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Module 6: Parameters and Design Points

Introduction to ANSYS Fluent

1 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. April 12, 2016

 Introduction
Lecture Theme:
In ANSYS applications, key simulation properties can be defined as parameters.
Parameters can be used to define Design Points in Workbench, which enables
the study of what-if scenarios and optimization. Both input and output
parameters can be defined in Fluent.
Learning Aims:
You will learn:
• How to define input and output parameters in Fluent
• How to manipulate parameters in Workbench
• How to define Design Points in Workbench
Learning Objectives:
You will be able to define input and output parameters and perform design
point studies in Workbench
Introduction Parameters Design Points Example Summary

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 Overview
• In ANSYS applications, key simulation
properties can be defined as parameters
• In Fluent, input and output parameters can be
defined
− The values of input parameters can be modified
either at the project level or from within the
application (application level)
− The values of output parameters are determined by
the application, based on simulation results
• Parameters can be used to create a set of
Design Points in tabular form and run them
automatically to perform optimization and
what-if studies
Introduction Parameters Design Points Example Summary

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 Parameters in Fluent
• Parameters can be defined in all ANSYS applications you would typically use for
CFD simulation
− SpaceClaim, DesignModeler, Meshing, Fluent, CFD-Post, …
− This module covers Fluent only – see relevant training courses or documentation for other
applications
• Parameters in Fluent can be one of two types
− Input
• Drive key simulation inputs such as boundary condition values, material properties
– Can be modified at application level (Fluent) or project level (Workbench)
• Almost all numeric settings in cell zone and boundary conditions panels are available as input parameters
− Output
• Can be used to define key simulation results
• Single values generated by existing reports or monitors
– Fluxes, forces, surface integrals, volume integrals, (see documentation for complete list)

Introduction Parameters Design Points Example Summary

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 Defining Input Parameters
• Numeric inputs in cell zone and boundary
conditions panels can be defined by selecting
New Input Parameter from the drop-down list
• Enter a name and value for the parameter
− The same parameter can be used for any other setting
requiring the same units
• For settings which do not have drop down
arrows, look for the parameter icon, a small box
with a P next to the value field

Introduction Parameters Design Points Example Summary

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 Defining Output Parameters
• Choose Save Output Parameter in any report panel
• Or open the Parameters panel
− Use the User-Defined tab in the ribbon
− Or the Workbench Toolbar above the ribbon tabs

or

Introduction Parameters Design Points Example Summary

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 Parameters in Standalone Fluent
• Parameters are most powerful when running Fluent in Workbench
− Make full use of Design Points
− Drive parametric and what-if studies from the project level
• Parameters can also be useful in standalone Fluent if you want a
single parameter to control a setting for multiple boundaries
• Or to conveniently write a number of predefined results to a file

Introduction Parameters Design Points Example Summary

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 Parameter Management
• When running Fluent in Workbench, parameters can be managed either
from the Parameters panel, or from the Parameter Set tab in Workbench
• When any parameter has been defined in Fluent, the Parameter Set bar
appears in the Workbench Project Schematic window
• Double click this to open the Parameter Set Tab

Introduction Parameters Design Points Example Summary

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 Using the Parameter Set tab
To modify input parameter values, click in the cell and enter the new value
New parameters can be added

Set up Design Points

Add new Design Points or remove old ones

See all results in tabular format when

multiple Design Points have been defined

Tabular view of all output parameters

Allows results to be seen even if Fluent is not running
Introduction Parameters Design Points Example Summary

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 Design Points
• A Design Point is a set of parameters representing one design alternative
− Can include multiple input and multiple output parameters as needed
− Parameters can come from more than one application
• In Workbench, Design Points enable the study of what-if scenarios
− Multiple parameters can be varied, alone or together
• For large models, calculation time can be high so use HPC and choose wisely to use no
more points than you need
− Can also be used together with Design Explorer to perform design of experiment (DOE)
and optimization studies (not covered in this training)
• Design Points are enabled when any parameter is defined in any application
within a project
− Accessed through the Parameter Set tab

Introduction Parameters Design Points Example Summary

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 Working with Design Points
• Create new Design Points by clicking in any input parameter in the
row below the last defined Design Point
Hint: If the parameter values are in a
spreadsheet, select and copy the cells in
Excel, then paste into the Design Point
table

• Enter new value and press return

Introduction Parameters Design Points Example Summary

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 Design Point Options: Update
• Upon definition of new Design Points,
the Update icon appears in the output
parameter fields
• Right click on a row and choose Update
Selected Design Points
• Or choose Update All Design Points in
the Workbench tool bar to
simultaneously update all

Introduction Parameters Design Points Example Summary

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 Design Point Options: Retain
• By default, when Design Points are updated, Workbench
keeps only the values of the output parameters in each
• To keep the simulation files too, check the Retain box
− Files stored in sub-folders under the project directory
• For retained Design Points, right click on any row to make it
the current Design Point

Current Design Point output

parameter values are displayed in
the Outline of All Parameters table

Introduction Parameters Design Points Example Summary

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 Design Point Options: Initialization
• By default, each Design Point is
initialized using the method defined
in the Setup cell
• For certain problems, the solution
of the next Design Point might
converge in fewer iterations if it
started with the solution from the
previous Design Point.
• This is possible by changing the 1. Right click Parameter Set and choose Properties
2. Use drop-down arrow in row 4 to select From
Design Point Initiation property in Previous Updated
the Parameter Set properties table

Introduction Parameters Design Points Example Summary

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 Example: Valve Minor Loss Coefficient
• This example uses design points to perform a parametric study to determine the
minor loss coefficient, K, for a butterfly valve when opened to a specific angle

The minor head loss, in meters or feet, is defined as

hl = K (V2/2) g

Bernoulli’s equation can be rearranged to show that

the relationship between K and pressure drop (DP) is
given by

DP = K (rV2/2)

Independent Variable (V): Input parameter

Dependent Variable: Output parameter

Introduction Parameters Design Points Example Summary

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 Example:Define Input and Output Parameters
• Make the inlet velocity an input
parameter

• Open the Parameters panel and

create an output parameter from
Surface integrals
− Inlet pressure can be used as Dp because
outlet pressure is zero
− Select Save Output Parameter in the
Surface Integrals panel
Introduction Parameters Design Points Example Summary

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 Example: Set Design Points
• Double click the Parameter Set bar in the Project Schematic
• The first design point, dp0, contains the input parameter
from the Setup cell

• Click in cell B and enter the next value

− Repeat until all values have been input
Select Retain for all design points where it is desired to
save the simulation results files as part of the project

This is a simple case with one parameter from a single

application. In general, there could be multiple input and
output parameters taken from multiple applications.
Introduction Parameters Design Points Example Summary

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 Example: Design Point Update
• Update all design points

• On completion, the Design Points table will show the values of the
output parameters for all points
− Right click in the table and select Export Data to create a .csv file for further
processing in Excel

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 Example: Design Point Chart
• Results can be plotted in the Parameters Set tab
− Double click Parameters Chart
• Select axis display options
− Chart appears in lower right corner

Introduction Parameters Design Points Example Summary

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 Example: Loss Coefficient Calculation
• Loss coefficient found from data exported into Excel

The cells highlighted in gray contain

the information that was in the
original .csv file exported by
Workbench.

Additional cells were created to

produce the chart and determine K

Introduction Parameters Design Points Example Summary

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 Summary
• Parameters and Design Points in Workbench make it easy to define
and execute parametric studies and what-if scenarios
− From the project level, with automatic execution
• Parameters represent key simulation properties
• A design point is a set of parameters representing one design
alternative
• Fluent allows both input and output parameters to be defined
− Can be used as inputs for parametric studies
− Can also be used to view key results without having to open Fluent
• Output parameter values displayed in Workbench
− Can also be used to help manage inputs in cases with large numbers of
boundaries

Introduction Parameters Design Points Example Summary

21 © 2016 ANSYS, Inc. April 12, 2016