What is Simcenter STAR-CCM+?

Simcenter Star-CCM+ is most useful for modeling complexity and simulating real-world behavior with trusted, reliable CFD software tools. This enables users to increase productivity and leverage an end-to-end workflow with automated design configurations and without the added complexity of having to code to achieve this. Ultimately, it becomes an essential tool for testing and improving products and delivers increasingly accurate results for data analysis.

Many engineers face the problem of having to test complex product scenarios without the tools to go beyond heat transfer and fluid flow, as examples. Although it should be noted that Simcenter STAR-CCM+ uses a partitioned approach to solve Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI) problems, in which the fluid flow and structural mechanics are solved independently and then coupled together through an iterative process.

In some instances creating real-world testing conditions can be a multi-tiered approach, requiring extensive development resources and creating gaps in understanding without them. Creating real-world conditions and relying on manual inputs without much automation can be a time-consuming process. This means spending excessive resources and increasing overall project and testing complexity.

Simcenter STAR-CCM+ provides comprehensive engineering solutions to clients in diverse industries such as aerospace, automotive, electronics, energy, pharmaceuticals and manufacturing - enabling those in science and engineering disciplines to overcome these challenges with automation. The design process ultimately leads to a more comprehensive range of simulation results.

Performance robustness and scalability allows it to handle large and complex simulations with high accuracy and efficiency. Its parallel processing capabilities enable it to solve large-scale simulations, and its adaptive mesh refinement technology ensures accurate results with minimum computational resources.

Multi-physics capabilities. With a wide range of multi-physics capabilities, it can simulate chemical reactions, electromagnetics, and other physics simultaneously. This feature makes it possible to model complex systems with multiple physical phenomena and interactions.

User-friendly interface. Engineers and scientists can work in a single integrated user interface with a drag-and-drop approach, making it easy for users to set up and run simulations. It also has advanced visualization tools that allow users to analyze and interpret results easily.

Customization and flexibility allows users to develop their own models, solvers, and user-defined functions (UDFs) enabling them to tailor simulations to their specific needs and applications.

Continuous development ensures that Simcenter STAR-CCM+ remains at the forefront of CFD and multi-physics simulation technology.

Overall, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ has efficient multidisciplinary technologies that enable users to simulate and analyze complex engineering problems that involve the interaction of multiple physical phenomena.

Simcenter STAR-CCM+ enables a Discreet Element Method (DEM) - a numerical CFD simulation technique used to model the behavior of systems of discrete, individual particles that interact with each other and their environment.

It is a computational method that tracks the motion and interaction of each particle individually (particle dynamics), based on the laws of mechanics, and can be used to study the behavior of granular materials, such as powders, sands, and rocks, and their interaction with other materials.

The discrete element method is a powerful tool as it can capture complex phenomena, such as particle flows, packing, segregation, and fragmentation. It is used in various fields, such as geomechanics, powder technology, pharmaceuticals, and food processing, to design and optimize processes and equipment, and to understand the behavior of materials under different conditions.

Simcenter STAR-CCM+ also has capabilities to handle body and mesh motions, which are essential for simulating systems with moving boundaries, such as rotating machinery, oscillating structures, and deforming objects.

Similarly, it is capable of simulating multiphase flows (with a single multiphase model), which involve the flow of two or more immiscible fluids, such as gas-liquid, liquid-liquid, and solid-liquid flows. Multiphase flows are common in many engineering applications, such as chemical and process industries, oil and gas production, and environmental engineering.

Simcenter STAR-CCM+ offers an array of multiphase modeling capabilities, including the Volume Of Fluid (VOF) method, the Eulerian multiphase model, and the Discrete Phase Model (DPM). The VOF method is used to track the interface between two immiscible fluids, while the Eulerian model is used to solve the governing equations for each fluid phase separately. The DPM simulates the motion and interaction of discrete particles in the flow, such as droplets or bubbles.

In addition to these models, users can also work with a range of other multiphase modeling capabilities, such as cavitation, two-fluid, and spray modeling. These enable engineering simulations for a wide range of multiphase flows with different physical characteristics and complexities.

The simulation software that Simcenter STAR-CCM+ provides is crucial for creating real-world simulation model systems that involve multiple physical phenomena (structural mechanics, chemical reactions, and particle dynamics).

The integration of multiple physics in STAR-CCM+ is achieved by coupling and interaction of different physics models within a single simulation. This coupling is done through the exchange of information between the different models, such as boundary conditions, material properties, and source terms and is based on a robust and flexible solver architecture, which can handle a wide range of models and numerical methods.

Boeing

In aerospace testing, Boeing used STAR-CCM+ to optimize the design of the 787 Dreamliner's wing and improve its aerodynamic performance. By using simulation to study the complex flow around the wing, Boeing was able to reduce drag and increase lift, leading to significant fuel savings and improved structural performance.

Thermolift

Thermolift used STAR-CCM+ in conjunction with Simcenter engineering services to develop a heat pump that effectively reduces energy use in building and heating. Users from Thermolift were able to regularly simulate and develop key components, reducing energy consumption and costs by 30 - 50%.

DNV GL

DNV GL used Simcenter STAR-CCM+ in marine engineering to simulate the behavior of ships and offshore structures under extreme weather conditions. By simulating the complex interactions between the structures and the ocean waves, DNV GL was able to improve safety and reliability in the marine industry.

Medtronic and ABEC

Medtronic used it to optimize the design of a left atrial appendage closure device for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation. By simulating the device's deployment and interaction with blood flow in the heart, Medtronic was able to improve its safety and effectiveness. Similarly, biotech company ABEC was able to reduce blend time by 50% using Simcenter STAR-CCM+ to rapidly determine best-performing designs.

With such an array of use cases, there are opportunities to expand simulation capabilities into a wide range of applications.

All told, Simcenter STAR-CCM+ is a powerful technology for engineering simulation, which is why Volupe provides you with this all-in-one solution and a dedicated support engineer for any technical questions you might have or support you may need.

Accurately capture data from a broad range of real-world testing simulations by exploring various operating scenarios. With computational fluid dynamics you can enhance your productivity, expand into more complex testing scenarios and reap the benefits of automated design exploration in your engineering simulation, with greater insight gained. Plus, this is possible in a variety of contexts across some of the most innovative and exciting spaces in engineering and science.