Release Notes

Release Notes#

release-24.2#

Released: 12 March 2024

A new version of Flow360, release-24.2, has been deployed. Any new submissions of mesh will use this new version by default. Any cases based on previously submitted meshes or forked from submitted cases using prior versions will still use their originally specified versions of Flow360.

Solver#

New features

  1. Added symmetry plane boundary condition

  2. Added symmetry plane boundary condition support for aeroacoustics simulations

  3. Improved accuracy for aeroacoustic simulations by increasing compute precision

  4. Added ability to fork a simulation onto a mesh that differs from the previous simulation’s mesh

  5. Improved robustness of conjugate heat transfer for low conductivity solids

  6. Added many additional turbulence specifications for initial condition and boundary conditions

  7. Added splitting of acoustic signal into loading and thickness contributions for aeroacoustics simulations

  8. Added heat flux wall boundary condition

Resolved issues

  1. Removed CfTangent and CfNormal output variables

  2. Improved accuracy of gradient of flow solution output variables

  3. Added warning when negative volumes are detected in mesh

  4. Improved accuracy of heat flux calculations

  5. Improved convergence and accuracy of moving wall simulations

flow360client#

Although recent versions of flow360client will still work, it is highly recommended to upgrade to the latest version for more convenient capabilities:

Usage:

  • If downloading for the first time: pip3 install flow360client

  • If upgrading from an older version: pip3 install --upgrade flow360client

Here is the flow360client on PyPI: https://pypi.org/project/flow360client/

release-23.3.2.0#

Released: 26th October 2023

A new version of Flow360, release-23.3.2.0, has been deployed. Any new submissions of mesh will use this new version by default. Any cases based on previously submitted meshes or forked from submitted cases using prior versions will still use their originally specified versions of Flow360.

Solver#

New features

  1. Arbitrary non-conformal rotating volume zones with no concentric ring requirement on sliding interface.

  2. Added Volume Zone Grid Connectivity based CGNS file support for multi zone physics simulations.

  3. Added support for unsteady conjugate heat transfer.

  4. Added support for rotationally periodic boundary condition.

  5. Added multiple reference frame (MRF) feature for steady state simulations of multiple rotating volume zones.

  1. Added single reference frame (SRF) feature for steady state simulations of single rotating volume zones.

  2. Added aeroacoustics solver for noise prediction based on FWH method.

Resolved issues

  1. Fixed minimum and maximum of k and omega solution for kOmegaSST turbulence model in solver log.

  2. Unified volumetric output of temperature including fluid and solid zones for conjugate heat transfer simulations.

  3. Added validation for requiring muRef when Mach=0.

  4. Improved robustness and accuracy of isothermal boundary condition.

  5. Improved accuracy of turbulence models inside rotating volume zones.

  6. Improved robustness of SpalartAllmaras turbulence model and fixed convergence issues when coupled with transition model.

flow360client#

Although recent versions of flow360client will still work, it is highly recommended to upgrade to the latest version for more convenient capabilities:

Usage:

  • If downloading for the first time: pip3 install flow360client

  • If upgrading from an older version: pip3 install --upgrade flow360client

Here is the flow360client on PyPI: https://pypi.org/project/flow360client/

release-23.2.3.0#

Released: 6th July 2023

A new version of Flow360, release-23.2.3.0, has been deployed. Any new submissions of mesh will use this new version by default. Any cases based on previously submitted meshes or forked from submitted cases using prior versions will still use their originally specified versions of Flow360.

Solver#

New features

  1. Added conjugate heat transfer modeling between fluid and solid interfaces.

  2. Added unsteady adaptive CFL feature for automatic setting of CFL based on solution convergence.

  3. Improved accuracy of gradient computation on highly anisotropic meshes.

  4. Add user defined velocity direction in SubsonicInflowVelocity boundary condition.

  5. Add mesh metrics computation on volume mesh upload.

  6. Added yPlus check in case validation script.

  7. Improved efficiency of case forking mechanism.

Resolved issues

  1. Added missing time-averaged outputs for certain surface and volume outputs.

  2. Fix monitor output when no output field is specified.

  3. Update csv file outputs when case has diverged.

  4. Fix residual volume and surface output to be consistent with solver.

  5. Fix partitioned volume output Tecplot files.

Automated Meshing#

New features

  1. Auto-Meshing for internal flows: generate meshes for internal flow simulations.

Changes

  1. Updated tolerance for symmetry planes: tolerance is now calculated as 0.01 of shortest edge of the model.

  2. No Group Names attribute required in CSM file: set boundary conditions after mesh generation, without the need for group names.

flow360client#

Although recent versions of flow360client will still work, it is highly recommended to upgrade to the latest version for more convenient capabilities:

Usage:

  • If downloading for the first time: pip3 install flow360client

  • If upgrading from an older version: pip3 install --upgrade flow360client

Here is the flow360client on PyPI: https://pypi.org/project/flow360client/

release-23.2.1.0#

Released: 27th April 2023

A new version of Flow360, release-23.2.1.0, has been deployed. Any new submissions of mesh will use this new version by default. Any cases based on previously submitted meshes or forked from submitted cases using prior versions will still use their originally specified versions of Flow360.

Solver#

New features

  1. Added option for running unsteady simulations with a low numerical dissipation Roe Flux scheme.

  2. Added option for automatically setting CFL based on solution convergence.

  3. Minor improvements to efficiency of running simulation, uploading and visualizing results.

  4. Added option to modify DDES model constants.

  5. Added DDES model volumetric outputs for debugging purposes.

  6. Improvements to robustness and convergence of wall model.

  7. Improvements to convergence of transition model.

  8. Added physical time output to Tecplot output files.

Resolved issues

  1. Fix SpalartAllmaras turbulence model divergence when linear system convergence is poor.

  2. Fix transition model inside sliding interfaces.

  3. Fix SpalartAllmaras DDES model to include laminar viscosity in shielding function computation.

  4. Improvements to logging and case json validation.

  5. Fix visualization for cases with spaces in boundary names.

  6. Fix missing fragments of mesh visualization in static pictures.

Automated Meshing#

New features

Changes

  1. Changed height of anisotropic layers grown on surfaces from edges: now anisotropic layers grow till isotropy.

flow360client#

Although recent versions of flow360client will still work, it is highly recommended to upgrade to the latest version for more convenient capabilities:

Usage:

  • If downloading for the first time: pip3 install flow360client

  • If upgrading from an older version: pip3 install --upgrade flow360client

Here is the flow360client on PyPI: https://pypi.org/project/flow360client/

release-23.1.1.0#

Released: 17th February 2023

A new version of Flow360, release-23.1.1.0, has been deployed. Any new submissions of mesh will use this new version by default. Any cases based on previously submitted meshes or forked from submitted cases using prior versions will still use their originally specified versions of Flow360.

Solver#

New features

  1. Added support for mesh sizes larger than 250 million nodes.

  2. Significantly improved speed of mesh processing.

  3. Improved accuracy of gradient computation resulting in improvements to spatial discretization accuracy.

  4. Added physical time in Tecplot output for animations.

  5. Additional mesh information available in logs.

  6. Improved validation messaging for diagnosing issues in Case JSON file.

Resolved issues

  1. Improved residual convergence of transition model: Amplication Factor Transport.

  2. Fixed holes in slice output for certain meshes.

  3. Fixed divergence of Spalart Allmaras model with no wall boundaries.

  4. Fix relative residual convergence check when initial residual is very small.

  5. Reduces discontuity in postprocessing outputs across sliding interface.

Automated Meshing#

New features

  1. Improved meshing for C0 continuity edges.

Changes

  1. Backend uses ESP 1.21 July 2022 release with Open CASCADE Technology 7.4.1

flow360client#

Although recent versions of flow360client will still work, it is highly recommended to upgrade to the latest version for more convenient capabilities:

Usage:

  • If downloading for the first time: pip3 install flow360client

  • If upgrading from an older version: pip3 install --upgrade flow360client

Here is the flow360client on PyPI: https://pypi.org/project/flow360client/

release-22.3.3.0#

Released: 21st October 2022

A new version of Flow360, release-22.3.3.0, has been deployed. Any new submissions of mesh will use this new version by default. Any cases based on previously submitted meshes or forked from submitted cases using prior versions will still use their originally specified versions of Flow360.

Solver#

New features

  1. Added monitor output for probing solution quantities at specific points in the flow domain.

  2. Added isosurface output for visualizing an isosurface of a solution quantity at a fixed value.

  3. Faster processing of slice, surface and volume output quantities from flow solution.

  4. Volume output of solution quantities is now stored in a single file.

  5. Added capability of simulating aerostructure interactions using sliding interfaces.

  6. Added mesh quality metrics in mesh processing log output.

Resolved issues

  1. Improved error messaging in solver log output and json validation.

  2. Fixed issues with restarting cases for large meshes (>150 million nodes).

  3. Improved accuracy of SpalartAllmaras DDES model.

  4. Fixed bug in slice output visualization.

  5. Fixed non-determinisitic execution of transition model.

  6. Fixed VelocityRelative in volume output

Automated Meshing#

New features

  1. Added support for 2D meshing (quasi-3D).

  2. Added support for meshing narrow gaps between surfaces in close proximity.

  3. Each labelled surface and edge can be inspected on WebUI in the 3D viewer.

Changes

  1. Parameter sources renamed to refinement for volume meshing.

flow360client#

Although recent versions of flow360client will still work, it is highly recommended to upgrade to the latest version for more convenient capabilities:

Usage:

  • If downloading for the first time: pip3 install flow360client

  • If upgrading from an older version: pip3 install --upgrade flow360client

Here is the flow360client on PyPI: https://pypi.org/project/flow360client/

New features

  1. Added validation of input files before the submission of new geometries, surface meshes and cases.

release-22.2.3.0#

Released: 11th July 2022

A new version of Flow360, release-22.2.3.0, has been deployed. Any new submissions of mesh will use this new version by default. Any cases based on previously submitted meshes or forked from submitted cases using prior versions will still use their originally specified versions of Flow360.

Solver#

New features

  1. Added user defined dynamics for defined alpha controller and BET Omega controller.

  2. Added support for BET inside a sliding interface for a rotating reference frame.

  3. Added Quadratic Constitutive Relation to turbulence models: SA and SST.

  4. Added Surface Time Solution Averaging Animation.

  5. Added output of maximum residual location in solver log and as a csv file.

  6. Added support for importing CGNS meshes from ANSA.

Resolved issues

  1. Improved sliding interface implementation for kOmegaSST turbulence model.

  2. Significantly reduced grid sensitivity of AFT transition model.

  3. Improved numerical robustness and convergence behavior of Spalart Allmaras, kOmegaSST turbulence models and AFT transition model.

Documentation updates

  1. Alpha controller json input has been changed to use the new user defined dynamics feature.

Automated Meshing#

New features

  1. Added rotational interface support for automated meshing.

flow360client#

Although recent versions of flow360client will still work, it is highly recommended to upgrade to the latest version for more convenient capabilities:

Usage:

  • If downloading for the first time: pip3 install flow360client

  • If upgrading from an older version: pip3 install --upgrade flow360client

Here is the flow360client on PyPI: https://pypi.org/project/flow360client/

New features

  1. Improve usability of Python Client by providing a download/upload progress bar.

Web UI#

New features

  1. Added archive functionality for cases: see how can I archive my case.

  2. Added multi-select and batch process: delete/archive/restore.

  3. Added interactive 3D view for surface mesh.

  4. Added interactive 3D view for surface to volume mesh generation. Shows refinement zones and actuator disks.

  5. Introduced new billing system.

release-22.1.3.0#

Released: 29th March 2022

A new version of Flow360, release-22.1.3.0, has been deployed. Any new submissions of mesh will use this new version by default. Any cases based on previously submitted meshes or forked from submitted cases using prior versions will still use their originally specified versions of Flow360.

