Virtual Disk Workflow

Activate the virtual disk model as an optional physical model from the Physics Model Selection dialog of the relevant physics continuum.

To select the virtual disk model:

  1. In a physics continuum, activate models that are compatible with the virtual disk model.
    Group Box Model
    Space Three Dimensional
    Time Any, except Harmonic Balance
    Material All virtual disk model methods are compatible with any material model, except Solid and Multi-Component Solid.
    Flow Coupled Flow or Segregated Flow
    Equation of State Any
    Viscous Regime Any, except Inviscid Flow
  2. From the Optional Models group box, select Virtual Disk and click close.

    The Virtual Disk node appears under the Models node in the simulation tree. It contains the Virtual Disks sub node that you use to actually create the virtual disk. A new local coordinate system is created automatically. You can find it under the Tools > Coordinate Systems > Laboratory > Local Coordinate Systems > Virtual Disk CSys 1 node. This coordinate system is orientated such that the z-axis is always normal to the plane on the virtual disk and that it points in the direction of thrust that is produced by the virtual disk.

    Do not modify the local coordinate system of the disk here in the Local Coordinate System node. Modify the virtual disk origin and orientation only under the Virtual Disk node in the relevant physics continuum.

  3. Right-click the Virtual Disk > Virtual Disks node and select New.
    A new child node (Virtual Disk) is added below the Virtual Disks node.
  4. Select the Virtual Disk node and set the appropriate Method.
    Additional nodes are added within the virtual disk node according to the method that you choose.
  5. If needed, select the Virtual Disk node and set Display Source Terms (which activates the field function, Virtual Disk Source Term of [Virtual Disk]) and Verbosity.
    For more information see Virtual Disk Model Reference
  6. Specify the Disk Orientation. For more information, see Specifying the Disk Orientation.
Virtual disks are a simplified representation of complex rotating machines. For this reason only the geometrical dimensions of the disk are required.
  1. To specify the disk geometry, select the Virtual Disk > Disk Geometry node and set the disk geometry properties. See Disk Geometry.
    When using the Blade Element Method, you must also set the Number of Blades.
  2. To continue the set up of the virtual disk model, follow the step in the following: