Physics#
This section covers the physical models that simulate the 3D flow behavior in Flow360.
Available Models#
Model |
Description |
Key Parameters |
|---|---|---|
Fluid model |
Navier-Stokes solver, Turbulence model, Transition model, Initial Condition |
|
Solid body model for conjugate heat transfer |
||
Handling of rotating components |
Rotation type (MRF/SRF/Physical), Angular velocity |
|
Blade Element Theory for propeller/rotor modeling |
Polars, RPM |
|
Simplified model for propellers and rotors |
Thrust coefficient, Swirl distribution |
|
Model for flow through porous regions |
Darcy coefficient, Forchheimer coefficient |
Click on each model to see detailed documentation including available parameters, descriptions, usage tips, and example configurations.
Detailed Descriptions#
Fluid#
Modelling of the fluid behaviour in the domain.
Subsections:
Navier-Stokes solver - Core flow solver configuration
Turbulence model - Advanced turbulence modeling options including RANS, LES, and hybrid approaches
Transition model - Laminar-to-turbulent transition prediction for improved accuracy
Initial condition - Flow field initialization strategies and convergence acceleration
Solid#
Conjugate heat transfer modeling for solid materials enabling accurate thermal analysis of components in contact with fluid flow. Provides material property specification, heat equation solver configuration, and thermal boundary condition management for multi-physics simulations.
Subsections:
Heat equation solver - Thermal conduction solver settings and material property configuration
Material - Material properties specification
Initial condition - The initial state of solid bodies
Rotation#
Advanced rotating component handling with multiple approaches for modeling rotating machinery, propellers, and turbines. Supports Moving Reference Frame (MRF), Sliding Reference Frame (SRF), and physical rotation methods with comprehensive angular velocity specification and interface treatment.
Key Features:
Multiple rotation types (MRF/SRF/Physical) for different applications
Angular velocity specification and rotational axis definition
Interface treatment between rotating and stationary regions
Support for complex multi-rotor configurations
BET disk#
Blade Element Theory implementation for high-fidelity propeller and rotor modeling. Enables detailed aerodynamic analysis of rotating blades through sectional force calculations, polar data integration, and performance prediction for aerospace and marine applications.
Key Features:
Sectional aerodynamic force calculation using polar data
RPM and blade geometry specification
Performance prediction including thrust and power
Support for complex blade geometries and operating conditions
Actuator disk#
Simplified propeller and rotor modeling approach using momentum theory. Provides efficient representation of rotating components through thrust coefficient specification and swirl distribution modeling, ideal for preliminary design and optimization studies.
Key Features:
Thrust coefficient specification for performance modeling
Swirl distribution control for realistic wake effects
Efficient computation for design optimization
Support for multiple actuator disk configurations
Porous medium#
Advanced modeling of flow through porous regions including filters, heat exchangers, and porous materials. Implements Darcy-Forchheimer theory with comprehensive coefficient specification for accurate pressure drop and flow distribution prediction.