Learning Forum

[Saurabh1011]

Hi,

I am using ANSYS fluent for this conjugate heat transfer problem where fluid is flowing inside the metal casing and heat is applied externally. ANSYS Meshing tool automatically made contact connections between solid and fluid domains like this-

[Rob]

I'd go back to the geometry tool and either share topology (SpaceClaim) or create a multibody part (DesignModeler). Otherwise the interface zones will be created in Fluent and you'll need to check they're correct there. You then have all the fun of nonconformal fluid-solid boundaries. Nothing wrong with them, but if you don't need them it's easier to avoid their use.

[Saurabh1011]

Thank you for the advice. I will do that multibody part thing to avoid interface zone in fluent. But by using the multi-body part, does it solve the problem of contact mapping between multiple surfaces? I mean do I have to create 1 to 1 contact mapping for each contact region or should I leave it to the automatic algorithm? (Where it makes 1 contact region with 3 surfaces of one body mapping to 3 surfaces of other body). I am going to do a more complex problem where there will be 90 contacts if I have to do 1 to 1 contact instead of multiple surface contact.

[Rob]

Multibody parts mean the common faces are shared by each volume and the mesh is conformal (connected). Therefore there is no "contact" or "interface" you just have walls.

[Saurabh1011]

Ooh. I understand it now. Thanks for this advice. You helped me to avoid that contact problem entirely. The whole setup becomes so neat and clean without those interfaces. Thanks again.

[Rob]

You're welcome. The nonconformal approach you were using is very powerful when it's needed.