The Abaqus user community knows that computational fluid dynamics module was deprecated in 2017 release of Abaqus CAE. It means that within Abaqus CAE or through standalone Abaqus, it is not possible to perform CFD simulations beyond 2016 release. This has been a subject of criticism among few users. However, its worth mentioning that CFD is still available in Abaqus through 3D Experience platform fluid mechanics analyst (FLA) role. Dassault Systemes has decided to migrate the functionality from standalone products to the platform but it is still in existence. The FLA role is available both on premise as well as on cloud. So what are the value adds of performing CFD through 3DExperience platform!!

No need to create fluid domain 😊

This is a BIG BONANZA because every analyst knows how tough it is to create fluid domain for complex 3D Models. The 3DExperience platform offers a technique called hybrid meshing that has two main advantages. Firstly, it does not require a fluid CAD. The user needs to provide minimum information in terms of geometric features such as faces, planes, face normal etc. so that application can well predict fluid location and boundaries in given part of assembly geometry. Once it is will predicted, it gets well meshed also. Take a simple example: flow between two intersecting pipes. User just need to provide surface normal to two pipes in correct direction as well as three planes for inlet and outlet. With this information FLA user interface can create a bounded region internally on its own. The fluid domain tool helps in selecting respective geometries for parts, regions, openings and boundaries. Just this much information is good enough to proceed with the meshing operation.

Good quality hexahedral meshes with perfect boundary layer control 😉

FLA offers hex dominant meshing technique that operates on fluid domain created above. It has two outstanding offerings. First it gives maximum number of hexahedral elements. Yes, hexahedral elements and that too without any partitioning. Second, it is possible to define (and achieve) boundary layer as per user specified criteria. User can define number of layers as well as thickness of layers. Even in transition regions such as location where pipes intersect and geometry abruptly changes, the boundary layer specification is well respected.

Lastly, FLA role is the center of attraction of SIMULIA R&D for further enhancements. Dassault Systemes recently acquired two CFD companies named XFlow and Exa. The CFD solver offerings from these two companies work on Lattice Boltzmann principles while the traditional Abaqus CFD solver in 3DExperience work on Navier-Stokes principles. The Lattice Boltzmann based solver is suitable for external and unbounded, high speed transient and compressible flows that has many applications in aerodynamic computations in T&M and A&D industry verticals. These solvers will be integrated in future releases of FLA role or will be available as a new role in 3DExperience platform.