Plotting the Blade Load

Assessing blade load is a core study in turbomachinery design. By applying the blade parameterization, you can create a plot in which the pressure profile is unwrapped along the chosen section.

First, prepare the blade parameterization:
  1. Right-click the Tools > Parameterizations node and select New > Blade.
    Along with the new parameterization, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ also adds a corresponding transform, Embedding: Blade 1, within Tools > Transforms.
  2. Select the Blade 1 node and set the following properties:
    PropertyValue
    Pressure-side Blade SurfacesParts > Row 01 > Surface > Blade PS
    Suction-side Blade SurfacesParts > Row 01 > Surface > Blade SS
    Axisymmetric ParameterizationAxisymmetric 1
    Leading EdgeRow 01 > Curves > Leading Edge

    (Hovering over an entry in the dropdown list reveals the full path to the entry).

    Trailing EdgeRow 01 > Curves > Trailing Edge
    On completion, the parameterization adds the following field functions that you can use within derived parts and other objects:
    • Blade 1 > Blade 1 Leading-Trailing
    • Blade 1 > Blade 1 Root-Tip
  3. Create derived parts that each define a curve from blade root to blade tip on either side of the blade:
    1. In the graphics window, activate the Geometry Scene 1 scene.
      Activating a geometry scene ensures that the editor panel appears when you create a derived part.
    2. Right-click the Derived Parts node and select Part > Isosurface.
    3. In the Create Isosurface panel, set the following properties:
      PropertyValue
      Input PartsParts > Row 01 > Surface > Blade PS
      ScalarBlade 1 > Blade 1 Root-Tip
      Extraction ModeSingle Value
      Isovalue0.5
    4. Click Create without clicking Close.
    5. Continuing within the Create Isosurface panel, set Input Parts to Parts > Row 01 > Surface > Blade SS
    6. Click Create followed by Close.
    7. Within the Derived Parts node, rename Isosurface 2 to Blade 1 centerline PS.
    8. Rename Isosurface 3 to Blade 1 centerline SS.
  4. To create the final plot:
    1. Right-click the Plots node and select New Plot > XY Plot.
    2. Rename the XY Plot 1 node to Blade 1 Loading Plot.
    3. Edit the Blade 1 Loading Plot node and set the following properties:
      NodePropertyValue
      Blade 1 Loading PlotTitleBlade 1 Pressure Load
      Parts
      • Derived Parts > Blade 1 centerline PS
      • Derived Parts > Blade 1 centerline SS
      X TypeData TypeScalar
      Scalar FunctionField FunctionBlade 1 > Blade 1 Leading-Trailing
      Y Types > Y Type 1
      Scalar FunctionField FunctionAbsolute Pressure
      Blade 1 centerline PSSort Plot DataActivated
      Blade 1 centerline PS > Line StyleStyleSolid

      (Hover over entries to see their labels)

      Blade 1 centerline SSSort Plot DataActivated
      Blade 1 centerline SS > Line StyleStyleSolid
    The unwrapped blade loading plot appears as follows: