Create a thick wall duct flow network

This example shows how to create a duct network and model convection or radiation to environment using 1D elements only.

You must first create curves that run along the centerlines of the ducts. These curves are meshed and used to model fluid flow.

Make sure that there are no duplicate nodes at the point where two curves join. You can use mesh mating conditions between the adjoining parts.

1. Display the FEM file.

2. Choose Home tab→Properties group→Mesh Collector . For each segment of the network with a consistent duct cross-section, you must create one mesh collector as follows.

3. In the Mesh Collector dialog box, from the Type list, select Duct with Thick Walls.

4. From the Material list, select a fluid material.

5. From the Thick Wall Material list, select a thermal material.

6. From the Section list, select a cross section area with a wall thickness defined. Note: Hollow cross sections are interpreted differently in the Duct and Duct with Thick Walls types.

7. Click OK.

8. Choose Home tab→Mesh group→1D mesh to create a 1D mesh on the duct curves.

9. Select the Auto Chain Selection check box to ensure that all the duct elements point in the same direction.

10. Select the Merge Node check box to ensure that there are no duplicate nodes.

11. Assign the meshes to the mesh collectors according to their cross sections.

12. On the Simulation Navigator, right-click the FEM node, and choose Display Simulation→Simulation file.

13. Create Duct Flow Boundary Conditions as appropriate to your model.

14. Choose Home tab→Loads and Conditions group→Duct Flow Boundary Conditions , and create as many boundary conditions as required by your model.

15. On the Simulation Navigator, right-click the Solution node, and choose Edit.

16. In the Solution dialog box, on the Ambient Conditions page, set ambient values including the gravity vector.

Solve and post process your model.

How do I

Create a duct flow network

Create a pressureless duct network

Create a duct flow network and model heat transfer using 2D shells

Create a duct flow network and model heat transfer using 3D solid elements

Connect the duct network to the 3D flow domain

Create a standard cross section

Learn more

1D duct flow networks

Duct analysis workflow

Duct Flow Boundary Conditions

1D meshing

Ensuring consistent 1D element orientation during mesh creation

Look up more details

Modeling ducts with 1D elements

Modeling ducts and their walls with 1D elements

Modeling ducts with 1D elements and their walls with 2D elements

Modeling the interface between ducts and 3D fluid elements

Modeling ducts inside 3D solid elements

Understanding ducts and area definition

Solver calculation for duct elements

Solver calculation for duct with mass flow elements

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Command reference

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Create a thick wall duct flow network, Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

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