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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.
Coupling with CAE Codes
The tutorials in this set illustrate various Simcenter STAR-CCM+ features for coupling with CAE codes:
Simcenter Nastran Co-Simulation: Disc Valve
To solve fluid-structure interaction problems, you can couple Simcenter STAR-CCM+ and Simcenter Nastran in a co-simulation analysis. Simcenter STAR-CCM+ computes the flow solution and Simcenter Nastran computes the structural analysis for the solid.
Preparing the Simcenter Nastran Input File
In this simulation, you import the solid disc geometry in Simcenter 3D and define the solid properties and behavior.
Generating the Simcenter Nastran Input File
The Simcenter Nastran solver requires an input file with .dat extension, containing the details of the solid model. You can generate this file in Simcenter 3D.

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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.
- 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:
  - Simcenter STAR-CCM+ to Simcenter STAR-CCM+ Coupling: Heat Transfer in a Chimney
    This tutorial demonstrates the process for modeling conjugate heat transfer using Simcenter STAR-CCM+ to Simcenter STAR-CCM+ thermal co-simulation.
  - Simcenter Nastran Co-Simulation: Disc Valve
    To solve fluid-structure interaction problems, you can couple Simcenter STAR-CCM+ and Simcenter Nastran in a co-simulation analysis. Simcenter STAR-CCM+ computes the flow solution and Simcenter Nastran computes the structural analysis for the solid.
    - Prerequisites
      The instructions in this tutorial assume that you are already familiar with certain techniques in Simcenter STAR-CCM+.
    - Organizing the Starting Files
      To organize the files that are created during the co-simulation, create separate directories for each application.
    - Preparing the Simcenter Nastran Input File
      In this simulation, you import the solid disc geometry in Simcenter 3D and define the solid properties and behavior.
      - Importing the Solid Geometry in Simcenter 3D
        Create a Simcenter 3D model and import the quarter disc geometry that is provided for this tutorial.
      - Generating the Solid Mesh
        In Simcenter 3D, create a finite element model and generate the mesh for the solid disc.
      - Defining the Solid Material Properties
        For the disc, define an isotropic solid material and specify its mechanical properties.
      - Specifying Solution Settings for Co-Simulation
        The finite element model that you defined contains the required solid mesh and material properties. To specify solver settings and boundary conditions, you create a simulation file from the finite element model.
      - Applying Constraints
        Solid stress analyses require you to constrain the solid part to prevent unwanted rigid motions. In this simulation, you define fixed constraints that mimic the clamps that hold the solid disc into place. As you model a quarter of the disc, you also define symmetry constraints at the surfaces that represent the symmetry planes.
      - Specifying the Coupled Surfaces
        To define the fluid-structure interface, specify which surfaces of the disc are coupled with the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ fluid boundaries.
      - Generating the Simcenter Nastran Input File
        The Simcenter Nastran solver requires an input file with .dat extension, containing the details of the solid model. You can generate this file in Simcenter 3D.
    - Preparing the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ Simulation
      For this tutorial, you are provided with a standalone fluid simulation that includes the required region, mesh operations, and physics models. Modify this simulation for co-simulation with Simcenter Nastran.
    - Running the Co-Simulation
      Run the co-simulation and visualize the flow solution and the imported solid displacement.
  - FMU Co-Simulation with Simcenter Amesim: Check Valve
    Simcenter STAR-CCM+ can exchange data with Simcenter Amesim through imported FMU models. An FMU is a time-dependent model written in the Functional Mock-up Interface (FMI) standard.
  - FMU Co-Simulation: Temperature Controller
    Simcenter STAR-CCM+ can exchange single-value data with imported FMU models. FMU models are time-dependent models that are written according to the Functional Mock-up Interface (FMI) standard.
  - Abaqus File-Based Coupling: Exhaust Manifold
    The purpose of this tutorial is to demonstrate the typical workflow in running a thermal fluid-structure interaction case using the file-based coupling method with Abaqus.
  - Abaqus Co-Simulation: Thermal Coupling
    This tutorial demonstrates how to run a thermal co-simulation case using Simcenter STAR-CCM+ and Abaqus. Co-simulation involves a strong coupling between the two codes, in which data exchange occurs at frequent intervals, that are known as coupling steps. In this case, data is exchanged at the end of each time-step, and a relatively large time-step is used to approximate a steady-state solution.
  - Abaqus Co-Simulation: Mechanical Coupling
    This tutorial demonstrates how to carry out a mechanical co-simulation case using Simcenter STAR-CCM+ and Abaqus. Co-simulation involves a strong coupling between the two codes. Data is exchanged at frequent intervals that are called coupling steps. This level of communication between the solvers allows you to obtain a full solution across the fluid-solid interface.
  - gPROMS File Export: Spray Dryer
    Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allows for one-way coupling with gPROMS, a process modeling platform for the simulation of complex systems. In Simcenter STAR-CCM+ you reduce three-dimensional solution data to discrete values defined for clusters of cells; data from these clusters can then be exported to a network in gPROMS.
  - GT-SUITE Co-Simulation: 1D Coupling
    This tutorial demonstrates the typical workflow for co-simulation with the engine simulation code GT-SUITE from Gamma Technologies.
  - Co-Simulation API: Spindle Valve
    This tutorial demonstrates how to use the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ Co-Simulation API (Application Programming Interface), in order to couple a partner program to a Simcenter STAR-CCM+ simulation. The partner simulation models the behavior of a spindle ball valve in response to a multiphase flow.
  - CGNS File Import: Stress Analysis with Imported Fluid Loads
    Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allows you to import external mesh and solution data in the form of a CGNS file. You can apply the solution data stored in the CGNS file to regions or boundaries within Simcenter STAR-CCM+.
  - Rotor Blade Aeroelasticity: Modeling Elastic Blade Deformation
    Simcenter STAR-CCM+ allows you to model the aeroelastic performance of elastic rotor blades using displacement and twist data from external files, which can be obtained in multi-body dynamics software such as RCAS, CAMRAD-II, DYMORE, and FLIGHTLAB.
- 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.

Generating the Simcenter Nastran Input File

The Simcenter Nastran solver requires an input file with .dat extension, containing the details of the solid model. You can generate this file in Simcenter 3D.

To generate the Simcenter Nastran input file:

In the Solution menu, click Solve.
In the Solve dialog:
1. Set Submit to Write Solver Input File.
2. Deactivate Model Setup Check.
3. Click OK.
When complete, Simcenter 3D displays the following message:

A copy of the input file is saved in the Simcenter 3D folder in your working directory.
Navigate to the Simcenter 3D folder.
Copy the disc_fem1_sim1-solution_1.dat file to the Nastran folder in your working directory.
Save and close Simcenter 3D.