Multi-Physics Mapping
Tools, PlugIns, and Libraries

Fraunhofer-Institut für Algorithmen und Wissenschaftliches Rechnen SCAI

Working with incompatible Mesh Models

Fluid-structure interactions are a quite common problem in computer aided engineering. Dedicated software solutions exist for fluid dynamics as well as structural mechanics. But in many real world applications the two phenomena influence each other. In theses cases computing separate solutions for each problem would be a simplification.

For many problems the influence of the CFD solution on the CSM solution is a lot more remarkable and significant than vice versa. If a one-way connection between the fluid and the solid solver shall be established, quantity values {e.g. temperature or pressure} values that were calculated as a part of the CFD solution have to be transferred from the CFD to the CSM mesh. Then the structural mechanics solver can use these values as a boundary condition.

At the interface between the fluid and solid domain the two meshes usually do not match and interpolation of quantities becomes necessary. This transfer of quantity values from one mesh to another can be done easily with SCAI's FSIMapper solutions. While "one-way" fluid-structure interactions certainly are the main application of the FSIMapper, the tool can be used generally to map values from one mesh to another.