Activating Co-Simulation Models

For co-simulation with Simcenter Nastran, you require two physics continua—one continuum for the physics that are solved in Simcenter STAR-CCM+ (the internal continuum) and one continuum that represents the physics in Simcenter Nastran (the external continuum).

To enable co-simulation with Simcenter Nastran, activate co-simulation models in the fluid continuum:
  1. For the physics continuum, Continua > Fluid, select the following models in order:
    Group box Model
    Optional Models Co-Simulation
    Co-Simulation Models Simcenter Nastran
    Co-Simulation Treatment Models Co-Simulation Mechanical Treatment
  2. Click Close.
To create the external continuum that represents the solid physics solved in Simcenter Nastran:
  1. Create a physics continuum named Solid (External).
  2. For the physics continuum, Solid (External), select the following models in order:
    Group box Model
    Optional Models External Continuum
    External Continuum External Application
    External Application Simcenter Nastran
    Coupling Models Explicit Coupling (selected automatically)
    Time Implicit Unsteady (selected automatically)
    Optional Models Surface Three Dimensional (selected automatically)
When you activate co-simulation models, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ adds a link to the simulation tree, External Links > Link 1. A link represents the connection to an external application and allows you to define co-simulation settings. Associate this link with the external continuum that represents Simcenter Nastran:
  1. Select the External Links > Link 1 > Conditions > External Continua node and set Continua to Solid (External).
Create a region to represent the solid and assign the external continuum to this region:
  1. Right-click the Regions node and select New > Region.
  2. Rename the Regions > Region 1 node to Wetted Surface.
  3. Select the Regions > Wetted Surface node and set Physics Continuum to Solid (External).
  4. Save the simulation.