Pascal Bayrasy, Fraunhofer Institute SCAI

Supported by Abdul Ludhi, David Kelsall, Flowmaster Ltd

at 1st Fraunhofer Conference on Multiphysics Simulation 2010

 Real-world systems involve complex physicalVirtual prototyping goes to a new level of accurate, realistic experiences. The product development through engineering simulation technology has become a key strategy to develop more innovative products, reduce development and phenomena affecting not only individual components but also interacting with one another.

MpCCI (Mesh-based parallel Code Coupling Interface) developed at the Fraunhofer Institute SCAI provides an application independent interface for the coupling of different simulation codes. MpCCI enables to reuse the existing simulation processes and data by using the adapter technology. This facilitates the interaction with the different software and overcomes the version dependencies as well as the complex hardware requirements. The MpCCI has been accepted as a ‘de-facto’ standard for a neutral and vendor independent multiphysics interface.

Typical MpCCI applications are Fluid structure interaction (FSI) and thermal coupling. FSI occurs when fluid flow generates forces on a solid structure, causing it to deform and potentially perturb the initial fluid flow. This type of interaction causes the deformation of an aircraft wing during flight, for example. Fluid structure interaction also includes other interactions, such as heat transfer, between fluids and solids. Optimal coupling methods for the execution of FSI simulations are determined by the complexity of the fluid and solid models and their physical coupling.

A one-way coupling method is adequate when the physical coupling between the fluid and solid models is steady and predominantly from one model to the other. A two-way coupling method is required whenever the physical coupling between the fluid and solid models involves significant interactions. For example, this method is required to simulate the potentially transient deformation of an aircraft wing as air flows around it.

Tight integration of advanced fluid and structural analysis tools is required for the efficient and accurate solution of large and physically complex FSI problems. Beside those typical applications a generic 1D-3D solution has been developed to understand how various simulation models interact with each other and which impact each sub system has on the overall system performance. The MpCCI coupling interface brings together the speed and robustness of 1D system modelling with the complexity of 3D CFD, enabling system CFD code to be used for calculations of the entire flow system and CFD to perform detailed computational calculations.