CFX12 07 Physics2

Chapter 7
Interfaces, Sources and

Additional Variables
Introduction to CFX
ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

© 2009 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 7-1 Inventory #002598
Domain Interfaces
Overview Training Manual
• Domain Interfaces are used for:

– Connection of mismatched meshes (hex to tet for example)
• The meshes may be in the same or different domains
– “Domain” in Domain Interfaces is a little misleading
• A single mesh file may contain non-matching mesh regions and require
domain interfaces
– Changes in reference frames between domains
• Even if the mesh matches
– Connect different types of domains together (e.g. Fluid to Solid)
– Create periodic regions within a domain

Domain Interfaces
Inserting Domain Interfaces Training Manual
• To create a domain interface right-click

on the Flow Analysis or use the toolbar
icon

Domain Interfaces
Domain Interfaces and Boundary Objects Training Manual
• After creating a domain interface 3 new

object are created in the outline tree
• The interface object is at the Flow

Analysis level
– This is the object you should edit to
The Side 1 and Side 2
make changes to the domain interface boundary conditions
• Within each domain a Side 1 or Side 2

boundary condition is automatically
created
– In general do not edit these objects
– They will be automatically updated when
changes are made to the interface object
The Interface object

Domain Interfaces
Domain Interfaces Panel Training Manual
• Domain Interfaces connect two sets

of surfaces together
– Side 1 and Side 2
What?
• First select the domain
combination to be connected
• Then select the Side 1 and Side 2

surface sets
– The Domain (Filter) just limits the
scope of the Region List to make
selection easier
How?
• The Interface Models and Mesh
Connection Method control how
data is transferred across the
interface

Domain Interfaces
Interface Models Training Manual
• The available Interface Models are:
• Translational Periodicity
– Simulates geometries that have translational
periodicity
– Allows for either the mass flow rate or the
pressure change across the interface to be
specified
– The quantity not specified will be part of the
solution
• Rotational Periodicity
– Simulates rotationally periodic geometries
• General Connection
– For all other types of connections
– A Frame Change/Mixing Model and a Pitch
Change apply to rotating domain cases.
These are discussed in the Moving Zones
lecture

Domain Interfaces
Mesh Connection Method Training Manual
• 1:1
– Only use this option if you are sure that the nodes on Side 1 and
Side 2 of the interface match up exactly
– Not recommended for Fluid – Solid and Solid – Solid interfaces
• GGI
– Use this option when the nodes on the two sides are not aligned
– For best results both sides should have fairly similar mesh
length scales
– Fluxes are conserved across the interface
– If the size of the connection region for one side is different to the
other, the connection will be automatically made between the
mutually overlapping surfaces (for best results ensure both
sides fully overlap)
– Possible to perform a connection where there is a “slight” gap
or interference between the two sides of the GGI connection
• The gap should be small relative to the mesh length scale
– When solving, GGI connections use more memory and CPU than
1:1 connections

Domain Interfaces
Mesh Connection Method Training Manual
• Automatic
– This is generally the recommended option when available
• In some cases only the GGI option will be available
– It will try to make a 1:1 connection if possible, otherwise GGI
– The Mesh Match Tolerance under Edit > Options > Mesh
determines how close nodes need to be before a 1:1
connection can be made
• The default value of 0.005 (0.5%) is a fraction of the local mesh
length scale
– In some situations a GGI connection will be used even when
nodes match 1:1
• E.g. Fluid – Solid interfaces, since GGI connections are more
accurate in these situations

Domain Interfaces
Porous Interface Usage Training Manual
• Domain interfaces involving porous domains are always treated as

GGI
• Total Pressure is unchanged across the interface

– Static pressure will show a discontinuity at the interface
• Total Enthalpy (Total Energy) is unchanged across interface

– May see a discontinuity in Enthalpy (Temperature) in high speed flows
Total Pressure
Velocity
Static Pressure
Domain Interfaces
Automatic Domain Interfaces Training Manual
• In some cases CFX-Pre will automatically

create domain interfaces within a single mesh
assembly if the mesh is from ANSYS Meshing:
– To connect multiple domains and non-matching
meshes within the assembly
– Right-click on Mesh > View by > Region Type
to see a list of assemblies in the mesh
• Always check the automatic interfaces to

make sure they are appropriate!
• You can disable automatic interface creation

from Case Options > General in the Outline
tree
• You always need to manually create interfaces between mesh assemblies

and when the mesh was not generated by ANSYS Meshing
• However, a mesh with multiple assemblies but 1:1 node connections will usually
be glued together to form 1 assembly, thus interfaces are not needed
Domain Interfaces
Automatic Domain Interfaces Training Manual
• The Connectivity entry in the Outline tree shows

mesh connections that have been detected by
CFX-Pre
CFX-Pre
– You can right-click to add/remove connections
– Automatic Domain Interface are created based on
detected connections
• Connections are created automatically &

manually in the Meshing application in Meshing
Workbench and passed to CFX-Pre
• However, you must force all Meshing

