Preparing the Geometry

Create or import the structure geometry in Simcenter STAR-CCM+ as a single part or a multi-part assembly.

Before you set up the simulation in Simcenter STAR-CCM+, identify the relevant features of the problem, including the properties of the structure, the time scales, the type of loading, how the structure is supported, and any potential environmental influences. Identify a suitable representation of the problem, including the physical domain, the type of analysis (for example, static or dynamic), any symmetry in the problem, the boundary conditions, and any other assumptions.

Prepare or import the geometry in Simcenter STAR-CCM+:

  1. Launch Simcenter STAR-CCM+ and start a simulation.
  2. Prepare the geometry using 3D-CAD or a third-party software of your choice, defining bodies and surfaces as required:
    1. If the structure is a single material solid, create a single body. If the structure is a multi-material assembly, create a body for each component, or group of components, of the same material.
      If the geometry and the physics have cyclic symmetry, you can model a sector of the geometry and use periodic contacts to represent the full part. Instructions are provided in this section.
    2. In the CAD model, make sure that the surfaces where you apply loads and constraints have their own patch and name.
    3. To make chosen edges and points available as targets for loads and constraints, you must assign specific names to them in 3D-CAD—before you build the mesh. For information, see Setting Face, Edge, and Vertex Names.
      NoteIn 3D-CAD, you can create additional vertices (points) at any position on the solid body by imprinting the sketch of an appropriate closed loop onto the solid body. However, you must then apply names to these vertices in order for them to be available as part points in the mesh.
    4. For Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) and Conjugate Heat Transfer (CHT) simulations, also create the required bodies and surfaces to represent the fluid.
    5. To limit the computational cost, remove any non-essential CAD features.
    When preparing the geometry in 3D-CAD, you can access geometry information that can be useful in stress analysis. This information includes the position of a vertex, the area and surface normal of a surface, and the volume, centre of gravity, and moment of inertia of a body. For more information, see Viewing the Properties of Geometric Objects.
  3. Create geometry parts:
    • If you prepared the geometry using 3D-CAD, right-click the Geometry > 3D-CAD Models > [3D-CAD Model] node and select New Geometry Part. In the Parts Creation Options dialog, click OK.

      Simcenter STAR-CCM+ creates a geometry part for each body defined in the 3D-CAD model. For each named surface, curve, and vertex of a body, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ creates corresponding part surfaces, curves, and points. Simcenter STAR-CCM+ also creates part contacts from coincident surfaces in the 3D-CAD model, such as contact surfaces in a multi-body assembly, or contact surfaces between a solid and a fluid body.

    • If you prepared the geometry using a third-party tool, import the geometry in the simulation, using one of the following methods:
      • Import a surface mesh as a part.

        As the FE solid stress framework relies on a parts-based approach, make sure that you set the Import Mode to Create New Part. During the import process, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ automatically creates geometry parts, surfaces, curves, and points based on the surface mesh specifications, and generates part contacts from coincident surfaces. See Importing Surface Data into Simcenter STAR-CCM+.

      • Import a CAE model with a compatible mesh of 3D solid elements.

        During the import process, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ identifies the model volume, surface, and node sets and creates corresponding parts, part surfaces, and part points under the Geometry > Parts node. See Importing CAE Models. For more information on the mesh requirements for stress analysis in Simcenter STAR-CCM+, see Mesh Requirements and Guidelines. Simcenter STAR-CCM+ does not create part curves from the curves defined on the imported CAE model.

      Make sure that the imported surface mesh, or imported CAE model, contains volume, surface, and node set definitions as required by your analysis.

  4. For structures with cyclic symmetry, where you only model a sector of the geometry, create a periodic contact to represent the full part. To create a periodic contact:
    1. Multi-select the primary and secondary surfaces of the part that represents the sector. See (Periodic Contacts).
      The primary and secondary surfaces must belong to the same geometry part.
    2. Right-click one of the selected part surfaces and select Create Periodic.
  5. If you wish to apply loads and constraints at points or curves, define the required part points and curves under the relevant geometry part. For instructions, see: