Abaqus Tutorial

Fluid Dynamics

Starting CFD in Abaqus

In the Menu bar, select the Menu file and select New Model
Database with CFD Model

Another option to run a CFD model is provided automatically

by starting the session

Creating the fluid component

There are three options to create the fluid component:
Extruded solid, Revolved solid, and Swept solid.
You can select one of them according to your needs; however,
in this tutorial we are going to select Revolved solid

Creating the fluid component

(continued)
Erase the horizontal construction line by selecting it and
erasing it

Creating the fluid component

(continued)
First, create the flow component by drawing the lines below.
Then add a horizontal construction line as shown.
Revolve it 360
R=0.05m

Fluid component final configuration

Creating material, section and section

assignment
Material

Density (Kg/m3)

Viscosity (Pa * s)

Water

999.97

0.001

Assembling
Only the flow is assembled as dependent

Creating a step
Double click in Steps and create a step
Accept the default conditions

Creating surfaces
Underneath assembly, click surfaces to create the inlet, outlet
and wall surface of the flow.
Assign one end of the cylinder as the inlet and the other as
the outlet. Create a wall surface.
1

Field output request

Select the default output request but notice that you
have more options (you might need them in future
assignments).

Boundary conditions
The boundary conditions in this simulation are the inlet fluid
velocity -10 m/s, the outlet fluid pressure p=0 and the fluid
wall condition no slip.
Assign the inlet/outlet boundary conditions to the previously
created surfaces. Double click BCs

Meshing
Create datum planes with the offset from principal plane
method.
Select 0.0 to offset in each XY, YZ, XZ pair.
Use the planes to create partitions.

Meshing continued
Mesh Controls
Element shape: Hex,
Technique: structured

Element type
Family: Fluid
Geometric order: Linear

Post processing
From results, select velocity and select the view cut manager

Post processing
Plot symbols on the deformed shape
Create a path along the Y or Z direction in order to obtain the velocity
profile

0
0.025000006
0.050000004
0.075000003
0.100000009
0.100615591
0.102447182
0.105449677
0.10954915
0.114644662
0.120610744
0.127300486
0.134549156
0.150000006
0.15782173
0.165450856
0.172699526
0.179389268
0.18535535
0.190450862
0.194550335
0.19755283
0.199384421
0.200000003
0.225000009
0.25
0.275000006
0.300000012

Velocity (m/s)

Post processing

With the created path across the pipe, plot the velocity profile

14

12

10
8

True distance along path (m)

Post processing
Create another path next to the inlet and plot the velocity
profile

12

Velocity (m/s)

10
8
6
4
2
0

True distance along path (m)

0
0.000333309
0.000666648
0.000999987
0.001333326
0.001666665
0.002000004
0.002333313
0.002666652
0.002999991
0.00333333
0.003666669
0.003999978
0.004333317
0.004666656
0.004999995
0.005333334
0.005666643
0.005999982
0.006333321
0.00666666
0.006999999
0.007333308
0.007666647
0.007999986
0.008333325
0.008666664
0.009000003
0.009333313
0.009666651
0.00999999

Velocity (m/s)

Towards a laminar flow

By satisfying low Reynolds numbers and using the similar BCs

above, find a velocity profile similar to the graph below.
0.018

0.016

0.014

0.012

0.01

0.008

0.006

0.004

0.002

True distance along path (m)