Connections to be 1:1 (i.e. 1 region connected to
1 region) for them to be successfully passed to
CFX-Pre
– In Meshing, select Connections from the Outlnie
tree and set Group By = None

Sources
Source Terms Training Manual
• Sources add additional terms added to the solved transport equations
Energy Transport Equation
Source
Transient
Convection Conduction Viscous work
• They provide a source (or sink) of the solved variable, e.g.
– A source term added to the Energy Transport Equation represents a
source of heat
– A source / sink term added to the Momentum Equations represent adding /
removing work to / from the system e.g. a pump / turbine
• Source terms are often used as “black-boxes”

– The details of the process producing the source are not simulated
• E.g. instead of modelling a fan by resolving the blades and simulating the
rotating motion, a source term is used to add momentum to the flow
ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28 2009

Sources
3D, 2D & 1D Sources Training Manual
• Sources need to be applied at a 3D,

Solid heater with
2D or 1D location Energy source term
• A sub domain is a 3D region within a

domain that can be used to specify
values for volumetric sources
• Boundary sources permit the

specification of sources as fluxes
(source per unit area) on boundary
condition surfaces
• Source points are sources that act

on a single mesh element
Dispersion of an
Additional Variable
from a Point Source
Sources
3D Sources – Subdomains Training Manual
• To add a Subdomain right-click on a Domain > Insert > Subdomain

– A domain can contain many subdomains, if necessary
– Subdomains cannot span multiple domains
• Create separate subdomains for each domain
• In Basic Settings the Location is

specified
– This can be any 3D mesh region in the
domain, including the whole domain
– When creating your geometry and
mesh you should account for any
regions where source terms are
required
• In general create a separate 3D solid in
the geometry, then Form New Part in
DM – gives a continuous mesh with
distinct 3D regions

Sources
3D Sources – Subdomains Training Manual
• On the Sources tab a source term for each

equation can be set
– Momentum Sources have their own section
on the Sources panel – see next slide
• Sources may be constants or expressions

– Sinks are just negative sources
• The source Option can be:

– Source: An amount per unit volume, e,g
[W/m^3]
– Total Source: The total amount applied to
the subdomain, e.g. [W]
• The optional Source Coefficient should be set (to improve
convergence) if the source term is a function of the solved variable
– E.g. an energy source which is a function of temperature
– Set to the derivative of the source with respect to the solved variable

Sources
3D Sources – Momentum Sources Training Manual
• Momentum Sources can be set using a:

– General Momentum Source: similar to how
sources are set for other equations
– Loss Model: when modeling porous materials,
screens, etc it is easier to define the momentum
source using a loss model
• This is based on Darcy’s Law, relating the pressure
drop to the velocity through a Permeability and a
Loss Coefficient or alternatively a Linear and
Quadratic Resistance Coefficient
P  
  ui  K loss u ui
xi K perm 2
Kperm = Permeability Coefficient Kloss = Loss Coefficient
/Kperm = Linear Resistance Coefficient
Kloss / 2 = Quadratic Resistance Coefficient
– Pressure Drop due to the Permeability or Linear Resistance Coeff. scales with velocity
• In Laminar flows pressure drop typically scales with velocity
– Pressure Drop due to the Loss or Quadratic Resistance Coeff. scales with velocity2
• In Turbulent flows pressure drop typically scales with velocity 2

Sources
2D Sources – Boundary Sources Training Manual
• 2D sources are associated with boundary

condition
• Each boundary condition has a Sources

tab
• Settings are the same as 3D sources

except either a Flux (source per unit area)
is specified or a Total Source (total amount
over the boundary)
• You cannot set Momentum sources on

boundaries

Sources
1D Sources – Source Points Training Manual
• 1D Sources are created by right-clicking on the appropriate domain > Insert

> Source Point, or using the toolbar icon
• Settings are similar to 3D sources except

that you can only use the Total Source
option
• You cannot currently set a Momentum
Source at a point
• Source points are actually implemented as
3D sources on a single mesh element
– Mesh refinement will refine the source point

Additional Variables Overview Training Manual
• Additional Variables (AV’s) are non-reacting scalar

components that may be transported through the flow
– They do not have any direct influence on the flow solution
– You can set boundary conditions and sources for transported
• Examples:
– A tracer such as a dye or smoke
• This is an example of a Transport Additional Variable. The AV is
transported with the flow, but does not influence the flow
– pH level
• This is an example of an Algebraic Additional Variable. The AV is
expressed as a function of other flow quantities through an algebraic
expression, rather than solving a transport equation

