Simcenter 3D
Structures, vibration and acoustics on the same platform as CFD — so thermal stress is computed directly from the CFD temperature field, with no manual data transfer between packages.
Benefits of a shared platform
Thermal stress from the CFD temperature field
The temperature field from STAR-CCM+ is mapped directly onto the structural mesh, so stresses in heat-loaded equipment such as HRSGs and combustion chambers are calculated instead of estimated.
One model, many analyses
The same geometry and mesh serve structural, vibration and acoustic analyses, with no remeshing for each case.
Strong pre-processing
Robust meshing and geometry clean-up tools for complex assemblies imported from NX.
The problems it handles
Simcenter 3D is a multi-discipline mechanical analysis suite running on one shared pre/post-processing platform: one mesh built once, reused for structures, thermal, vibration and coupled problems.
- Structural analysis — static and nonlinear strength, contact, stability. Used regularly.
- Structural dynamics — natural frequencies, forced response, random vibration. Used for rotating equipment and piping.
- Thermal analysis — conduction, convection, radiation; this is the bridge to the CFD results. Used regularly.
- Multiphysics — thermal–structural and fluid–structure coupling in one case. The main reason CFDWAYS uses Simcenter 3D.
- Durability & fatigue — life under cyclic loading, important for equipment running thermal cycles
- Acoustics — noise radiated by equipment casings, fan and duct noise
- Mechanism dynamics — multi-body motion, loads on joints and bearings
- Electromagnetics — for equipment with motors, magnets and coils
- Flexible pipes, wires and cables — routing and behavior of flexible runs in an assembly
- Metal additive manufacturing simulation — distortion and residual stress during deposition
- Simulation–test correlation — comparing the model against test data for calibration
- Design space exploration & optimization — sweeping options inside the analysis environment
In industrial equipment projects the first four disciplines account for most of the work. The remaining disciplines are available when a problem requires them, without purchasing software from another vendor.
Coupled tools
Simcenter STAR-CCM+
The source of the temperature field and pressure loads for thermal stress cases.
View details →Applications at CFDWAYS
- Checking shell and tube strength in HRSGs and waste-heat boilers once the CFD temperature field is available
- Assessing flow-induced vibration of piping and supports
- Natural frequency analysis of rotating equipment: fans, impellers, pumps
Licensing & support
Simcenter 3D is sold by module: the platform plus analysis packages. CFDWAYS advises which modules match your type of problem.
- A pre/post-processing platform shared by every analysis type
- Modules as needed: structural, thermal, vibration, acoustics, multiphysics
- Data coupling with STAR-CCM+ must be configured correctly from the start; CFDWAYS handles this setup
Indicative system requirements
| Operating system | Windows 10/11 64-bit or Linux |
|---|---|
| RAM | 32 GB or more for large assembly models |
| Graphics | A discrete OpenGL-capable GPU |
| Storage | SSD — nonlinear cases write a great deal of intermediate data |
Frequently asked questions
We already have another FEA package — do we need Simcenter 3D?
For purely structural problems, it may not be needed. The value of Simcenter 3D lies in its direct coupling to CFD results, which matters most for heat-loaded equipment.
Is thermal coupling with STAR-CCM+ complicated?
The workflow exists, but it has to be set up correctly the first time. CFDWAYS usually builds a reference workflow for the client's team and hands it over.
Does your equipment have a thermal problem coupled to a structural one?
Send us the operating conditions — CFDWAYS will assess whether CFD needs to be coupled with structural analysis.