Solver#

New features

  1. Added support for nested rotating frames: nested rotation.

  2. Improved the accuracy of steady BET Disk solver

Resolved issues

  1. kOmega and solutionTurbulence when using kOmegaSST model now uses nondimensionalization consistent with the NavierStokes nondimensionalization.

  2. Same sectional polars at different radial locations are allowed in BET solver.

Documentation updates

  1. Explained how to set up the parameters in BET Disk: https://docs.simulation.cloud/projects/flow360/en/latest/capabilities/bladeElementTheory.html

  2. Added a case study of BET Disk solver about XV-15 hover and airplane mode: https://docs.simulation.cloud/projects/flow360/en/latest/examples/betDiskSteady_caseStudy.html

  3. Added a doc for nondimensionalization conventions in Flow360: https://docs.simulation.cloud/projects/flow360/en/latest/conventions/conventions.html

flow360client#

Although recent versions of flow360client will still work, it is highly recommended to upgrade to the latest version for more convenient capabilities:

Usage:

  • If downloading for the first time: pip3 install flow360client

  • If upgrading from an older version: pip3 install --upgrade flow360client

Here is the flow360client on PyPI: https://pypi.org/project/flow360client/

New features

  1. Added a case configuration json generator: flow360client.generator.case.generateCaseJson()

Resolved issues

Web UI#

New features

  1. Added an interactive case configuration json generator.

release-21.4.1.0#

A new version of Flow360, release-21.4.1.0, has been deployed. Any new submissions of mesh will use this new version by default. Any cases based on previously submitted meshes or forked from submitted cases using prior versions will still use their originally specified versions of Flow360.

Solver#

New features

  1. Added support for automatic mesh generation: automated meshing.

  2. Added support for the Darcy-Forchheimer porous media model: porous media configuration.

  3. Added support for Detached Eddy Simulation with kOmega SST turbulence model.

  4. Added support for getting power usage in actuator disk method.

  5. Added support for laminar-turbulent transition model: transition model configuration.

  6. Added support for both right-hand and left-hand design of rotor in BET solver: BET configuration.

  7. Added support for time averaging capability for volume and NoSlipWall surfaces: volume output.

Resolved issues

  1. Running a steady case won’t increase the physical time, allowing forking between unsteady and steady cases more flexible.

  2. Same sectional polars at different radial locations are allowed in BET solver.

flow360client#

Although recent versions of flow360client will still work, it is highly recommended to upgrade to the latest version for more convenient capabilities:

Usage:

  • If downloading for the first time: pip3 install flow360client

  • If upgrading from an older version: pip3 install --upgrade flow360client

Here is the flow360client on PyPI: https://pypi.org/project/flow360client/

New features

  1. Added json input validation. Majority of the mistakes in input json will be caught immediately upon submission and an error message will be displayed.

  2. Added support for checking the consistency of boundary names between the mesh file and input mesh/case json files. Currently this feature is only available for CGNS mesh. If a boundary name, specified in input json files, doesn’t exist in the mesh file, the submission will be aborted and the invalid boundary names will be displayed.

Resolved issues

  1. Allow “meshJson” argument in NewMesh() to be either a json object or path of json file: flow360client.NewMesh().

Web UI#

New features

  1. Added support for downloading log files of mesh/case by clicking “Process Log” in the “Download” dropdown menu.

  2. Added “Visualization 3D” tab for volume mesh, showing all boundaries in 3D view.

  3. Added “Visualization 3D” tab for case, showing Q-criterion in 3D view.

  4. Added json input validation. Majority of the mistakes in input json will be caught immediately upon submission and an error message will be shown in a pop-up box.

  5. Added support for showing number of selected items.

  6. Added support for showing billing information.

  7. Added “storage size” for each mesh/case in Description tab.