© 2009 ANSYS, Inc. All rights reserved. 719 Inventory #002598
Creating Additional Variables Training Manual
1. AV’s are created by right-clicking on Expressions, Functions and

Variables > Additional Variables, or using the toolbar icon
• Variable Type
– Specific: The AV is solved on a per-unit-mass basis
– Volumetric: The AV is solved on a per-unit-volume basis
– Unspecified: The AV is defined in terms of an algebraic expression
• Units: the units that describe the additional variable
• Tensor Type: Scalar or Vector as necessary

Creating Additional Variables Training Manual
2. Once an AV has been created it must be included in the domain

– Enable the AV on the domain > Fluid Models panel
3. Then boundary and initial values must be set (except Algebraic AV’s)
2
3

Domain Options Training Manual
• When including an AV in a domain the type

of equation to solve is specified:
• Transport Equation
– A full transport equation is used
– The transport of the AV occurs through both
convection and diffusion
• Setting the Kinematic Diffusivity controls
laminar diffusion
• Turbulent diffusion is always included
 (  )
   ( U )    ( D  )  S
t
Transient Advection Diffusion Sources

Domain Options Training Manual
• Diffusive Transport Equation

– The advection term is dropped from the full
transport equation – models a diffusion
process
 (  )
   ( D  )  S
t
Transient Diffusion Sources
• Poisson Equation
– The advection and transient terms are 0    ( D  )  S
dropped from the full transport equation
Diffusion Sources
– Has uses in electromagnetics
• Algebraic Equation / Vector Algebraic Equation

– An expression (scalar) or three expression (vector) define the AV
value throughout the domain

Tips Training Manual
• Additional Variables can be used to work-around some limitations:

– You must pass a variable to the integrated CEL functions (areaAve(),
voulmeInt(), etc). The following is not valid:
areaAve(Velocity * Density)@Inlet
because Velocity * Density is an expression, not a variable
– As a work-around you can create an Algebraic AV equal to the
expressions, then pass in the AV to the CEL function
• Creating an Additional Variable showing the age of the fluid in the

domain is often useful for post-processing
– This is done by creating a transport AV “Age” with units of [s]
• Inlet and initial values should be zero
• An AV source term with a value of 1 should be set throughout the domain

Case Options
General Options Training Manual
• Under Case Options in the Outline tree

Graphics Style and Labels and Markers
control the Viewer look
• General contains a number of useful

options:
– Automatic Default Domain and Automatic
Default Interfaces:
• Control the creation of these automatic objects
– Automatic Physics Update:
• By default CFX-Pre enforces all domains to use
the same physics. In some cases you may want
different physics in different domains. In
general this is only valid when the domains are
not directly connected, e.g. two fluid domains
containing different fluids separated by a solid
domain
ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary February 23, 2009


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Chapter 7

Interfaces, Sources and

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

• Domain Interfaces are used for:

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

• To create a domain interface right-click

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

• After creating a domain interface 3 new

• The interface object is at the Flow

• Within each domain a Side 1 or Side 2

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

• Domain Interfaces connect two sets

• Then select the Side 1 and Side 2

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

• The available Interface Models are:

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

• Domain interfaces involving porous domains are always treated as

• Total Pressure is unchanged across the interface

• Total Enthalpy (Total Energy) is unchanged across interface

• In some cases CFX-Pre will automatically

• Always check the automatic interfaces to

• You can disable automatic interface creation

• You always need to manually create interfaces between mesh assemblies

• The Connectivity entry in the Outline tree shows

• Connections are created automatically &

• However, you must force all Meshing

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

• Sources add additional terms added to the solved transport equations

Energy Transport Equation

• Source terms are often used as “black-boxes”

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28 2009

• Sources need to be applied at a 3D,

• A sub domain is a 3D region within a

• Boundary sources permit the

• Source points are sources that act

• To add a Subdomain right-click on a Domain > Insert > Subdomain

• In Basic Settings the Location is

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28 2009

• On the Sources tab a source term for each

• Sources may be constants or expressions

• The source Option can be:

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28 2009

• Momentum Sources can be set using a:

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28 2009

• 2D sources are associated with boundary

• Each boundary condition has a Sources

• Settings are the same as 3D sources

• You cannot set Momentum sources on

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28 2009

• 1D Sources are created by right-clicking on the appropriate domain > Insert

• Settings are similar to 3D sources except

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28 2009

• Additional Variables (AV’s) are non-reacting scalar

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

1. AV’s are created by right-clicking on Expressions, Functions and

• Units: the units that describe the additional variable

• Tensor Type: Scalar or Vector as necessary

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

2. Once an AV has been created it must be included in the domain

ANSYS, Inc. Proprietary April 28, 2009

• When including an AV in a domain the type