finite element solid stress models in combination with the finite volume fluid models.

Stress analysis simulations rely on a parts-based workflow, including:
  • Parts-based mesh operations
  • Contact-based interfaces for multi-part assemblies and FSI
  • Loads and constraints on part surfaces, curves, and points using segments

Overview

Target Applications
  • Static or dynamic stress analysis with linear and nonlinear materials and:
    • single parts or multi-part assemblies
    • linear or nonlinear geometry
    • mechanical and/or thermal loads
  • One-way or two-way coupled Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) analysis
Mesh Requirements
Supported Mesh:
  • 3D linear and quadratic finite elements:
    • Hexahedra (Hex8, Hex20)
    • Tetrahedra (Tet4, Tet10)
    • Wedges (Wedge6, Wedge15)
    • Pyramids (Pyramid5, Pyramid13)
Mesh Generation:
  • Import of CAE model with compatible mesh
  • Simcenter STAR-CCM+ parts-based mesh operations
Parts/Regions Layout
  • Single Part or Multi-Part Assembly
  • Parts-based interfaces:
    • Solid/Solid bonded and small sliding frictionless interfaces between solid parts
    • Solid/Fluid Interfaces for FSI applications
Loads and Constraints
With the Solid Stress model, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ introduces a simulation object called a segment, which together with other region and boundary inputs, is used to apply constraints and mechanical loads on surfaces, vertices, and curves.
  • Mechanical loads:
    • Body loads (applied as region inputs)
    • Loads on part surfaces, part curves, or part points (applied using segments)
  • Thermal Loads:
    • Existing temperature data can be manually applied as region inputs
    • The Finite Element Solid Energy solver computes the solid temperature in response to thermal settings at the boundaries. This model also accounts for the conjugate heat transfer between a fluid and a solid.
  • Constraints:
    • Prescribed displacement on part surfaces, part curves, or part points (applied using segments)
    • Contact between a deformable surface and rigid plane or cylinder (applied using segments)
    • Symmetry plane boundary condition (sets the displacements normal to the symmetry plane to zero)
Solution
Sparse Direct Solver:
  • MUMPS for either parallel or serial execution [133]
  • HYBRID MUMPS for parallel execution [132]