Using the Only Connect Overlapping Elements option

The Only Connect Overlapping Elements option can be useful when the selected primary and secondary areas are different, at an angle, or not aligned.

This option controls how the thermal coupling connection is found and created between primary sub-elements and secondary elements.

Primary element with sub-division.Secondary element.Thermal coupling.Only connect overlapping elements comparison		Primary element with sub-division.		Secondary element.		Thermal coupling.
	Primary element with sub-division.		Secondary element.		Thermal coupling.

• If you clear the Only Connect Overlapping Elements option, the solver connects elements in terms of proximity only.It connects each primary sub-element to the closest secondary element.The connection is created based only on the distance between elements.

• If you select the Only Connect Overlapping Elements option, the solver connects elements in terms of proximity and an overlap check.It connects each primary sub-element to the closest secondary element only if the elements overlap.The overlap test is based on the projection of the primary sub-element on to the secondary element.Only primary sub-elements that overlap are connected to secondary elements.

For both cases, if multiple pairs have the same distance, it will compare the element normals and choose the most parallel ones. If both the distance and normals are the same, it will connect the first sub-element found.

When an overlapping element pair is found the area of overlap is that of the primary element subdivision. Finer primary element subdivisions will lead to more accurate areas of overlap.

How do I

Create a thermal coupling

Model conduction in a bonded joint

Model conduction across a card edge guide

Model a BGA contact using a Thermal Coupling

Model additional thermal resistance in a bolted joint

Create a perfect contact thermal coupling

Learn more

Thermal Coupling magnitude types

Additional Conductance types

Specifying a Coupling Resolution

Using the Overlap Projection Direction option

Temperature dependency for thermal and electrical couplings

Inputs to expressions

Joule Heating

Surface-to-Surface Contact

Thermal Coupling

Thermal Coupling — Advanced

Thermal Coupling — Convection

Thermal Coupling — Radiation

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Thermal cyclic symmetry using perfect contact thermal coupling

Perfect Contact options

Auto-generated expressions

Thermal Coupling dialog box

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Simcenter 3D Thermal/Flow, Electronic Systems Cooling, and Space Systems Thermal boundary conditions

Thermal/Flow, Electronic Systems Cooling, and Space Systems Thermal

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Using the Only Connect Overlapping Elements option, Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

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