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Tutorials
Tutorials show you how to use Simcenter STAR-CCM+ for various applications in a step-by-step format with recommendations for setup, initialization and steps of the solution process specific to the application. Macro and simulation files are available for download for a large proportion of cases.
Automation
The tutorials in this set illustrate various Simcenter STAR-CCM+ automation and macro features.
Intermediate Java Macros: Run Multiple Simulations
This tutorial simulates a train in a cross-wind, to calculate the drag coefficient on the train for different angles of attack.
Setting Up the Mesh
To calculate the drag coefficient of the train as it is subjected to cross-winds at different angles accurately there must be enough cells near to the train, which requires a relatively fine mesh.

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Tutorials
Tutorials show you how to use Simcenter STAR-CCM+ for various applications in a step-by-step format with recommendations for setup, initialization and steps of the solution process specific to the application. Macro and simulation files are available for download for a large proportion of cases.
- Using Tutorial Macros and Files
  Macros, input files, and final simulation files for a range of tutorials are provided as an optional download package on the Support Center website. These macros and final simulation files are provided as an aid to the written tutorials, so that you can check your final results against the downloaded files, or against a simulation that is built and run using the macros.
- Introduction
  Welcome to the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ introductory tutorial. In this tutorial, you explore the important concepts and workflow. Complete this tutorial before attempting any others.
- Foundation Tutorials
  The foundation tutorials showcase the major features of Simcenter STAR-CCM+ in a series of short tutorials.
- Geometry
  The tutorials in this set illustrate various Simcenter STAR-CCM+ features for creating and working with parts and 3D-CAD.
- Mesh
  The tutorials in this set illustrate various STAR-CCM+ features for building CFD meshes.
- Incompressible Flow
  The tutorials in this set illustrate various Simcenter STAR-CCM+ features for incompressible fluid flows as well as porosity and solution recording
- Compressible Flow
  The tutorials in this set illustrate various Simcenter STAR-CCM+ features for compressible fluid flows as well as harmonic balance.
- Heat Transfer and Radiation
  The tutorials in this set illustrate various Simcenter STAR-CCM+ features for heat transfer, radiation, and thermal comfort.
- Multiphase Flow
  The tutorials in this set illustrate various Simcenter STAR-CCM+ features for simulating multiphase fluid flow problems
- Discrete Element Method
  The tutorials in this set illustrate various Simcenter STAR-CCM+ features for simulating Discrete Element Method problems
- Motion
  The tutorials in this set illustrate various STAR-CCM+ features for simulating problems with moving geometries and meshes, dynamic fluid body interaction, and rigid body motion:
- Reacting Flow
  The tutorials in this set illustrate various Simcenter STAR-CCM+ features for simulating reacting flows such as combustion.
- Solid Stress
  The tutorials in this set illustrate various Simcenter STAR-CCM+ features for computing deformation, strain, and stresses in solid regions. They also show how such computations can be coupled to the fluid behavior in an analysis of fluid-structure interaction.
- Aeroacoustics
  The tutorials in this set illustrate various Simcenter STAR-CCM+ features for solving aeroacoustic simulations.
- Electromagnetism
  The following tutorials illustrate features for solving problems that involve electromagnetic fields.
- Electrochemistry
  The following tutorial demonstrates chemical reactions induced by an electrical current.
- Battery
  The tutorials in this set illustrate various Simcenter STAR-CCM+ features for setting up a battery model:
- Automation
  The tutorials in this set illustrate various Simcenter STAR-CCM+ automation and macro features.
  - Simulation Assistant: Internal Flow Assistant
    The Simulation Assistant provides you with an API framework that allows you to create workflows.
  - Simple Java Macros: Post-Processing Objects
    This tutorial is intended to demonstrate the steps required in recording, editing, and replaying a Java macro in Simcenter STAR-CCM+.
  - Intermediate Java Macros: Run Multiple Simulations
    This tutorial simulates a train in a cross-wind, to calculate the drag coefficient on the train for different angles of attack.
    - Prerequisites
      The instructions in the Intermediate Java Macros tutorial assume that you are already familiar with certain techniques in Simcenter STAR-CCM+.
    - Importing the Surface Mesh and Naming the Simulation
      To set up the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ simulation, launch a simulation and import the supplied surface mesh.
