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.

Typically, you define a time-dependent system in Simcenter Amesim. In the system, you add an FMI component, which provides an interface to Simcenter STAR-CCM+. You can export the FMI library from Simcenter Amesim and import it into Simcenter STAR-CCM+. During co-simulation, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ exchanges data with the imported FMI library, which in turn exchanges data with Simcenter Amesim.

In this simulation, you model the fluid flow through a check valve, where a linear spring controls the displacement of the valve plate. Using the co-simulation technique, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ solves for the fluid forces acting on the plate, and Simcenter Amesim calculates the plate displacement in response to the fluid forces. To account for the plate displacement in Simcenter STAR-CCM+, you apply the displacement data from Simcenter Amesim to the Simcenter STAR-CCM+ overset region using a user-defined vertex motion. As the plate displacement affects the flow solution, data exchange occurs at each time-step.

The following list summarizes the characteristics of the check valve geometry:
  • Plate Diameter: 50 mm
  • Plate Mass: 0.2 kg
  • Plate Higher Displacement Limit: 10.21 mm. This property limits the amount that the plate can move in the specified direction.
  • Spring Rate: 2000 N/m

The following image shows the three-dimensional geometry and highlights the plate valve components:



For this tutorial, you are provided with a simulation file that contains predefined objects, such as:
  • Mesh operations
  • Physics models for the physics that are solved in Simcenter STAR-CCM+
  • Initial conditions (in the physics continuum and at the inlet boundary)
  • Regions and boundaries

The Simcenter Amesim Model

You are also provided with a fully set-up Simcenter Amesim model of the check valve:



Simcenter STAR-CCM+ sends the mass flow data to Simcenter Amesim. Simcenter Amesim controls the pressure drop across the check valve:
  • The inlet pressure increases from 1 bar to 10 bar during the first 0.01 seconds, then remains constant at 10 bar.
  • The outlet pressure is constant at 1 bar for the entire simulation.
Simcenter Amesim sends the pressure data to Simcenter STAR-CCM+, which applies it to the corresponding inlet and outlet boundaries.