Import external force-time data to Mechanical

- April 16, 2019 at 2:03 pm
  
  dan_123
  Subscriber
  
  Hi all,
  
  I did some 2d simulations using fluent. I got two files with the lift and drag forces at each time step (each file has two columns). I am using the module "external data" to read these files and transfer that data into a model of a cantilevered cylinder. My idea is to apply these time-varying forces as a point load at an specific location on the cylinder. Thus, the cylinder would be reacting to a 2d time-varying loading.
  
  When I transfer the files to Mechanical (I only transfer the magnitude of the forces since time is not included in external data), a warning shows up in Mechanical. Specifically, in the "Imported Forces - Setting - Weighting" section. The error says: Current Weighting option is not supported by all the input meshes.
  
  Maybe is because my file only has the magnitude of the force and its location is not specified. Unfortunately, Mechanical doesn't allow me to select a point in the cylinder to apply the exported data, only faces can be selected.
  
  Anyone can help me? I am out of ideas.
  
  Thanks
- December 6, 2019 at 5:34 am
  
  boehlemd
  Subscriber
  
  Hi Dan,
  
  I think you are correct, it needs XYZ info to map. You can export geometry information from CFD Post along with your pressure data then open that CSV in the External Data module, and set the Format Type to AXDT to read in all the columns. This has worked for me.
  
  Good luck if you're still working on this!