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Convection to Environment dialog box (Thermal/SST/ESC/Multiphysics)

Type
Type Specifies how the software models the convection.Convection to EnvironmentModels natural or forced convection where the convection coefficient or related values are already known.Free Convection to EnvironmentModels natural convection from the selected geometry.Forced Convection to EnvironmentModels forced convection from the selected geometry.Note: In Multiphysics, you need to specify the gravity in the Gravity load.In Thermal/Flow, Space Systems Thermal, or Electronic Systems Cooling, you can modify the gravity on the Ambient Conditions page in the Solution dialog box. By default, the gravity is set to 9.81 m/s2 in the -Z direction.For more information, see Convection to Environment types.
Name
Name Sets the name for the convection to environment constraint. The name appears in the Simulation Navigator and the graphics window.
Description Specifies a description of the convection to environment constraint.
Destination Folder
Constraint Container Specifies the folder in the Simulation Navigator in which the boundary condition will be stored. The list includes the root container and existing folders that you created using the New Folder command. Examples of a root container include Load Container, Constraint Container, and Simulation Object Container.
Folder Manager Displays a hierarchical listing of existing folders. To create a new folder, right-click any level of the hierarchy and choose New Folder.
Region
Group Reference Applies the region to the selected group. For more information, see Group Reference options.
Select Object Lets you select the geometric or FE entities on which the constraint is applied. Use the Excluded options to remove individual entities, such as elements, from your selection.
Stacked Smart Selector Methods Opens the Smart Selector Methods dialog box where you can specify a progression of smart selection filters.For more information, see Smart Selector Methods dialog box.

Convection to Environment options

Convect From
Convect From Specifies from which side the selected surface convects. You can select Top, Bottom, or Top and Bottom.
Magnitude - Top and Magnitude - Bottom
Magnitude - Top appears when Convect From is set to Top or Top and Bottom.Magnitude - Bottom appears when Convect From is set to Bottom or Top and Bottom.
Type Specifies which convection values the software uses to model the convection.Convection CoefficientDefines the convection coefficient. You specifies the magnitude of the convection coefficient in the Convection Coefficient box.For more information, see Additional magnitude options.Parameter and ExponentDefines a constant parameter value, c, and a constant exponent value, exp. The solver models convection using the convection coefficient h = c × ΔTexp.You specify the value for c in the Convection Parameter box and the value for exp in the Exponent box.
Use Same Magnitude as Top Appears when Convect From is set to Top and Bottom.Applies the same magnitude options to the bottom side as the options that are applied to the top side.
Environment
Temperature Specifies how the convecting fluid temperature value is defined.Fluid AmbientSets the convecting fluid temperature equal to the specified Fluid Temperature in the Ambient Conditions page of the Solution dialog box.Radiative AmbientSets the convecting fluid temperature equal to the specified Radiative Environment Temperature in the Ambient Conditions page of the Solution dialog box.SpecifyLets you specify a convecting fluid temperature value in the Temperature Value box.For more information, see Additional magnitude options.

Free Convection to Environment options

Parameters
Correlation Specifies how the software models the free convection to environment.Inclined PlateModels natural convection from any non-horizontal plate.Horizontal PlateModels natural convection from any horizontal plate.SphereModels natural convection on the outside of a sphere of the diameter that you specify in the Diameter box.CylinderModels natural convection on the outside of a cylinder of the specified diameter, length, and axis orientation. You specify the diameter and length in the Diameter and Length boxes, respectively.You specify the axis orientation using Specify Vector . Parallel Plate ChannelModels natural convection where an open channel is inclined to gravity. You specify the length of the channel in the Length box and the space between the plates in the Space Between Plates box.See Free convection correlations.
Convect from Appears when Correlation is set to Inclined Plate or Horizontal Plate.Specifies which surface with respect to gravity convects heat.
Characteristic Information Appears when Correlation is set to Inclined Plate or Horizontal Plate.Specifies how the solver applies the correlation to the selected geometry.The following options appear when Correlation is set to Incline Plate:Calculate from Element SetUses the element information from the selected convecting region to control the calculation of convective heat transfer.SpecifyLets you specify the value for the characteristic length in the Characteristic Length box and a vector perpendicular to the convecting surface. The characteristic length should be equal to the length of the plate along the direction of flow.You specify the vector using Specify Vector . The following options appear when Correlation is set to Horizontal Plate:Calculate from Element SetUses the element information from the selected convecting region to control the calculation of convective heat transfer.RectangularUses the standard correlation for a horizontal rectangular plate with the width and length you specify in the Width and Length boxes.CircularUses the standard correlation for a horizontal circular plate with the diameter you specify in the Diameter box.Arbitrary ShapeUses the standard correlation for a horizontal plate with the area and perimeter you specify in the Area and Perimeter boxes.
Multiplier Sets the value that multiplies the calculated heat transfer coefficient. This value is a correction to the correlation that you use when, for example:The measured heat transfer coefficient is different from the calculated heat transfer coefficient.The actual area where the heat transfer occurs is different than the model area, for example, due to simplification of geometry.
Environment
Fluid Material Specifies the material for the surrounding fluid. You can:Select Air or Water.Select Specify to define another fluid material from the Select Fluid list.
Temperature Specifies how the convecting fluid temperature value is defined.Fluid AmbientSets the convecting fluid temperature equal to the specified Fluid Temperature in the Ambient Conditions page of the Solution dialog box.Radiative AmbientSets the convecting fluid temperature equal to the specified Radiative Environment Temperature in the Ambient Conditions page of the Solution dialog box.SpecifyLets you specify a convecting fluid temperature value in the Temperature Value box.For more information, see Additional magnitude options.

Forced Convection to Environment options

Parameters
Correlation Specifies how the software models the forced convection to environment.Plate Aligned with Free StreamModels the forced convection from a plate that is oriented in such a way that the flow passes along its surfaces. You specify the characteristic length of the plate in the Characteristic Length box.You specify which surface with respect to gravity convects heat from the Convect from list.Sphere in FlowModels the forced convection on the outside of a sphere for which you specify the diameter in the Diameter box.Cylinder across FlowModels the forced convection on the outside of a cylinder that is positioned perpendicular to the free stream. You specify the diameter of the cylinder in the Diameter box.See Forced convection correlations for more information.
Multiplier Sets the value that multiplies the calculated heat transfer coefficient. This value is a correction to the correlation that you use when, for example:The measured heat transfer coefficient is different from the calculated heat transfer coefficient.The actual area where the heat transfer occurs is different than the model area, for example, due to simplification of geometry.
Environment
Fluid Material Specifies the material for the surrounding fluid. You can:Select Air or Water.Select Specify to define another fluid material from the Select Fluid list.
Fluid Velocity Sets the velocity of the free stream.
Temperature Specifies how the convecting fluid temperature value is defined.Fluid AmbientSets the convecting fluid temperature equal to the specified Fluid Temperature in the Ambient Conditions page of the Solution dialog box.Radiative AmbientSets the convecting fluid temperature equal to the specified Radiative Environment Temperature in the Ambient Conditions page of the Solution dialog box.SpecifyLets you specify a convecting fluid temperature value in the Temperature Value box.For more information, see Additional magnitude options.
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Create a Convection to Environment constraint

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Convection to Environment

Convection to Environment types

Free convection correlations

Forced convection correlations

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Convection to Environment dialog box (Thermal/SST/ESC/Multiphysics), Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

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Source: https://docs.sw.siemens.com/en-US/doc/289054037/PL20200601120302950.advanced/id624236 · retrieved 2026-07-17