Dam-Break Analysis using 3DEXPERIENCE Platform – Fluid Dynamics Engineer Role – Lesson 1

Dassault Systems is the proprietor of SOLIDWORKS along with a suite of simulation software applications. This collection includes SOLIDWORKS Simulation, CATIA Analysis, Abaqus, among others, all falling under the SIMULIA umbrella.

This lesson will guide you through the correct process for transferring a SOLIDWORKS part to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. Once uploaded, you’ll utilize the Fluid Scenario Creation App to conduct a dam break simulation using volume of fluid (VOF) method. This application offers comprehensive analysis capabilities for both internal and external fluid flows, ensuring a thorough examination of the system’s performance.

Problem statement

Dam breaking is a hazard that can occur to old and outdated dams. It can create destruction of buildings nearby and huge floods also which can result in numerous deaths. Check the link below to visualize the hazardous impacts of dam break.

https://youtu.be/lYbFLBqJXVc

It is important to analyze the effect of heavy water flow due to dam break. The experimental studies on this are limited because of the need of large setup. Hence the researchers prefer computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis over experimental study. Hence, dam-break analysis is considered as a benchmark problem in CFD.

In this lesson, the part (Figure 1b)) which contains the fluid section and the obstruction is created in same dimensions of the experimental work of Cagatay and Kocaman (2011) (Figure 1a).

a)

b)

Figure 1. a) Dam break model with obstruction (Cagatay and Kocaman (2011)), b) Current model

The reservoir is modeled as water column and whole fluid part is modelled as VOF section in fluid dynamics engineer. The detailed steps and results are discussed below.

Before we dive in, here’s what you need to know:

• Make sure you’re using your usual Collaborative space.
• You’ll need internet access and a 3DEXPERIENCE ID.

This lesson on Flow Simulation is perfect for beginners who want to solve real-world engineering and design problems using simulation. It’s helpful to have a basic grasp of flow, pressure, velocity, and the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method.

You’ll also need to have the 3DEXPERIENCE Launcher installed.

Download the dam break model from the following link.

Dam break model

To initiate a SOLIDWORKS session from your desktop, simply double-click the SOLIDWORKS icon.

Figure 2. SolidWorks Icon

After opening SolidWorks, open the downloaded dam break model by clicking “File-open-(browse for file)-click open” in the menu bar. Now the model is opened in SolidWorks as shown below. Now go to the 3DEXPERIENCE compass (indicated by red arrow) shown in command manager.

Log into the 3DEXPERIENCE platform using your credentials.

When logged into the platform, you can see an orange save status (green arrow) to the right of the component name. It means that you have not saved your part to the platform. To save the same, please click on save active window (red arrow).

Please click ‘save’ on the following dialogue box.

Now it is visible that the model is saved to the platform (green tick near green arrow). Now click on the component and click on compass (blue arrow).

From the compass select the fluid dynamics engineer role.

When fluid dynamics engineer role opens, select fluid scenario creation app from the list.

3DEXPERIENCE fluid scenario creation has opened with the dam break model as shown below. Rename the simulation title as “dam_break_cfd_analysis”.

By default, the analysis type is set as steady state. Since, dam break analysis involves multiphase fluid flow, it should be transient. Hence, make the analysis transient and enter a total time of 10s. Make fixed time step of 0.01 s. Then click ‘ok’.

The CFD simulation is created now. Lesson 1 is finished.

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