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Turbomachinery getting started
This getting started guide provides a comprehensive introduction to thermal modeling for turbomachinery applications using Simcenter 3D Thermal Multiphysics.
Condition sequences
This topic explains how condition sequences define and manage engine operating conditions over a mission cycle in WEM.

Knowledge base articles
Knowledge base articles provide concise, practical guidance for solving thermal, flow, multiphysics, space systems, and turbomachinery modeling challenges in Simcenter 3D.
Space thermal getting started
This getting started guide provides a comprehensive introduction to space thermal modeling using Simcenter 3D Space Systems Thermal (SST).
Turbomachinery getting started
This getting started guide provides a comprehensive introduction to thermal modeling for turbomachinery applications using Simcenter 3D Thermal Multiphysics.
- Getting started with turbomachinery in Simcenter 3D
- Fundamentals of turbomachinery systems
  This topic introduces turbomachinery and explains how gas turbines convert working-fluid energy into mechanical energy or thrust. You will learn how turbomachines are classified, how the Brayton cycle describes gas turbine operation, and how the main gas turbine sections, components, and cooling systems support safe and efficient performance.
- Gas turbine design disciplines and data exchange
  This topic introduces the main engineering disciplines involved in gas turbine design and explains how they exchange data throughout the development process. You will learn how different teams collaborate, what data they produce, and how iterative workflows drive the final engine design.
- Introducing Whole Engine Model (WEM)
  This topic introduces the WEM and explains its role in gas turbine design. You will learn how WEM captures the thermal and structural behavior of the engine, what inputs it requires, and how it supports clearance and mechanical integrity assessments.
- Introducing the user interface
  This topic covers the user interface (UI) in Simcenter 3D Thermal Multiphysics. You will learn how to navigate the modeling environment and how to efficiently use the available tools, menus, and commands to build, set up, and review your models.
- Preparing geometry for WEM
  This topic explains why geometry preparation is critical for WEM analysis. You will learn how to simplify 3D CAD geometry into efficient 2D or hybrid models and how to prepare geometry for meshing and simulation in Simcenter 3D.
- Meshing strategy
  This topic explains how to create finite element models for WEM by combining multiple mesh types and abstraction levels.
- Managing parts and assemblies
  This topic explains how to manage parts and assemblies in WEM using associative geometry, collaborative simulation capability, and integration of submodels into a full engine simulation.
- Condition sequences
  This topic explains how condition sequences define and manage engine operating conditions over a mission cycle in WEM.
  - Create and manage condition sequences
    Learn how to manage condition sequences for transient engine mission simulations. You will inspect, modify, export, and import condition sequences and associate them with simulation solutions.
  - Create a solution from a condition sequence
    Practice defining parameters, conditions, and a condition sequence, and then create a solution that uses the condition sequence. A condition is a set of numerical values for all the defined parameters. A time history of conditions forms a condition sequence. You can create a solution containing time steps, as appropriate, for the number of sequences in the condition sequence.
- Introducing boundary conditions
  This topic explains the different types of boundary conditions used in turbomachinery simulations and how thermal, shared, and structural conditions are applied through simulation objects, constraints, and loads to represent multiphysics behavior.
- Solving a model
  This topic explains how to configure thermal-solver settings in WEM, including convergence criteria, discretization methods, integration methods, and axisymmetric-segment control for accurate and efficient thermal analyses.
- Post-processing results
  This lesson introduces post-processing commands to help you review and evaluate simulation outcomes using visualization and data analysis.
- Mechanical integrity
  This topic explains how thermal results from WEM are mapped to detailed component models for structural and mechanical integrity analyses.
- Blade cooling
  This topic explains why blade cooling is critical in gas turbines and how advanced cooling technologies allow turbine components to operate at temperatures above material limits.
- Troubleshooting the model
  This topic explains how to verify FEM quality, material definitions, mesh integrity, and element properties before solving a thermal model.

Condition sequences

This topic explains how condition sequences define and manage engine operating conditions over a mission cycle in WEM.

This lesson may include hands-on exercises. Review the Discussion section for background information or click the button to proceed to the practical section.

Discussion

Engine performance data—such as mass flow, temperature, pressure, shaft power, and rotational speed—is extracted at key stations for different engine loads and used as input to define the engine mission cycle.

Gas turbine cross-section showing key performance stations (ambient, compressor inlet/exit, turbine inlet/outlet) with markers indicating where temperature, pressure, and Mach number are defined.

Use the Condition Sequence command to apply these operating conditions across multiple engine states in a structured and consistent way.

Use Condition Sequence to:

Define how boundary conditions vary over the engine duty cycle.
Define time-dependent temperatures, pressures, and mass flows at various locations in the engine.
Enable users to run analyses at multiple transient profiles or engine conditions.
Link thermal boundary conditions to condition sequence parameters.

Engine parameter plot showing temperature (T20, T30, T26) and engine speed over time, with phases of startup, loading, and soaking at full load (design point), and shutdown.

A condition sequence consists of:

Parameters, which are variables such as temperature, pressure, mass flow, or rotor speed.
Conditions, such as specific engine states, for example, 50% load, 100% load defined by parameter values.
Sequence, which is a time-ordered set of conditions forming the mission profile.

In practice, engineers define parameters that drive physics, assign values for each condition (engine operating point), and define time steps to create the full mission cycle profile.

When you define a condition sequence, the software creates a table field for each condition parameter. The software then uses the field function to automatically create a locked expression for each table field.

After you create a condition sequence, use the New Solution from Condition Sequence command to create a solution with the appropriate time steps for the condition sequence. If you change the condition sequence, use the Update from Condition Sequence command to update the solution.

To share condition sequences between models or users, or to create them outside Pre/Post, export condition sequences in XML or BDD format. When imported, all existing condition sequences, conditions, and parameters in the Simulation file are replaced by those from the imported file.

Hands-on material

To gain experience with the topics discussed here, complete the following: