Describe_Geometry_Lesson_1

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In this video [1], we will understand the function of ‘Describe Geometry’ task in Watertight Geometry
Workflow.
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We will also discuss four basic user inputs required in this task, which define the nature of imported
geometry. (0:40) After importing the geometry and generating the surface mesh, (0:44) the next step
is to describe the geometry and create regions to prepare the model for volume meshing.

(0:52) The 'Describe Geometry' task defines the computational model by specifying the type
of imported geometry, executing necessary sub-tasks, and by creating regions.

Upon clicking the 'Describe Geometry' task, the user is prompted with four inputs in
the properties section. Under the 'Geometry type’, there are three options that describe the type of
geometry imported into the workflow i.e., only solid, only fluid, or both solid and fluid. Using these
options, Fluent determines the type of volumetric regions that need to be present in the final
computational model.

If the geometry contains only solid regions and the fluid regions must be defined by extracting the
fluid volume, then 'The geometry consists of only solid regions' option should be selected. For
example, this option should be used to extract fluid domain for simulating the flow through this heat
exchanger geometry.

Void is:
opening, gap, empty
space, emptiness,
vacuum.

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In certain cases, such as simulating the heat transfer (2:17) through a heated metal rod with
convection boundary condition applied to the walls, there is no need for extracting fluid domain, since
only the solid domain is simulated. For such cases, the ‘only solid’ option must be used.

When there are only fluid regions in the geometry, (2:43) then 'The geometry consists of only fluid
regions' option must be selected. For example, if the fluid domain has already been extracted at the
CAD creation phase, then ‘only fluids’ option must be selected during meshing.

However, BCs (Boundary Conditions) like ‘no slip’. 3:06

‘convection’, etc. can be assigned on the walls, depending on the modeling requirements, 3:12
to include the effect of the solid.

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Finally, you can select ‘The geometry consists of both fluid and solid regions and/or voids’ option
when both the fluid and solid regions are defined at the CAD level itself. For example, while
performing the CHT (Conjugate Heat Transfer) analysis (3:37) for case like heat exchangers,

this option must be selected, when solid regions of the heat exchanger are defined along with
fluid regions of the working fluid.

Also, select this option if there are any void regions in the model. A void is a dead region or a pocket
in the domain which does not participate in the physics and is not transferred to the Fluent solver.

Let’s discuss the next user input, which deals with capping of openings for eventual fluid domain
extraction.
(4:21) For cases where the geometry type is set to only solids or solid and fluid, the user is prompted
with the question ‘Will you cap opening and extract fluid region? This option should be set to ‘Yes’ if
fluid regions need to be extracted.

For example, here we have a solid model geometry, and we intend to simulate fluid flow through the
body.

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First, set the option to yes. This will insert the “Enclose Fluid Regions” sub task in the workflow. Since
a region is defined by an enclosure of meshed surfaces, any openings in the geometry must be
capped or covered to define a fluid region, which is done in the Enclose Fluid Regions (Capping) task.
For capping, the surface that surrounds the opening must be used. This creates a meshed surface
that covers the opening with sizing functions, same as that of the surrounding surface.

Figure 1 Direct click onto this option (Arrow Position)

The capping surfaces along with the solid body form the boundaries of the enclosed fluid region.

Let us now understand the third user input which deals with the fluid-fluid boundary.

In models that have multiple connected fluid regions, fluid-fluid boundary refers to the
interface shared by two fluid regions. The option “Change all fluid-fluid boundary types from ‘wall’ to
‘internal’” is used to check whether or not you want Fluent to convert all fluid-fluid boundary types
from 'wall' to 'internal'. By default, Fluent meshing treats a fluid-fluid boundary as wall. If the option is
set to ‘no’, then there will be no flow allowed across the fluid regions.

However, if the model physics is such that fluid is supposed to flow across the regions, select ‘Yes’
to convert the boundaries to internal.

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Please note, named selections that include the word "wall" are excluded from this conversion. In case
the fluid-fluid boundaries are not assigned any named selections, then Fluent will automatically
assign the default boundary type. However, if named selections are necessary to be assigned, then
either assign named selections to all fluid-fluid interfaces that are not walls beginning with the word
"internal" or do not include the word "internal" in any named selections and select ‘yes’ in the change
‘wall to ‘internal’ in describe geometry.
Do not do Both. Named selections with word "internal" will not be assigned as wall even if the option
is set to no. Named selection will override the option.
(7:37) Now, let us discuss the next and the final user input which deals with share topology.

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In a multi-body part, when the share topology is not enabled, bodies that are connected to each other
do not share the faces at the interface.

When surface mesh is generated in such cases, overlapping surface meshes are generated at the
interface.

The recommended practice is to perform share topology at the CAD creation phase before importing
the model into Fluent. In cases where that might not be possible, the Apply Share Topology task in
Fluent can be used. In the latter case, when a (8:22) multi-body part is imported in Watertight
geometry workflow and you set the “Do you need to apply Share Topology” option to ‘yes’, “Apply
Share Topology” sub-task is inserted in the workflow.

When share topology is applied, the adjacent bodies share the face common to each other. The
shared face is remeshed to have a common, non-overlapping conformal mesh.

So, to summarize, in this video we understood the significance of the ‘Describe Geometry’ task in the
Watertight Geometry Workflow and discussed the basic user inputs required. We discussed how and
when to select the geometry type, and details regarding enclosing fluid domains and when it is
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applicable. We also touched upon the significance of fluid-fluid boundary and applying share
topology.
That brings us to the end of our lesson.

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