Tutorial for Assignment #5

Adapted from the University of Alberta ANSYS Tutorials

http://www.mece.ualberta.ca/tutorials/ansys/index.html
By Ahmad M. Kermani.

Problem Description
Flow Field Analysis The figure (1) represents a 2D airfoil section of a conventional
aircraft wing. This exercise will enable the student to understand the flow field analysis
capabilities of ANSYS. Compute and plot the velocity distribution over the airfoil shown
below. The chord of the airfoil has dimensions and orientation as shown in the figure.
The flow velocity of air is 2m/s. OBJECTIVE: (i) Plot the velocity contours around the
airfoil; (ii) Plot the pressure contours around the airfoil.

Figure (1): Flow over an airfoil.

Preprocessing: Defining the Problem

1. Give the problem a title.

2. Creating geometry

• We first should create the fluid domain which is a rectangle. In order to do

that: Preprocessing > Modeling > Create > Areas > Rectangle > By 2
Corners > X=0, Y=0, Width=10, Height=10. (Compare the size of fluid
domain with the area of airfoil).
 • Now, we should create the airfoil, which is going to be the solid boundary
conditions for fluid flow. Preprocessing > Modeling > Create > Keypoints >
In Active CS. Enter the X and Y coordinates of keypoints according to the
table (1).

Table (1): Keypoints coordinates.

Keypoint number X Y
5 3.5 5.3
6 3.8 5.5
7 3.7 5
8 5 5

¾ We start the numbering from 5 since we have already created 4 keypoints

by drawing the rectangle.
• Once we created the keypoints the next step is creating two splines which
pass trough the keypoints. These splines are the top and bottom surfaces
airfoil. Preprocessing > Modeling > Create > Lines > Splines thru KPs.
First pick up the three upper keypoints and press Apply, then select three
lower keypoints and press OK. So you have created two splines like figure
(2).

Figure (2): The model after creating the airfoil.

 • The next step is creating an area which is enclosed by two splines.
Preprocessing > Modeling > Create > Areas > Arbitrary > By Lines. Select
the splines and click OK.
• Now, we should subtract the airfoil area from rectangle to define the flow
field. Modeling > Operate > Booleans > Subtract > Areas. First select the
rectangle, click OK then select the airfoil, click OK. Your model should be
like figure (3).

Figure (3): Fluid domain.

3. Define the Type of Element

• Preprocessor > Element Type > Add/Edit/Delete... > click 'Add' select the 2D
FLOTRAN according to figure (4).
• Next, we should set up the fluid properties. Preprocessors > Flotran Set Up >
Fluid Properties. Then on the Density and Viscosity boxes select AIR-SI and
in the next window just click OK.
 4. Element Material Properties

• Preprocessor > Material Props > Material Models > CFD > Density >
DENS=1.23.
• Preprocessor > Material Props > Material Models > CFD > Viscosity >
VISC=1.79e-5.

Question 1)

Given the fact that you have just had to enter a non-zero value for the viscosity, you
should now realize that the FLOTRAN element is substantially different from the
finite volume element derived in class – why? Can you find out what set of
governing equations the FLOTRAN element is derived from? What additional
physical effects are contained within the governing DE’s of the FLOTRAN element
that are not contained in the Laplace equations which were the basis for our element
derivation?

Question 2)

When you have found the governing equations of the FLOTRAN element, you
should consider what the state vector for a FLOTRAN element is composed of. In
other words, what are the quantities that need to be calculated at the nodes in order
to recover the state of the flow within the finite volume. The specification of
boundary conditions in the “Solution Phase” – step 1 may indicate what the state
variables are.

Figure (4): 2D FLOTRAN type of element.

5. Mesh Size

In this case, we want to create a fine grid close to the airfoil and a coarser grid far
from the airfoil. In order to do that:
 • Preprocessor > Meshing > Size Cntrls > ManualSize > Areas > Pick Lines
select the splines, forming the airfoil and click OK, in the new window set the
SIZE=0.01 then click OK.
• Preprocessor > Meshing > Size Cntrls > ManualSize > Areas > Pick Lines
select the exterior lines, enclosing the fluid domain, i.e. the rectangle edges,
click OK in the new window set SIZE=0.5.

6. Mesh

• Preprocessor > Meshing > Mesh > Areas > Free > Pick All
The mesh looks like the figure (5).

Solution Phase: Assigning Loads and Solving

1. Apply BC’s

• Solution > Define Loads > Apply > Fluid/CFD > Velocity > On Lines select
the left edge of rectangle and click OK. Enter 2 in the VX filed, which is
corresponding to 2 m/s and set VY and VZ to 0 (Figure 6).
• Repeat the same procedure for the airfoil surfaces and in this case set VX, VY
and VZ to 0.
• Also we need to define the boundary conditions on the remaining three edges
of rectangle, i.e. top, right and bottom sides. For this BC’s we will assume that
pressure will not be changed along these edges since they are far from the
airfoil. To do so, Solution > Define Loads > Apply > Fluid/CFD > Pressure
DOF > On Lines select the three edges and click OK. In the new window
select constant value for the frame of Apply PRES on Line As (Figure 7).
 Figure (5): Fluid domain mesh.

• Since the Reynolds number is high. We have turbulent flow. Therefore

Solution > Flotran Set Up > Solution Options set TURB to turbulent (Figure
8).
• Solution > Flotran Set Up > Execution Ctrl set the global iteration to 300.
• Solution > Flotran Set Up > Turbulence> Turbulence Model. In the new
window, select standard K-E and click OK and again click OK in the next
window.

2. Solving the System

• Solution > Run FLOTRAN.

 Figure (6):

Figure (7):
 Figure (8):

Postprocessing: Viewing the Results

1. Plot Velocity Contours

• General Postproc >Read Results > Last Set.

• To plot x-velocity contours: General Postproc > Plot Results > Contour Plot
> Nodal Solutions in the new window select DOF Solution and Velocity Vx.
Figure (9) shows the contours of x-component of velocity.
• To plot x-velocity contours: General Postproc > Plot Results > Contour Plot
> Nodal Solutions in the new window select DOF Solution and Velocity Vy.
Figure (10) shows the contours of y-component of velocity.
• In order to save the contours as an image: Utilities Menu > PlotCtrls >
Capture Image and then you can save the image.
• To plot pressure contours: General Postproc > Plot Results > Contour Plot >
Nodal Solutions in the new window select DOF Solution and Pressure PRES
(Figure 11).

Figure (9): x-velocity contours

Figure (10): y-velocity contours

Figure (11): pressure contours.

Reporting: Deliverables and expectations.
As in the ANSYS #1, #2, #3, and #4 problems, you must ensure that you address any
questions posed in the tutorial body and include any figures and tabulated data that
communicate FE your solution clearly. The questions have been posed in red bold
font. You can consider the marker to be your client on this project. Recall that your
objectives are to:
(i) Plot the velocity contours, and
(ii) Plot the pressure contours throughout the volume of the analysis.
You should aim for a mini-report of 4-5 pages of text plus tables and figures as
necessary.