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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.
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.

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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.
  - 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.
    - GT-SUITE Link Reference
      In Simcenter STAR-CCM+, you specify the settings for co-simulation with GT-SUITE in a link node under the External Links node.
- 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.

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.


Provided By	[physics continuum] > Models > Co-Simulation Models
Example Node Path	Continua > Physics 1 > Models > GT-SUITE
Requires	Physics Models: Space: Three Dimensional Time: Implicit Unsteady, Explicit Unsteady, or PISO Unsteady Material: one of Gas, Liquid, Multi-Component Gas (Non-reacting) Flow: any Optional Models: Co-Simulation
Activates	Boundary Inputs	`External Code Coupling Specification`. See Boundary Settings.
	Solvers	GT-SUITE Coupling Solver. See GT-SUITE Coupling Solver Properties.
	Field Functions	Average Zone Flag. See Field Functions.
	Other Nodes	External Links > [Link 1]. See GT-SUITE Link Reference.

Boundary Settings

Only available for boundaries of type Velocity Inlet, Mass Flow Inlet, and Pressure Outlet.

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.

GT-SUITE Coupling Solver Properties

Solver Frozen: When On, the solver does not update any quantity during an iteration. It is Off by default. This is a debugging option that can result in non-recoverable errors and wrong solutions due to missing storage. See Finite Volume Solvers Reference for details.

Field Functions

Average Zone Flag: Before sending data to GT-SUITE, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ averages the computed fields across sampling volumes adjacent to the coupled boundaries, to provide transition from the three dimensional to the one dimensional solution. This field function allows you to visualize the sampling volumes in a scalar scene. The displayed field function values have no significance and simply distinguish the individual zones.