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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.
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.
Preparing the GT-SUITE Simulation for Co-Simulation
Starting from a fully set up GT-SUITE simulation, you define the co-simulation interface by adding CFD objects to the model map.
Defining a CFD Species Map in GT-SUITE
CFD species maps determine how the gas components are transferred between Simcenter STAR-CCM+ and GT-SUITE.

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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.
- 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.
  - Preparing the GT-SUITE Simulation for Co-Simulation
    Starting from a fully set up GT-SUITE simulation, you define the co-simulation interface by adding CFD objects to the model map.
    - Defining CFD Objects
      Using the CFD templates, add the required CFD objects to the project tree.
    - Defining a CFD Species Map in GT-SUITE
      CFD species maps determine how the gas components are transferred between Simcenter STAR-CCM+ and GT-SUITE.
      - Defining a CFDDefinedSpeciesMap
        A CFDDefinedSpeciesMap is similar to a CFDSpeciesMap, but you can map multiple GT-SUITE species to a single Simcenter STAR-CCM+ species. You can also define the mapping for the intake charge species.
      - Defining a CFDSpecies
        A CFDSpecies is the species that GT-SUITE passed to Simcenter STAR-CCM+ during a coupled simulation. GT-SUITE writes the material properties for these species when you run the simulation preprocessing.
  - Preparing the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ Simulation for Co-Simulation
    Set up a Simcenter STAR-CCM+ simulation for co-simulation with GT-SUITE.
  - Coupling to GT-SUITE
    Specify the settings for launching and connecting to GT-SUITE, then initiate coupling.
  - Setting Up STAR-CCM+ and GT-SUITE for a Restart Run
    On occasion, it is necessary to stop the solver prematurely, or continue running an existing analysis for more time-steps. To meet these requirements, GT-SUITE co-simulation provides facilities to perform a restart run. This section details this procedure for a case that has been stopped before completion.
  - GT-SUITE Co-Simulation Model Reference
    The GT-SUITE co-simulation model allows you to couple Simcenter STAR-CCM+ and GT-SUITE in a two-way co-simulation analysis.
- 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.

Defining a CFD Species Map in GT-SUITE

CFD species maps determine how the gas components are transferred between Simcenter STAR-CCM+ and GT-SUITE.

To define a CFD species map:

Right-click a CFD component, and select Edit Properties...
In the Edit Object dialog, click the ellipsis (...) next to the Species Mapping Object attribute.
In the Value Selector dialog, select CFDSpeciesMap from the Create New Object group box and click OK.
In the Create Object dialog, set Object to the name of the species map.
Set User Defined Species Map to one of the following options:
- def — Uniquely associates all GT-SUITE species with a Simcenter STAR-CCM+ gas component or passive scalar.
- CFDDefinedSpeciesMap — The user-defined CFDDefinedSpeciesMap reference object defines the association of one or more GT-SUITE species with a Simcenter STAR-CCM+ gas component or passive scalar. For example, you can map all harmful gases to a Simcenter STAR-CCM+ passive scalar called Pollutants.
Set each CFD species to one of the following options:
- ign — Ignores the CFD species and does not send it to Simcenter STAR-CCM+. The mass fraction of this species is redistributed between the other species to maintain mass conservation. This option is only recommended for trace components.
- CFDSpecies — Associates the GT-SUITE species with the user-defined CFDSpecies in Simcenter STAR-CCM+.