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5
14. 5 Release
Introduction to ANSYS CFX
Lecture 08
Domain Interfaces
& Moving Zones
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Lecture Themes:
Domain Interfaces are important features that connect dissimilar domains or
dissimilar meshes
Many CFD applications across industries involve systems or devices with moving
parts. CFX offers many different models for rotating machinery, for arbitrary
prescribed motion and for objects whose motion is determined by the flow.
Learning Aims:
How to define interfaces and periodic boundary conditions
The models available for rotating machinery such as the multiple reference frame
models
Learning Objectives:
You will be able to use domain interfaces and will become familiar with the CFX
models for systems with moving parts and when a particular model is applicable.
Introduction
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14. 5 Release
Introduction to ANSYS CFX
Chapter 08-1
Domain Interfaces

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Overview

Where two 3-d mesh regions meet there are two possible treatments
Two elements share one face no interpolation necessary called a
conformal or one-to-one mesh interface
Every element has its own face interpolation of fluxes is necessary
called non-conformal or unmatched and a Generalised Grid Interface
(GGI) is required to connect the regions

conformal non-conformal
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Overview
Domain Interfaces are used for:
Connection of unmatched meshes (hex to tet for example)
a single mesh file may contain non-matching mesh regions and require non-
conformal interfaces

Changes in frames of reference between domains
even if the mesh matches

Connect different types of domains together (e.g. Fluid to Solid)

Create periodic regions within a domain

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Inserting Domain Interfaces
To create a domain interface right-
click on Flow Analysis or use the
toolbar icon
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Domain Interfaces and Boundary Objects
After creating a domain interface 3 new objects
appear in the outline tree
The interface object is at the Flow Analysis level
This is the object you should edit to make changes to the
domain interface
Within each domain a Side 1 or Side 2 boundary
condition is automatically created
They will be automatically updated when changes are made to
the interface object
In general do not edit these objects but you can:
specify sources
set wall boundary conditions for non-overlap regions
The Interface object
The Side 1 and Side 2
boundary conditions
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Domain Interfaces Panel

Domain Interfaces connect two sets of
surfaces together - Side 1 and Side 2
First select the combination of domains
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
The Interface Models and Mesh
Connection Method control how data is
transferred across the interface
W
h
a
t
?

H
o
w
?

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Interface Models

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 (Additional
Interface Models see later)

Rotational Periodicity
Simulates rotationally periodic geometries

General Connection
For all other types of connections
A Frame Change/Mixing Model and a Pitch Change
apply where there are multiple frames of reference.
These are discussed in the Moving Zones lecture

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Additional Interface Models
On the Additional Interface Models
tab you can:
Represent source or sink of
momentum, e.g. a fan or a porous
wall, by specifying a pressure change
between side 1 and side 2 or a mass
flow rate
With a translational periodic interface
this feature can be used to set up fully-
developed flow in a short section of duct

Set up infinitely thin walls by selecting
the appropriate wall boundary
condition option for Mass and
Momentum
- Can model heat conduction across wall
(see Heat Transfer lecture)





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Additional Interface Models contd
Introduction Domain Interfaces Rotating Zones Dynamic Mesh Summary
On the Additional Interface Models
tab you can:
Create a switch, using Conditional
Connection Control, to determine
whether the interface is open to flow or
closed, i.e. a wall
Provide a logical expression, e.g. a
function of time or pressure difference
Either define when the interface is open
or when its state changes





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Mesh Connection Method

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 used for Fluid Solid, Fluid - Porous 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 from 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
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Mesh Connection Method
Automatic

This is generally the recommended option when 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 cases only the GGI option will be available
e.g. when there is a change of reference frame across the interface
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

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Automatic Domain Interfaces

CFX-Pre automatically creates domain
interfaces within a single mesh assembly
To connect multiple domains within the assembly
To connect 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 correct!
Can disable automatic interface creation from
Case Options > General in the Outline tree
You always need to create interfaces manually
between mesh assemblies
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14. 5 Release
Introduction to ANSYS CFX
Chapter 08-2
Moving Zones

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Introduction
Many flow problems involve movement of
domains
There are two approaches for modeling moving
domains:

Moving Frames of Reference
Frame of reference is attached to the moving domain
Governing equations are modified to account for
moving frame
Rotation or translation (translation in solid domains
only)

Mesh Motion /Mesh Deformation
Domain position and shape are tracked with respect to a
stationary reference frame
Solutions are inherently unsteady although might
approach equilibrium solution

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x
y
Moving Frames of Reference vs. Mesh
Motion
Moving Frames of Reference
Domain moves with coordinate system
To follow the motion of the body topology of the
mesh does not need to be updated
Rotation / translation of the moving domain

Mesh Motion
Domain can change shape as a function of time
To follow the motion of the body, topology of the
mesh might need to be updated
Smoothing / remeshing of the domain

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Rotating Equipment Moving Frames of
Reference
Why use a rotating frame of reference?

Flow field which is unsteady when viewed in a stationary
frame can become steady when viewed in a rotating frame
Steady-state problems are easier to solve
Additional acceleration terms are added to the momentum
equations
Simpler BCs
Low computational cost
Easier to post-process and analyze
Limitation:
You may still have unsteadiness in the rotating frame due to
turbulence, circumferentially non-uniform variations in flow,
separation, etc.
Example: vortex shedding from fan blade trailing edge

Can employ rotational-periodic boundaries for efficiency
(reduced domain size)



Centrifugal
Compressor
(single blade passage)
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Single vs. Multiple Frames of Reference
stationary wall
MFR is necessary SFR is sufficient

When domains rotate at different rates or when stationary walls do not
form surfaces of revolution Multiple Frames of Reference (MFR) are
needed
stationary wall
MFR is necessary
stationary wall
baffle
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Multiple Frames of Reference

Interface between a rotating zone and the adjacent stationary zone must
be a surface of revolution with respect to the axis of rotation of the
rotating zone
Interfaces can be conformal or non-conformal but will always be treated
as GGIs




Correct Interface shape is wrong!
Interface shape is not
a surface
of revolution
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Moving Frames of Reference
Overview of Modeling Approaches:

Single Reference Frame (SFR)
Entire computational domain is referred to a single moving reference frame
steady-state
Frozen Rotor (MFR)
Fixed relative positions
Suitable when through flow speed >> machine speed at interface, e.g. a full pump with a
volute
Interaction effects are ignored
steady-state
Stage (MFR)
Circumferential averaging of fluxes in bands at the domain interface
Incurs one-time mixing loss suitable when relative motion at interface is large enough to
mix out any upstream velocity profile
Accounts for time-averaged interaction effects
steady-state
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Moving Frames of Reference
Overview of Modeling Approaches (continued):

Transient rotor-stator (MFR)
Simulates the transient relative motion between the components on each side of the
interface
Unsteady problem captures transient interaction effects but computationally
expensive

Transient Blade Row (TBR)
Removes problem of unequal pitch so that it is possible to model just one or two passages
per row rather than the full 360, so reducing the computational cost. Methods are:
Profile Transformation
Time Transformation
Fourier Transformation
Covered in an advanced turbo-machinery course
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Pitch Change

When the full 360
o
of rotating and stationary components are modeled the two
sides of the interface completely overlap
However, often rotational periodicity is used to reduce the problem size
Pitch change is used to account for differences in rotational symmetry between the cut-down
domains, e.g. a rotating component with 113 blades connected to a downstream stator containing 60
vanes
The Pitch Change can be specified in
several ways
None
Automatic (ratio of the two areas)
Value (explicitly provide pitch ratio)
Specified Pitch Angles (specify Pitch angle on both
sides)
Select this method when possible

The two sides do not need to line up
physically
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Pitch Change
When using the Frozen Rotor frame-change model the pitch change should be
close to 1 for best accuracy
Pitch change is accounted for by taking the side 1 profile and stretching it to fit on to side 2
Some stretching is acceptable, although not ideal

For the Stage model the pitch ratio does not need to be close to 1 since the
profile is averaged in the circumferential direction
Very large pitch changes, e.g. 10, can cause problems

For the Transient Rotor Stator model the pitch change should be exactly 1,
which may mean rotational periodicity cannot be used
If the pitch change is not 1, the profile is stretched as with Frozen Rotor, but there will be some
loss of information, e.g. that relating to frequencies.

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Intersection
An intersection algorithm is used to find the overlapping parts of each mesh
face at the interface
The intersection can be performed in physical space, in the radial direction or in
the axial direction
Physical Space: used when Pitch Change = None
No correction is made for rotational offset or pitch change
Radial Direction: used when the radial variation is > axial variation
E.g. the surface of constant z below
Split interfaces when they have both regions
of constant z and regions of constant r
Axial Direction: used when the axial
variation is > radial variation
E.g. the surface of constant r
By default CFX determines automatically
whether the radial or axial direction is
used.
Interfaces that contain surfaces of both
constant r and z should be split.
Otherwise the intersection will fail
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Mesh Deformation
Mesh Deformation can be applied in
simulations where boundaries or
objects are moved

The solver calculates nodal
displacements of these regions and
adjusts the surrounding mesh to
accommodate them

Examples of deforming meshes
include
Automotive piston moving inside a
cylinder
A flap moving on an airplane wing
A valve opening and closing
An artery expanding and contracting
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Mesh Deformation

Internal node positions can be
automatically calculated based on user
specified boundary / object motion
Automatic Smoothing
Boundary / object motion can be moved
based on:
Specified displacement
Expressions or User Functions can be used
Coupled motion
For example, two-way Fluid Structure
Interaction using coupling of CFX with
ANSYS
Sequential loading of pre-defined meshes
Requires User Subroutines

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Mesh Deformation
Guidelines when using Expressions /
Functions to describe Mesh Motion:
Under Basic Settings for the Domain,
set Mesh Deformation to Regions
of Motion Specified
Create expressions to describe either
nodal displacements or physical nodal
locations
Apply Mesh Motion equations at
boundaries/subdomains that are
moving
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Mesh Deformation

Remeshing is also available
Advanced topic
Used to maintain mesh quality when
there is significant deformation, e.g.
Internal Combustion Engine
IC Engine model also uses multi-
configuration setup
Remeshing can employ ICEM CFD or
ANSYS Meshing
See the following tutorials for information on other mesh motion types:
Modeling a Ball Check Valve Using Mesh deformation and the CFX Rigid Body Solver
Oscillating Plate with Two-Way Fluid-Structure Interaction
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Summary
Five different approaches may be used to model flows in moving zones
Single (Rotating) Reference Frame Model (SFR)
Multiple Frames of Reference (MFR)
Frozen Rotor
Stage
Transient Rotor Stator
Mesh Motion (Consider our Advanced Training)
SFR, Frozen Rotor and Stage methods are primarily steady-state approaches
while Transient Rotor Stator is inherently unsteady
Enabling these models, involves in part, changing the stationary fluid zones to
either Moving Frames of Reference or Moving Mesh
Most physical models are compatible with moving reference frames or
moving meshes (e.g. multiphase, combustion, heat transfer, etc.)
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Workshop

Workshop 06 Axial Fan Stage (MFR)
Using ANSYS CFX outside ANSYS Workbench
Working with rotating domains
Basic setup using multiple frames of reference
Turbo-specific post-processing

OR

Workshop 07 Centrifugal Pump (SFR)
Working with rotating domains
Modelling cavitation (multiphase flow)

Results files are provided for Workshop 07
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14. 5 Release
Introduction to ANSYS CFX
Appendix
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Porous Interface Usage

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
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14. 5 Release
Introduction to ANSYS CFX
Appendix: Multiple Frames of
Reference (MFR)

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Frozen Rotor Frame Change Model
Frozen Rotor: Components have a fixed relative position, but the appropriate
frame transformation and pitch change is made
Steady-state solution

rotation
Pitch change is
accounted for
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Frozen Rotor Frame Change Model
Frozen Rotor Usage:
The quasi-steady approximation involved becomes small when the through flow speed is
large relative to the machine speed at the interface

This model requires the least amount of computational effort of the three frame change
models

Transient effects at the frame change interface are not modeled

Pitch ratio should be close to one to minimize scaling of profiles
A discussion on pitch change will follow
Profile scaled down
Pitch ratio is ~2
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Stage Frame Change Model
Stage: Performs a circumferential averaging of the fluxes through bands on the
interface
Accounts for time-averaged interactions, but not transient interactions

Steady-state solution

upstream downstream
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Stage Frame Change Model
Stage Usage:

Allows steady-state predictions to be obtained for multi-stage machines

Incurs a one-time mixing loss equivalent to assuming that the physical mixing supplied by the
relative motion between components is sufficiently large to cause any upstream velocity profile to
mix out prior to entering the downstream machine component

The Stage model requires more computational effort than the Frozen Rotor model to solve but
not as much as the Transient Rotor-Stator model

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Transient Rotor Stator Frame Change
Model
Transient Rotor-Stator:

Predicts the true transient interaction of the flow between a stator and rotor passage

The transient relative motion between the components on each side of the interface is simulated

The principle disadvantage of this method is that the computer resources required may be large

Initialise with converged solution from a Frozen Rotor or Stage model to minimise the number of
timesteps needed to establish the flow
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Pitch Change

