CFD FEA coupling

FEA supplier Abaqus and CFD vendor Fluent have developed a new software capability to allow designers to simulate fluid-structure interaction (FSI).

Using recently released software from both companies (Abaqus 6.5 and Fluent 6.2), the new FSI capability fills a gap in the simulation market by enabling users to solve complex multidisciplinary design problems involving coupled fluid flow and structural phenomena.

The new FSI capability supports steady-state or transient analysis of thermal-stress and/or mechanical deformation effects, including full bi-directional scalable coupling, and takes advantage of parallel processing within each analysis product.

Target applications for FSI include flow-induced vibrations in structures and equipment, fan blade flutter, in-vivo vascular flows, microfluidics, and consumer products design and packaging applications.