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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.
Mechanical integrity
This topic explains how thermal results from WEM are mapped to detailed component models for structural and mechanical integrity analyses.

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.
- 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.
  - Introducing 2D-3D hybrid mapping
    This topic explains how to transfer thermal results between 2D axisymmetric and 3D models using hybrid mapping techniques, alignment tools, and mapping constraints for detailed thermal and structural 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.

Mechanical integrity

This topic explains how thermal results from WEM are mapped to detailed component models for structural and mechanical integrity analyses.

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

Mechanical integrity analysis evaluates the structural durability and lifetime of turbomachinery components under thermal and mechanical loading conditions. Mechanical integrity determines how many start-up cycles a rotor disk can withstand.

A common workflow uses thermal results from a 2D WEM as thermal boundary conditions for detailed 3D component analyses. Metal temperatures are often mapped from the WEM to component models for stress analysis.

To do this, use the Mapping solution type.

Thermal mapping functionalities

The mapping workflow supports hybrid 2D/3D models, periodic sector mapping, alignment tools, and integration with structural solvers such as ANSYS Mechanical and Simcenter Nastran.

the Alignment tool provides intuitive visual alignment between source and target models. This functionality helps align models with different coordinate systems or geometric positions.
2D-3D hybrid mapping includes:
- Circumferential averaging for 3D → 2D mapping.
- Revolved mapping for 2D → 3D.
- Proximity-based mapping for both 2D ↔ 2D and 3D ↔ 3D.
- Option to define a single axisymmetric association zone or target zone.
Reference fields
- Bun files are referenced directly as temperature fields.
- Significantly reduces file size.
Merge functionality combines results originating from different simulations. It supports different time-step definitions across datasets.

Thermal results for structural solvers

Mapped thermal results can be transferred directly to structural solvers.

ANSYS Mechanical

Thermal mapping supports direct export of thermal results into ANSYS Mechanical analyses.

Simcenter Nastran 401

The .bun files can be used directly as temperature loads in Simcenter Nastran 401 structural solutions.

Hands-on material

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

Map metal temperatures from WEM to component models