Simcenter Data File Export (.scd5)

Simcenter STAR-CCM+ can export mesh and solution data as a Simcenter Data File (.scd5), which is a standard file format based on HDF5 (Hierarchical Data Format, Version 5). This type of file export enables file-based coupling with Simcenter 3D.

The Simcenter Data File model can only be used to export a limited set of solution data. The following solution data can be exported:
  • Temperature
  • Heat Transfer Coefficient
  • Pressure

The Simcenter Data File format does not support polyhedral elements. For surface zones, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ triangulates any polyhedral cell faces before exporting the boundary mesh to the file. For volume zones, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ ignores regions with polyhedral cells. However, the vertices of these cells and the corresponding data are still exported.

The Simcenter Data File does not contain a reference to the zones specified in Simcenter STAR-CCM+. The vertices, cells, faces and data of the different zones are merged into a single mesh in the file.

When solving a Conjugate Heat Transfer (CHT) simulation in Simcenter STAR-CCM+, you may wish to compute the thermal stresses in Simcenter 3D. You can do this by exporting one of the following combinations:
  • Temperature—the exported temperature field is interpolated onto the partner mesh. However, any interpolation error between the two meshes may result in artificial stresses.
  • Heat Transfer Coefficient—Simcenter 3D first calculates the solid temperature using the heat transfer coefficient field and reference temperature. As the temperature field and thermal stresses are computed on the same mesh, there are no artificial stresses due to the interpolation of temperature from one mesh to the other.
To export mesh and solution data using the Simcenter Data File format, you require the additional File Transfer and Simcenter Data File models.
To enable the Simcenter Data File export:
  1. Add the following models to the continua you wish to export data from:
    Group Box Model
    Optional Models File Transfer
    File Transfer Models Simcenter Data File
    NoteThe External continuum, Harmonic Balance, and Three Dimensional models are incompatible with the Simcenter Data File model.

    When you add the Simcenter Data File model to a continuum, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ adds a Simcenter Data File link node to the simulation tree under the External Links node. The link is configured for Simcenter Data File (.scd5) export.



To specify the mesh and solution data that Simcenter STAR-CCM+ exports to the Simcenter Data File, you create an export zone. Alternatively, you can use the default zone node, External Links > [Link 1] > Zones > [Zone 1].

To export mesh data, set the zone type and assign the relevant continuum and parts to the export zone.

  1. Select the [Zone 1] node and set Zone Type to either Volume Zone or Surface Zone.
    Volume zones are required to export region data, whereas surface zones are required to export boundary data.
  2. Select the [Zone 1] > Conditions > Continuum node and set Continuum to the physics continuum you wish to export data from.
    You can only select one continuum for each link zone and the continuum must have the Simcenter Data File model assigned.
  3. Select the [Zone 1] > Conditions > Surface Parts or Parts node and set Parts to the relevant boundaries, or regions, respectively.
To specify the fields that Simcenter STAR-CCM+ exports:
  1. Right-click the [Zone 1] > Conditions > Exported Fields node and select from the following field specifications:
    • Add Thermal Field > Temperature (available for volume and surface zones)
    • Add Thermal Field > Heat Transfer Coefficient (available for surface zones only)
    • Add Mechanical Field > Pressure (available for surface zones only)

    The field specification is the result type that is written into the file.

To assign a field function, other than the default, to the field specification:
  1. Select the Exported Fields > [Field Specification] node and set Scalar Function to the field function whose data you want to export to the Simcenter Data File.
    The file can only contain one field function per field specification. The same field specification can be selected on multiple zones under the same link, but they must also share the same field function.
To export the Heat Transfer Coefficient:
  1. Add the Heat Transfer Coefficient thermal field to the Exported Fields of the zone you are exporting from.
    By default, the Scalar Function property of the Heat Transfer Coefficient node is set to Heat Transfer Coefficient.
  2. Select the Automation > Field Functions > Heat Transfer Coefficient node and take note of the Reference Temperature. You require the reference temperature to specify the convection boundary condition in the partner tool.
    The heat transfer coefficient is computed for this specific reference temperature according to Eqn. (1662). For more information, see Convection.

You can trigger export events manually or instruct Simcenter STAR-CCM+ to export data automatically after a set number of time-steps.

To define a trigger for automatic data export:

  1. Select the [Link 1] > Conditions > Interval Trigger node and set Option to one of the following:
    • None—automatic export is deactivated. You can trigger export events manually from the [Link 1] node.
    • Time Step—specify the number of time-steps between export events under the [Link 1] > Values > Time Steps Frequency node.
By default, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ exports the data file to the current working directory. For the exported files, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ uses the name prefix, solution. To change these settings:
  1. Select the [Link 1] > Values > File node and set the following properties:
    Property Description
    Directory The location in which Simcenter STAR-CCM+ saves the Simcenter Data File.
    Base Filename The name prefix used in the file name. The default base filename is solution.

By default, when the external link is directed to a file that already exists, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ does not overwrite the file data.

To set the file overwrite behaviour:

  1. Select the [Link 1] > Conditions > File Overwrite Option and select one of the following options:
    • Do not overwrite and stop simulation—when an export event is triggered, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ stops the simulation, issues a warning, and does not overwrite the file.
    • Overwrite and continue simulation—Simcenter STAR-CCM+ overwrites the file with the exported data.