Creating mesh file
- Flow 360 can take direct STEP files from SolidWorks or other CAD software
- This allows you to select different components of CAD files to see forces on that specific part, rather than only the whole rocket as you woudl is you meshed a single STL
- Notes for SolidWorks part files
- Flow 360 has freestream flowing in the direction of the x-axis. Keep this in mind when orienting your part in SolidWorks (rocket pointed in the negative y-axis)
- Additionally, a positive lift force is only considered in the positive z direction
- This means that if analyzing a control surface, the fin with the control surface you wish to analyze must be perpendicular to the z-axis
- Importing into Flow
- Make sure the version, as well as units, align (meters is the default)
- For STEP files, upload from geometry
Setting Parameters for Mesh Run
- See Zephyrus CFD Instructions for recommended settings as well as detailed instructions for importing mesh
Analyzing Results
Visual Analysis
- Recommend using Cp setting in order to see pressure differential and visualize forces and or shocks on the rocket
- View a slice, and select Cp from the drop-down that appears
- toggle bottom slider to get a range that gives a good color gradient
- Select both filled and contour for the best visual
Numerical Analysis
- To see cl and or cd numbers, click convergence and then total force coefficients to get numbers on the full rocket
- If analyzing a specific surface, use forces by surface to get the same numbers, but for that one object
- Use computational methods to convert this data into total torque on the rocket or any other information you may need (simple torque equation by estimating that lift acting on one point that is x inches away from center of the rocket)