    - Visualizing the Initial Surface
      Visualize the initial surface of the geometry.
    - Assigning Parts to Regions
      Before setting up the mesh for this tutorial, assign the imported part to a region.
    - Setting Up the Mesh
      To calculate the drag coefficient of the train as it is subjected to cross-winds at different angles accurately there must be enough cells near to the train, which requires a relatively fine mesh.
      - Selecting the Meshers
        Create an Automated Mesh operation to select the meshers for the imported geometry.
      - Setting the Mesh Default Controls
        Set the size of the coarser region of the mesh.
      - Setting up Wake Refinement
        Use the wake refinement tool to refine the mesh in the region behind the train by specifying a surface from which the wake extends. In this case, the surface is TrainEngineRear.
      - Specifying Custom Surface Controls
        Apply custom mesh settings to the train engine, wheels, and rails boundaries to make sure a suitably fine mesh around the train and the rails is generated.
    - Specifying Boundary Types
      Specify the boundary types for the simulation.
    - Generating the Mesh
      The mesh parameters are fully defined and you can proceed to generate the mesh. It is good practice to generate the surface mesh and examine that before proceeding with the volume mesh.
    - Setting Up the Physics Continuum
      Physics models define the physical variables and phenomena in the simulation. In this tutorial, model the flow as Steady and Turbulent. Use the Segregated Flow solver with the K-Epsilon Turbulence model.
    - Setting Global Initial Conditions
      Set the initial flow field conditions. Retain the default value for the initial pressure condition, and specify custom values for turbulence.
    - Specifying Inflow and Outflow Conditions
      Set the boundary conditions on the inflow, outflow, rails, and railway bed boundaries. The inflow velocity is different for each cross-wind flow angle and so is set in the Java macro.
    - Creating a Drag Coefficient Report
      Create a drag coefficient report to obtain the value for the drag coefficient on the train at each cross-wind flow angle. Solution convergence can be monitored using this report also.
    - Creating a Velocity Magnitude Scalar Scene
      Create a scalar scene to visualize the velocity magnitude.
    - Creating a Scalar Scene with Streamlines
      Create a second scalar scene to display streamlines over the train.
    - Designing the Macro
      Carry out the following steps when designing a macro:
    - Recording the Initial Macro
      Before you record the initial macro, it is good practice to have a clear plan of which actions you perform when recording the macro. The resulting Java file is clearer and less cluttered, and identifying which statements refer to a particular action is much easier.
    - Creating the Final Macro
      You are ready to write the final macro.
    - Testing and Debugging
      Test and debug your macro.
    - Running the Macro
      Modify the macro to use your working directory to find the input file:
    - Summary
      This tutorial has introduced the following Simcenter STAR-CCM+ features:
  - Simulation Templates: HVAC Duct
    In Simcenter STAR-CCM+, simulation templates define a starting point for simulations with similar physics. A simulation template can include a variety of predefined objects, such as predefined simulation operations, mesh operations, tags, filters, and parameters. Using a simulation template helps to automate and speed up the simulation preparation process.
- Design Exploration
  The tutorials in this set illustrate various features for running design exploration studies in Design Manager.
- Coupling with CAE Codes
  The tutorials in this set illustrate various Simcenter STAR-CCM+ features for coupling with CAE codes:
- Analysis Methods
  The tutorials in this set illustrate various Simcenter STAR-CCM+ features for analysing and visualizing simulation data.
- Simcenter STAR-CCM+ In-cylinder
  The tutorials in this set illustrate features for simulating internal combustion engines in Simcenter STAR-CCM+ using the dedicated add-on Simcenter STAR-CCM+ In-cylinder.

Setting Up the Mesh

To calculate the drag coefficient of the train as it is subjected to cross-winds at different angles accurately there must be enough cells near to the train, which requires a relatively fine mesh.

You can minimize the total number of cells in the mesh by generating a fine mesh around the train, and having a coarse mesh in the remainder of the fluid domain. Using different mesh densities is a good practice for mesh generation, promoting faster solution convergence, and effective use of processing power. In external aerodynamics cases, it is common to have a high mesh cell count (>1 million cells). However, the mesh generated in this tutorial is much lower to decrease the run-time.