When the full 360
o
of rotating and stationary components are modeled the two
sides of the interface completely overlap
However, often rotational periodicity is used to reduce the problem size
Example: A rotating component has 113 blades and is connected to a downstream
stator containing 60 vanes
Using rotationally periodicity, a single
rotor and stator blade could be
modeled
This would lead to pitch change
at the interface of (360/113):
(360/60) = 0.53:1
Alternatively two rotor blades could be
modeled with a single stator vane, as
shown to the right, giving a pitch ratio
of 2*(360/113):(360/60) = 1.06:1
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Setup Guidelines

When Setting Boundary Conditions, consider whether the
input quantities are relative to the Stationary frame,
or the Rotating frame

Walls which are tangential to the direction of rotation in a
rotating frame of reference can be set to be
stationary in the absolute frame of reference by
assigning a Wall Velocity which is counter-rotating

Use the Alternate Rotation Model if the bulk of the flow is
axial (in the stationary frame) and would therefore
have a high relative velocity when considered in the
rotating frame
E.g. the flow approaching a fan will be generally axial, with
little swirl
Used to avoid false swirl
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Navier-Stokes Equations: Rotating
Reference Frames
Equations can be solved in absolute or rotating (relative) reference frame

Relative Velocity Formulation
Obtained by transforming the stationary frame N-S equations to a rotating
reference frame
Uses the relative velocity as the dependent variable
Default solution method when Domain Motion is Rotating

Absolute Velocity Formulation
Derived from the relative
velocity formulation
Uses the absolute velocity
as the dependent variable
Can be used by enabling
Alternate Rotation Model
in CFX-Pre setup

Rotational source terms appear
in momentum equations
x
y
z
z
y
x
stationary
frame
rotating
frame
axis of
rotation
r

CFD domain
o
r

R
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The Velocity Triangle
The relationship between the absolute and relative velocities is given by



In turbomachinery, this relationship can be illustrated using the laws of vector addition.
This is known as the Velocity Triangle




V

Velocity Relative
Velocity Absolute
=
=
W
V

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Comparison of Formulations
( ) i e e + e t V +
c
c
= V +
c
c

2 r W
x
p
w W
t
w
vrx x
x

Relative Velocity Formulation: x-momentum equation

( ) i e t V +
c
c
= V +
c
c

V
x
p
v W
t
v
vx x
x

Absolute Velocity Formulation: x-momentum equation

Coriolis acceleration Centripetal acceleration
Coriolis + Centripetal accelerations
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14. 5 Release
Introduction to ANSYS CFX
Appendix: Moving Solid
Zones

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Motion in Solid Domains

In most simulations it is not necessary to specify any motion in solid domains

Consider a rotating blade simulation in which the blade is included as a solid
domain and heat transfer is solved through the blade
Even though the fluid domain is solved in a rotating frame of reference, the mesh is not actually
rotated in the solver. Therefore it will always line up with the solid
The solid domain does not need to be placed in a rotating frame of reference since the heat
transfer solution has no Coriolis or centripetal terms

Solid domain motion should be used when the advection of energy needs to
be considered
For example, a hot jet impinging on a rotating disk. To prevent a hot spot from forming, the
advection of energy in the solid needs to be included
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Motion in Solid Domains

Solid Domain Motion can be classified
into two areas:

Translational Motion
For example, a process where a solid
moves continuously in a linear
direction while cooling
The solid must extend completely
through the domain

Rotational Motion
For example, a brake rotor which is
heated by brake pads
q
q=0
q=0
q=0
T
in
= T
spec

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( )
E S
S T h U
t
h
+ V V = V +
c
c
) ( ) (

Motion in Solid Domains

In Solid Domains, the conservation of the energy equation can account
for heat transport due to motion of the solid, conduction and
volumetric heat sources





Note that the solid is never physically moved when using this approach,
there is only an additional advection term added to the energy
equation
Solid Velocity
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Translating Solid Domains

Enable Solid Motion

Specify Solid Motion in terms of
Cartesian Velocity Components
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Rotating Solid Domains

Rotating Solid Domains can be set up in
one of two ways:

Solid Motion Method
Set the Domain Motion to Stationary
On the Solid Models tab, set Solid Motion
to Rotating
The solid mesh does not physically rotate,
but the model accounts for the rotational
motion of the solid energy
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Rotating Solid Domains

Rotating Domain Method

Set the Domain Motion to Rotating
Do not set any Solid Motion
To account for rotational motion of solid energy or
a heat source which rotates with the solid, a
transient simulation is required and a Transient
Rotor Stator interface must be used

Note: Solid Motion as applied on the Solid Models tab is calculated relative to the
Domain Motion, so is not normally used if Domain Motion is Rotating