1.3.1 Creating FLUENT-Based Analysis Systems

You can create a Fluid Flow (FLUENT) analysis system in Workbench by double-clicking on Fluid Flow (FLUENT) under Analysis Systems in the Toolbox.

You can also create a Fluid Flow (FLUENT) analysis system by left-clicking on Fluid Flow (FLUENT) under Analysis Systems in the Toolbox, and then dragging it onto the Project Schematic.

Figure 1.3.1: Selecting the Fluid Flow (FLUENT) Analysis System in Workbench

The new Fluid Flow (FLUENT) analysis system appears in the Project Schematic as a box containing several cells (Figure  1.3.2). Each cell corresponds to a typical task you would perform to complete a CFD analysis. The following cells are available in a Fluid Flow (FLUENT) analysis system:

Geometry   allows you to define the geometrical constraints of your analysis. You can use the context menu (by right-clicking on the cell) to import a pre-existing geometry into the system. Double-clicking on the Geometry cell opens ANSYS DesignModeler where you can create a new geometry or modify an existing geometry.

Mesh   allows you to define and generate a computational mesh for your analysis. Double-clicking on the Mesh cell opens ANSYS Meshing and loads the current mesh database (or the geometry defined by the Geometry cell) if you have not yet begun working on the mesh. Alternatively, you can use the context menu (by right-clicking on the Mesh cell) to import a pre-existing FLUENT mesh into the system.

Importing a FLUENT mesh file into the Mesh cell results in the Mesh cell becoming the starting point for your analysis. Therefore, the Geometry cell (and data it contains) will be deleted from the system.

FLUENT meshes imported into the Mesh cell cannot be modified by the ANSYS Meshing application.

Setup   allows you to define the boundary conditions, physical models and solver settings for the FLUENT analysis. Double-clicking on the Setup cell opens FLUENT and loads the mesh defined by the Mesh cell as well as any FLUENT settings that have already been specified. Alternatively, you can use the context menu (by right-clicking on the Setup cell) to import a pre-existing FLUENT case or mesh file into the system. After you specify the file you want to import, FLUENT will open and load the file.

If you open FLUENT before defining a mesh, FLUENT will open without loading any files. You can then choose to import files from the File menu in FLUENT.

Importing a FLUENT case or mesh file into the Setup cell or the FLUENT application results in the Setup cell becoming the starting point for your analysis. Therefore, the Geometry and Mesh cells (and any data they contain) will be deleted from the system.

Solution   allows you to calculate a solution in FLUENT. Double-clicking on the Solution cell opens FLUENT and loads the current FLUENT case and data files. If you have not yet performed any calculations, FLUENT will load the mesh file as well as any settings that have been specified.

You can also use the Solution cell context menu to import a pre-existing FLUENT data file to use for initial solution data. If you have not yet performed any calculations, FLUENT will load this data file in addition to the mesh and settings.

Results   allows you to display and analyze the results of the CFD analysis. Double-clicking on the Results cell opens ANSYS CFD-Post and loads the current FLUENT case and data files as well as the current ANSYS CFD-Post state file.

Figure 1.3.2: A Fluid Flow (FLUENT) Analysis System

Note:    While it is possible to apply different names for the Setup or the Solution cells by right-clicking either cell, and selecting the Rename option in the context menu, it is not generally recommended to do so.